Eatery A is the go-to destination in Iowa's capital city for Mediterranean cuisine with hints of Spain, Morocco, Egypt and Italy.

"Our culinary experts blend old-world and contemporary cuisine, serving dishes like bacon-wrapped dates with red pepper coulis, octopus with kale pesto and crispy leeks, and house marinated olives. Enjoy craft beer at our bar, as well as cocktails made with local spirits and eastern flavors—pomegranate, basil, mint and ginger," reads the website.



Eatery A is decorated with reclaimed wood. The centerpiece of the kitchen is a wood-burning oven, which perfects fresh pies.
I ordered the Shrimp & Grits - house hot sauce, charred onion grits, scallions, feta, plus a side of fruit.



I thought this dish was OK. The chart bits didn't necessarily appeal to me and made it difficult to eat. I would've loved some more acid inside the dish. But that's why I got a side of fruit.



Grade: B

Smokey Row Coffee Co. is located in and around the Iowa capital city of Des Moines.



They have the standard coffee offerings, plus specialty drinks and a soda fountain. I went with a caramel milkshake. I think caramel should be a more standard option for milkshakes, to join the big three: chocolate, vanilla, & strawberry. It's sweet, but has those deep rich flavors.



To go along with that icy, cold milkshake, I ordered a bowl of hot cheeseburger chowder: "our signature soup with a hearty cheese flavor, featuring ground beef and shredded potatoes." Warm, comforting and very flavorful.



Grade: A

Maid-Rite is fast food chain based in Des Moines, Iowa, known for its "loose meat" sandwiches. This is a sandwich made with ground beef that is not formed into a patty - the texture is more like a sloppy jo, but without the tomato-based sauce.



"Butcher Fred Angell worked to get just the right combination of a special cut and grind of meat and a selected blend of spices. When a deliveryman tasted Fred's new creation, he said, 'This sandwich is made right.' With that, the Maid-Rite was born. Fred was quite a sandwich maker but not much of a speller," according to the website.



"Our select line of seasoned loose meat sandwiches are made from 100% USDA Midwestern fresh ground beef served on a fresh steamed white or wheat bun, with your choice of ketchup, mustard, onion and pickles."



I ordered one with cheese and all the toppings. The flavor is much of what you'd expect - but it's certainly a bit messier. The loose meat falls all over the place. But it is a fun, different version of the classic burger we all know and love. The side of tater tots were fairly crispy, so a solid meal all around.



Grade: B