Des Moines area sports bar

**DaddyMac** · 01-31-2007, 10:38 PM

Really? I live up off of Vine, sounds like we're sharing space.

I've been there twice now. Not bad. Never really crowded that I've seen, not smokey at all. The TV's are nice. It was great during the NFL. From just about anywhere you can see two or three bigger screen tvs (30"+) with different games.

Wings are pretty good. Cajun chicken sandwich was average (tonight). BBQ pulled pork was really good (first time). Beers tonight were 1.75 happy hour, $2.25 after, my Amber Bach was 2.25, 3.25 after. No Boch on tap however, minus points...

I've only been there once, but Chicken Coop over in Normandy Plaza (?) is another place that's setup well for watching games. The have a wall of tv's, a couple big screens and a whole slew of 27". Kinda smokey as I remember, but the bar is set apart from the tv area, so it was bearable. The time I went they had the MLB package and had a different game on each tube, with the Cubs on a big screen and some other local team(s) on the other(s). The food has been hit or miss. The time I went, it was pretty bad. But they catered a work party at my office and it was really, really good. Hard to say, but the cater was most recent.

**twojman** · 01-31-2007, 10:50 PM

I was at Champs a couple of years ago to watch the Big 12 Championship game. The game started about 1.5 hours before the SEC Championship game. We got their early, about 10 of us and we were ordering their "specials" for beer. The special was a 16 oz glass for like $3.50 or $4.00. Felt like I was actually at a stadium! We were sitting in front of the main TV and the Big 12 game had started with it only being shown one TV on the side. We asked for the main TV to be changed to the Big 12 game and they said NO!! The TV was to be saved for the SEC game.

Now tell me something, we are in Iowa. Iowa St. is 40 minutes North. What game will people in this area care about most? We left after we ate our crappy overpriced food and have not been back there since. The place is a joke. I believe some sort of Iowa athletics group meets there once a week. Typical place for them to be at.

**DaddyMac** · 01-31-2007, 11:05 PM

A couple of us went there last year for the Mizzou game. We got a table right in front of the big screen (a crappy one I might add). But we had no trouble getting it changed over, however.

But that's where the good news ended. The service was terrible. I don't know what the deal was, but it took nearly an hour to get food, after we ordered it. The waiter was too busy schmoozing the hostess or something, so drink refills weren't forthcoming.

I've been there for lunch once or twice and had no problems. But this story - similar to yours - really has torqued me off and I don't plan to go back.

**DaddyMac** · 02-01-2007, 08:11 AM

Trophy's is just west on Douglas at the interesection of Douglas and MLK, I believe.

http://www.plazalanesdm.com/food.htm

**CYdTracked** · 02-01-2007, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by joskvig

Where is Trophy's located?? I want to check it out.

I agree with you guys on Champps, they suck. Went to Victors once and it seemed like a Hawk bar more than a Cyclone one.

Douglas Ave. in Des Moines right before you get to the MLK intersection where Douglas turns into Euclid. It's attached to Plaza Lanes.

**soccercy** · 02-01-2007, 08:30 AM

I think we need to take over Legend's as an ISU meeting place, good food and a good setup to watch games in their bar, 4 or 5 big screens behind the bar, other tvs around and one in each booth.
I also believe Krueger's, just west of Jordan Creek caters to ISU fans. I have yet to go to the new Buffalo Wild Wings at Jordan Creek.

**cycloneworld** · 02-01-2007, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by soccercy

I think we need to take over Legend's as an ISU meeting place, good food and a good setup to watch games in their bar, 4 or 5 big screens behind the bar, other tvs around and one in each booth.
I also believe Krueger's, just west of Jordan Creek caters to ISU fans. I have yet to go to the new Buffalo Wild Wings at Jordan Creek.

Legends in WDM is great. Krueger's is pretty good as well...just a lot smaller (at least the bar area).

Buffalo Wild Wings has great food, but the TV placement is lacking I thought.

I still like 3rd Base because of the sheer # of TVs. I also enjoy Tonic in the West Glen shopping area.

**ISUFan22** · 02-01-2007, 09:37 AM

Trophy's is a great place with pretty good food for a bar. Typically a nice crowd in there too.

I've only been there to watch a couple games though.

**DaddyMac** · 02-01-2007, 01:16 PM

I haven't been to the Legends in WDM in a long time. Their food went way downhill a few years ago. Got better pasta out of a box from Kraft. But the one in Johnston is pretty good and has a nice bar w/ tv's.

I say we just open our own. Clones only. Call it something crazy like Cyclone Alley, Windstorm, something obviously dumb. Load it end to end with ISU memorabilia. If any of you have been to Front Row in Windsor Heights, you know what I mean. It's like Jim Zabel's wet dream (if I can say that). Enough Hawk stuff to make you want to vomit. But it sends a clear message of who's bar it is. I have to give them credit, however. Their bathrooms are very creative.

Now I just need about $10K from everybody......

**garn91** · 02-01-2007, 01:23 PM

Kinda off topic, but what's Buffalo Wild Wings like out in WDSM? Is it worth the drive from Ankeny?

**DaddyMac** · 02-01-2007, 01:44 PM

I've never been there or had anything from there. But I've heard good things.

If you're an NU fan, a place to check out is Chicken Coop. Like I said earlier, it's been hit and miss for me. The most recent was a hit. And they advertise that they cater to ISU, Iowa and NU.

**heshwar** · 02-01-2007, 01:46 PM

I second that trophy's is a fun place to go. If nothing else because on game nights it packed with cyclone fans. You kind of get that 'at a game' feeling since everyone is cheering when you are.

Hopefully I can make it there for the next away game.

**garn91** · 02-01-2007, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

If you're an NU fan, a place to check out is Chicken Coop. Like I said earlier, it's been hit and miss for me. The most recent was a hit. And they advertise that they cater to ISU, Iowa and NU.

I was out there for an NU game that was on PPV back in September. It was jammed pack with NU fans, but the only bad thing with a PPV game like that is slow service and it's so loud you cann't hear the TV's.

**wartknight** · 02-01-2007, 01:52 PM

In Ankeny, I always do my Clone watches at Benchwarmers. Usually a pretty good Cyclone crowd. The NCAA tourney game against Minny 2 years ago was nuts.

**cycloneworld** · 02-01-2007, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by garn91

Kinda off topic, but what's Buffalo Wild Wings like out in WDSM? Is it worth the drive from Ankeny?

The few times I've been there the food is excellent. Definitely worth the drive. I wouldn't really recommend going there soley to watch a game as I didn't really like their TV setup. It's also a little pricey drink-wise.