Dirt Burger

Vegan restaurant · Des Moines

Dirt Burger

Vegan restaurant · Des Moines

1

407 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

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Dirt Burger by Eater
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null
Dirt Burger by null

Highlights

Hefty plant-based burgers, Dirt Balls, vegan sodas, & shakes  

Featured in Eater
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407 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309 Get directions

google.com
@dirtburgerdm

$10–20 · Menu

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407 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309 Get directions

+1 515 850 3890
google.com
@dirtburgerdm

$10–20 · Menu

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reservations

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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Des Moines’s Best Restaurants, According to 2020 Campaign Operatives | Eater

"Iowa is the pork capital of the United States, so vegan options are not exactly top of mind. Enter Tony Pille, who spent the last three years sourcing vegetables from local producers, including his personal farm, to develop a vegan burger. It’s not meant to be an alternative to the Impossible Burger or Beyond Meat, because the patty is composed of, says Pille, “ingredients that you can pronounce.” Beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, buckwheat, and mushrooms are among the burger’s 19 ingredients, most of them from nearby farms. Try it with a side of Dirt Balls, the restaurant’s take on croquettes." - Gary He

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-des-moines-iowa
View Postcard for Dirt Burger

Brian Bopp

Google
Here's a burger even omnivores can enjoy. I'll admit the name is what caught my attention, but the flavors were way better than the mud pies my sister used to feed me 60 years ago. I tried the Cobra Kai as suggested by the friendly and patient waitstaff. The Asian style toppings made for a great accent to the burger (still not sure what it was made of...). A side of "Dirt Balls" is a MUST! (Deep fried mashed potato balls with an herby twist) I won't become a vegan anytime soon, but I will gladly return to Dirt Burger.

Senaca F.

Google
A Hidden Gem in Downtown Des Moines. I was shocked that the burgers were great the salad was excellent and you have to try a Vegan Soda. The whole restaurant was spotless. They take great pride in what they're doing. I love that. We would definitely go back again again and again.

Taylor Swoverland

Google
A must stop! I was only in town for a couple days but walked by this place and had to stop in the next day. I’m not vegan but wanted to try anyways and was not disappointed. I ordered the original dirt burger on fresh greens instead of the bun and it was great! The staff and ownership are very friendly as well, and the environment is very cool! I highly recommend!

Gina W.

Google
The coup de gras after I ran the Des Moines Marathon: I walked myself down to experience Dirt Burger in downtown Des Moines. What I got was the best damn veggie burger - no, the best BURGER that I've ever had. Why? It was slutty and savory, saucy and full of different textures. It was a perfect mouthful. Like a Big Mac, only without the disappointing patties and bread in the middle. I know, you're going to say that I forgot and what meat tastes like. I haven't. I know for some folks the ideal burger is a meat patty with grease that runs down your arm. I get it. I happened to prefer a veggie burger, and I think this is more interesting with lots of unctuous flavor, and it ain't health food - except that with so many whole food ingredients it kind of is. But it felt really indulgent to me, especially when I paired it with their real potato french fries and the tiger sauce the staff recommended. And she was so, so right. As they said once on my beloved show "Chef!" with Lenny Henry, "I've never had a liquid as good as that in my life." They had vegan shakes that looked absolutely amazing, but I didn't have anyone to split with, and I knew I would be in pain after I packed it all in... Also, I'm weird, but I had some granola at the hotel room that I was pretty excited about. Anyway, all this and gluten-free since I ordered it on the GF roll. Staff was also incredibly friendly. I'm seriously jealous that Iowa has this joint, but it's all for the best since I would gain 5 lb a week if this place was down the street.

Holly Black

Google
Wow. What?! The burgers at this place are straight up amazing! The Volcano was perhaps the best plant-based burger I’ve ever had! The spice, the crunch—everything was just enough. I did NOT want to share with my husband. He got the Bel Air. That burger was great too, but we both really preferred the Volcano! The fries were good, but nothing particularly special. We really liked the minimalist, clean vibe. AND, as they mention on their website, this is a non-pretentious vegan joint. It was quite busy when we went, and we even saw families with children enjoying the food their! The keep their food cheap, which is great word play on the restaurant’s name! Not to mention dirt…which plants grow in…anyway—clever name! We don’t live in Des Moines, but will come back here as often as we can for these super clean, super yummy, crave-worthy burgers!

Nic

Google
Really good food! My pup LOVES the ice cream and the Dirt Balls were amazing along with the burger and fries.

Yadira Mayorga

Google
GOOD AND CHEAP! it’s so rare to find a cheap vegan spot thats amazing but this place really has it all! Tried their original dirt burger, dirt balls with tiger sauce, and a vanilla cone for dessert. Kinda disappointed on the ice cream. Lacked sweetness, but was only $2 so I’m not mad about it.

E

Google
O.M.G. the most delicious vegan place I have ever tasted!! Croquettes were great as well as the different vegan dipping sauces!! The mushroom burger I would eat every day for the rest of my life.