Either/Or

I love that this place is so kid friendly! There is a playground near the outside eating area with a fenced in parameter, so parents can let their kids play and enjoy a meal in peace. The food and service is good, but the atmosphere here really makes it

Let’s start with the positives. Atmosphere in general was excellent: it was pretty chill, kid friendly, things to do outside, right off the bike trails, and cool over looking the Sands soccer fields/volleyball courts. Service was very good: the young lady that helped us was great, staff worked as a team, and everyone was polite and professional. Amount of parking compared to the size of the seating area was so-so. You may have a little walk, but not too bad. Now the reason I only gave it three stars. Obviously you come for the food. As a dinner place, it was so-so at best. I got the bolognese cavatelli and would compare it to a high-end Chef Boyardee. The noodles were good, very little meat, the sauce was seriously lacking, and parmesan cheese is a poor choice. Honestly, not good, would never order that again and would not recommend it. Understand the Fried Dunbar was good and the Salmon Poke was so-so. The Mexican cheese curds and fried buffalo chicken appetizers were okay. Point being, for the price, the food should be much better. Someone told me their brunch was good. Wouldn’t mind giving that a shot, as the atmosphere and service were great. But dinner is a no go for me. Just my two cents. You be the judge.

The atmosphere of this place is laid back. It's super cool with its decor on the walls everywhere, so it's worth going to see. Make certain to go to the bathroom, but will probably need to. Lol. The accommodation for children with a play area outside was absolutely great for a family. The food was laden with bad grease. Otherwise, it could be good. The server never asked if everything was OK as the alcoholic drink was not. It tasted like they left out a couple of ingredients when they made it. It's better to say it if you don't have it if that was the case besides just making it, not according to the menu or just don't let anyone make your drinks. I like to order the special menu items. Bologna on my burger just must not be for me. It was ok at the beginning. The chicken sandwich looked good, and family liked it. I believe it was the fries that made us feel bad. Fries can make you or break you, especially if they're such a main item on the menu. So many people love fries. They seem to be the big push, so changing the grease is ultra important even if it costs more because we don't want them now. The tomato soup side was very good. However, you charge extra for it. Portions were big, so why not just make the soup 50 cents less sized or more clear that side choice, not fries, is more. It's not a big deal, but being surprised is not included in a good experience. The family atmosphere was worth it, but other than that, it wouldn't be a place of choice unless to show off the atmosphere of somewhere different. If I go again, I'm trying their chicken Alfredo sandwich but skipping the fries.

Put this on the top of your to go list, cause it's great! The decor is fun, the folks working here are friendly and helpful, and the food is delicious. We went during the holiday season and tried out the unique menu, but everything looked great and I can't wait to come back. I really enjoyed their main specialty burger, and the drinks and beer were delicious. They even have a kid play area outside!

One of the best burgers I've had. The scenery was clean, nice, and cozy. Our server was very informative and friendly.

Overall, fantastic pancakes but took 45 minutes to get our food. I would come back for the food but won't because the wait was absurd, and it was 9am in the morning with only 2 other tables being served in the whole restaurant.

Came to eat here with my gf for the first time since I moved to Iowa. Really cool vibes, and delicious food. Make sure to request Eden since she was super friendly and legit! Gf meant to take picture of food before eating, but we both forgot since it looked and tasted so good!

Loved the gluten free orange chicken here! Plenty of gf options to choose from. They also have cbd/thc infused drinks here. Outside is a large outdoor patio where kids can play too while waiting for food. Very friendly service, we'll be back!

We dropped in after a volleyball match for a late lunch/brunch. So glad we did. We were immediate seated and our server was prompt to get us drinks. They had good movies playing and the NFL playoff coverage which entertained my whole group. Food was good and the atmosphere was fun and comfortable. Can't want to get back during the warmer weather. Food prices were higher then I expected but will still returned a little more prepared.

New to the area and found a good lunch spot! My boyfriend and I were seated quickly and all of the staff members were very nice. We sat outside, where there's also a play area for kids. We both ordered the weekday $16 lunch special, where you get half a sandwich and choose two sides. We chose the either or burger and the pork sandwich. For sides we both chose the broccolini and fries. They also have lots of vegan and vegetarian options! Their food was okay, recommend coming here for drinks with a group.

Cute place, it was a nice day and a great place for me to take a toddler. Our server was great. I ordered a cocktail and salad. I was pretty shocked when the bill arrived to find out my cocktail was $32. I ordered a double Casa Amigos with club soda. I'm not sure I've ever paid that much in any city for that drink.

Dinner for 3, on a week night to celebrate a birthday. It was really odd that when ordering an entree item, of which the list is limited already, that they we were out and a second disappointment is that they DO NOT RECOGNIZE BIRTHDAYS. Our server was short in the area of friendly service and not willing to discuss menu items or even make suggestions. He was visibly irritated when we ordered cocktails and were not interested in appetizers even after telling him twice that we were waiting on a third. Fried bologna sandwich was surprisingly tasty and not salty, as expected. The chicken sandwich is mid and the Pork Ragu was bland.

Got a last minute late dinner and was so impressed. Service was excellent, very attentive and friendly. Love the outdoor seating and playground area for families. Great drink selection and pretty decor. The food was very pleasant to the palate, remarkably complemented sides. Definitely plan to go back soon.

Either/Or... Can't decide. Interesting concept of a family friendly restaurant...kinda like a mullet. You know:fancy in the front, kid party in the back. Their parking lot is a little small so it was challenging finding parking in the road or the lot. Walking in looked inviting and classy. A bachelorette party was about to get started. DEFINITELY attracts a ladies night. We had a seat within 20 min. Food was good and pretty basic. Ordered 2 burgers (looked like a smash burger), mozzarella sticks, brussel sprouts, salmon dish, kids chicken tenders, kids grilled cheese. Everything was normal and as expected. Nothing extraordinary but also not bad. Service was fine, mediocre. Something was lacking but we couldn't put our finger on it. Environment is loud with kids playing but that was expected. There were plenty of kids running around outside and playing. The naturescape was attractive to toddler age. My kids are older but decided to go play with little kids. Lots of parents out there enjoying their drinks and non-socializing. I couldn't decide if this place was for the kids or for the adults. I also couldn't decide if this was my type of place to chill with a good drink or go opposite and feel like I was going crazy with all the kids and noise. Maybe that's why they settled on the name Either/Or... I guess it was a mid level visit. No complaints. It was just vanilla.

Food was great and served quickly. We sat outside on the patio so our kids (6,7,8) could play. I think I was hoping for more when it said there was a play area. I think it's better suited for younger kids. Mine quickly became bored with it so we ate and left. Great food and great for young kids.

I mean where else can you get a burger at 9 am - and not just a burger, but like my death row burger because it's that good! Nothing hits quite like a burger and fries at 9am- they're doing God's work! Also for whoever works there that is seeing this pls bring back the gochujang (idk if im spelling that right) chicken wings! Thx!

I'm having a newfound obsession with beet salads. I can't stop making them at home, and I can't stop looking for them on menus. This lunch was no exception, and it was another wonderful beet salad! Something about the combination of arugula, feta and beets, and I just can't stop devouring it all. Anyone else? Where are your favorite beet salads around? I also love Biaggi's beet salad, but where else? Anyhow, Either/Or had a beet salad that I had to order. All the good "stuff" was at the bottom, upon arrival, so we did have to give it a good mixup, and then it was go time. The fresh cucumbers were a nice addition, kept it light and crispy. Vinaigrette was absolutely perfect. I loved it, could totally turn this into a meal next time. We got one Lua burger, and one porchetta sandwich. Both excellent! Lua Burger: two patties, fried onions, cheese, Lua sauce (similar to a big mac sauce) and pickle. It was very much like an elevated big Mac in flavor, but way better! Side of fries were hot and delicious. Porchetta Sandwich: I wasn't crazy about this one, I felt like the whole sandwich was a little dry. The focaccia bread had excellent seasonings and flavor, and the Porchetta was very good when I pulled it off the bread and took a bite. It just felt like it was missing...something. Or maybe I was just too obsessed with the beet salad to care about anything else! Also served with hot, delicious french fries. I will say they have the GOOD ranch, for those who care (like me), and the hot french fries dipped in their amazing ranch dressing was definitely a highlight. We sat at a bar table, excellent service all around; a great little lunch spot! -- at Either/Or.

Ordered the Salmon Salad full of colorful greens, chick peas, diced celery and delicious salmon bites draped with a capsule of vinaigrette. Taylor was very attentive to her customers. The overall atmosphere was relaxing.

First of all, such a fun interior it is decked out for Christmas currently. My server appeared to be new because he mentioned a menu test but was very attentive and had great recommendations. I'm not currently drinking so I wasn't able to try the cocktail menu but the drinks looked SO fun. I had the crab cake as a main and it was excellent. If I lived in the area I'd definitely be back.

Have been to Either Or a few times now and there is good and bad. The ambiance and layout is nice with both inside and el fresco dining separated by floor to ceiling garage doors. Inside, the music is always too loud. The service is fair to midland each time. Never great, but doable. The problem is food consistency. We have found the Lua burger to be the one reason/ item we return. A good smash burger (ask for extra sauce on the side) on a fresh house-made bun served with decent fast-food style fries. Other than this item, we found other menu dishes have a lack of consistency. Had the Chicken Fried Chicken once and it was served with a little gravy on the chicken and nice cheesy hash browns. Today it was served with a full bowl of gravy and everything soggy. It was terrible. Either Or has become a good burger place for us and a pass on everything else on the menu.

4.0* (out of 5) Food: 3* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4* Service: 4* 04/05/2024 I've been wanting to get to Either-Or for some time since reading about their opening in the Des Moines Register. The exterior and interior of the building are impressive and deserving of a 5* rating (see pictures) - enhanced by the expansive open patio area. There is definitely excitement in the air and the whole place seems quite energetic and lively - welcoming to all age groups. There is an extensive collection of craft tap beers, especially from Lua (see menu and picture of bar). I also found the Value and Service to be above average. On the food side, both my wife and I were disappointed given our expectations. I ordered the Chicken Katsu with beet soup (see picture) and my wife ordered the Korean Philly with salad (see picture). Our daughter-in-law ordered the Ham & Cheese w/ fries (see picture). Our daughter-in-law liked the Ham & Cheese and both my wife and I tried and liked the fries. Being a beet fan, I also liked the beet soup. What really brough my rating down to average for the food though was the Chicken Katsu and Korean Philly sandwiches - and for opposite reasons. We found the Chicken Katsu to be near flavorless, with very little seasoning. On the other hand, both my wife and myself had the same reaction after our first bite of the Korean Philly sandwich - the strength of the salty flavor created an initial thought of "there is no way we can finish this sandwich". We finished most of our meals, but I would not recommend either the Chicken Katsu or the Korean Philly sandwich and would not order it again if we return to the restaurant. That is disappointing to report and is a rarity in all of my hundreds of reviews, but I want to provide transparent reviews to help you make good dining decisions. Spacious, modern and lively atmosphere with a great selection of craft beers on tap, but the food still needs some work. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

Visiting from Kansas City with the family and so glad we found this place! The boys were jumping from bed to bed in our hotel room and the adults were starving. If only there was a place where we could have the best of both worlds?! Enter Either/or!!!! The energy at this place was vibing! Everyone had a smile on their face. The kids were all off having the best time of their lives, while the adults could kick back and relax over a good meal and great drinks. The food was a 3.5 out of 5. It was all okay, not the best food I've ever eaten but not bad. Drinks were fantastic and I even tried the thc infused beverage which I was so happy to see! Still the atmosphere and overall service and experience is what brought my overall experience to a 5star rating. Will be coming back next time we see in Des Moines for sure!

If you love Lua but don't want to go that far east, Either Or is the perfect middle ground. The covered patio was cool even during our hot summer visit. I got shrimp and grits, fiance got the burger. Shrimp was a bit over cooked and I could have done with less of the sauce so the grits weren't swimming but overall great flavor combination. Fiance really enjoyed his burger, said it had the perfect cook temp and seasoning. Very family friendly. There's a play area for kids and they are dog friendly on the patio.

We stopped in at lunch. What a nice looking place! We were immediately seated in a hightop shared bench table. The waitress had just started the day before, but was very attentive and helpful. We started out with the Mexican cheese curds - - based on a recommendation from somebod else on yelp and yummy! We then decided to share the either or burger and fries. It's a very tasty sandwich--kind of a smash burger type thing. It was plenty for the two of us. The waitress was prompt in checking on us and the place has a really cool vibe. You'll want to stop there! (Yes, it's a bit on the pricey side and doesn't have a lunch menu, but well worth it)

I've been here twice and both times have been amazing! If you go at a peak time, expect a little bit of a wait but you can always grab a drink at the bar. This is the perfect place for families with a playground and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. I'm absolutely obsessed with the decor! As for food, the burger is always a hit. The appetizers (esp the pork belly and cheese curds) are also worth checking out. I ordered the cold noodle salad and I liked it but I do think it would be better warm. Great addition to Des Moines!

Food: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Ambiance: 10/10 Cost: 6/10 Overall: 9/10 The super fun and trendy sister restaurant to Lua Brewing! The interior inside is sooo cute with plenty of seating either inside or on the patio. service-wise, all of the staff were super awesome and friendly. We even came in a huge group and they were still very attentative and helpful with all of our questions. I'm a huge fan of Lua, so it's no surprise the beer menu is pretty solid and has some of the best Lua options. Food-wise, it's pretty good. I liked their E/O burger (seems like it'll switch) and their Lua burger (their smash burger with pickles and a nice tangy sauce). I will admit it's on the pricier side, but they just opened so I'm hoping there'll be a value or lunch menu to be added soon. I definitely recommend you check it out!!

Went with a friend before a concert at the Val Air. Ordered some fried Brussels that were amazing in flavor and texture but unfortunately came out basically at the same time as the meal, which made it hard to enjoy as an appetizer. Friend had the katsu and she enjoyed it. The Korean Mushroom sandwich was "meaty" and had great spice. Everything came out super hot which I appreciate. A lovely modern space that I appreciated the spaced out tables, though still a bit noisy with the crowd. Server was super nice, but she had quite a few tables so it was hard to get her attention when we needed her (ordered some ranch with the meal and it wasn't there when kitchen brought it out). Overall good food and nice place.

This place is very loud and there are flying bugs because it is totally open to the outside. It feels like you are at a picnic with uncomfortable chairs. I understand it is a family place but there needs to be a place of all kinds of patrons. The loud barking dogs on top of all the screaming kids and bugs was a lot. The server was just ok. I had to flag her down a few times as she did not come around and ask if we needed anything or if our food was ok. They totally forgot salad dressing and she told be the salad was supposed to be dressed. The food was just ok and I was fighting bugs all night as to not have them land on my food. It was a real deal! I think this is a perfect place for people with kids that are unruly but to have an adult meal this clearly is not the place.

I could take it or leave it. Good for a group with kids. Excellent family friendly patio. Great drink and beer menu. Underwhelming food. Chairs were dirty and needed wiped off before sitting. Ordered the Korean Philly and was warned that it was spicy. If it comes with a verbal warning, it should probably be stated on the menu. Had the Lua burger, fries and roasted cauliflower. Fries, burger and bun were incredibly salty. Roasted cauliflower was clearly left over from the weekend and reheated- not fresh. Assume it's brined before roasting and does not taste necessarily of cauliflower. It could be good if it was freshly roasted. Had an automatic 3% service charge added to my check- even though I paid cash it was not removed.

I'd give this a 3.5 if I was able. We came in from Chicago and had a late lunch with family. We were a party of 8 and when we came in we were told there were not outside tables available but there were, they just needed to be cleared. I feel like there was a slight staffing issue and had that been not the case our experience would have been better. The tables being cleared and the fact that I waited at the bar for info on a drink for ten minutes with no one else around there. Now for the good-- the waiter we got was great. His service and personality was top notch. The play space was something unique and our toddler loved being out there (though maybe the addition of a hand sanitizer station would be helpful as you go to eat after/while playing). The Brussels sprout app was good and my poke bowl was well sized but over sauced. We also order a fried potato appetizer with the salsa on the side that never appeared. There were a few more slight errors (wrong beer but it was corrected, bland O/E chicken sandwich) which is why I just can't go above a mediocre rating. Great concept and perhaps they will tweak some things to have what could be a very good and unique space.

Always great food, great wine, and great ambiance! Huge advocate for more restaurants with playgrounds!

Love this place. It has a great vibe and I've ordered something different each time I've been there and it's always amazing food. I can't wait to go back again. The service was great as well.

The food and service were good, the atmosphere amazing , but man, was it expensive. If it wasn't so pricey, it would be a place I would regularly visit, but will have to be a special treat, once in a while instead.

Parking: the lot and parking is a little tight on busy nights and there's an overflow lot to the south (not west, that's pal joeys, don't park there) but if there's soccer games happening with the shared overflow lots, it's a little bit of a nightmare. Seating: good variety with bar, high tops, low tops, booths, huge patio with tables and picnic tables as well as fire pit areas for lounging and drinking and a fun little kid zone with a slide. Vibe: "your grandma's house but cooler" kind of nails this. From wooden tables and chairs to vintage silverware and plates hanging on the wall, it's eclectic and modern meets a vintage vibe and is really well done. Food and drinks: lots of great beer variety and served nice and cold. Wish there was a bit more options for food, but the food we ordered was really tasty and flavorful. Ranch: 5/5 on the good ranch scale

Waitress said they had a military discount and she would go put it on the bill. Then she came back with the same bill and said she was told they didn't have one. We never went back.

Great beer and food selection (excellent partnership with Lua). Service was friendly and attentive. Ambiance was very nice and also had great outdoor seating. RECOMMEND

Ambience was good and server was prompt , my friend and me just finished cycling and was ravenous for a nice bite and it was our first time. Beer selection was good but the chicken burger came in overcooked and charred and when I asked my friend he said it was dry to the bone. I said why don't u give them feedback on the spot and he said he ate it already . I looked over my shoulder and the next table also ordered the same chicken burger x3 that was charred. They did not finish their burger. I want this place to succeed but the cook needs to pay some attention to the cook times

What a great location, sister company of lua brewery. The staff was really nice. Considering I was here on their second day, they're still figuring out seating. The parents seem to love this place since there's a big green playground outside. The name means you can sit inside or outside. It's really nice eclectic decor. I would come again if the menu rotates otherwise there's not much options. There's also not enough parking considering the amount of tables they have.

This place is really good. They have almost perfect food. They have a giant playground for kids to play on and the service gives kids posters to draw and sometimes they even put them up so great service and there's not a lot of bad people at either or from what I've experienced and a lot of the kids don't get bullied and it's just a fun place to go. Also, there's a side section for kids to run on and you can just hop the fence then you had a soccer field or they don't pop the fence.

Love the way the patio area is open to the restaurant and play area. Food and service were great.

Return visit to either or this time for brunch. Good brunch options available. Assuming you can even order mimosas/bloody Mary's as I saw a few attendance order these during our stay. Went for a couple, savory brunch options, both included gravy and eggs making the images look very similar, differing and taste. Cold brew was excellent however bummed that their signage indicated that you only get 12 ounces of cold brew over ice with no refills. Understand that can be a pricey item paying five dollars I think would be much happier with having a one time refill as an option for this.

Love this place! Visiting from Texas... lots of cocktail options, variety of food, high quality ! The atmosphere is amazing! Isaac was fantastic! Great server !

waited for a table for 3 for almost 20 minutes when they told us a 10 minute wait. eventually got sat and no server ever came to our table. after waiting an additional 15 minutes we got up and left. poor service.

Last night was our first visit to Either-Or. We were looking for something new. When we arrived, parking was in the overflow so we thought we'd be looking at a very long wait. I went in ahead to check and I'll be honest that I almost left because it seemed like they were slammed at the check-in desk; handling calls, and it took a bit to deal with the customer ahead of me... I have no idea why or what was going on with that person, but to my surprise they sat us immediately! I called my partner in on the way to the table. To start, the place is huge! So, don't be scared off by what the parking looks like, haha. It's a somewhat industrial facility: big garage doors leading to the patio, which is cool, and we'd like to hang out there sometime at the fire pits; I think there's a playground out there too? Haha. Yet, somehow, they've made it quite cute and comfortable in the interior too. The deco is very my vibe. The cocktails were made well. Big plus, for me. My bartender partner tried them, and didn't have any critiques. Win. We ordered the trout rilette for our appetizer and it was delicious! I got the seared salmon and my partner ordered a burger (though I can't remember which). The seared salmon was good and the cauliflower base was an unexpected, delicious pair along with the Brussels sprouts. The young woman who was our server was so nice, too. She gets five stars also. Every single server ever asks how the food is while you're chewing a bite, so no worries there, lol. She was checking in at a balanced amount, and ushered plates off so we were weren't piled up. So, great experience with our server. I'm really happy we got in to try the place; we'll be back!

Fun atmosphere, kid friendly, delicious food. We will be back! I had the fried bologna sandwich which was surprisingly amazing. Their Brussels sprouts were also incredible.

Katie gave us great suggestions of the menus and dessert's!! Love this food and the service was great the ambiance was perfect! Visiting from California

The smash burger was Awesome. Brocollini grilled cheese was good too! The Margs were really enjoyable. Super nice to dogs, and dog friendly. It's also a big patio which is nice to space out.

Our server, Maggie, was awesome and on it! We try to only eat locally whether we are here or Hawaii...but Maggie was awesome! Those skinny fries and mushroom hoagie were delicious.... My husband is an architect for the Iowa State Fair and Director of operations and was very impressed . We loved if! Transformed a car parts store into a restaurant!! It is fresh and clean, the bathrooms are super cool! With the dual sinks outside the bathrooms...genius! Can't wait to enjoy the enormous patio this summer

Food was very good and unique! I had the mush burger - fantastic! Service was excellent - Haleigh was our server and she was pleasant, helpful and excellent at her job!

Excellent seared salmon and Korean Philly. Delivery was quick, attractive plate, excellent flavor. Waitress was great, attentive. The environment was exciting and fun. Definitely will be back when in town!

i stopped here on my way across i-80. it was the PERFECT easy stop off the highway for excellent food and service. i had the salmon couscous salad and a seasonal kombucha. much better than the other options on the road. service was quick and i was back on the road after about 30 mins. easy peasy and such a nice little break from the road. a must stop for your meal needs.

Came here for the first time to celebrate my birthday. The atmosphere was loud with children running in and out from the playground in subzero temps, dragging the cold in with them. My husband ordered the classic breakfast and I ordered the Denver omelet. The service was fantastic for how busy they were, however our food was ice cold and the eggs tasted like powdered eggs. When we brought it up to the server, she offered to microwave it.

What a great spot. Fun vibe and atmosphere. Food is on point and service was outstanding. My bartender Emily was a gem, super helpful, fun, and engaging. The menu is familiar, yet unique and exciting. The Mushroom Baguette sandwich was absolutely perfect. Highly recommended. What a great addition to the DSM food scene.

Food was good but not great. Had an omelette. My friend ordered a side of toast and was charged for 1 slice of bread. After she complained, they brought her another piece of toast. Rather pricey. Service was very good. I'll go back.

Dirty (lip prints) on the water glasses. Server was not aware that beverage refills were needed. The fried baloney ruined the other flavors of the food.

More engaged service; servers overly busy and unable to do their jobs well. Food: like warm toughest pancake I ever tasted, served with frozen butter. Overly salty soup, which mgr says some people like, some don't; the smart thing to do would be to under-salt and let the customers adjust to their taste. $3 "plain black" tea was laced with cinnamon a la Constant Comment--which I dislike. Served as 8 oz of hot water with a bag; no hot water refill offered. Sad experience.

Fun food. Neat unique atmosphere. Always a great place to gather with friends and family!