Latin King Italian Dining

Our first impression of this restaurant was not good. I had made a reservation for 7. When I told the person who welcomed us that we would be 8 rather than 7, he appeared rather annoyed. We wondered why since the restaurant was half empty. After this cold welcome, everything turned out well. Our waitress, Stacey was outstanding and so competent. We found out that she has worked here for many years. She is also used to handle large groups. Overall, our food was very good. Portions are very generous and prices very reasonable. Come with a large appetite. Also, we had read on Trip Advisor a few negative comments since this place changed ownership. Do not pay too much attention to those. We had a lovely dinner and were able to sit outside on a wonderful cool night.

My husband and I had dinner at Latin King tonight on a whim. He had never been there, and it had been at least 15 years or so since I had been there. Eva was our server, and she was incredible! We had a calamari appetizer, and as folks who always get calamari if it’s on the menu, this was #2 on our list, getting edged out by sea side calamari in Jamaica, and I mean, who can get fresher than that? It was crispy, salty and incredibly well done! I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs (huge serving with lots of leftovers to take home), and my husband had the fried chicken. It came with FOUR pieces of chicken! He loved it! We got carrot cake to take home which was also very good. Will definitely return!

My husband and I booked a table for our wedding anniversary. What a wonderful experience! Our waitress was phenomenal and always making sure we were taken care of! And, oh my god, get the tiramisu!!! It *is* as good as the pictures and reviews!! Latin King, we'll definitely be back!

I've been going to Latin King for years now and I have such mixed feelings about my latest experience. The food is by all means still absolutely delicious, the portions are generous and the prices are more than reasonable but there's no denying the quality of service and even the quality of the food and presentation has slowly and very subtly dipped over the years since the new owners took over. I still love it, it's one of my favourite Italian food locations in and around Des Moines for special occasions and I doubt anyone visiting for the first time could possibly be disappointed but I'd love to see more love and care brought back to the restaurant to get it back up to that amazing five star feeling it used to leave me with each time I visited. At present, I think I'll leave it with a strong four stars.

Latin King has undergone a delightful transformation under its new ownership, and the results are simply spectacular. I've gone to Latin King for 20+ years, so I was hesitant at first when they first changed owners, but I'm so thankful for the smooth transition and that they kept true to the traditional recipes. From the moment we stepped inside, we were captivated by the warm and inviting ambiance. The decor is charming and sophisticated, creating the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. You feel like you're in Italy, in a legitimate Italian restaurant, with the lovely smell of delicious food and spices surrounding you from the second you walk in. The true stars of the show are the culinary creations. The menu boasts a delightful selection of classic Italian dishes, each prepared with passion and an incredible attention to detail. We savored every bite of our food. Our appetizer combo included Fried Cheese Sticks, Onion Rings, and Fried Ravioli's, with dipping sauces on the side. The Chicken Spedini had so much flavor, I was blown away with the taste! It's what they're known for, and for a good reason. I'm particular about how my chicken is cooked, and it was cooked to perfection. My husband ordered the Chicken Marsala, and he devoured the entire plate. My mother-in-law ordered the Cavatelli with the sausage meat sauce, she said it was baked to perfection. The only issue she had was that the noodles were medium-sized shells instead of the traditional cavatelli noodles, but that wasn't a make or break problem whatsoever. Every bite was an explosion of flavor, showcasing the freshest ingredients and the chef's culinary expertise. To top it all off, the service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about the menu. They provided excellent recommendations and ensured we had a truly enjoyable dining experience. Latin King is a must-visit for anyone who loves authentic Italian cuisine. We can't wait to return and explore more of their delicious offerings. They also host parties and events and cater to special events. I highly suggest visiting their restaurant. It's impossible to leave their hungry, I promise. Enjoy!

Went to Latin King for the first time in several years. Underwhelmed by the experience. Happy hour was a pleasant surprise. Our food was delicious, though. The main dining room was half empty but there seemed to be more people on the patio. Our service was slow. My friend’s wine took over 15 minutes to arrive at the table. I was planning to order another drink but was never given the opportunity and wasn’t asked. When our entrees arrived there were suddenly several gnats hovering out table. It was unappetizing. I had remembered Latin King being a top-tier Des Moines spot, but don’t think I will be returning again soon.

We had ribeyes They were really grisly and not cooked right. They did give my wife a 50% discount on the steak. But we really wanted to eat. Other couple had pasta One was good the other not so good. Won't be back.h

Came here for the first time with some friends for my birthday. The staff was very warm and friendly. Our server took the time to answer questions about the menu and wine list. The food was served fairly quickly and at a proper temperature. I had their Trio and found it to be bursting with flavor but not over powering. For what we ordered, including wine and appetizers, the total bill was reasonable. The biggest surprise came when we were leaving. As I came around the corner, the staff sang happy birthday to me.

OK from the road this doesn't look like much of a place. When you get inside though, it's absolutely darling. It's very much a throwback to yesteryear but that said it's very clean. The service was very nice. The tables are a little close so I can get a little noisy, but that's part of the charm of yesteryear I think. The food is really good. We had the chicken which seems to be one of their signature Meals we had steak and lasagna, all of which were excellent. Highly recommend it!

We went for an after work dinner. We arrived around 7pm on a Thursday evening. The dining area had love music (which was very loud). The waitress was prompt & we placed our beverage & appetizer orders. 2 of us ordered the Chicken Piccata. It was horrible. The breading was thin & soggy. Both dishes were swimming in lemon juice. The potato croquettes didn't arrive with the meal. 2 of out party didn't get an opportunity to place an additional drink order as the waitresses was unavailable. We did ask for & received 1 croquette each. They were tasty. We chose to order dessert rather than make the chicken an issue. The Tiramisu & the cannoli were bad. Not sure if they used cream cheese in both, but the texture & taste were not enjoyable. It's a shame that since the Terri's sold the quality has dropped so severely. The waitresses was wonderful, but was swamped. We won't be returning.

We have been going to the King for 30+ years. We there last night with some guests from out of town having chosen the restaurant for them. The service was off. Slower than usual and the time between setting and checking each course was inconsistent. Most disappointing was the food. My wife and I ordered two of our favorites. Both tasted much different in the past as if they've lost the recipes. It's a pity. Our guests were quiet about their food but did not eat much. It is easy to guess they felt the same. Please get things together again for the sake of your customers!

My wife and I went here last night - Great patio, great food, great service! There was even a band performing! I recommend the manicotti, the ravioli, meatballs, and chicken spedini We will be back! Pics attached.

We were new to the area and used Yelp to find this restaurant. Unfortunately, the reviews did not line up to our experience. Service was good, everyone was friendly. Food was average at best. I was debating between their spaghettini and the salmon, my server gushed about how much she loved the salmon so I went with it. Bland, the best part of the dish was the broccoli and that's saying a lot. My daughter's pasta trio was not what we expected, compilation / mishmash of items. Her sausage was inedible with a weird taste, she enjoyed the linguini pasta and barely ate the "lasagna" looking portion. I would definitely not come back.

Not busy on a January Wednesday. Had drinks in the bar with a very nice bartender then the hostess came & got us. Got more drinks & ordered. Salads with house dressing of creamy parm was wonderful. My ravioli & meatballs was good but not real hot. Love the marinara sauce! Hubby enjoyed fried chicken & baked potato was good. He would've loved real mashed potatoes with it. Friends: chicken spedini outstanding! Other friends salmon tasty but not real warm. Other friends walleye was the best! Good service! Pleasant atmosphere! Go there!

My wife and I went for dinner on the patio when one of our favorite trios was performing. We had not been here for many years, and that was our mistake as we had a wonderful dinner in a great setting. The patio is large and has ample shade (and some sunny) seating. It took a few minutes for our server to make his way out, and we placed our drink orders from their ample options of wine, beer, and spirits. There are quite a few wines by the bottle and a few by the glass. My mixed drink was very good as well. Once we'd had a chance to enjoy our drinks a bit, we ordered our dinners. Food arrived quickly and was excellent! The salads are pretty standard with a good house dressing, and the bread was a mix of soft yeasty buns and focaccia. I got the Pasta Trio - a great sampling with Lasagne, Pasta Alfredo, a sausage, and a big ol' meatball. I had enough for dinner and lunch the next day (your results may vary). Everything was very good and gave me the opportunity to try a few different things. The meatball and lasagne were my favs. My wife got the Salmon Alla Riviera; a very nice cut of fish heaped with tomatoes and garlic, and served with a veggie medley, and a potato croquette (which is very tasty). All our food was very good to excellent. Service was good, but a bit slow; we weren't in a rush, and the servers appeared to have both inside and outside tables on a VERY nice evening. Definitely recommended!

We have been going here for over 40 years and the majority of time we have always got the Chicken Spiedini. This is the 1st time ever I thought it was terrible. Something has changed with how they cook it as there was no taste to it and overcooked and dry. The salads didn't come with tomatoes or peppers as normal. We noticed others did. Overall I was shocked on the change of the food. It might be my last time coming here after 40 years.

On New Year's Eve my wife and I had dinner at The Latin King, where we had reservations. We've been there a couple times in the last few months and noticed that the food isn't what it used to be. We're wondering if the new owners have done some cost-cutting in the food department. My wife ordered the filet mignon and I ordered shrimp. The salads were on point with the creamy parmesan dressing and that has been consistent throughout. However, we had to ask for the complimentary bread and both entrees had issues. The $40 steak had ribbons of fat running through it (certainly not typical of a filet) and she said it was difficult to cut through. My shrimp were overcooked, rubbery, and somewhat tasteless. The side of GF pasta was acceptable if not a bit underwhelming. Water refills were very prompt which was nice and the tartufo dessert was fantastic so there were some positives. What bothers us is the inconsistency of our meals there. Last time my wife ordered the chicken speidini and it was so dry she couldn't swallow it. Disappointing. Our server was friendly and helpful, though the small dish of melted butter my wife requested with her steak was delivered late, and it wasn't completely melted. Hmm. Finally, when I looked at the bill, there was a $4 charge for the single potato croquette that came with the steak. Or at least that's what she told us when we asked about it. Yet my pasta was not an extra charge with my shrimp so that was confusing. Upon reflection, I realized she didn't charge me for my dessert coffee so the $4 was probably for the coffee not the tater tot. We very much want to like the Latin King since it's been a favorite of ours, but we just can't endorse it anymore. I doubt we'll be back until we hear of some improvements. For the price, there are better places to eat.

I heard this place was going down hill and when it's catered to my work sometimes it's really dry but when we had lunch there the other day it was very good food and service

It actually hurts me to place this review as we have been coming to Latin King for decades and have eaten probably 100 meals here. I knew it was a bad sign when we pulled in the lot and there was a plethora of parking on a Friday night at 6pm...never saw that before. First the good parts..the service and onion rings are still outstanding (the onion rings may actually be better). Sadly, the food has changed.... The salads were not fresh and appeared to just be bagged mix. The bread was dry and gone is the Italian bread to be replaced by a sad roll. Our pasta was watery which is a sure sign that it was not dressed properly. The pasta was overcooked and generally unappetizing. We used to love this place...I hope they can get it together again.

We used to go here when Tursi's actually ran it. Such a cool place with great history and great service. Nice place for a date night or special occasion. So sad the food wasn't great too. It was OK. Not real flavorful and disappointing for true Italians. No Italian bread, with no olive oils to dip it in. We got rolls instead. Food needs some seasoning. We would go back but it wouldn't be as special as it could be.

Don't miss this gem! NEVER A BAD MEAL! Chicken Spadini ... there is a reason it's the special! Fabulous. Bruschetta, onion rings, calamari! I'm drooling! The service is absolutely always on point. The atmosphere is elegant, yet relaxed. You are at home in a suit or off the golf course.

I will not go back! The food was mediocre for the price. Order the spaghetti and you'll get a portion for about three meals. The ravioli appetizer was tough to chew. Rarely, actually almost never do I get asked to show id when I'm paying.

Such a cute place but the food was awful. Ordered the toasted ravioli for an appetizer and I am confident this is freezer bag food that is heated. Then ordered gnocchi meal and also confident this is prepackaged food dumped in generic brand marinara sauce. Bummer because the service was great and restaurant is super cute. No one was eating here which was also telling. Save your money and go to Olive Garden which is just a chain restaurant but better than this place.

I was a little leery trying out this Des Moines staple knowing that the ownership had changed. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Amazing service. Steak Deburgo was soaking in butter, just as it should be. Bruschetta appetizer was amazing! Will definitely be back!

Wonderful evening sharing a meal with coworkers while on a work trip. I would definitely recommend the stuffed pork chops. They were amazing!!! We were also lucky enough to enjoy some great live entertainment while we ate. I seriously wish we lived closer. This place is a perfect for a dinner fleury friends or family and would be an awesome place to take your significant other on a date!! Wait staff was very attentive to every table, kept the water glasses full, made sure we always had a drink of our choice in front of us if we wanted - without letting a glass go empty. I would highly recommend. It's worth the trip whether you live in the Des Moines area, are there for business or pleasure, or if you want somewhere special to take someone special!!! Thanks for a great evening!!!

Quality food, good price and appreciate easy of take out ordering. Pasta Trio is always a great choice!

Lunch time is always a treat, especially when you stumble across another popular restaurant. The appetizer arrived--hot and crispy. The small mouth size meatballs were delicious. The Chicken Spiedini needed less oil as garnishment on the plate, but more seasoning on the chicken -- even though the chicken was beyond tender and on the healthy seasoning side. The side dish of pasta with sauce was non descriptive. Overall, the lunch was delightful and pricey$$. I've now been to two of the top five authentic (based on local reviews) Italian Restaurants in the Des Moines area -- stay tuned for my selection of the most tastiest of the five to eat---of course what do I know -- the closest I will come to Italy is spreading a kaleidoscope of virgin olive oil on a cannoli!

Grab some take out felt like a cheeseburger with some sides so of course I had to go with the appetizer combo which comes with cheese sticks fried raviolis and onion rings. Leveled up my cheeseburger by pudding fries and onion ring on to top it off. The burger is what it is I know it's take out however it's not the best burger I've had by any means. The sauce was good however it's just not what it was I swear 3 to 5 years ago it was just better... Cheese Sticks are on point! Still delicious and will most definitely be going back.

Judy delivered fantastic service by suggesting entrees which would provide more for the $$ and consistently checking on our table. Judy would go over options to ensure guests at our table knew what they were getting with the daily specials and 24oz porter house steak. A few of us shared dishes and she did a fabulous job making sure each person received their own item such as a salad, potato, pasta etc. We enjoyed sitting out on the shaded patio and leisurely eating. We will definitely be back! I appreciate the recommendation from a co-worker!

It's still a special place. I went back for the first time since Bob Tursi sold it and it's still really good. We had lunch on the patio and it appears they are adding a very large outside dining area on to the small existing patio. We had chicken spedini the house specialty. For under $15 it comes with the chicken broccoli, carrots side salad, bread and a side of pasta. Outstanding

Absolutely amazing. I'm from NJ and know Italian food . The service was fantastic, the lady was very kind and helpful. The portions are huge , we've been here 3 days and this is the best meal and I ate in nice places. Excellent in every way . Really happy we ate here on our last night in Iowa. Thank you . Keep rocking!

Our family had a birthday gathering and we couldn't of been happier with the food and the service. We always enjoyed this place and consider it one of our favorites. We met the head chef and he was so personable; thank you to the staff for top shelf service and food!! Highly recommend you won't be disappointed.

Been about 5 years since I was last here. Had the chicken spedini. Just like I remember it. Fantastic! We had calamari for the appetizer, but had to ask for lemons. Feel like they should always come with. It was great either way.

Best food ever. Went for my birthday and service was quick although they were busy. Great servers and staff. Great interior and decor. Spectacular food. Good drinks! You really can't go wrong with this place!!!

The new owners changed everything. Food is nowhere near as good as it used to be. Cleanliness is lacking. All sauces are different and not in a good way.

Honestly pretty mediocre for the price point. I've been here a few times and haven't found anything that makes me think it's worth the money. Servers are always nice and professional though!

This place is good choice when you want Americanized Italian cuisine. Unfortunately, I was hoping for something that was leaning more towards authentic. Oil and cheese were in excess in our entrees and the sugar was way to forward in our desserts. And I love dessert! So much so that we ordered two because I couldn't make up my mind. The Tiramisu was HEAVY, and that isn't how tiramisu is supposed to be! It was also overly sweet, but that might've been forgiven if it had been more airy and less dense. And the carrot cake had either too much frosting OR the frosting had too much sugar in it. The sweetness drowned out any spice there was in the cake. And seriously, the layers were the same thickness between cake and frosting. That is what you do when you can't make a delicious cake. We ordered the Bruschetta for an appetizer, which was delightful. I would order it again, but I wonder where the basil was. I didn't taste it at all and I love basil so I missed it. I got a dish with angel hair pasta, a spicy tomato sauce and a lot of mozzarella cheese. It was very yummy, but again, the cheese was over the top in that it was melted throughout the pasta. I about choked a couple times with my overzealous bites. It was also a very simple dish that I could make at home pretty easily. Oh, and side salads were served before our entrees and this wasn't extremely impressive as the lettuce was clearly a premix of iceberg, carrots and red cabbage. I mean, are an olive, cherry tomato and maybe a little scallion over the top would be easier and help pull these salads out of the cheap seats. But their house dressing, a creamy Parmesan, was nice so I do recommend that if that sounds like it's up your alley. If you like heavy, greasy food like most Midwesterners seem to have grown up on, please pay this place a visit. But I don't need to go back.

Worth the trip for the chicken spiedini alone! So good. Wish there was less of a wait and was less loud, I think every time I've come in it's very chaotic. But I understand because it's delicious and the service is great, all of the servers are very knowledgeable about the food they're serving. Definitely recommend getting the chicken spiedini with the Alfredo sauce. The regular kind is great as well.

Very friendly staff, nice bar sitting area, and excellent food, been going to Tursi's for years and hope to go for many more

The service was very good. The food though was just not good Italian food. It did not taste fresh and the tomato sauce was boring.

It place is a staple in Des Moines. I tried something different last night. We went after 9pm for dinner so the place was pretty empty with is ridiculously odd. You usually have to wait to get a coveted table in the restaurant. Since it was late I did not want a full meal so I ordered the meatball appetizer. Oh boy, it was a huge portion. The taste was quite good and the marinara sauce was amazing too. I could only eat just one so I took the rest home. I weighed them when I got home because I thought the portion was so big and I was not wrong. It was over a pound of meatballs they serve in this appetizer. My friend had the chicken piccata and she loved it. Her only suggestion is that the potato croquet was a little bland and she would have liked two of them. The salad dressing is on point (best creamy Parmesan dressing in town)but the side salad is over pieced for not even filling the bottom on the salad plate. Thanks for still serving solid Italian food to Des Moines for so many years. It really is a must try for everyones list. Almost everything I find occasion to be on the east side I will go to The Latin King.

Recently visited Latin King. The food was great as usual, the ambiance is not quite the same as it used to be. The white tables cloths are gone and worn tables are left in their place. The walls could use a good cleaning, and or painting. Used to be our go-to place for special occasions, in the future?????

Amazing place for an Italian dinner! It never disappoints. The new ownership hasn't missed a beat! ( I know it's been awhile)

We made a Saturday nite stop at the Latin king for dinner with friends, Was seated promptly and got our menu,s imediately. Which for a Saturday night was kind of unusual. Waitress was rather unsure of herself when we ordered drinks she did not know if the bartender could make a gin gimlet. Plus didn't know her wine selections like she should. The appetizers and food came out properly appetizers first and food 15 minutes later. The meals were fine not really extraordinary but good. The Latin king may want to up their game a little bit,still nice but can strive to be better. I hope so.

One of my favorite restaurants by far, the atmosphere and staff are amazing as well as the food. Would definitely recommend if you've never been! Definitely call ahead if you're planning to go on a weekend, but the wait is worth it.

Best place in town for lousy service, undercooked (RAW) chicken, and dingy, outdated decor.Enjoy arriving at your agreed-upon reservation time only to stand for an HOUR in a crowded entry watching group after group get seated ahead of you? This is your place! Love a dingy, low-ceilinged, cramped room reminiscent of an old church basement? How about having a front row seat to the busy kitchen scene, constantly being disrupted by noise and the incessant flow of waitstaff? Prefer not to converse with your date/family/party/waiter? NO WORRIES! And sashimi lovers rejoice: I've never had chicken served so raw ... to half the group. No wonder it's the restaurant's signature dish! Dont expect an offer of dessert though...I mean, who would be hungry after all that wasted dinner? Me...I'd rather spend 1/5 the cost for a Culver's kid's meal and get ice cream included'

"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Tursi's Latin King." Amen Legendary family, food, and wait staff.. #celebratefirstcommunions #celebratebaptisms #celebratebirthdays #celebratefamilies #taleasoldastime #trueasitcanbe

Absolutely disappointed it was my grandmothers 80th birthday party had one server. He gave me the wrong meal the busboy paid more attention then the server and then tried to get a tip after having us wait over a hr for our checks food was bland

Last night was my first dining experience at The Latin King and it was everything my friends raved about. We were part of a huge private party (well in excess of 100) on a Monday night (when they are typically closed). The staff was very efficent, friendly, and prompt. As soon as your glass was empty, there was someone there to refill it. We started with cocktails and some yummy appetizers. There were onion rings, fried mozzarella, and fried ravioli. The appetizers didn't bowl me over...but the entrees did. The dinner was served family style and we had pasta, GIGANTIC meatballs, pepper steak with mashed potatoes (not on their typical menu), and Chicken Spiedini, along with fresh bread and real butter. I didn't try the pasta, but everything else was truly over the top. Latin King definitely needs a return visit from me.

A Des Moines classic. They're under new ownership but I'm told nothing has changed. My kids ordered take out the other day and my grandkids (2yo and 10mo) were covered head to toe in red sauce. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's just as good as it's always been!! The babies loved it, so it has to be good.

First time back since new owners. Food was a good as it was before. Only thing I noticed different was large porcelain rooster on the front counter and playing Spanish music throughout the restaurant during dinner. So wasn't to impressed with the ambiance. Little confusing.

Lunch time service was awesome. Seated right away and water filled right while seated. Bread was served warm and right away. Order was taken and any questions answered. They refilled drinks any time it got low. Clear tables of any trash or empty plates. I ordered the chicken speidini. Grilled perfectly with just the right amount of amagio sauce. Served with green beans and carrots and small dish of pasta with red sauce. Would definitely come again.

This place was so good, I went back the next night. As usual I find great places on Yelp. I walked in and was warmly greeted by two hosts. I got seated right away and I ordered the following two nights in a row: Bruschetta ($9): So good!!! Big pieces was warm French bread topped with tomato, basil and herbs. Delicious!! This is a meal in itself. It was light and refreshing. This is the perfect start to any meal. Spaghetti Alla Carbonara ($19): OMG!!! creamy deliciousness!!! It had onions, lots of pancetta and a delicious cream sauce. I want to go back to Iowa so I can eat this every night. Delicious!!!!!!

We were meeting a group of friends, arriving about 30 min later than the rest (expected). When we walked in and looked about, our server appeared and said, "I think I'm looking for you! Right this way." A fine start to a fine evening. Arriving we found a large parking lot--it's needed. The restaurant is popular and busy. Decor is attractive. Table spacing is a bit tight, but plan to sit and enjoy your stay. My menu selection was the Triple Pasta: linguine with white sauce (excellent), fried ravioli with meat stuffing (very good) and a chef's choice--lasagna--all accompanied by a meatball and Italian (hot) sausage (all very good). Dinner began with bread and a small salad (included). A full bar is available; we began with wine. Our attentive server kept glasses filled for those desiring it. While the salad seemed small, the entrée was a generous portion. My wife and I split the chocolate cake dessert. Add coffee and whew, meal complete. It was excellent. After an evening of fun conversation, we left honestly over stuffed. Good food, good service, good friends, the formula for a great evening.

Do not plan a holiday party here! I made reservations a month ahead of time for 7pm, 2 weeks into January....so not even during the busy holiday season. We didn't get seated till 8:15pm and our party had one big table and a small "kids" like table. The smaller table didn't get menus, bread, or drinks until we hunted down the waiter numerous times. The staff was completely overwhelmed and had no business even trying to serve a party of 20 people. The food was good, but everything is about about $10 per meal over priced. Might be nice for a couple or small group, but avoid at all costs for bigger parties. Spent $700 for a very average experience that resembled a cramped dinner in your grandparents basement.

Best local Italian restaurant in Des Moines. I have been going there since I was a little kid in the 70's. Awesome.

Excellent food. Excellent service. Had the filet Marsala and it was perfect. The tartufo desert was also perfect. Best meal in the days in town. You won't be disappointed if you dine here

Rich, traditional Italian food! I have been living in Des Moines for 7 years and always heard of Tursi's Latin King but it wasn't until recently that I got to go with my husband and father-in-law. Pro-tip: make reservations or get ready to wait a bit especially on Saturday nights because this place gets packed. The decor at Latin King is traditional and cozy, waiting was not too bad because I had some lovely wine and conversation. I enjoyed the bustle of this place, a true Des Moines institution. When we were seated, I wasn't crazy about the booth because it felt a bit constricted and I didn't love our server but I soon forgot about that once I tried the food. The calamari appetizer was lovely: light breading, crispy and fresh. Salads were also good, house made dressing that was tangy and fresh. My husband and I had the pasta trio, which is an excellent choice, as you get to try 3 different types of pasta, including one that changes all the time as it is the chef's choice. That night, it was lasagna. Truly one of the best I have had, as the Bolognese/meat sauce was flavorful and not sweet, rich and well executed. This dish is BIG - it includes a meatball and Italian sausage in addition to the pasta. Come hungry or be ready to take leftovers home. My favorite part was dessert: tartuffo. I was happily surprised by this lovely dessert especially because I hadn't seen it elsewhere in the US. It's a beloved flavor from my childhood in Venezuela (huge Italian diaspora). Tartuffo is a rich, dark chocolated-covered ice cream dessert, drizzled with a beautiful raspberry sauce. Please save room for dessert and make sure to share this awesome dessert. Try to get a seat at a table, avoid the tiny booth so you can eat comfortably. Latin King is a must for Italian food lovers in Des Moines.