Bubba

After a whirlwind day, Bubba was exactly the soul-soothing experience I needed. If you’re looking for a spot that perfectly balances high-end flavor with that genuine Southern hospitality, this is it. Amazing Service: From the moment we walked in, the service was top-tier. It’s the kind of attentive, warm hospitality that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. The Food: Absolutely great. Whether you're there for the fried chicken, the pimento cheese, or their famous biscuits, the kitchen clearly knows what they’re doing. Everything was seasoned to perfection and served with a smile. The Atmosphere: It has that beautiful "Southern Belle" charm mixed with a modern vibe. It’s the perfect place for a celebratory dinner or just a really high-quality night out. Consistency: Bubba is a Des Moines staple for a reason. In a city with a lot of great food, they consistently stay at the top of the list by not cutting corners on service or ingredients. The Feel-Good Factor: After dealing with some service "fails" elsewhere today, Bubba was a breath of fresh air. It’s proof that great management and a passionate staff make all the difference. Five stars across the board! Great food, amazing service, and a total "must-visit" for anyone in the area. I’ll be back the next time I need a little Southern comfort in my life.

Overall, really good. Started with the crab cakes and frog legs for appetizers. The frog legs were definitely the better of the two, just not a fan of putting too much extra in crab cakes. Then we had the buttermilk chicken, half a bird, with their hot sauce. Really good and for the price, a ton of food. The red beans and rice and mashed potatoes were both great. My wife had the blackened catfish which was light, fluffy, and seasoned perfectly. For desert, the hummingbird pie. Good, but the pineapple was definitely canned which was a disappointment. Service was great, had no issues there!

First time visiting Bubba and it did not disappoint! From the best bloody Mary I have had to an amazing shrimp and grits experience. Prices were also very reasonable for a classy, delicious brunch.

In town to visit with family, our last night in town we selected Bubba's. This was the first time for all of us to eat at this restaurant. This restaurant strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. With its upscale aesthetic and warm, down-home atmosphere, it feels both refined and welcoming. The space spans two floors: the first features a cozy mix of bar seating and a handful of tables, while the second floor opens up to the main dining area, complete with long wall booths and a variety of table arrangements that invite relaxed gatherings and intimate meals alike. Our server was wonderful, checking the table often to refill drink orders between the appetizer and main meals. She also was helpful with dish options to match tastebud interests. The food was okay, a bit more seasoning would have made it really good. The exception is the Cajun Chicken & Sausage Gumbo was excellent! The roux was savory and on point - rich, velvety and layered with flavor. And the Mac & Cheese Bite appetizer was cheesy and lightly fried to perfection with jalapeno cheese sauce. A good place to enjoy a relaxing place with good service and food.

A bit loud because the place is packed. I can understand why. Great menu. Hard to choose. I chose Leather and Tobacco as a drink to honor my father. I settled on the fried green tomatoes to start even though i came for the frog legs. Delicious. Cajun pasta really hit the spot. Ordered the Hummingbird Cake. It was my oldest daughter's choice. I also opted for the Coca Cola cake to go in honor of my youngest daughter. Thank you Kieon for 5 star service. I can't wait to try this place again. LOVE the vibe. #youshouldbehere

I was in the area on a business trip and ended up coming back multiple times to try something new off the menu! Everything I ate was fantastic. The fried chicken was by far the best I've ever had and the sides were top notch! The chicken pot pie was also amazing! Super flavorful and a little soupy, which was nice for a cooler evening sitting on the patio. But my absolute favorite thing was the Coke & Peanuts drink! It's my new favorite drink and I don't think anything I'll have in the future will come close. Cannot recommend enough and will find any excuse to come back to the city so I can eat there again!

We arrived at opening time, for a weekday lunch. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, frog legs for appetizers, & the mac&cheese (a sharable dish, for sure! So rich & filling!!) with shrimp & bacon, & chicken fried steak for our entrees. We shared a peanut butter chocolate pie for dessert. Our waitress was very kind & professional. Our food was well presented & HOT when it arrived at the table. Veggie garnished were fresh & crisp. A delightful meal, celebrating a wonderful day.

Came here for my birthday lunch on a Saturday afternoon visiting Des Moines. There wasn't many other tables taken at that time so it was quiet and laid back. I love shrimp and grits. Between that being on the menu and the great reviews, I decided on Bubba's. I really liked the ambiance and vibe upon entering. Our waiter, Jordan, was fantastic. Very attentive, considerate and nice. I wish we had Jordan every time we went out somewhere. The shrimp and grits were fantastic. The onions, green/red peppers really added nice flavor to the dish. It was very filling and tasty. I was offered a free dessert for my birthday and Jordan even brought out a candle, which made it more special. Highly recommend going here!

Wow! I had the opportunity to eat at Bubba tonight and I was not disappointed! Bubba was recommended to me by a friend who said it was in his top restaurant list for Des Moines. Being from NC where southern food is amazing I was a little skeptical on what I would taste tonight. I started with the fried green tomatoes which were hearty, juicy and flavorful. As an entree I had the Catfish Skillet, which I responded Holy Cow as it came out. I love catfish and this was on point, I dare say it might be the best I ever had! I ended my dinner with the Pecan Pie, I couldn't stop eating it! Really good pecan pie! That is saying something. The bartender Trey was attentive, made great drinks, was personable and gave some good recommendations. He knew the menu like he knew how to make drinks. His attitude and demeanor was outstanding. My only critique would be to get a Smokey Old Fashion on the bar menu! Haha All in all, this is truly a southern restaurant sitting in the middle of Des Moines, Iowa!

In town, but downtown and with all the lane closures and switches take a break -- meter park for less than two dollars at the front door of " Bubba's" -- for some exquisite comfort food that includes blackened catfish -- all at a cost ($$). The decor is upscale even though you may dress as comfortable as you like from casual to business social. The bar master -- Jordan -- extraordinaire, is masterful at offering suggestions on dishes that suites your needs as well as suggestions on what's popular. What to be pampered then stop in and enjoy what's reminiscent of southern charm.

It was Friday date night and we decided to go to Bubba's. Thankfully we were able to get a last minute reservation for 730pm. When we arrived I was shocked to see the restaurant full from top to bottom (they have two levels). I was also shocked to hear how noisy it was. I could barely hear my boyfriend or the server. The table next to me sounded like they were talking from a microphone. I did not enjoy the ambiance here. The food here is hit or miss. We had the devils eggs and they tasted great. The chicken and dumplings sucked and not at all filling with the small bowl they give you. The salmon was surprisingly good but could have had a bit more sauce....it was also advertised as crispy salmon but I did not think it was crispy. Neither of us were full after dinner so we had to stop by a local pizza place to avoid going home hungry. The service here was great from the hostess to the server and the place is very clean. I'm not sure if this is enough for us to return though.

I went last night for Valentine's Day' it was great I had the same waitress I had from a few previous times I went didn't catch her name but food and service was great as usual. I love the grits and everything else I usually order. I'll come back anytime

Great service and nice atmosphere. Deviled egg starter was super. I had the fried chicken with pimento Mac and cheese. No pimento in it but it was still delicious. Chicken was good-but not a lot of meat...wondered if I got a back instead of a breast. We saw several things pass by we'd like to try on another visit. Staff was super.

Our group of 13 sat upstairs. Everyone was very friendly about getting the reservation set up and then adjusted to our actual size. We had drinks & appetizers: fritters, bread bowls, deviled eggs & corn dip. They were all good but the fritters were unassuming. Too much breading. The corn muffins were delicious! I think they were understaffed: one side of our table was served their dinners 5 to 7 minutes before the other half. Then, a dessert was served to our celebrating couple but no one was offered dessert. The food was good! Our waitress was great. Chicken, a steak, chicken fried steak, jambalaya, meatloaf, and catfish were enjoyed by everyone. The green beans weren't edible--too undercooked. Friend said her asparagus wasn't good either. The Brussels sprouts were tasty! Mashed potatoes were yummy. Bubba is a great place to go!!

The six of us dined in on a Saturday afternoon and shared the following: 1) Crab cake 2) Shrimp and crawfish fritters 3) Fried green tomatoes 4) Buttermilk fried chicken, half bird with mashed potatoes and crispy Brussel sprouts 5) Crispy succotash-stuffed chile relleno It was a lot of fried food but we had to make the most of it for our last meal in Des Moines before heading home to Chicago. I thought everything was delicious although I also wished there was a bit more kick and spice to some of the dishes. I really enjoyed the hot honey sauce that came with the fried chicken.

When you get told you are going to a place called Bubba, this is definitely not what you are picturing. Southern comfort food meets upscale dining at this place and it is excellent. The chicken fried steak is divine and paired perfectly with the mashed potatoes and green beans. Great cocktail selection and a perfect dirty martini. Lauren was a great waitress and gave us lots of recs on other places to try as we are from out of town. 10/10 recommend!

We've been to Bubba many times. It's next to Hotel Fort Des Moines. No issues with parking on the street. It's two levels with the bar on street level and most of the seating on the second level. It's a nice room and feels upscale. The specialty cocktails are solid. We went for the Des Moines Wine Week menu, which was prix fixe with special items not normally available. I won't go into the specific items because they aren't part of the standard menu, but just like everything else, the portions were generous and very delicious! Our server was very polite and attentive and quickly took care of a couple of requests we had. Really, if you find yourself in downtown Des Moines hit up Bubba. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the other restaurants in the area - you can't go wrong!

Bubba is a fucking gem in DesMoines. I live downtown Chicago near West Loop food scene. Bubba does it all as good, or better. The service, room, bar, oh the bourbons and ryes, the fried chicken and gumbo is as good as Bayou. Great true Southern flavors and butter here. Service is attentive and friendly. Willy at the bar is a gentlemen and bar scholar!!

Based on the Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes with Collared Greens, this restaurant gets 5 stars. We called in a pick up order while downtown for several hours. Everything was great! If you are not from around here, all the parking in the area is paid parking.

Best catfish I've ever had! Service was a bit slow forgot my diet coke. No biggie cause the chefs made up for the not so good service!I would definitely be back!

Went here on date night for my wife's birthday. The ambiance is the restaurant is incredible. Were able to take us in 30 minutes before our reservation which was nice. They have a two floor dining area. I had the fried chicken for my entree and the chicken was very juicy but I feel that the breading was too much. Not sure if too thick was the word. But the breading was somewhat overwhelming. Was a good experience and will probably be back.

Went here on date night for my birthday. The ambiance is the restaurant is fancy & upscale. They were able to take us in 30 minutes before our reservation which was nice. They have a two floor dining area, we were on the second floor. My husband had the fried chicken and the chicken was very juicy but he felt that the breading was too much. Not sure if too thick was the word. But the breading was somewhat overwhelming. My shrimp and grits were good, nothing fantastic but a great simple meal. The deviled eggs were the stand out of the entire night! Was a good experience and will probably be back. Would highly recommend reservations! Parking can be difficult as it's all metered street parking.

It's just OK I wasn't really really impressed but it was just OK. Haven't been back in a while. The food is just adequate. I have to try it again.

Nice selection of drinks, deviled eggs are pretty good. Think the best part was the red beans and rice, so delicious, full of flavor! We had the spicy meatloaf with mashed potatoes, green beans and Chicken fried steak. Meatloaf was a little heavy, sauce was a bit much on the spice. Mashed potatoes were pretty yummy, chunky reds mashed and fresh green beans. Things I didn't enjoy, slow service, run out of water and the hostess ended up getting it after the waitress said she would, not really friendly either. Apple crumble caramel crisp pie was overwhelming with too much cinnamon and was not worth the cost. They have a nice selection of comfort foods and if you're planning do book online.

I've been here several times but tonight was an 11/10. Started with my favorite cocktail Leather and Tobacco and deviled eggs. I decided to go over the top and got a NY Strip Oscar style. This was one of the most decadent dishes I've had in the metro. Cooked and seasoned perfectly, it was rich but not too over the top. The service was on point through the whole experience. This was not cheap but my expectations were high and they were exceeded so I don't mind one bit about the bill.

This place was wonderful! Driving through Iowa on a road-trip and decided to stop here. Food was INCREDIBLE. Best fried chicken my partner and I have ever had. Mashed potatoes were insanely good, as well as the Brussels sprouts. Our server was so sweet. Had the best time and would 100% recommend if you are stopping in De Moine.

Visited here while traveling for work. A coworker found it and suggested it. We weren't disappointed. We started with old fashions. They were mixed well. Then had deviled eggs. Definitely recommend. I had chicken fried steak and coworker did buttermilk fried chicken. We both had plenty of food and weren't disappointed. Quite tasty!!! Our server was present but not over bearing. The restaurant has a nice open atmosphere and not too loud even with a lot of people there. Make a stop. You won't be disappointed.

Food was good. Their servers were nice and chatty. The paintings were very cool in the restaurant.

OK... I'm not quite sure how I haven't been to Bubba yet. If I had any clue how much I would love this place I would have made the time much sooner. I suppose it's a good thing. I don't live in DSM because this place would get way too much of my money. The ambience/decor, the decadent, but affordable menu, the bourbon and cocktail selection... Everything was on point. Even the floor tile was beautiful. Our server was very friendly and helpful. Everything about this place was what I would look for in a restaurant - they even have a happy hour!! Say less. These deviled eggs, salmon salad, and southern protein bowls were amazing lunch options, but I can't wait to return for dinner and a drink.

Visiting Des Moines and my friend took us here for brunch. Street parked. Love the interior southern charm feel. We had a reservation and were sat upstairs. If I was dining alone or with one other person I would definitely sit at the bar downstairs. The waiter was prompt and welcoming. The menu has something for everyone. We were surprised biscuits and gravy was only a side and not an entree option. And we were looking for espresso or cold brew type beverages but were met with just a cup of joe. Not going to knock it for that tho. Just fyi. I had the southern protein bowl which was fresh, healthy and delicious. Nice to find a healthy option at a southern comfort place. My friends were content with the eggs benny and the pumpkin French toast. The bacon looked so good - a thick cut maple pecan glazed. I would love to come back for dinner - for something like a julep and gumbo or to try their fried chicken!

The only reason we gave it a 1 star is because the hostess. She should be fired. It was our first time dining there. The food was amazing and Justice our servicer was amazing. We almost left because of the hostess

This place is absolutely incredible! We had reservations at 6:45 pm. They seated us within 5 minutes and waited until everyone was seated to order drinks which I think was amazing! We had a party of 7, so they seated us upstairs in the corner which they have a huge window that overlooks downtown. Truly remarkable. My first drink was the Nola-Tini and let me tell you, I don't love super sweet espresso martinis and this was perfect! My now fiancé ordered an old fashioned and he said it was perfect. Now for appetizers we ordered the frog legs and warm corn dip, absolutely amazing! The waitress we had was incredible! She suggested that I order the Cajun pasta and I did! Absolutely incredible! My now fiance (as he proposed last night at Bubbas) ordered the chicken fried steak and he was super impressed. My best friend ordered the Dr Pepper glazed ham, and her husband ordered the jambalaya. My soon to be father in law and sister in law ordered the fried chicken. They said it was incredible! I will also tell you the portions are very generous so we had a lot of food to bring home. For desert we had the bananas foster and it was to die for!!! This is absolutely a special place and you are guaranteed to have an amazing time!

Great service, very attentive. I was alone so sat in the bar area. Had a burger and regular fries. Both very very good. Burger was messy, get extra napkins. Fries were tasty and crispy but not over cooked.

Decided to grab some lunch here today and was glad I did! Came in around 1 pm, not crowded at all and was seated immediately. The first thing I ordered was the devil eggs. The service was fast and the eggs were pretty good. I would give them an 8.7 out of 10. I really enjoyed the custard/ filling in the middle. It was delicious. You get a total of six sliced eggs, which is a pretty good amount. For my entree I got the shrimp and grits. This was my favorite dish of my meal today. It was absolutely delicious. The shrimp was large in size and fresh in taste. Absolutely 100% recommend getting this entree. I would give it a 9.8/10. I also had a side of red beans and rice. I did enjoy it I thought it was very flavorful. However, it was a little too salty for my liking. I think if they ease up on the salt it would be perfect. I'll give it a 7.3/10. Lastly I did order an alcoholic beverage, I think it was called peach tree or something. One of their signature cocktails. It was made with iced tea, aperol, and mint. It wasn't my favorite although it looked very pretty! I'd give it a solid 5/10. Really happy I tried this place out! I had a lovely lunch with excellent service. Definitely a must try if you're in the Des Moines area!

In town to visit with family, our last night in town we selected Bubba's. This was the first time for all of us to eat at this restaurant. This restaurant strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. With its upscale aesthetic and warm, down-home atmosphere, it feels both refined and welcoming. The space spans two floors: the first features a cozy mix of bar seating and a handful of tables, while the second floor opens up to the main dining area, complete with long wall booths and a variety of table arrangements that invite relaxed gatherings and intimate meals alike. Our server was wonderful, checking the table often to refill drink orders between the appetizer and main meals. She also was helpful with dish options to match tastebud interests. The food was okay, a bit more seasoning would have made it really good. The exception is the Cajun Chicken & Sausage Gumbo was excellent! The roux was savory and on point - rich, velvety and layered with flavor. And the Mac & Cheese Bite appetizer was cheesy and lightly fried to perfection with jalapeno cheese sauce. A good place to enjoy a relaxing place with good service and food.

Hosted a large dinner at Bubba, and the staff was excellent, as were the food and drinks. Def worth checking out when in DSM.

Bubba's Southern kitchen is hands down one of the best restaurants in Des Moines! Upscale yet welcoming, with a fantastic server who made the experience even better. The kids menu is great, and the entree menu is diverse with something for everyone. We especially enjoyed the classic Southern appetizers and entrees -- everything was flavorful and perfectly prepared. Would absolutely go again!

4.75* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4* Service: 5* A high-quality southern comfort food restaurant in downtown Des Moines with a great atmosphere. 10/19/2023 Had a chance to get back here after a couple of years and again thoroughly enjoyed the food, atmosphere and service. They have a reasonable selection of beers on tap along with an extensive array of liquor (see pictures). Both my friend and I ordered the Pan Seared Salmon (see picture) along with a side of grits (see picture) and both of us would highly recommend it for your visit. The best part by far though was what we shared after dinner - the Bourbon Bananas Foster (see picture). I shouldn't have eaten nearly as much as I did, but the creamy, carmelized sauce over the perfectly prepared waffle and bananas just kept calling me back for "1 more bite". Make sure you save room to enjoy this after your meal - you will truly thank me for the experience!

Food is absolutely delicious every visit with great service. Love the deviled eggs they are a must for us.

Great food. Excellent service. Will visit again when I come to Des Moines. Very tasty food.

Beautiful ambiance and with the season it was decorated with lots of Christmas decor. Clean dining room and restrooms. Service was fast and attentive. Food was delicious. My meatloaf was not your standard midwestern boring meatloaf. It was BBQ with some spice to it.

When it's been good it's been really good, but there has been more than 1 occasion where the food has just been ok.

Went to Bubba for Mothers' Day; party of four, no reservation. We were seated immediately and Keon provided us with immaculate service. My wife ordered a special cocktail and she was very happy with it. We had trouble selecting from the many delicious options on the menu, but when the food arrived we were not disappointed! The Bacon Benedict was delicious, and everyone was very satisfied with the other dishes as well.

Amazing food, amazing service! One of my new favorite places to go. Highly recommend. The interior is also cute and southern charm. Love it

Ordered the crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, bread basket and chicken and waffles. Everything was quite delicious. Yes the fried chicken was quite brown as good fried chicken should be; not fake like KFC. The coating was tasty (NO burnt flavor) and the chicken was super moist. The crab cakes were nearly better than ones I had in Florida last month.

What a fun spot after a flight into town! Southern cooking, not my go to but still very yummy. Started with the deviled eggs, they were good but the whites a bit tough, like they were sitting peeled or made in the fridge for a bit too long. The gumbo was very good and very hot! The Cajun shrimp pasta was very good and rich! Service was very good! 4 instead of 5 for the chewy egg whites

Came in for brunch on Saturday morning. It's a neat building with seating upstairs or on the main floor. We ordered a 4 piece chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and crawfish mac and cheese, my son loved the chicken said better than Grandma's. I ordered chicken fried steak with eggs and hash browns with white cheddar corn grits. The grits were the best thing I had. Hash browns were cold and soggy greasy, the chicken fried steak was just not seasoned at all the gravy was bland and a flour taste came through the fry on the chicken fried steak was great but the gravy made it soggy so next time I would ask for the gravy on the side. My Daughter in law had the Bubbas breakfast and it was pretty unremarkable except for the apple pancakes which were very good.

Overall a good experience. I ordered the catfish skillet, and asked for fried catfish. I also ordered the pimento Mac and cheese. Service was phenomenal. We were taken care of immediately after being seated. The great service continued throughout the meal. The food was good. Not the best catfish I have had, but it was good. A little too bready. Next time I will order it grilled. Mac and cheese, per usual, was amazing.

We were in town for the day and were craving some southern food! We stuck to appetizers because we were so indecisive and hungry but everything we ordered was delicious! We had the bread basket which came with a soft biscuit like bread and cornbread muffins. The crab cakes were delicious as well except the only thing we requested was extra sauce on the side because it didn't seem to me enough. I would definitely come back and order an entree next time!

Really good food. Very much enjoyed everything that was brought to the table. Beautiful atmosphere and building as well. Service was not quite on par with the food and atmosphere. Still would go back.

Stopped in here early on a Saturday with a reservation. We sat at the bar while we waited for our table and grabbed a few drinks with the bartender. The bartender was nice but not very attentive- she forgot one of our drinks and seemed in a bad mood. Our server was very nice and on top of our food and drink orders. I got one of the valentines week specials which was a filet mignon with Gorgonzola cream sauce and sweet potatoes. It was delicious! My husband got the chicken fried steak which came with mashed potatoes and bacon green beans. Very tasty as well. We got the pimento Mac and cheese to go with blackened chicken. It was very rich but tasty and will be great as a leftover!

We found this place online and decided to stop by. The place is very beautiful inside. As soon as you walk in the hostess greats you. The bar is along the wall. The decor of the entire place is beautiful. The service was fast. I wish the meal came with bread but if you want a basket of bread it is $10. We ordered chicken and waffles and a shrimp pasta. My husband got a soda and I got water. The service was fast and everything flowed smoothly. The price was $45 definitely reasonable since it was a nice restaurant. Overall great experience and the food was delicious.

Bubba is in a beautiful space. I love the look of the bar and the upstairs dining area. The staff was a little pushy, and our food was fine. I had the Pimento Mac and Cheese. It had a small blob of pimento on top. I inhaled the whole dish, but it was light on pimento flavor.

Fabulous meal. We had a nice dinner out before going to the rodeo. Few weeks ago. The cocktails were unique and top notch. I ordered the Clausmopolitan a my husband ordered a specialty old fashion. The fried crispy juicy chicken was yummy and the crispy salmon was perfectly cooked. The fresh banana cream pie was delicious with caramelized bananas and a lightly sweetened real cream fluff and graham cracker crust. The server was knowledgeable of the menu and on top of everything. We will be returning. The cost and menu are worth every penny.

I walked in and I was instantly greeted and seated. This was a Sunday afternoon. The music and decor are beautiful mix. I especially loved the artwork hanging up. It was brunch time I started with the deviled eggs that were topped with bacon. These came in an order of 6 and were absolutely delicious. The filling was creamy and well seasoned. While the bacon added that crunch and sweetness to make this an outstanding dish. Next I had the street corn dip. This was very tasty and reminded me of street corn so it hit the mark there. Then I decided not to listen to my stomach say it was full and went ahead and ordered their buttermilk fried chicken with hot honey with came with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and two other sides. And to top it off I ordered the whisky pecan pie as well. Absolutely yummy I enjoyed everything. Oh wait I almost forgot my Vitamin C... this is one of their brunch cocktails. It is vodka based with Prosecco hints of orange and even a Jell-O shot to get you started. Overall I can't wait to come back and check yall out for dinner! PS Josh is an amazing server!

Mercedes was a fantastic waitress. She was very pleasant and attentive to everything we needed. Our meal was yummy. We will definitely come again to try other items from the menu. We sat on the second floor and had a nice view of most of the restaurant.

This place is dope. Very cool concept. Nice vibe. Unique and flavorful food. Vegan options!!! It's amazing when a place actually has dedicated vegan entrees that are labeled as such, and aren't basic af. We were very impressed and enjoyed everything.