Simon's

I enjoyed Simon's. Owner treats everyone like family. Quaint place with a sitting room next door to wait for a table. Drinks are reasonable and bartender is attentive and quick. Onion rings were amazing! Had Graziano sausage with vodka sauce. Spicy and delicious. Wife had chicken Alfredo. She was not a fan but I know it is a go to for my future daughter n law. Red cake after appeased wife.

This was our first time visiting Simon’s and it was fantastic. We had their Beef Stroganoff and their Steak Deburgo. Both were excellent. The Beef Stroganoff had a variety of noodles (penne, spiral, and sea shell) and the sauce was magnificent. The Steak Deburgo was recommended to us by another guest and I’m so happy that I tried it. The steak was so tender that it cut like soft butter. You can’t go wrong but come early to get a table. The restaurant opens at 5 PM. We arrived at 4:45 PM and there was already a line to get in and we were lucky enough to be the last guests in as they were full. We highly recommend this place as the staff is friendly.

Whether one is a James Beard nominee or a Michelin Star nominee my quest is for well prepared cuisine, inclusivity and consistent quality. Arrived at 5.15 PM to a small neighborhood building with a line. Getting to the door the wait staffer states seating would be available at 8 PM. Not really anxious to wait three and a half hours for a small spot with crowded spaces — I was willing to give it a try. After an additional fifteen minutes — finally seated. Ordered my first appetizer of the night — Seafood Bisque which was very salty — Entree of Steak DeBurgo— the cook got the temp right (medium), but the cut of meat was not the best quality — the side veggies were fresh and very tasty. I was really hoping the high ratings matched the food preparation and price as it related to creativity, presentation and tantalizing deliciousness — it did not deliver the go again response to my tastebuds to endure the long wait time, parking and above average prices. Of course this is just my opinion-particularly after eating in some high caliber casual dining spots, in the West Des Moines Area, the bar is pretty high.

We’ve always loved this place. If you’re looking for a consistently incredible Italian dining experience, Simon’s is a must-visit. I’ve been here multiple times, and every single entrée I’ve had has been absolutely phenomenal. From classic pastas to their unique house specialties, the flavors are rich, the ingredients always fresh, and the portions generous. What truly sets Simon’s apart, though, is the personal touch and hospitality. You can genuinely feel the care that goes into not only the food but also the entire experience—from the warm greeting at the door to the attentive service throughout the night. It feels more like being welcomed into someone’s home than just going out to eat. Highly recommend this spot to anyone in Des Moines or just passing through. Simon’s never misses.

Best Des Moines dining experience, an elite combination of great food, outstanding customer service, and a superb overall vibe. Owner Simon Boheen has a gem, and his table-to-table kindness is genuine and appreciated. Server Nick was excellent. Loved the lasagna, my partner's Beef Stroganoff, onion rings and baked artichoke hearts. Get there at least 20 minutes before their 5 PM open to ensure a seat! Great red velvet cake for dessert, Spectacular dining experience in the Metro!

Super fun restaurant worth the wait. We had excellent food and servixe. It is so fun that the "wait" was on their super cute speakeasy next door. Highly recommend. And super cool art everywhere!!

Excellent from the moment we walked in! Simon was everywhere making sure that guest was happy! How could you not be while eating the best food in town!

Always heard positive things about Simons. Finally got a chance to visit with family and friends. Steak was decent, velvet cake was good, attentive service, the lounge next door is a new addition and seems to be a place to wait as they have limited seating for diners and a wait usuallu from I was told.

Food is amazing! Staff makes you feel at home and takes good care of you! One of my favorite food spots in Des Moines hands down!

Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening! Whenever you are reading this...! Owned by and operated by Simon Goheen. I've eaten at Simon's before, but not in quite a while. The last time may have even been before I started writing reviews... And I don't know why. If I had to pick a metro restaurant to label as magical.... Akin to how a child sees Disney... Simon's would be that spot for me. Let's start with the basics. When you arrive at Simon's you will find a small parking lot to the West of the property. There is also some street parking available on adjacent streets and in front of the restaurant. At open there will often be a line waiting outside to get into Simon's as they unlock the doors. Reservations are available for groups of 6+. Seating inside the main restaurant is booths, low top tables, and chairs, and seats at the bar. There is a waiting area one door to the West of the main restaurant... If you like photo ops the furniture and art in the waiting area are going to be right up your alley...! I love the vibe in both the restaurant and the waiting area! Dimly lit and a very relaxed feel to both spaces. It's one of those spots where you feel comfortable in shorts and polo or in a three piece suit. This time at Simon's was with a party of nine with 530 PM reservations on a Thursday evening. I was greeted right away as I walked in and two of us were already seated. I took my seat and our server introduced herself and took drink orders as we waited for the rest of our group. Two of my friends were greeted with hugs and handshakes from Simon and our server. Say you're a regualr without saying you're a regular...! I'm not going to remember everything ordered, but here's what I can remember seeing at the table... 1x Old fashioned (mine) 1x Baked artichoke dip 2x Spicy three cheese stuffed mushrooms (I'd ordered one of these) 2x Mushroom crostini 1x Garlic cheese bread 1x Vodka pasta w/ Grazianos sausage (seafood bisque on the side) 1x Chicken parmesan 1x Pork DeBurgo 1x Cordon Bleu 1x Seafood Cioppino and side salad with the house dressing (mine) 1x Shrimp & scallops 3x I have no idea... Lol Complimentary Red Velvet Cake The appetizers hit the table. It didn't seem like much time had passed after ordering, but that's how it is when you're in great company. We'd all worked together for over a decade or more and still keep in touch. Everything was spot on! I was particularly impressed with the mushroom crostini. So savory and then the contrast of the textures between the mushroom spread itself and the toast points... So good! I enjoyed my salad with the house parmesan ranch too. Soon it was on to the main show. I can only speak to my meal and a couple of shared bites. Service throughout the meal was perfect. We couldn't have asked for better. Both our server and Simon checked on us regularly and other staff was dropping by with refills and whatever else may have been needed during the course of our meal. I hadn't had a good Seafood Cioppino since Irina's took it off their menu and I was hesitant to order it knowing how good some of the other available items are at Simon's... It didn't dissapoint. Not in the slightest... The noodles were cooked perfectly and so was the shrimp and scallops. The spicy white wine and red cream sauce had a little kick, my forehead may have glistened a little, but it wasn't overwhelming. I really enjoyed this dish. My friend seated next to me offered me a bit of his Pork DeBurgo. Served in three medallions. I could have sworn it was filet mignon... Melt in your mouth tender. I would have never expected that from a pork dish! And of course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the red velvet cake. Offered as a complimentary end to our meal. I grew up with a great red velvet cake. My mom used to make it for every birthday in our house. Hers was moist (and yes I know some people hate that word...) and the frosting was sweet. She used more of a whipped marshmallow creme frosting instead of a traditional cream cheese base, but the idea is the same. So many people dry out red velvet cake... One bite of this dessert done well brings back SO many memories. Simply said Simon's does it right. After as close to a perfect meal as I've ever had... Some of us said our goodbyes and a few of us reconvened in the waiting area to visit a little more before taking off. Simon stopped in and chatted with us. We talked about the meal, the art on the walls, the recent changes to the waiting area itself... He was the perfect host and is everything you want to see in a business owner! Personable, attentive, and someone who realizes that the key to a successful business is doing things the right way...consistently.

We had a ridiculously long wait but the bar area was hopping and fun. The food was mediocre. Butter sat in a bowl in little foil packets. White bread. We weren't off to a great start. Stuffed mushrooms were bland with bacon and mozzarella cheese. Salads were dripping with more mozzarella cheese and ranch dressing. The mozzarella weighed everything down without adding any taste. But then the steaks, gorgeous filets crusted in salt and pepper and garlic. Delicious. Mashed potatoes and maybe three asparagus on the side. Again, it's the same problem with everything else. So much oil on the plate, making it a bit sloppy and fatty. The red velvet cake was too sweet. Disappointing.

A Worthwhile Experience -- But Be Prepared to Wait We recently dined at Simon'a and overall had a wonderful experience -- but there are a few things to be aware of before you go. They don't take reservations for parties under six, so we showed up shortly after they opened at 5:05 PM. We were told the next available table would be at 7:30 PM, which we expected based on other reviews, so no issue there. However, we were told we couldn't leave during the wait and needed to stay in the bar area next door (which is attached to the restaurant). That part felt a bit restrictive. Sitting in the bar for 2.5 hours without any appetizer options was honestly tough, especially if you're hungry. I think it would be more reasonable to allow guests to leave and return closer to their seating time -- or at least allow them to leave for a bit and then return to the bar an hour before being seated. It did feel like the policy might be in place just to keep you spending money at their bar. That's my only real complaint. That said, once we were seated at 7:30 on the dot, the experience improved drastically. Our server was incredibly kind and helpful with the menu, and the food was outstanding from start to finish. For appetizers, we had the onion rings (a full order easily fed four of us -- light, crispy, and delicious) and the artichoke dip, which far exceeded expectations. It was rich, flavorful, and clearly made with love -- not your basic, boring dip. For the main course, I had the 6 oz Steak De Burgo. It was cooked to perfection, beautifully seasoned, and served with mashed potatoes and asparagus -- all of which were excellent. My husband ordered the New York, New York, topped with a creamy mushroom sauce. He loved it -- said everything was delicious and expertly prepared. His only minor wish was that it came with a baked potato instead of mashed. The cherry on top? A complimentary slice of red velvet cake -- hands down the best I've ever had. Moist, rich, and absolutely delicious. A gentleman with a backwards hat (perhaps the chef or Simon himself?) came around to check on us, which was a nice touch and made the experience feel personal. Final thoughts: The food and service were exceptional, and it was definitely worth the wait -- just be prepared for that long wait and know you'll need to stay nearby. We'll absolutely be back!

Our family of six made dinner reservations for 5 pm on a Thursday night. Coming from Chicago, 5 pm is considered an early dinner time and I originally planned on walking in. But I read a few reviews and realized the restaurant is relatively small. Fortunately I was able to make reservations three days prior to dining in. There was a line down the block when we arrived at 4:45 pm. Apparently people in Des Moines are early birds when it comes to dinner. We shared the baked artichoke dip, baked pasta with jalapeno and red peppers, beef stroganoff, and steak deburgo. The dip was served with toast points which we think were a complete miss. It resembled days-old bread that was semi-toasted. The entrees came with a soup or salad. We tried the seafood bisque which was incredibly salty and we could not bring ourselves to finish it. But otherwise, the entrees were all worthwhile and delicious. The stroganoff's beef was very tender and there was an abundance of mushrooms. Our girls loved this dish! Our 8 ounce steak deburgo was pan-seared and medium rare. It came with a garlicky butter sauce. Our server was attentive, kind, and generous. She served us two huge slices of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. The cake was plush and moist - a great way to end the meal.

I have enjoyed the best overall Des Moines dining experience here, and it is an elite combination of exceptional customer service, a great venue vibe, and phenomenal food. Shoutout to owner and operator Simon Boheen for cultivating such an extraordinary feel from top to bottom. We had heard about Simon's from a friend who raved about it and planned a visit. They nailed it. When we arrived at 430PM for their 5 PM opening, I thought that we might have made a mistake, but minutes later, there were 40-50 in line. Parking is tight. If you're not among the first setting, they have a nice room adjacent to the restaurant to sit and enjoy. Casual attire. Pricing was moderate. Nick, our server, was terrific and improved the whole experience. Our party of four was served flawlessly. With Nick's help, I wandered from the usual favorites and selected the best darn lasagna (with sausage) that I can remember. Our side salads were yummy. Onion rings and baked artichoke dip appetizers were superb. My Way Better Half's Beef Stroganoff was terrific, as I tested it for purely quality control reasons. We were never rushed or pressed for time despite dozens of people waiting for tables in an adjacent room. Owner Simon visited our table and interacted as best he could in a packed venue. He also visited each nearby table, a level of service that certainly got our attention. Our night was capped off by an incredible complimentary slice of Red Velvet Cake. Bravo, Simon's. What a superb dining experience.

My first visit here since moving to Iowa...it didn't disappoint. The wait time was an hour and a half so we enjoyed a drink in the waiting area next door-people watching and watching the bartender do his thing. Ladies-this bartender is a throwback to a lost era! The owner checked in with us often and when we got to our table the service and food were fantastic. We had chicken florentine and pork deburgo. And the cake! Reminded me of my ex husband's sweet grandmas red velvet cake! The BF has taken me to a few of his favorites since I joined him in Iowa-but this is the first truly impressive restaurant. We will return! Well done Simon's staff!

First time customer. As good as the reviews. Loved the ambiance m, service and food. Say at the bar and Simon was so much fun to chat with as was the terrific bar tender. Overdosed on the amazing onion rings. Hope to be regulars there.

Best restaurant in des moines. Bar next door is great as a "waiting room". Service is great + the owner is so casual and accommodating. Food is just flat great. Not an overpriced steak that's crap. This steak is cooked to perfection and for the right value. Seafood soup, stuffed mushrooms, onion rings. Just can't go wrong.

This swanky, newer restaurant is a new local favorite! We had an enjoyable wait sipping cocktails while we waited (less than 30min) on a busy Friday night. It is a smaller restaurant, but the food is outstanding and completely worth any inconvenience others mentioned with wait times, space, etc. True foodies will appreciate this establishment! Icing on the cake (literally) was ending the evening with a piece of their signature red velvet cake- hands down the best cake i've ever had.

Enjoy the feel of a neighborhood restaurant nestled on a side street with limited parking. At the opportune time I will order the seafood bisque, artichoke dip and Steak DeBurgo which seemed to be crowd favorites. My wait will be three and half hours where I will see if the exquisite entree and appetizers will deliver the relaxing experience to match the friendly hospitality of food served with a purpose. Ordered the Seafood Bisque which was a little salty for my test. The Steak DeBurgo was cooked perfectly, but the cut was somewhat chewy and not as tender as I desired. The side veggies were very good and Red Velvet Cake was absolutely delicious.

We arrived before they opened and waited a half hour for them to open. Based on their crappy food I don't know why people line up an hour to dine there. The shrimp scampi sucked. It had 4 overcooked shrimps that were like chewing on Sponge Bob. The noodles were sitting in boiling water so long that they were like the noodles drained from a chicken noodle can. The broth tasted like Real Lemon juice in water. There was no garlic taste because the garlic was added late and sat on the bottom. I had to add butter pats to give it some flavor. My wife's medium well 6 oz sirloin was served rare with blood coming out of it. It was red all the way through. She ended up leaving the last 2 oz in the middle because it was too raw. The asparagus was still raw and hard from being undercooked. The salad lettuce was wilty and brown with a bitter taste from being old. We haven't been there in 10 years and won't return again.

Great food, service and atmosphere. Prices are fair for the experience. Owner goes above and beyond to connect with the diners.

1st visit and was surprised to meet owner out front who guided me to their waiting bar that's a separate building from restaurant and an amazing cool scene with talented bartender. Owner returned to take next door for seating and fully enjoyed the social interaction with staff and genuine great service. Had the chicken parm in 2 sauces with balsamic drizzle which was the best I've had. Very busy place; get there early or enjoy the bar waiting area. Will return.

This has been in the Beaverdale neighborhood in different iterations since nineteen fifty four. It's current ownership has been there for fifteen years. I think it's a secret gem of Des Moines. Everyone is understaffed, so I always appreciate the service staff who are working. Remember they're busy because they're good. This restaurant still has that old time feel, it's a definite classic Italian neighborhood type vibe. Staff have always tried to make sure I am happy. It can be a busy place so depending on the time you may have to wait but they move.poeple through quickly without being intrusive. The owner has developed two waiting areas where you can have cocktails and talk to your friends while you're waiting.They're all in the same strip mall. They have excellent cocktails a nice wine list and a good beer list. I go every couple weeks with the right attitude of either going right at four thirty to wait and line to get in with the first group or to go later to get in with the second group around seven thirty. Car pooling is a good idea because parking can be limited so many people are coming. I've enjoyed appetizers like onion rings, mushrooms and Bruchetta main dishes like the lambchops, the scallops Different types of steaks including a steak de burgo, beef tenderloin, the fabulous portabella sauce they have lots of chicken dishes as well. Lots of fun Pasta too and they are i enjoy their lobster bisque! They also have great Italian sandwiches and pizzas for a family or group eating. The waiting is worth it and can be fun drinking relaxing and chatting,

Always delicious. We went to celebrate a birthday. The place was packed...it was a Saturday night. Waitress was great. She delivered great service even with the place being packed. I don't remember what our 4th ordered. I had the small steak de burgo, the bday boy had the new york new york steak, and one had the stroganoff. The person that ordered the stroganoff had originally wanted the scallops but they were out. We were told they are usually sold out by thurs. She reluctantly ordered the stroganoff....she declared she "won" aafter trying her dish. We all tried it. It was amazing. The meat was so tender. I might have to order it next time

Food is bomb! Simon's has it going on and service is impeccable! Definitely will be back!

While I have enjoyed the food at Simon's, I've not had a visit where an order wasn't complicated by an item not being available at the time of pick up (available when i called in my order), or some similar experience killer. Most recently - and this, sadly, sums up my visits - I purchased two triple digit gifts cards after a long wait without any acknowledgment, and in the end without a thank you. While I have enjoyed my food (when I got it), the indifference to my patronage, and others with similar stories, makes it difficult to want to do business there. Maybe if I ever get an absolutely insatiable craving for beef stroganoff...

Simon's is just what everybody needs - a neighborhood gem. No fuss dining, simple straightforward good food, a crazy hospitable owner, and a lovely and cozy little atmosphere. Get there early, be prepared to wait outside (enjoy it, order a drink while you're waiting), and order a steak or pizza. Don't expect it to be a slow moving service. They're trying to get the people what they came for and move to the next table. It's worth it!

holy guacamole this place was amazing.i hate to wait long for food because im impatient... so i can't believe im saying this. even that SALAD was 10000% worth an hour and a half wait??? best salad ever. we will be back simon's.... oh yes we will.

Excellent atmosphere and quality. Never had steak de cargo before and I'm having a hard time thinking it would be better anywhere else.

I was visiting from out of town for a tradeshow and learned of Simon's from a yelp review went in and had one of the best meals I've had on the road and returned the second visit and took two more additional meals for the road. The staff was excellent. The food was excellent And I hope someday to be able to return! Thanks, Simon & crew

I absolutely love this little gem...but I had the meat lasagna tonight and I couldn't even eat it, it was SO salty. I will go back, but won't be ordering the lasagna!

Omg I highly recommend this place. We had dinner reservations at 7 on a Saturday. Definitely a better option so you don't have to wait 45-1hr but even then the wait is worth it! They have a waiting area outside & you can take beverages. All the food we had was seriously amazing. Everyone loved what they ordered. My dish was the chicken Florentine & it had so much flavor but honestly every dish I tried did! Super small inside but also super intimate. Simon himself came out several times to each table to ask how everything was, so friendly & caring! We can't wait to go back. This was our first time!

What sets Simon's apart isn't just the incredible food (which easily rivals any dining establishment), but the experience. This isn't a place that rushes to turn tables or relies on a gimmick. It's about engaging in good conversation, and savoring food that's clearly made with intention. Simon himself, hat on backwards and all, is a genuine host who makes the rounds and talks with every guest. It's not performative. It's who he is, and it's part of what makes this place so special. I'm already looking forward to my next visit. They've gained a loyal patron in me.

We got in line about 430 and there were probably 15 people ahead of me. Doors open promptly at 5 PM and we were seated in a booth. Service was friendly and efficient. We didn't take a picture of the red velvet cake that was complementary because we ate it too fast! We did not have the pleasure of seeing Simon. We will be back!

This small restaurant may not be large in area but is huge in taste. Warm and cozy dinner place for family and friends. Exquisite menu and the food is as good as any you'll find. Pick an item on the menu and you can't go wrong. The Steak Deburgo melts in your mouth. Pasta, seafood, pizza or steaks are all great. Be sure and leave room for the Red Velvet cake that is their specialty. Service is top notch and the ambiance is warm and inviting. If you're looking for a special night out where the food matches the company, try Simon's on Franklin Ave. You won't regret it.

LOVED. The food was absolutely prodigious. *chef's kiss. To start we had the artichoke dip with cucumbers because my husband and I both have a gluten allergy (unfortunately... It's not fun but it is even worse when people don't understand). Both of us choose the seafood bisque as our first entreé and wow that was astonishing. I wanted to lick the plate clean. I am obsessed with seafood so it was a beautiful balance of creamy and seafood. I had the Steak Deburgo (medium rare) with mashed potatoes. It was everything and more. The steak melted in my mouth as I chewed it and it was in no way chewy like some people might expect medium rare to be. My husband had the beef tenderloin w/ portabella mushrooms onion sauce and was besotted with it. My son had a cheese pizza with mushrooms and some fries. Lucky guy got to eat their delicious red velvet cake. I was even tempted to get sick for it but I didn't. I wanted to though so bad. It looked scrumptious. All in all we really appreciated all of it. We enjoyed a bottle of their riesling and I ended the night with a strawberry fields martini. Our waitress Elise was a delight and was the best with our toddler. Definitely will recommend to all friends and family. Only thing is we did encounter a few rude workers there and myself coming from a family owned business it's just not acceptable. My husband called just to ask the wait because one we were bringing our toddler and just wanted to know what to expect. Who ever picked up said to him when he asked how long the wait was, "well it is a Saturday and it is 7pm so it will be a hour and a half wait". To whoever said that you are not the only one who worked on a Saturday and it's best to be kind and not assume we want special treatment. Just no way to respond to a simple question. We ended up waiting but because we read reviews and looked at Simon's website to be informed about the place before coming in. Plus had several recommendations telling us the food was a must try. It was worth it nonetheless just expected better customer service. Hope it improves. The food was the star of this show though.

Delicious food and great ambiance every time we go to Simon's. Highly recommend for date night or small group celebration.

I came her with my family on Saturday night. Since we had 7 people we were able to make a reservation and not have to wait in line like everyone else does here. I was excited to try this place and I've only heard such good things and am aware that people literally line up at the door before the place opens. We had the artichoke dip appetizer, which was very delicious and probably the favorite things that we ate. I also had the house salad and the filet with potatoes and asparagus. The food was very good, though nothing that wowed me. I felt my steak was a little overdone. I would not say that I enjoyed the experience there though. It is small and busy and thus also loud and chaotic and hard to talk to the people you are there with. It was also quite warm inside the night that we went. Dessert is complimentary red velvet cake. We were brought 3 pieces (for a party of 7). It would have been nice if they had least rounded up and brought us 4 pieces. I would definetly prefer the option to pay for dessert and get enough for everyone.

First time visiting Simon's and it was a great experience! They have amazing customer service, and the owner is not only professional but also very personable, making sure each customer feels valued by greeting each one. There is limited space inside, so the owner has a separate suite where he invites customers to enjoy their wait. And to further minimize the stress that can come with waiting, he offers drinks to each customer. Our entrée came with a salad and it was one of the best salads I have had. The dressing and the cheese make for a delicious salad! For my entrée I tried the Steak Deburgo, and it was cooked perfectly as requested. I would have preferred more flavor though. Once the meal was finished, we received a complimentary slice of red velvet cake which was delicious. The cake brought out slightly warm, it was moist and had cream cheese frosting that tied all the flavors together. While we were eating the owner took the time out to sit and talk with us to inquire about our experience and to see if we needed anything. It's evident that he takes pride in creating a memorable dining experience. There is street parking and although not very big, there is a parking lot as well. What truly sets Simon's apart is the commitment to exceptional service. If you're looking for an amazing experience with excellent customer service, I recommend you stop by!

I wanted to make a statement, I found the Food & Ambiance amazing. However, our server was kind and friendly but he did rush me while I was finishing my food. We went to Simon's as a family of 8, this was to celebrate two special occasions. I was eating my pasta, which was delicious, but by the time I was half way through, the server asked if I was done with my meal. I had my fork in the food and it was obvious I was Not done. Ten minutes later, he came back to my table, again while I was still eating, and took my plate away while I had my fork in my mouth. Keep in mind, our family was there to celebrate family events & sharing in conversations. I am also a slow eater & had half of my food still on the plate and I would have liked to finish the food or taking it home. I felt like for the price, I would have liked to been give choice, once I was finished. I am not sure, but I feel they are coached to rush people off, usually because other people are waiting for a table. However, at 8:00 at night, there was no one waiting, yet we were still rushed away. A bit disappointing to say the least.

Very quaint & friendly atmosphere with Simon himself stopping at each table to check in Waitress was excellent & helped us with food choices We had 5 adults & we all loved our meals The red velvet cake at the end was a nice way to end the meal Definitely our favorite restaurant we've been to in Des Moines!

Going to Simon's was a lovely experience. I was hearing rave reviews from my friends about this restaurant and I can say it truly does live up to the hype. Our party of two arrived at 4:30 PM on a Friday and we were fourth in line. When the doors opened at 5 PM there was a line down the street. Simon himself greeted us at the door and sat us. you immediately notice the warmth of the restaurant, the smell of good food, the upbeat music, and the art on the wall. It's a quaint and pleasant dining space. We each had a couple cocktails, which were flavorful and refreshing. We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip and it was scrumptious! It is now on my top 5 favorite appetizers of all time. I'm going to order it again soon to double check. We also ordered the steak dinner and the manicotti dinner and split both dishes. Everything was flavorful and really delicious. The meal came with a piece of red velvet cake... And oh my word!!! Yum! Kudos to the chef! When my friend and I left the restaurant and got in the car, Simon came out and personally thanked us both for coming to the restaurant and he hoped we enjoyed our meals. We did! 5 stars for excellent service, food, cocktails, art, music, staff, and hospitality.

Fabulous food and service Simon is always around and makes a point on checking in on every table. Very impressive, I can't name another restaurant owner that does that. Busy never takes too long.

Absolutely incredible!!!! They nail it every visit. The cuisine and service is impeccable. The best restaurant within the Des Moines district by miles!!!

Great food and outstanding service. Started with the mushroom dip with Crostini, baked artichoke dip and full order of onion rings. Then for mains mac n cheese add chicken, steak deburgo and Italian hoagie. Everything was seasoned really well and cooked perfect. 3rd time here and they get it right every single time.

We got to the restaurant before 5:0p to get in line. They told us that we would be seated around 7:15pm. We went to the waiting storefront to wait for a table. 7:15pm came and went and we didn't get seated until 8pm. I know what you are thinking how could we wait this long... it is always this way so if you want to eat there you have to endure the wait however this time it was just excessive. When we got seated the service was quick and stuff was dropped and they ran to the next table. The appetizer was artichoke dip was exceptional, the side salad was wonderful and the complimentary dessert was moist and flavorful! The main course was mixed. My partner got the NY NY strip, it was cooked perfectly and the mashed potato's and asparagus was wonderful. My steak deburgo which I might mention is a house speciality was In eatable. The steak was so salty it burned your mouth when you tried a bite and the potatoes were cold. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me so I gave a piece to my partner and he thought it was also so so salty and not able to be eaten. I mentioned it to the server when she finally returned to ask if I wanted a to-box and I said oh no it was eatable. Then she asked if they could recook it or bring me something else. At this point I was just exhausted and declined. They took it off the bill which was kind. It was an off night at Simon's and that happens to everyone. It was just disappointing after waiting 3 hours and then to have a meal that I couldn't eat. A bummer for sure...

Seems like it's time for an update since my last review was over 6 years ago. We eat here 9-10 times a year; more if we can find an excuse to take someone who hasn't been here before. The food is always top-notch and our experience with service has been very good to excellent. The addition of the 'waiting parlor' at the end of the mall is a nice touch, as it would get a bit congested with everyone trying to crowd into the vestibule or around the tables close to the entry door. Between my wife and I we've had quite a few different entrees, but some of our favorites are the Beef Stroganoff, Vodka Pasta, Sherry Cream Pasta, Lamb Chops, BBQ Pork, and Chicken Philly. All of these are consistently amazing. The table bread is a simple Italian loaf, and the salads are a pretty pedestrian (but Iowa friendly) mix of greens and veggies. The house creamy dressing is NOT pedestrian, and VERY tasty! The red velvet cake (or carrot cake on nights when they run out) is homemade and excellent! Simon is almost always there, and there are often other staffers aside from the servers to help corral people, run drinks down to the waiting area, and help bus tables. The servers often are also bartending, so they tend to be on the run. Prices are very reasonable, and the menu was recently updated, but we dine out a couple of times a week and I think menu items range from bargains to reasonable. If you get in line outside before 5 you'll 'probably' be in the first wave to get in, but many nights arriving at 5 means you'll shuffle off to the waiting area, or hang out on the sidewalk to await the deliciousness. As should be obvious, I highly recommend going!

Good food! Great owner, he makes his rounds and greats all customers. Great homemade cake.

I cannot get over what an amazing place this is. We were staying in Winterset (traveling through from Kentucky) and wanted to have a nice dinner in Des Moines. After some searching, we decided to try Simon's. They opened at 5, and when we arrived at 5:30, they were already full. I knew this had to be a good sign. Simon himself took our names down for a table and walked us over to a very chill waiting area and brought us drinks. The waiting area had tons of comfortable seating, good music, and an impeccable vibe. We didn't mind waiting there at all. Once we got our table, we were impressed with the food and service! The complimentary bread was delicious, mushroom crostini appetizer was delightful. We both had a cup of delicious potato soup. I had beef tenderloin with mushroom onion cream sauce, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Every bit of it was amazing. My partner had the beef stroganoff and said that he had never had such tender stroganoff before. Complimentary red velvet cake for dessert was the cherry on top! My partner had some wine and a cocktail (Rusty Nail). He commented that he had never had such a perfectly made Rusty Nail before. Simon came over and greeted us and we saw him assisting a disabled patron to her car. The hospitality was amazing.

TL:DR - after lots of confusion from us (guess I should have read recent reviews before going), we got seated, had fantastic food, and all was great. The owner is very welcoming. For years I've heard Simon's is the best and also how hard it is to get into. For years I've wanted to come here. It finally happened on a Tuesday night for a night out with a good friend. We arrived right around 6:00pm and we got the last spot in the parking lot. We walked into the building and stood only a moment before a man approached us with a smile and asked how many we had in our party. We answered and asked how long the wait was. He said around 6:30pm. Great! We'll wait! He then asked if we'd like a drink while we waited and directed us to a lounge at the end of the building. I admit I was confused. So many questions, 1) we go to another spot to wait? 2) how will we know when our table is ready? 3) how will we get the drinks in that lounge? My friend asked about her drink before he left us and he said he'd bring it to the lounge for her. I wanted to look at the drinks menu and he said there was one in the lounge. Ok...we left and headed to the lounge. The lounge had couches, chairs, and stools. They were all full and plenty of people were standing. We joined in the standing. Within, probably, ten minutes my friend had her drink delivered by the same man from before. I had looked at the drinks menu and decided on a Peach Mule and gave him my order when he asked. We then asked how we'd know when our table was ready and he said he'd come and tell us. We waited another ten minutes or so and eventually got a couple of stools to sit on. None of the waiting was a big deal. But the space was cramped and tight. And this was a Tuesday! The man came back and moved through the room and eventually stopped at us asking how many were in our group. After saying two, he said the bar seating was open. We accepted and left the lounge for the restaurant. We made our way to the bar and took a couple chairs. Alise was behind the bar and she provided praise for everything on the menu and went through the soup options. She said every entrée came with a salad or soup. She asked if I needed a drink and I said I had one coming. She looked around the bar for it then asked who took my order. I pointed to the man. She made sure I got my drink by making it right then. She then allowed us ample time to look through the menu. My friend and I both ordered the Steak DeBurgo, medium. I went with the Seafood Bisque and she chose the other soup Tomato Basil (I think). The soups came out quickly, along with homemade bread. My Seafood Bisque was soooo delicious! The seasoning was just right and I had lots of seafood in mine. Probably 90% of my bites had seafood. A great start! The man stopped by at one point and asked what we'd ordered for our entrées. We told him and he seemed disappointed. I really wanted to know why that was his reaction but he left to tend to others as they were busy. Our entrées came out and looked great. My steak was so tender and juicy! The asparagus was cooked perfectly and the potatoes were delicious. Absolutely perfect food. I stopped eating half way through my steak and potatoes and asked if I could see a dessert menu to decide if I was having dessert or continuing with my entrée. Alise informed us there isn't a dessert menu but a slice of red velvet cake is complimentary. Oh, awesome! What we didn't know is it's one slice to share. Probably a good thing but, wow, it was good! Dense yet moist and just tasty. Our check was presented and we were told no rush. We got boxes for our remaining food, paid the bill, and got up to leave. The man opened the door for us and followed us out. He asked what brought us in and our names. Then he introduced himself as Simon. Huge lightbulb moment for me. He's the owner! Everything suddenly made sense. And now I REALLY want to know what he'd suggest we order. Next time. There will be a next time!

We have heard so many good things about this place and finally got a chance to go there for dinner. Arrival was a little awkward, as there isn't a hostess and no indications of who to see to get on the wait list. We worked out way to the bar in the back corner and finally interrupted one of the workers to ask what to do. They referred us to the owner (working behind the bar) who told us it would be about an hour wait and asked if we're wanted a drink. He never wrote anything down or asked for a credit card, just told us we could wait in his new suite a couple of doors down. It was neatly decorated, had lots of seating, games and had a rest room...and the owner would occasionally show up to get the next party (all by memory, nothing written down). Following the waitress'recommendation, we started with an order of Mushroom Crostini (see picture) and boy was that good...so rich, creamy and flavorful! For our dinner, my wife ordered the Lamb Chop (see picture) and I ordered the Pork Deburgo (see picture). We exchanged samples (as we always do) and really liked both dishes - presentation, juiciness and flavor were all to our liking. Finally, it was topped off with the famous complimentary Red Velvet Cake. Admittedly, it wasn't quite everything I had hoped for (I like it a bit more moist with a bit more frosting) but it was still very good and just the right size for the two of us. You won't go wrong stopping here for dinner! Food: 5 Atmosphere: 4 Value: 4 Service: 5 If you found this review helpful, please click to show your support. For a list of great Happy Hour food and drink specials in the Des Moines area, visit: www.happyhourdesmoines.com

5 stars from top to bottom. Exquisite food and drink combined with stellar service! What more could you ask for? We had such an incredible time last night. Great dinner and ambiance. Just spectacular. Thank you Simon's! Next time I'm in town I'll be back for sure!!

Went with my Wife & two friends. Arrived around 5 was told about 90 minutes. Not surprised it's a smaller space but 1000% worth it. We hung out in their lounge next door & got some drinks. The atmosphere was wonderful and you could smell the food coming through. Got our table sooner than expected. Waitress was friendly and top of everything. Had some slices of bread for the table. We also had the Spinach Artichoke dip as an appetizer which was perfect size for the four of us. I got the Steak Deburgo MR which came with mashed potatoes & asparagus. Steak was cooked wonderfully and cut quite easily. Potatoes and asparagus were fantastic as well. Wife got the fettuccini Alfredo. "Chicken was seasoned well and wasn't tough" exact quote. Waitress brought both parties a slice of cake at the end. I'm not much of a sweet tooth but the wife was pretty stoked and said it was quite moist. As a whole definitely worth the wait and would easily go back a second time. Just show up prior to 5PM if you are wanting to eat right away.

Absolutely love this place! So much that I'm reluctant to share a good review because I'm afraid everyone will know about this hidden gem and it will be harder for me to get a table. You can't make a reservation unless you have a party of 6+, and the wait time will be very long. We've waited as long as 90 minutes. I PROMISE it's worth the wait. They have an overflow lounge for customers waiting for a table, and attentively serve drinks while you wait. I have not ordered a single thing from their menu that I didn't absolutely love. Filet de burgo - best in Des Moines, hands down. Seafood chowder - best I've ever had anywhere. Lasagna - local Graziano's sausage and lots of cheese. They've been out of scallops every time I've been there, so they must be pretty great. Seriously, even the salad is fantastic with their house dressing. Complimentary (!!) slice of homemade red velvet cake for dessert, which is also absolutely delicious. I cannot say enough good things about this place. The owner (and head chef) regularly pops out to check on the diners and make sure everything is perfect. Servers always friendly and attentive. Don't miss it!

We arrived 15 minutes before opening and the line was down the side of the building. We waiting till people were inside and then got in line. Once inside, put in our name and headed to the bar for a cocktail. Got drinks and moved next door to their waiting lounge. We were told the wait would be 2-2.5 hours. It was closer to 3. Waiting lounge was nice, comfortable seats and lots of hungry people to chat with also had trivial pursuit, Uno, and battleship games to play. We were seated and the service was amazing. Water glass was never empty, seating was comfortable, wait staff was very friendly and attentive. App was the artichoke dip and it was phenomenal, followed by dinner salad with the house ranch dressing which was delicious. I ordered the 12oz New York New York with was a strip steak with a mushroom sauce over the top. Steak was a perfect rare, the sauce could make anything taste good, mashed potatoes and asparagus were also very good. She got the steak de burgo with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The de burgo sauce was wonderful. The steak was way too salty and was sent back and removed from the order. We will return for sure but will make sure to have a reservation next time.

My husband and I went to Simon's for the first time & it did not disappoint! We ordered the Bruschetta, Seafood Bisque Soup, Beef Stroganoff, and Vodka Pasta w/ Grazianos and they were all amazing!! The service was also wonderful! I was beyond impressed with their efficiency. And of course, the Red Velvet cake for our dessert was delicious. We will definitely be back!

This is the best restaurant in Des Moines. The decor is awesome, the service is impeccable and the food is the best you can ask for.