🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
🥗 A Des Moines classic where the salad bar is half the reason to go.
📖 A literary night out with one of the most talked-about authors in recent years.
🌿 Learn what’s edible, what’s medicinal, and what’s been growing around you all along.
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
Chicago Speakeasy | 1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines |
Photo: Salad Bar plate | Emily Johnson
Photo: Prime Rib Lunch Special | Emily Johnson
🥩 A classic that’s stood the test of time – Chicago Speakeasy has been serving Des Moines for over 45 years and it shows in all the best ways. Cozy wood booths, a slightly old-school “mafia vibe,” and a menu full of prime rib, steaks, and comfort favorites make it feel like stepping into a place that’s been getting it right for decades.
🥗 The salad bar you’ve heard about (and then some) – We grabbed a booth within view of the famous salad bar and honestly you could make a full meal out of it. With 50+ homemade items, your plate won’t hold everything, so choose wisely (or upgrade to unlimited visits).
🍟 A lunch special worth planning around – We went on a Monday for the prime rib lunch special which comes with seasoned fries and a visit to the salad bar. Everything was spot on, and the rotating specials give you a reason to come back on different days. Add in top-notch service and a locally owned legacy, and it’s easy to see why this place is still a go-to. 👉 View the menu here.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: Amazon Echo Spot
The new Echo Spot shows time, weather, song titles, controls your lights, and plays music with rich, clear sound. It also has built-in privacy controls that are as easy as pushing a button. #ad Learn more here.
Enjoy great sound with deep bass and clear vocals.
Check time, weather, and alarms at a glance.
✨ New Around Town: Radiate Light Collective
Radiate Light Collective | 2819 100th Street, Suite 1, Urbandale |
There’s a new space in Urbandale focused on healing, connection, and personal growth and their grand opening is this Saturday. Radiate Light Collective offers a variety of wellness experiences designed to support both mind and body, creating a space where you can slow down, reflect, and reconnect.
Stop by their Grand Opening on Saturday the 28th at 2 pm to check out the space, learn more about what they offer, and get a feel for this new addition to the local wellness community.
🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
📚 Meet the Author: Rachel Yoder | Beaverdale Books, 2629 Beaver Ave. Des Moines |
Book lovers, this is a good one. Beaverdale Books is hosting author Rachel Yoder for a conversation around her wildly original and darkly funny novel, Nightbitch — the book that sparked plenty of conversation for its sharp, surreal take on motherhood, identity, and modern womanhood.
Even if you haven’t read the book yet, this could be a fascinating night out for anyone who loves literature, creative conversation, or hearing directly from an author whose work made a big cultural splash (and was later adapted into a film starring Amy Adams).
| Thursday, March 26th | 6:00 pm | Free | beaverdalebooks.com |
🔮 Pottery & Tarot | Five Monkeys Inc., 131 5th St. West Des Moines |
If your ideal night out involves a little creativity and a little cosmic guidance, Pottery & Tarot might be your vibe. Spend the evening painting a project of your choice while also getting a tarot card reading from Maggie — because, why not?
Saturday nights at Five Monkeys are adults only, so this one leans more cozy girls’ night / unique date night than family outing. Bonus: it’s BYOB.
| Saturday, March 28th | 7:00–10:00 pm | Adults Only | BYOB | Registration Required | fivemonkeysinc.com |
🦸 Des Moines Comic & Toy Show | Merle Hay Mall, Urbandale |
If you’ve got a soft spot for comics, collectibles, or a little nostalgic treasure hunting, Merle Hay Mall will be your happy place this weekend. The Des Moines Comic & Toy Show is taking over the mall with 100+ vendor and artist spots packed with pop culture finds — from Pokémon and Star Wars to vintage toys, vinyl, posters, Funko Pops, and plenty of comic books.
It’s free to attend, family-friendly, and honestly the kind of event where you can “just browse” and somehow still leave with something fun.
| Saturday, March 28th–Sunday, March 29th | 10:00 am–5:00 pm | Free | Merle Hay Mall |
🌱 Edible & Medicinal Plant Identification Walk | Bill Riley Trail, (Meet at Ashworth Pool Parking Lot, 102 45th St. Des Moines) |
Want to start noticing what’s growing all around you this spring? Join local forager Lindsey Coyne for a guided walk along the Bill Riley Trail focused on identifying edible and medicinal plants, spring ephemerals, mushrooms, and trees. It’s part nature walk, part learning experience, and a really interesting way to see a familiar trail with fresh eyes.
You’ll also learn about foraging safety and local laws, so it’s beginner-friendly and practical if you’ve ever been curious but didn’t know where to start.
| Sunday, March 29th | 4:00–5:00 pm | Suggested Donation: $15–$35 | Registration Recommended | herbanforage.com |
🍜 Ramen Club Pop-Up Dinner | Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, 555 17th St. Des Moines |
If your idea of a great night out involves trying something you definitely can’t make at home, this one’s for you. Big Grove and Ramen Club are teaming up for a one-night-only 6-course street-style dinner filled with bold, creative flavors and seriously fun dishes.
Expect everything from miso mushrooms and chori-takoyaki to mapo ramen and mangonada sticky rice — an adventurous menu in the best way. Tickets are set up by table, so this would be a fun one to round up a few foodie friends for.
| Sunday, March 29th | Doors 6:00 pm | Dinner 6:30–8:00 pm | Tickets Required | ramenclubtaco.com |
Stop wondering what to do and start doing. Pick one and make it happen!
🐾 Pet Pick-Me-Up
Now get out there, Des Moines!
With local love,
Emily
AroundDSM
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