🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
🐓 Chicken + Grandma’s Secret Sauce: This week’s spotlight proves that fast can still mean fresh, flavorful, and downright crave-worthy. Check out our restaurant spotlight 👇
🍷 A midweek deal that hits all the right notes: Wine, jazz, and Peruvian flavor? Sign me up!
👋 Brought to you by Emily: Just one local gal bringing you the best of DSM each week. If you enjoy it, forward it to a friend! Let’s all get out there!
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
Original wrap with everything on it (lettuce, pickles, and Char’s sauce)
Choose Your Own Adventure - You can order the chicken as a sandwich, wrap, or salad. I ordered the Original Wrap that comes with crispy chicken, pickles, and Char’s sauce. One of the best surprises were the options for sides. I wanted some extra veggies, so I went with the brussels sprouts and they were perfection. You don’t see these side options too often— loaded tots, cheese curds, and those perfectly roasted sprouts among others.
A Reason to Go Now – They keep things exciting with rotating weekly specials and creative chicken flavors like the Crab Rangoon (yes, really!). And there is a Butterfinger milkshake available this month! 😋 Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or planning a casual meal out, Charlotte’s Kitchen is one of those places you’ll find yourself craving again and again.
🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
25th Anniversary Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Celebration | Des Moines Art Center | Celebrate 25 years of this beloved community tradition honoring life, love, and memory. Enjoy live performances, hands-on art activities, and beautifully crafted ofrendas (altars) created by local artists and families. A vibrant and meaningful cultural experience for all ages. | Saturday, Nov. 1, 11am–3pm | Free
Halloween on the Hill | Historic Sherman Hill Neighborhood | One of Des Moines’ most charming neighborhoods transforms into a Halloween wonderland! Stroll the historic streets lined with decorated homes and plenty of spooky surprises. Costumes encouraged for all ages. This community tradition brings out the best kind of Halloween spirit. | Thursday, Oct. 30, 6:30–8:30pm | Free
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park | Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, Des Moines | The ultimate Halloween thrill for those who love all things scary! Wander through 10+ themed zones—from the Castle of Blood to the Nightmare Asylum. 🤡 And don’t be surprised to run into roaming clowns around the property. With food and live entertainment, it’s frighteningly fun. | Open through Nov. 1 | Ticket prices vary
Some Friends with The Guilty Pleasures | Wooly’s, East Village | Ease into the weekend with laid-back reggae vibes from Some Friends and local rock favorites The Guilty Pleasures. Expect high energy, great sound, and the kind of crowd that is all about positive vibes. | Saturday, Nov. 1 | Doors 8pm | 21+ | $15 in advance/$20 at door
44th Annual Santa’s North Pole Village Craft Sale | Prairie Trail Sports Complex, Ankeny | Kick off your holiday shopping at this beloved Ankeny tradition hosted by the Ankeny Art Center. With 180+ local vendors, handmade gifts, festive décor, and plenty of treats, it’s the perfect place to find something special (and maybe start feeling a little jolly). | Saturday, Nov. 1, 9 am – 3 pm | $7 admission
Stop wondering what to do and start doing. Pick one and make it happen!
Photo: Des Moines Arts Center “25th Anniversary of Day of the Dead” https://www.facebook.com/events/748653368172764
💸 Local Deal of the Week
Panka Peruvian Restaurant | If you’ve been meaning to try something new, Panka is the perfect place. Their daily happy hour from 5–7 pm offers 50% off beer and wine, but the real fun starts midweek. On Tuesdays, enjoy 2-for-1 cocktails and the Piqueo Peruano platter for $23. Wednesdays bring live jazz from 6–8 pm, 2-for-1 glasses of wine, and a lineup of $7 appetizers like Ceviche Peruano, Empanadas de Ali de Gallina, and Chicharron de Pescado. Thursdays? 2-for-1 beers and all the ceviches. Basically, every night’s a good night to go. | pankadsm.com
Photo: YSS “Why We Sleep Out: Reggie’s Story https://www.yss.org/reggies-story/
💛 Giving Back
Reggie’s Sleepout | One night can make a big difference. Join community members across Des Moines for Reggie’s Sleepout, an annual event raising awareness and funds to help end youth homelessness in Iowa. Participants spend the night outside at Drake Stadium to stand in solidarity with youth who don’t have a safe place to sleep. Donations are also welcome. All proceeds support YSS, which provides housing, counseling, and support services for Iowa youth and families. | Saturday, Nov. 1 | Learn more or register at yss.org/reggies-story
🐾 Pet Pick-Me-Up: Dogs in Costumes
Now get out there, Des Moines!
With local love,
Emily
AroundDSM
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