Wasabi Tao
400 Walnut St
(515) 777-3636
Craving top-quality sushi that rivals some of the best of the West Coast? Look no further: Wasabi Tao has got you covered. The sashimi here is cheaper than the nigiri on a piece-by-piece basis (if you love salmon or tuna cheeks more than rice, it’s an absolute steal). Ask for ponzu sauce if you’re trying to cut down on your salt intake. Tao’s is located on the ground floor of the historic Hotel Ringwood building downtown, right around the corner from Fong’s and Java Joe’s, oozing a cool ambience that is perfect for a fancy night out on the town.
Fong's Pizza
223 4th St
(515) 323-3333
The Crab Rangoon Pizza served up at Fong’s is worth its weight in gold. Nothing beats a $10 plate of crunchy, sweet, savory, cheesy, messy pie at 2 in the morning or during the lunch hour, but beware: this particular dish is not on the lunchtime pizza-by-the-slice menu. Fong’s Pizza is definitely a restaurant that caters to the roving bar crowd that accidentally wandered off Court Avenue, but has options that the most sensible pizza-consumer would love: their vegetarian Mushroom Medley pizza is delicious.
Johnny's Hall of Fame
302 Court Ave
(515) 280-6679
Johnny’s is a sports bar above all else, with an immense bar indoors that seats more than 20 and outdoor seating on Court Avenue for those who enjoy people-watching at night. If you seek a quality, traditional burger that will fill you up without breaking your wallet, make a bee-line here. The build-your-own burger deal is all sorts of surcharge/add-on confusion that is not listed on the menu, so stick to the established menu. While the table service here is wanting, the wait-staff will get your drinks to you lickety-split.
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From the kitchen of Christine Cho
Eating out