First of all....there are two entrances to the 801 Chophouse. You can enter through the revolving doors on Grand and take the escalator up to the 2nd floor or enter through the Revolving doors on High Street. Everyone kept telling me that the view would be wonderful on the upper floors and I think they have it confused with the members only eatery up top. My honey and I went to celebrate his birthday tonight and we enjoyed everything. We took advantage of the Prix Fixe for $33 per person. We had a choice of salad between Caesar and Wedge (they were not tiny), he had the Prime Rib and I had the Filet Mingon and each came with Mashed Potatoes and veggies. Then we selected Creme Brulee (the other option was sorbet) and it was the best we have ever had anywhere. Our waitress, Jami, was very attentive and informative. She suggested I try the Troon Martini and it was excellent. It was not a busy Sunday, but we loved that the parking was easy and close and we received wonderful service while we enjoyed a delicious meal. If you want to give this place a try, I highly suggest the Sundy Prix Fixe.
(5)
Tyler R.
The first time I went here the food was really good but not great. Also, the waitress Chris was awkward and sarcastic acting--she also dropped our plates ungracefully onto our table when serving; and by drop I mean she slid them and then allowed one end to drop 1/2 inch to the table. However, the management responded promptly to the complaint and really went above and beyond our expecations for reparations. Major props to Mr. Murphy. The Sunday Prix Fixe menu is a real draw and really fantastic. The prime rib is excellent and the sour cream laced horseradish sauce was awesome! My girlfriend's filet was seasoned and cooked to perfection as well. Our waiter, Paul (I believe?), had a real soft voice that made dining very comfortable. He recommended the Troon martini which my girlfriend really enjoyed. I got Pepsi that tasted way better in the Crystal wine glasses--Classy! The bill for 2 with a martini and a soda was $86. We left a $15 tip gratefully--college kids can tip well too you know, so dont treat us all the same! Thanks 801 for taking care of us--really appreciated.
(3)
MiJung L.
Great steak, great sides and seriously great pancetta wrapped scallops! Best steak in Des Moines so far but I haven't tried Fleming's out here yet. The server was kind of talkative but great service overall.
(5)
Stephanie P.
I was so impressed by my first time at Des Moines finest restaurant! We had a Groupon to use here which was the only way we could afford to try it. We expected the prices to be much higher but they were comparable to Flemings - $30/entree, various wine prices, a la carte sides in the $7-$12 range. I booked a reservation on opentable.com about a week before. My dinner companion and I were taken care of by Paul who was wonderful. He was attentive without hovering and provided recommendations and details about the different steak finishes. The sourdough bread and butter they bring to the table is hot and fantastic. We then had the calamari appetizer which was also good - not greasy with a spicy dip on the side. I had the scallops and my companion had the 8 oz filet. We tried each other's dishes and agreed that they both melted in your mouth. For a side we got the hashbrowns with aged cheddar which were good but just that, hashbrowns. I drank ice tea which tasted like actual tea and not instant something. The wine list had all kinds of options at different price points. For dessert, we had their signature grand marnier souffle which takes over an hour to bake so you order early in the meal. It was truly amazing. Enough to serve 4 people with three different toppings - fudge sauce, raspberry, and cream. All were delicious and very fresh. Paul invited us to come back and wished us a good evening. I hope we can come back some time!
(5)
Michael N.
I sometimes think all of these steakhouses should combine and call themselves Ruth Wollensky's Palm Steak Houses. I mean it's always the same drill... a NY strip steak for $37.50, side dishes served "family style" for two or more at $8-12 a pop for steamed asparagus and mashed potatoes and there "world famous" NY cheese cake or Key lime pie or creme brule (yawn) for dessert. The food is predictably very good, my steak was excellent. I'm going with 3 stars because the menu and atmosphere are pretty unoriginal... and for the cost you just should have more. BTW... I actually cut and pasted this from another steakhouse I reviewed in Chicago.
(3)
Sandy S.
Excellent service, enjoyed the meat presentation which is somewhat typical for a upper crust steakhouse. The place was nearly empty on a Wed nite and we had a whole room to ourselves. The service was excellent and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The prices were similar to what you would pay at Ruths Chris and Flemings about $40 for a 8oz filet and around $56 for a 24oz porterhouse. I didn't have any wine, but noticed the wine list was extensive. I had two cocktails, a filet and one side and my bill was around $86 with tax and tip. Do not go here if you are on a budget. Good for special occasions or when you really want to impress your date with your fat wallet!
(5)
Jonathan W.
This is a very, very fine steakhouse. I actually wasn't in a steak mood so I just had a martini (awesome), a shrimp cocktail (7/10), the baby carrots with brown sugar, the potatoes with bleu cheese and one spectacular king crab leg. If I'm ever back in Des Moines, looking to do it up, I'll be sure to be back to try the steak or a surf and turf. This could potentially be upgraded to five stars!
(4)
Monica S.
Excellent fine dining experience! My husband and I originally stopped at 2 sushi places to have a nice dinner on Valentine's Day evening- usually we have no problem getting in to restaurants on such a day even without reservations, but not this year (the economy really must be doing better!). Both places were packed, so last minute we called 801 Chop House to see if they could fit in a late reservation for 2 that night- it was 6:30 when we called, and they said they had an 8pm available so we took it. We got there a little early, content to sit at the bar and have a drink until our seats opened up, but the host said they had a booth that opened up early and sat us down right away- fantastic! Service was attentive and professional, without hovering over us, and knowledgeable about the wine selections. The atmosphere was as a steakhouse should be- dark wood paneling, dim lighting, very elegant (the huge bar is gorgeous). Now for the food...Ahh! Truly delicious. We started with the lobster corn dogs- it was like a very dense lobster cake with lots of flavor, dipped and perfectly fried under sweet corn batter, and served with a mustard sauce, Yum! 4 mini corn dogs on a stick- was plenty for 2 for an appetizer. For the entree I ordered the 2 bone-in, grilled lamb chops, medium rare, with a house made mint sauce. My husband got the fillet, ordered with the Tuscan seasoning- this is not listed on the menu, but they are happy to oblige. Both were absolutely delicious, but while mine was maybe an 8, his was a 10! Mouth watering! We got the lobster mashed potatoes, and the baked cream spinach as our sides- both wonderful. Now someone mentioned in a review about the serving sizes, but I didn't find anything wrong with the serving sizes. People need to be reminded that fine dining is about *quality* and not quantity- the Texas Roadhouse, this ain't'! We ended with the souffle for desert- perfect and delicious! I'm not sure if people realize how difficult it is to make a souffle like this, as they are temperamental to minute temperature changes and can easily and disastrously deflate! So it was pretty impressive they make these to order, and they come out perfectly fluffy, with a creamy center! The raspberry sauce I found to be the perfect accent, with a glass of port. Happily stuffed, and more than pleased with the entire meal and experience. Yes, it's pricey, all in all our meal was about $200 with tip, but well worth it for such an occasion. I can't wait for the next celebration to come back!
(5)
Erin S.
Made this reservation for my husband and his wrestler buddies during NCAA finals . . . they LOVED it!
(5)
C C.
First choice for a night out! Service is outstanding! Food is consistently good and they make fantastic top shelf Martinis. Perfect for formal occasion but it's great to dine in the bar area - if you like a little more laid back experience, it's always fun!
(5)
Bob B.
This is the place for that special occasion, or when you're on expense account. My wife and I decided that this is where we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wow, what a great, albeit expensive, dinner. My wife's scallops and my NY Strip were cooked to perfection. The green beans were sauteed with bacon and caramelized onion and were very tasty. Coffee and dessert topped off a wonderful dinner. Our waitress was knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely a 'fine dining' experience.
(5)
Charlie N.
great filet cooked as ordered medium rare. haven't been dissatisfied yet between here and Kansas City. two thumbs up as Ebert used to say
(4)
Louis M.
Honestly, the steak was the least impressive part. I think it's very over priced for the taste. We went in to celebrate our anniversary, wife had fillet, and I had the Delmonico. Crab cake was good, scallop potatoes were good, steaks were so-so. Service was ok, nothing stellar. AJ's at prairie meadows or Johnny's Italian Steakhouse are better options for steak, service, and price.
(3)
Mark H.
Absolutely wonderful decor. Food was very good. Put had a had time choking down the prices.
(3)
Jerry M.
Very nice place. Excellent steaks
(4)
Jeff D.
Good traditional steakhouse with a few surprises like the lobster corn dogs... Frankly I think the service at most upscale steakhouses is very good and fairly consistent... Ad much of what they serve for an entree is a commodity (beef, lobster, chicken) so the items that have a unique preparation tend to be the salads and the sides... And I thought 801 chop covers its bases very well with numerous kinds of potatoes, vegetables, and salads... Very pleased with this little gem in Des Moines. Pricing is probably high for Des Moines but not out of whack with other big city establishments,
(4)
Anna B.
Overpriced with average food. I agree with the previous review that the quality of the beef was on par with a steakhouse chain like Ruth Chris. The atmosphere was noisy, really bright and un-romantic. Service was really disappointing given the prices.
(3)
Gigi W.
terrific spice-rubbed steaks. melt-in-your mouth garlic mashed potatoes. very pricey, but for a reason. it's an upscale place with dark wood paneling, excellent service and high-end atmosphere.
(5)
Bryan N.
Stopped by on a business trip. Obviously, I can't speak to its local reputation (apparently there appears to be a divide between folks that think its "The Greatest Steakhouse On The Face of the Earth(tm)", and others that grumble about disappointment. So, for better or for worse, I walked in expectation-free (other than expecting to drop a pretty penny on some steak). Waitstaff was impeccable. Managed to walk the fine line between being helpful and attentive, but not so much as to be hovering. All the food arrived at the right temperature, and portions were great (I went with the Tuscan Ribeye, and potato wedge-thingees for a side). Wine selection was impressive (although, admittedly, I'm not much of a wine drinker, and couldn't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle if my life depended on it - red with meat, etc. is all I know), and the waitstaff was good at helping me pick. Dessert was just fine - creme brulee (although, obviously, it's pretty hard to mess up what is, in actuality, just burnt pudding). At the end of the day, I had no gripes - I suppose folks could dicker about pricing (yes, you can get equally great steaks for cheaper at other places), but it's just a nice sit down place that I imagine you'd go for a fancy date, a victory-at-work meal, an impress-potential-client meal, etc. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)
Megan H.
I know it's like sacrilege to say this in Des Moines, but I was less than impressed with 801. I also know better than to order fish at a steakhouse, but in a moment of weakness I ordered the ahi tuna. Wow. I've had better ahi at chain restaurants. We ordered hash browns for the table and they were greasy to the point of being inedible. For the price we paid, I can think of thirty restaurants in Des Moines where the money would have been better spent. It gets three stars for the atmosphere - it's swanky and refined while still warm and comfortable. However, the food was far below my expectations. I truly hope it was an "off" night - I'd been there in the past and remembered it much differently!
(3)
Jan C.
Great steak, and drinks. Falls a little short on dessert. But well worth it.
(5)
Euge C.
801. Often spoken with a whisper. Perhaps the finest steakhouse in town. If not, it is certainly the most celebrated and the most polished. Their prime rib is perhaps the best I've ever had, and I'm including Lawry's in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Most steakhouses truly fail to execute on other dishes, but 801 is an exception. Their seafood, appetizers, salads, chicken and side dishes are almost as good as non-steak restaurants in the same price range. The wine list will make your eyes pop. You are not imagining those prices. Note: they do NOT make regional recipe Steak DeBurgo! So why only 3 stars? No value. While the steak is first rate, it doesn't come cheap.
(3)
Brent G.
Excellent food. Be ready for portion sizes bigger than your head :)
(5)
Chantalle v.
I went here for dinner during a business trip to Des Moines. I must say i'm not too impressed with the city (hello, where is everybody?) but this restaurant was OK. The waiter was patient and polite, the sides were yummy, and my main course was great. I ordered the medallion and lobster, and the meat was prepared perfectly to my liking. However, the only disappointment was the one or two itty bitty pieces of lobster that came with the dish. Why advertise it as medallion and lobster when there hardly isn't any lobster to speak of? Oh yeah, my appetizer, which was a butternut squash soup, came out cold. But it was still tasty. Hey, i'm not going to complain about things in front of my boss. The dessert...not so good. We ordered a few things - apple pie, brownie, carrot cake, and something else, I forget, but I was not impressed. The sad part is...this is probably one of the nicest restaurants in Des Moines, if not THE nicest there. The next evening, my boss and I walked around downtown Des Moines looking for a place to eat and could not find anything. Lucca's was empty and there was a homeless person throwing up in a trash can a few feet away from the restaurant. Yuck.
(3)
Lindsey R.
This is my husband's and my favorite restaurant in Des Moines and we frequent it almost weekly. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money. We always receive top-notch service and the food and drinks are fantastic. This is the place to go for an overall classy and enjoyable dining experience. From the time you open the frosted glass double doors, enter the dark, mahony rich restaurant, and are greeted by the Maître de it sets the mood for a five star night. The warm right-out-of-the-oven bread brought to the table is always delicious, for an appetizer, you can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio. And since it is a steak house, my entree is always the filet mignon. It is by far consistently the best steak I have ever had- extremely tender, buttery, melt in your mouth, with the perfect sear on the outside. As for side dishes, our two favorites are macaroni and cheese and creamed corn- you can't beat this creamed corn when Iowa sweet corn is in season. And they do have an excellent selection of wine- my favorite is the White Meritage. After our entrees, we usually make our way to the bar for some after dinner drinks and dessert. The bar has a fabulous atmosphere with the massive maghony bar and shelf-upon-shelf of alcohol. For dessert our two favorites are the chocolate lava cake with Absolut ice cream and the white chocolate banana cream pie. Besides the food being outstanding, the service is always among the best we have ever experienced, all of the staff including the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and know how to treat a customer. You can tell this is a career for them, not just a job, and they show it. I highly recommend a visit to this incredible Iowa steak house!
(5)
M M.
Just finished dinner and all we can say is never again!! Service was any slower they would be dead. Food was OK but not great. Management and waiter was arrogant had something floating in my drink and took 20 minutes to bring a fresh one by then my dinner was cold and the manager acted like he did me a favor. Please don't spend $150 on dinner here there are far far better in the city.
(1)
Ben P.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Des Moines at night, be sure to do the following: 1. Look around and say out loud "Where the hell is everybody? It's only 6:30. Why are the streets empty? Is that a tumbleweed?" 2. Wander around and look at the office buildings and ask "Does Principal own all of downtown Des Moines?" If there was a native around to answer your question (and there won't be), the native would say "Why yes it does." 3. Eat at 801 Chop and Steak House. The minute you walk in, you will forget that you are visiting the middle of....Iowa (I'll be polite). The restaurant could be in NYC, LA, Chicago, any major metropolitan city that isn't owned by an insurance and retirement company. The steaks, the roast beef---awesome. I have never had the fish, because I cannot fathom why you would go to the middle of the country, and then go into a steakhouse, and then order fish. If you order fish, the waiter should bring the fish out and beat you with it until you order beef or pork. Also, order the Maytag Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin. My arteries are still hardening, but it was well worth it. This restaurant is so good, it almost makes going to Des Moine worth it. Almost.......
(5)
Ann C.
INSIDE BUILDING HIDDEN GEM Downtown Des Moines, Iowa...lots of beautiful buildings and artsy statues. Places to eat were a bit hard to decide on because there aren't many choices to choose from! My father and I chose 801 Steak & Chop from a tourist map. We got lost. Yes, I know it was on a MAP but it did not state that the restaurant was INSIDE an office building!!! It also did not state that it was fine dining. Fine dining is code word for super duper expensive! Although pricey, I must say the food matched up to the value. The steaks were juicy and flavorful and the ambiance was elegant casual. Don't worry, no dress code here they let my jeans and sneakered ass sit and order! The Ribeye with tuscan season & herb crust was delicious! We ordered rare and it was waaaay too cold in the center but they happily recooked it for us. The garlic mash was good but came out warm- not hot. Steamed broccoli was normal. Lobster and Shrimp linguini was good but not great. Good part was they were not sheisty on the lobster and shrimps were huge! Bad part was the portion was small and a bit too saucy (is that even a word?!). If you don't mind paying the dough I would recommend this place for a good meal. Just remember that it's inside a business building!
(4)
Carla W.
One of the best restaurants in our city. My husband and I went there last night and had a wonderful experience. Jamie, our waitress is fun, and very knowledgeable. I ordered the lamb chops, double cut and my husband had the dry-rubbed ribeye and we shared the 2 lb lobster tail. Absolutely delicious. We also ordered the asparagus and the augratin blue cheese and bacon potatoes, unbelieveably rich and worth every blessed calorie. Topped it off with the Chocolate Lava Cake with homemade carmel sauce. Jamie allowed us to take our time and enjoy the evening. It was fabulous. A wonderful place to go for a special time.
(5)
Sofia H.
I am from Florida and traveling coast to coast from California to Boston ...we thought we need ed to stop in Nebraska or Iowa for the best steak in America... Our journey took us to stop in Des Moines and we just follow recommendations from Yelp reviews about the best steak house in town. We arrive to the Hyatt hotel that will have it s own review in hotels And we, my daughter and I were going toward the 801 Chop house... The customer service was great from the door to the end, but the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. The prime rib was ok but not superb.... I asked for a rib eye steak grilled with salt and pepper but the waitresses insisted to choose some seasoning on it...I choose cajun and medium juicy.... And a bottle of wine.... There was enough time for us to drink the complete bottle before the food was on the table . When finally we got our food, the steak was no hot, but warn and really dry, the Cajun seasoning was nothing to be crazy about,,,When I tried to choose a Port wine I was in shock when the waitresses told me that $ 40 dollars was for the glass not for the bottle,,,,, This restaurant can have a very snobby atmosphere, and inviting environment, even very friendly staff, but was not good enough for the price .... Too Expensive for mediocre food... If you want a good steak go to Fort Lauderdale , Florida to Ruth Chris Steak house ...! Those are really good!!!
(2)
Matthew A.
My favorite restuarant in DM. Best and Classiest steakhouse. Feels like an major league steakhouse (such as Ruth Chris's, Smith&Woll, Morton's, etc.). Food is fantastic. Staff is friendly and helpful. Decor is top-notch. The only draw backs are price (can only go every so often) and the noise (not the kind of place to have a focused one-on-one).
(5)
Justin W.
Too many people in Des Moines are obsessed with decor and the price of a meal. It is like there is this citywide inferiority complex when it comes to issues of fine dining, culture and nightlife. You aren't Kansas City or Chicago and you never will be, so why not just be yourself. And that is what frustrates me about 801. The food is alright, and I would even go as far as to say the sides are phenomenal. However, it isn't worth the price and I get the feeling like I am paying twice as much for my meal just to say I ate at 801, especially when the steaks aren't that good. I also get the feeling like it is frequented by all those who are frustrated that they haven't been invited to become a member of the Embassy Club yet. Well I doubt that eating at 801 is going to help you in that regard. Yes, every city needs a restaurant like this with the prestige factor. And no, it isn't my bag. So I guess my opinion is a little skewed as to my impressions of the place itself and the clientele. What isn't skewed is my view of the food. Like I said, there are some redeeming qualities, but by god when you are a steakhouse your high point shouldn't be the mashed potatoes! Additionally, on one occasion I went to 801 with a large group for a company Christmas party and suspect that our steaks were subpar cuts that had been chemically tenderized. Why this suspicion? Beyond the steak not being very good I ended up very ill immediately upon finishing my meal as I am allergic to the MSG in meat tenderizer. Though I cannot totally verify this, of course, I wouldn't expect as prestigious of an establishment to make me violently ill.
(2)
Andrea B.
It's okay, but there are honestly much better places in downtown Des Moines for a better price.
(3)
Sean D.
I wasn't expecting much in the not so booming metropolis of Des Moines, but much to my surprise they have a good restaurant and bar scene. 801 is a steak house, good steaks, cooked to perfect doneness as requested. The asparagus was tender and sweet. The scalloped potatoes were creamy and Delicious. The carpaccio was quite tasty too. The service was very attentive and polite. They have a good wine list, but you won't get out of here cheap. If you're in Des Moines, check them out
(4)
K B.
By far my favorite restaurant in Des Moines. Lets not kid around...801 isn't cheap. But if you are looking for a fine dining experience, this is it. The steak cut, quality, and cooking are outstanding. I've been getting the filet mignon since 2004 and have never been disappointed. In fact, I like it so much, I will try and eat there multiple times on the same trip...as long as the accountants don't look too closely at my expense report. The service is top notch. You will see the same servers throughout the years, making it feel nice to see a familiar face when you enter.
(5)
Timothy S.
The best grapefruit martini in the Des Moines metro! We stopped in for a couple after dinner drinks last night and started with the troon. It is a delicious and fresh take on a greyhound. The freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and premium alcohol does a fantastic dance on the tongue that leaves you satisfied and refreshed. Our 2nd drink was a round of Gin Blossoms and this wonderful mix of gin, St. Germaine, champagne, and Mixers really make this cocktail something extraordinary! The bartender was extremely attentive and kept our waters full and ensured we enjoyed our time at the bar.
(5)
Jesse M.
Wow, I'm a pretty huge fan of Fleming's, but 801 has, IMHO lapped them. Amazing food, expert service (Fleming's too), and just a top notch experience. Their bone-in ribeye, prime rib, whatever you get for a side...all are great. For a drink, if you like grapefruit, get the Troon - double dang. Now they have a happy hour deal (full disclosure, haven't tried it) and I hear it's great. GO.
(5)
Jeremy F.
This could possibly be the nicest restaurant in the Des Moines metro. It is one of the best places I've ever eaten a steak. But sadly the price makes it unaffordable to eat there regularly. But luckily every year in May and June they have a groupon which makes them more affordable. It is during this time of the year that I get to go. They have an amazing selection of wine that is unrivaled, the wine list is a book in its self. The services staff is very knowledgable about the menu and amazingly nice, you might pay a lot for the meal, but you definitely will be paying for good service. One warning, everything on the menu is al a carte, so if you want a potato with your steak that will be separate and probably about another $10. The only reason I give the chop house 4 stars instead of 5 is the sheer price.
(4)
Katie S.
This place is definitely a five star restaurant. So don't go here unless you plan to spend about $200 on a meal for two. The service was amazing and my husband and I both thought our entrees were top notch. This place is definitely worth the money and we will keep it in mind for special occasions.
(5)
Jennifer W.
First time to 801 tonight! Finally! The family was celebrating an anniversary and a birthday. Our reservation was at 5:30, which was nice because there was no crowd and no waiting. We found a place right out front to park. We participated in the pris-fix Sunday deal-Three courses for $40. We brought our own bottle of wine. The corking fee is $25. I order the Cesar side salad with anchovies, filet, and lemon poppyseed dessert. The salad was amahzing. Seriously, so good. The steak was mediocre at best. It was lukewarm and tough to cut. I hate to say it, but it's true. Flemings is my steakhouse of choice, to which very little can be compared. I came in with an open mind and left knowing that Flemings still has the best steak. I LOVE lemon and the dessert was so good. Additionally, we ordered three sides: lobster with Mac n cheese, cream corn, and scalloped potatoes. The Mac and potatoes were great, the corn left more to be desired. The bread and butter was wonderful, all warm and delicious. Our server Paul was great- very timely, funny, and tentative. They had two cards at the table, one birthday and anniversary. Very thoughtful. They also waived the corking fee, very awesome! I like the ambience and all the rich mahogany. It's straight class. The dress code is business casual.
(4)
Jan C.
Great steak, and drinks. Falls a little short on dessert. But well worth it.
(5)
Vic J.
This is one of the most expensive restaurants in town. Very nice atmosphere. Took my wife there for her birthday. Went in the evening and parked right on Grand. No dedicated parking lot. Service was good. I was surprised at the small portions. The food was arranged and presented well on the plate but I thought it was a child's plate. Maybe I should have ordered a few drinks first.
(2)
Robert D.
My wife and I stop in a few times a year. And the Chophouse is my go to place for business dinners. Yes it is spendy but the experience is worth it. They have mastered the only three things a restaurant must master - quality, consistency, and customer service. Other than the amazing cuts of aged beef which are always prepared to perfection, the roasted bone marrow (a.k.a. meat butter) will literally change your life. Add it to your bucket list. All the servers and bartenders are awesome at their jobs and really seem to enjoy working there. If you want the best ask for Kyle. His attention to the littlest of details is amazing and makes for a complete and wonderful experience.
(5)
David G.
Brought guests here Wednesday evening this past week. Fantastic food! We all ordered steaks and were blown away! We had one guest arrive a little later and our server, Paul, took our sides and warmed/replaced them for out late arrival! This restaurant, food, and service continue to impress!
(5)
Aaron C.
Best restaurant in Des Moines and one of the best chop houses in the country. It will not disappoint and I would recommend to anyone looking for an upscale evening dining experience.
(5)
Kristi H.
This is a place you can pick to impress your date or if you're meeting a prospective client. Food is cooked to perfection, service is impeccable and the atmosphere is classy and comfortable. The proportions are huge so beware. Best meal in Des Moines to date!
(5)
Mark G.
This is a great steakhouse in downtown Des Moines! To start with the sides, the green beans were delicious; they use onion and bacon, the boursin mashed potatoes were rich and full of flavor, and the lobster mac was amazing. Also they offer half portions which is a huge plus at an upscale steakhouse. I had the NY strip with the Cajun spice rub and it was cooked perfect, seasoned just right, and had a great aged flavor. I was very happy with my steak and enjoyed every bite. They do offer several different finishes to your steak, so you really can experience something different every time that many steakhouses do not offer. The Creme Souffle was amazing, they had three sauces that come with that were very very good. Need to try more desert here, didn't know a steakhouse could bake so well. Had a great experience here, would love to come back and try more of their offerings.
(5)
Scott B.
I must say, I have been to great Steakhouses in New York, Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Chicago, but have not had a steak this good anywhere. Truly prime and delicious, with impeccable service from our waiter, Billy. In addition the side of spinach with garlic and lemon was excellent also. The appetizer of Oysters on the half shell from Washington were beyond excellent, even better than the Chesapeake Bay Oysters they also offered on the daily fresh menu. A fine selection of wines are also available for dining. I must ALERT you to expect to pay an average of $100 per person with drinks and appetizers. Our bill was $171.00 with the drinks and appetizers. Also know everything on the menu is alacart, including any special sauce such as bernaise ($10). I just used fresh horseradish, but the steak, 8oz Filet, stands on its own without anything. If you want an awesome meal above the level of Ruth Chris, or Wildfire, this is worth it.
(5)
Patrick T.
Well, this place is fancy what can I say! I don't normally go to places with 30-50 dollar meals, but lucky for me.. I'm vegan so my meal of Onion Rings, and asparagus was no where near that range! The steaks here look remarkable.. As do the mashed potatoes.. But again I'm not really reviewing the taste of the specialties. The service is great as well! Kinda feels like you in another time period, maybe like a high class joint might feel in the late 60's or something. The bar is really nice and they specialize in martini's and fancy craft cocktails. If you are wanting to splurge on a crazy expensive meal, or impress a date this might be a great place to go.. Not to stuffy, but Stuffy enough to make it count!
(4)
Eolo N.
My daughter bought my wife and I a groupon for 100.00, to start the food is WAY OVERPRICED, one baked potato is 10.00, my salad 10.00 which is 1/4 head of lettuce and three half's of cherry tomato's, my 52.00 steak was not very good, had more fat and gristle then what I wanted, my wife had mashed potato's 11.00 and a overpriced steak, so even with a 100.00 groupon, I still had to come up with 65.00 and a 25.00 tip, won't go back, many other places around Des Moines to get better steak and at a better price!!
(2)
Diane B.
My husband and I had a date night dinner at 801 last night. Everything was perfect. The atmosphere is old- school prime steakhouse. The service is beyond reproach and the food- oh the food- was Superb!! We started out sharing a shrimp cocktail- 4 huge, meaty, very fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce that actually could have used a little spicing- up but was still tasty. We also shared a Cesar salad- which was served in 2 separate plates( his with anchovies-mine without) and the serving size of a half-salad was still huge. Our beef was exceptional. His prime rib and my filet were the best we'd had since we were on the east coast. We shared the au gratin potatoes and these were also excellent. Our waiter Kyle was so kind and knowledgable and we never wanted for a thing. This place is pricey but actually a great value for what you get. It was a wonderful experience!!
(5)
Jill B.
Always amazing! A great place to celebrate an occasion! They totally spoil you here. The food is to die for!
(5)
Pam W.
We have been to 801 Chophouse twice before and it is definitely a special place for a nice occasion as it is pricey. That being said, the food was perfect. This last week we tried fish rather than beef and oh my goodness......the salmon was to die for. The pan roasted mushrooms and lobster potatoes wonderful. We have been so pleased with the service and attentiveness. Truly a favorite dining experience.
(5)
Emily T.
This is one of the most expensive places in Des Moines to get a steak. Our steaks were well worth it as we savored every flavorful, juicy, tender bite. Our server was also fabulous as she tipped us off that they would scale down the portion sizes for us. Our bill even stated that percentage, however, I did feel that those percentages should have gone down a bit more. BUT, we didn't come here to have sides, we came here for the steak and it was well worth it. Our wine choice went well, it was a random choice of the VERY select few least expensive bottles. The majority were in the triple digits. Ordering the souffle is a must and hopefully your server tips you off to order before your meal as it takes 40 minutes. The size was perfect for the two of us (even more but we were feeling greedy) accompanied by 3 sauces. Very glad we ordered it and comparatively the price was amazing. If we had the $$$$ to, we would dine her more often, alas, this will be one of our special occasion locations.
(5)
Doug L.
Close your eyes. Imagine a New York steak house. That's what you get. Good food and lots of it (portions are too big, so if you like to take home some, a plus for you). Great service. But all of that comes for a price. It's nice to come here once in a while but not a go to place for me
(4)
Nick B.
801 isn't going to win any awards in creativity, but honestly, they don't really need to. They're a prime steakhouse. That's what they do, and they do it well. Iowa doesn't have many restaurants with deep wine lists, but this place will satisfy most vinophiles. Flemings in West Des Moines, and Linn Street Cafe in Iowa City are the only other shops in the state that I've been to that even are close to the amount of wines offered. I've been to quite a few high end steakhouses in my day, and I always enjoy a visit to the deep booths of 801. If you appreciate a well prepared prime grade steak, head to 801. Afterwards you'll have a hard time enjoying a mid-tier restaurant steak again.
(5)
Manolo E.
You have to know where this place is and persist. The office building does not betray the lively steakhouse that is inside. The staff is outfitted as they are at Smith & Wollensky, greens and whites abound. Our bartendress could have used some help both in the personality department and behind the bar but all-in-all it was a wonderful experience with excellent food and ambiance. Will be back!
(4)
Matt M.
We decided to meet some old friends here since we frequent the Omaha location and absolutely love it. This was definitely a disappointment. Nothing but the service lived up to our expectations. We started with the calamari and it was great, that's where the "great" ended. The steaks were mediocre with one filet being 1/4 fat, none of the steaks had any bone marrow butter on the plates, the boursin mashed tasted just like mashed & the fried zucchini were large strips that keep the zucchini inside from getting cooked properly. While we return to 801 Chophouse Omaha all the time this will never be the case with the original location in Des Moines. I'm sorry but for 552.00 (including tip) I expect a outstanding meal
You cannot beat the steak (I had the filet medallions with lobster meat and a red wine demi-glace, my dining partner had the plain filet, no preparations). Best steak I've had. Melted in my mouth. Still dreaming about it. The sides were just okay. The scalloped potatoes lacked flavor and the wild mushrooms with boursin were tender, but not terribly warm. Meh. The Iowa State Fair Ice Cream Sundae was a blast (we shared it). Their sweet corn ice cream is really something special. I could go just for that... Had a great chocolate martini, though, and for $10, one of the cheapest things on the menu ;D Other people have said this but my main sticking point is the cost of dining here. I knew that the restaurant was pricey going in, but spending $164 for two people *after* my Groupon deal (which I paid $40 for $80, making the full price of this meal $244) is absolutely ridiculous for this meal. There's no other way to say it. And I'm not a budget diner who's complaining because my meal wasn't cheap. I've eaten similarly priced meals in the past and this wasn't as good. Also, the ambient noise on a Sunday night was elevated, and what is up with the flat screens. Really? There are plenty of other restaurants in the Des Moines area that are fancy enough for even the most special occasion, yet you won't be dropping $250.
(3)
Anne B.
Fabulous dining experience. We choose 801 Chop to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. The food was delicious, service was outstanding and most importantly it was a memorable experience for a special occasion. Was it expensive? Yes, but well worth it and will go again. When your looking to celebrate a special occasion or wanting great food, 801 Chop in my opinion is the place to go.
(5)
Lindsey R.
This is my husband's and my favorite restaurant in Des Moines and we frequent it almost weekly. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money. We always receive top-notch service and the food and drinks are fantastic. This is the place to go for an overall classy and enjoyable dining experience. From the time you open the frosted glass double doors, enter the dark, mahony rich restaurant, and are greeted by the Maître de it sets the mood for a five star night. The warm right-out-of-the-oven bread brought to the table is always delicious, for an appetizer, you can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio. And since it is a steak house, my entree is always the filet mignon. It is by far consistently the best steak I have ever had- extremely tender, buttery, melt in your mouth, with the perfect sear on the outside. As for side dishes, our two favorites are macaroni and cheese and creamed corn- you can't beat this creamed corn when Iowa sweet corn is in season. And they do have an excellent selection of wine- my favorite is the White Meritage. After our entrees, we usually make our way to the bar for some after dinner drinks and dessert. The bar has a fabulous atmosphere with the massive maghony bar and shelf-upon-shelf of alcohol. For dessert our two favorites are the chocolate lava cake with Absolut ice cream and the white chocolate banana cream pie. Besides the food being outstanding, the service is always among the best we have ever experienced, all of the staff including the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and know how to treat a customer. You can tell this is a career for them, not just a job, and they show it. I highly recommend a visit to this incredible Iowa steak house!
(5)
M M.
Just finished dinner and all we can say is never again!! Service was any slower they would be dead. Food was OK but not great. Management and waiter was arrogant had something floating in my drink and took 20 minutes to bring a fresh one by then my dinner was cold and the manager acted like he did me a favor. Please don't spend $150 on dinner here there are far far better in the city.
(1)
Ben P.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Des Moines at night, be sure to do the following: 1. Look around and say out loud "Where the hell is everybody? It's only 6:30. Why are the streets empty? Is that a tumbleweed?" 2. Wander around and look at the office buildings and ask "Does Principal own all of downtown Des Moines?" If there was a native around to answer your question (and there won't be), the native would say "Why yes it does." 3. Eat at 801 Chop and Steak House. The minute you walk in, you will forget that you are visiting the middle of....Iowa (I'll be polite). The restaurant could be in NYC, LA, Chicago, any major metropolitan city that isn't owned by an insurance and retirement company. The steaks, the roast beef---awesome. I have never had the fish, because I cannot fathom why you would go to the middle of the country, and then go into a steakhouse, and then order fish. If you order fish, the waiter should bring the fish out and beat you with it until you order beef or pork. Also, order the Maytag Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin. My arteries are still hardening, but it was well worth it. This restaurant is so good, it almost makes going to Des Moine worth it. Almost.......
(5)
Jeff D.
Good traditional steakhouse with a few surprises like the lobster corn dogs... Frankly I think the service at most upscale steakhouses is very good and fairly consistent... Ad much of what they serve for an entree is a commodity (beef, lobster, chicken) so the items that have a unique preparation tend to be the salads and the sides... And I thought 801 chop covers its bases very well with numerous kinds of potatoes, vegetables, and salads... Very pleased with this little gem in Des Moines. Pricing is probably high for Des Moines but not out of whack with other big city establishments,
(4)
Anna B.
Overpriced with average food. I agree with the previous review that the quality of the beef was on par with a steakhouse chain like Ruth Chris. The atmosphere was noisy, really bright and un-romantic. Service was really disappointing given the prices.
(3)
Frank T.
Great service good martini.. The delmonico was just ok. Mine was supposed to be mid rare plus and ended up medium plus. Nothing spectacular coming out of the creamed spinach. It was quite underwhelming. When my tab for a steak, creamed spinach and 2 martini's is over $100 before tip I expect a lot more. Overall a solid steak and great service would I go back? Only on an expense account.
(3)
Dave M.
The quality of the steaks at this place are undeniably fantastic, as is the overall atmosphere -- but believe me you will be paying for it and at the end asking yourself if it was really worth it. I went to 801 Chophouse last evening using a Groupon deal. Scanning the menu, I thought the best steak in the house would be in the $50 range; tip #1: never assume at an expensive steakhouse. Turns out, but beef alone was $73. When you add in two glasses of Merlot (Raymond and Rombauer; both were delicious!), a half-size side of glazed carrots, my final bill (20% tip factored in) was $146. Did I say that I was dining alone?? With the Groupon certificate that I paid $40 for an $80 value, out of pocket I netted out at $100. I am new to Iowa, and everyone I know highly recommended 801, so I am glad I tried it. But unless you are expensing this meal on the company card, there is no way I would recommend going there again. Again - the food was amazingly good, but I would argue that I have had delicious steaks in many other restaurants of similar dining experience and 50% less than this place. Final note: The service at the bar was outstanding.
(3)
He And She I.
OK, it was time to try this "fine" restaurant, since we'd tried nearly every other fine dining establishment in Des Moines downtown area. We made a reservation through Open Table, thinking that the restaurant would be crowded before a performance at the Civic Center. Wrong. We could have had our choice of seating, at least by what we saw. The waitstaff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and obsequious. If you like that, you'll be happy. My idea of good table service does not include a waiter who says "My pleasure" to every request or comment. But, he did get the chef to make me some honey mustard dressing for my salad, without asking, which was not on the menu. Without my even asking! Our meal was well-plated, and cooked as we requested. However, I recommend that, if the special sounds good, you ask the price. We are not averse to paying for good meat, and it was good, but it was at best a $50 steak, not an $80 steak. The hashbrowns, however, were stellar. I would have appreciated a few more options for healthier dining. I don't like being relegated to the "shrimp cocktail and salad with dressing on the side" type of dining. The wine list was good, but, when I asked for a Malbec, the waiter suggested the Sangiovese. Not having looked at the menu, I found later I had been upsold. Not a big item, but it rankled a little. I don't think we'll be back. However, if you want to impress someone you are hosting, this might be the place for you.
(3)
Madonna V.
I had an 8:30pm reservation and still waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Both the host and hostess were polite which made waiting manageable. I ordered the prime rib 801 cut. The quality of the steak is high. I will say though, that the particular rub my steak was cooked with made it salty but it tasted delicious nevertheless. We ordered a lobster tail as an appetizer and that was a bit dry, however, the shellfish linguine was exceptional-this was my favorite dish. Our server brought us fried lobster instead of the steamed lobster tail, however, this mix up was fixed rather promptly. I would say this restaurant is worth the splurge for a special occasion.
(4)
Brooke P.
Okay this place is old school and really good steak. Very pricey but I think the food is worth it. I actually got chicken one time and it was the best chicken I have ever had. Really fun for special occasions or NYE.
(4)
Seth M.
A truly excellent meal. Great food, great service. Steaks, sides, and salads all very very good. It is expensive, but they serve only PRIME dry aged beef. There were a lot of reviews complaining about the "expense for a steak house", but I don't think it was that unreasonable, and here's why... They serve ONLY prime dry aged beef. Most of the other "high end" steak houses no longer have all prime beef due to the expense. Take a look on other menus and compare the price for prime vs choice and I think 801 is fairly well in line. If you like prime and you want to pay for it, 801 Chophouse is a great choice.
(4)
Phil M.
One of the best prime ribs around; however, the portion sizes are monstrous.
(4)
Cody K.
Great steaks. I almost always get the filet and it is prepared perfectly every time. Sides can be a bit rich but still very good. Service is always excellent. If you are looking for a great steak you can't go wrong with 801.
(4)
Mariana P.
My fiance and I went here last night for the first time for his birthday. I made a reservation through open table and left them a message asking them to make the occasion special if they could. We were given a quiet table at the back of the restaurant that was decorated and the menu had "Happy Birthday" written on it. Just with that I was ready to write a great review. Then the food came and it was AMAZING. He had the prime rib and it was like butter, I had the filet with the truffle butter bath (which was not on the menu so make sure to ask for it if they haven't added it yet!). The service was outstanding, the wine list extensive and the ambience was delightful. I lived in Washington DC for 11 years and they claim to have the best steakhouses in the country, 801 Chophouse was far superior. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Mike G.
I visited with a party of 10 and we were seated in a private area. It was a great fit for the large party and made it very easy to talk. Our server was very knowledgeable and did a good job of explaining the menu. I ordered the prime rib and my wife had the filet with blue cheese; both were excellent. We had five great sides at the table, but my favorites were the asparagus and the hash browns. The price tag is high but worth it for an occasional special night out.
(5)
Tony H.
I was there for a business dinner a couple weeks ago. Although this place has a really nice atmosphere and a great wine list, the steaks are pretty much on par with what you would get at a Ruth Chris or Flemmings. Overpriced and average taste. I'm not sure why people associate price with quality because for $40 I received an 8oz filet that not even as good as what I could get at a Texas Roadhouse. Also, I really hate this style of restaurant. You spend all that money on a steak and still have to shell out another $12 for 8 pieces of overcooked asparagus and 8 dollars for mashed potatoes which were ok. My advice, save your money. This place is not worth the price. Just because its expensive doesn't mean it's any good.
(2)
Y L.
I've been to 801 multiple times. Most of the time my steak is cooked to perfection. There was a time when my steak was over cooked. They took it back in and the second one was undercooked. Other than that one time my experiences have been good. The lobster corn chowder is delicious. I always get the scalloped potatoes and asparagus for sides. Yesterday was my maybe 4th time there and the first time I was given the presentation. The wait staff was very informative and the presentation was helpful. Make sure to ask for it. Amazing steaks. I took my parents and mom really liked it. She's not usually fond of steaks, so that's saying a lot. For me, it's also the best steak I've had so far.
(4)
Sandy S.
Excellent service, enjoyed the meat presentation which is somewhat typical for a upper crust steakhouse. The place was nearly empty on a Wed nite and we had a whole room to ourselves. The service was excellent and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The prices were similar to what you would pay at Ruths Chris and Flemings about $40 for a 8oz filet and around $56 for a 24oz porterhouse. I didn't have any wine, but noticed the wine list was extensive. I had two cocktails, a filet and one side and my bill was around $86 with tax and tip. Do not go here if you are on a budget. Good for special occasions or when you really want to impress your date with your fat wallet!
(5)
Shing Yiing O.
I was searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday and also my offer at the same time.. I really want to spend my money and get an awesome meal with some wine.. So based on my research, Flemming's and 801 Chop were top 2!!! I don't really have any preference.. So we chose 801 Chop because the menu looks good with a variety of wine and steak.. (and of course a pretty good review as well) So I made a reservation here.. I did not expect that Des Moines has such an expensive restaurant in the Principal Building.. The waitress was really nice and friendly to us, the environment is nice (which you can see that it's a pretty classy place).. While we were looking at the menu.. The waitress brought us some bread.. It's sour dough and it's so awesome.. It's crispy and soft at the same time.. spread it with butter = AWESOME!!! I just can't stop eating it even though I told myself I have to save some "space" in my stomach for the steak later. They even refill it for us but as I said we do not want to fill up our stomach with bread so we told them not to refill for us.. We each ordered a red wine to go with the steak under the waitress recommendation.. (I don't really remember the name.. I will check it and update my review later:) ) So for appetizer, we ordered escargot that baked it with cheese and garlic (that's what my taste butt told me).. It tasted really good.. You can see that it's freshly bake and not pre-made.. :) Entree: I ordered an 8oz fillet mignon and my friend ordered single cut roast prime rib.. The prime rib is HUGE!!! 8oz fillet mignon is just perfect for me.. BOTH are good but not to say AWESOME!! I will just quote what my friend said.. "For the price we paid, we expected the cow to dance for us".. which means we expected the meat to be really good for what we paid.. We also ordered lobster mash potatoes as a side and we both shared.. The mash potatoes is nice.. but it's just a normal mash potatoes and added lobster.. which I expected something more based on the price I paid.. As for dessert, we ordered souffle.. This was my first time having it.. We ordered right before our entree came because the waitress told us that all the dessert on the menu are freshly bake and it needs approximately 45 minutes to bake it.. which made me added 1 star for them.. :) and also since it's my friend's 21st birthday.. they gave us the dessert for free!! :D I never had souffle before so I do not know how it's supposed to be.. but according to my friend.. it's just normal... I will trust my friend since he is pretty harsh on rating.. :) Highlight of the day.. bread.. dessert... wine.. experience.. and service. It's a great experience in Des Moines but I might not return for the steak..
(4)
Charlie N.
great filet cooked as ordered medium rare. haven't been dissatisfied yet between here and Kansas City. two thumbs up as Ebert used to say
(4)
Louis M.
Honestly, the steak was the least impressive part. I think it's very over priced for the taste. We went in to celebrate our anniversary, wife had fillet, and I had the Delmonico. Crab cake was good, scallop potatoes were good, steaks were so-so. Service was ok, nothing stellar. AJ's at prairie meadows or Johnny's Italian Steakhouse are better options for steak, service, and price.
(3)
Mark H.
Absolutely wonderful decor. Food was very good. Put had a had time choking down the prices.
(3)
Jerry M.
Very nice place. Excellent steaks
(4)
Tommy T.
First of all....there are two entrances to the 801 Chophouse. You can enter through the revolving doors on Grand and take the escalator up to the 2nd floor or enter through the Revolving doors on High Street. Everyone kept telling me that the view would be wonderful on the upper floors and I think they have it confused with the members only eatery up top. My honey and I went to celebrate his birthday tonight and we enjoyed everything. We took advantage of the Prix Fixe for $33 per person. We had a choice of salad between Caesar and Wedge (they were not tiny), he had the Prime Rib and I had the Filet Mingon and each came with Mashed Potatoes and veggies. Then we selected Creme Brulee (the other option was sorbet) and it was the best we have ever had anywhere. Our waitress, Jami, was very attentive and informative. She suggested I try the Troon Martini and it was excellent. It was not a busy Sunday, but we loved that the parking was easy and close and we received wonderful service while we enjoyed a delicious meal. If you want to give this place a try, I highly suggest the Sundy Prix Fixe.
(5)
Tyler R.
The first time I went here the food was really good but not great. Also, the waitress Chris was awkward and sarcastic acting--she also dropped our plates ungracefully onto our table when serving; and by drop I mean she slid them and then allowed one end to drop 1/2 inch to the table. However, the management responded promptly to the complaint and really went above and beyond our expecations for reparations. Major props to Mr. Murphy. The Sunday Prix Fixe menu is a real draw and really fantastic. The prime rib is excellent and the sour cream laced horseradish sauce was awesome! My girlfriend's filet was seasoned and cooked to perfection as well. Our waiter, Paul (I believe?), had a real soft voice that made dining very comfortable. He recommended the Troon martini which my girlfriend really enjoyed. I got Pepsi that tasted way better in the Crystal wine glasses--Classy! The bill for 2 with a martini and a soda was $86. We left a $15 tip gratefully--college kids can tip well too you know, so dont treat us all the same! Thanks 801 for taking care of us--really appreciated.
(3)
MiJung L.
Great steak, great sides and seriously great pancetta wrapped scallops! Best steak in Des Moines so far but I haven't tried Fleming's out here yet. The server was kind of talkative but great service overall.
(5)
Jonathan W.
This is a very, very fine steakhouse. I actually wasn't in a steak mood so I just had a martini (awesome), a shrimp cocktail (7/10), the baby carrots with brown sugar, the potatoes with bleu cheese and one spectacular king crab leg. If I'm ever back in Des Moines, looking to do it up, I'll be sure to be back to try the steak or a surf and turf. This could potentially be upgraded to five stars!
(4)
Bob B.
This is the place for that special occasion, or when you're on expense account. My wife and I decided that this is where we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wow, what a great, albeit expensive, dinner. My wife's scallops and my NY Strip were cooked to perfection. The green beans were sauteed with bacon and caramelized onion and were very tasty. Coffee and dessert topped off a wonderful dinner. Our waitress was knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely a 'fine dining' experience.
(5)
Monica S.
Excellent fine dining experience! My husband and I originally stopped at 2 sushi places to have a nice dinner on Valentine's Day evening- usually we have no problem getting in to restaurants on such a day even without reservations, but not this year (the economy really must be doing better!). Both places were packed, so last minute we called 801 Chop House to see if they could fit in a late reservation for 2 that night- it was 6:30 when we called, and they said they had an 8pm available so we took it. We got there a little early, content to sit at the bar and have a drink until our seats opened up, but the host said they had a booth that opened up early and sat us down right away- fantastic! Service was attentive and professional, without hovering over us, and knowledgeable about the wine selections. The atmosphere was as a steakhouse should be- dark wood paneling, dim lighting, very elegant (the huge bar is gorgeous). Now for the food...Ahh! Truly delicious. We started with the lobster corn dogs- it was like a very dense lobster cake with lots of flavor, dipped and perfectly fried under sweet corn batter, and served with a mustard sauce, Yum! 4 mini corn dogs on a stick- was plenty for 2 for an appetizer. For the entree I ordered the 2 bone-in, grilled lamb chops, medium rare, with a house made mint sauce. My husband got the fillet, ordered with the Tuscan seasoning- this is not listed on the menu, but they are happy to oblige. Both were absolutely delicious, but while mine was maybe an 8, his was a 10! Mouth watering! We got the lobster mashed potatoes, and the baked cream spinach as our sides- both wonderful. Now someone mentioned in a review about the serving sizes, but I didn't find anything wrong with the serving sizes. People need to be reminded that fine dining is about *quality* and not quantity- the Texas Roadhouse, this ain't'! We ended with the souffle for desert- perfect and delicious! I'm not sure if people realize how difficult it is to make a souffle like this, as they are temperamental to minute temperature changes and can easily and disastrously deflate! So it was pretty impressive they make these to order, and they come out perfectly fluffy, with a creamy center! The raspberry sauce I found to be the perfect accent, with a glass of port. Happily stuffed, and more than pleased with the entire meal and experience. Yes, it's pricey, all in all our meal was about $200 with tip, but well worth it for such an occasion. I can't wait for the next celebration to come back!
(5)
Erin S.
Made this reservation for my husband and his wrestler buddies during NCAA finals . . . they LOVED it!
(5)
C C.
First choice for a night out! Service is outstanding! Food is consistently good and they make fantastic top shelf Martinis. Perfect for formal occasion but it's great to dine in the bar area - if you like a little more laid back experience, it's always fun!
(5)
Stephanie P.
I was so impressed by my first time at Des Moines finest restaurant! We had a Groupon to use here which was the only way we could afford to try it. We expected the prices to be much higher but they were comparable to Flemings - $30/entree, various wine prices, a la carte sides in the $7-$12 range. I booked a reservation on opentable.com about a week before. My dinner companion and I were taken care of by Paul who was wonderful. He was attentive without hovering and provided recommendations and details about the different steak finishes. The sourdough bread and butter they bring to the table is hot and fantastic. We then had the calamari appetizer which was also good - not greasy with a spicy dip on the side. I had the scallops and my companion had the 8 oz filet. We tried each other's dishes and agreed that they both melted in your mouth. For a side we got the hashbrowns with aged cheddar which were good but just that, hashbrowns. I drank ice tea which tasted like actual tea and not instant something. The wine list had all kinds of options at different price points. For dessert, we had their signature grand marnier souffle which takes over an hour to bake so you order early in the meal. It was truly amazing. Enough to serve 4 people with three different toppings - fudge sauce, raspberry, and cream. All were delicious and very fresh. Paul invited us to come back and wished us a good evening. I hope we can come back some time!
(5)
Tracy B.
Love. Love. Love this place! Great service. Even better food. Quality steaks are well worth the price.
(5)
Michael N.
I sometimes think all of these steakhouses should combine and call themselves Ruth Wollensky's Palm Steak Houses. I mean it's always the same drill... a NY strip steak for $37.50, side dishes served "family style" for two or more at $8-12 a pop for steamed asparagus and mashed potatoes and there "world famous" NY cheese cake or Key lime pie or creme brule (yawn) for dessert. The food is predictably very good, my steak was excellent. I'm going with 3 stars because the menu and atmosphere are pretty unoriginal... and for the cost you just should have more. BTW... I actually cut and pasted this from another steakhouse I reviewed in Chicago.
(3)
Bo K.
My wife and I had a really good dinner. The steak was awesome but the service was lacking. I'm not one who likes to hounded during my dinner , but we were not asked but once for a fresh drink. The bill was 127.00 and he got a 20.00 tip. Boarder line 15%
(3)
Sean D.
I wasn't expecting much in the not so booming metropolis of Des Moines, but much to my surprise they have a good restaurant and bar scene. 801 is a steak house, good steaks, cooked to perfect doneness as requested. The asparagus was tender and sweet. The scalloped potatoes were creamy and Delicious. The carpaccio was quite tasty too. The service was very attentive and polite. They have a good wine list, but you won't get out of here cheap. If you're in Des Moines, check them out
(4)
Bryan N.
Stopped by on a business trip. Obviously, I can't speak to its local reputation (apparently there appears to be a divide between folks that think its "The Greatest Steakhouse On The Face of the Earth(tm)", and others that grumble about disappointment. So, for better or for worse, I walked in expectation-free (other than expecting to drop a pretty penny on some steak). Waitstaff was impeccable. Managed to walk the fine line between being helpful and attentive, but not so much as to be hovering. All the food arrived at the right temperature, and portions were great (I went with the Tuscan Ribeye, and potato wedge-thingees for a side). Wine selection was impressive (although, admittedly, I'm not much of a wine drinker, and couldn't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle if my life depended on it - red with meat, etc. is all I know), and the waitstaff was good at helping me pick. Dessert was just fine - creme brulee (although, obviously, it's pretty hard to mess up what is, in actuality, just burnt pudding). At the end of the day, I had no gripes - I suppose folks could dicker about pricing (yes, you can get equally great steaks for cheaper at other places), but it's just a nice sit down place that I imagine you'd go for a fancy date, a victory-at-work meal, an impress-potential-client meal, etc. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)
Megan H.
I know it's like sacrilege to say this in Des Moines, but I was less than impressed with 801. I also know better than to order fish at a steakhouse, but in a moment of weakness I ordered the ahi tuna. Wow. I've had better ahi at chain restaurants. We ordered hash browns for the table and they were greasy to the point of being inedible. For the price we paid, I can think of thirty restaurants in Des Moines where the money would have been better spent. It gets three stars for the atmosphere - it's swanky and refined while still warm and comfortable. However, the food was far below my expectations. I truly hope it was an "off" night - I'd been there in the past and remembered it much differently!
(3)
Euge C.
801. Often spoken with a whisper. Perhaps the finest steakhouse in town. If not, it is certainly the most celebrated and the most polished. Their prime rib is perhaps the best I've ever had, and I'm including Lawry's in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Most steakhouses truly fail to execute on other dishes, but 801 is an exception. Their seafood, appetizers, salads, chicken and side dishes are almost as good as non-steak restaurants in the same price range. The wine list will make your eyes pop. You are not imagining those prices. Note: they do NOT make regional recipe Steak DeBurgo! So why only 3 stars? No value. While the steak is first rate, it doesn't come cheap.
(3)
Brent G.
Excellent food. Be ready for portion sizes bigger than your head :)
(5)
Chantalle v.
I went here for dinner during a business trip to Des Moines. I must say i'm not too impressed with the city (hello, where is everybody?) but this restaurant was OK. The waiter was patient and polite, the sides were yummy, and my main course was great. I ordered the medallion and lobster, and the meat was prepared perfectly to my liking. However, the only disappointment was the one or two itty bitty pieces of lobster that came with the dish. Why advertise it as medallion and lobster when there hardly isn't any lobster to speak of? Oh yeah, my appetizer, which was a butternut squash soup, came out cold. But it was still tasty. Hey, i'm not going to complain about things in front of my boss. The dessert...not so good. We ordered a few things - apple pie, brownie, carrot cake, and something else, I forget, but I was not impressed. The sad part is...this is probably one of the nicest restaurants in Des Moines, if not THE nicest there. The next evening, my boss and I walked around downtown Des Moines looking for a place to eat and could not find anything. Lucca's was empty and there was a homeless person throwing up in a trash can a few feet away from the restaurant. Yuck.
(3)
Matthew A.
My favorite restuarant in DM. Best and Classiest steakhouse. Feels like an major league steakhouse (such as Ruth Chris's, Smith&Woll, Morton's, etc.). Food is fantastic. Staff is friendly and helpful. Decor is top-notch. The only draw backs are price (can only go every so often) and the noise (not the kind of place to have a focused one-on-one).
(5)
Ann C.
INSIDE BUILDING HIDDEN GEM Downtown Des Moines, Iowa...lots of beautiful buildings and artsy statues. Places to eat were a bit hard to decide on because there aren't many choices to choose from! My father and I chose 801 Steak & Chop from a tourist map. We got lost. Yes, I know it was on a MAP but it did not state that the restaurant was INSIDE an office building!!! It also did not state that it was fine dining. Fine dining is code word for super duper expensive! Although pricey, I must say the food matched up to the value. The steaks were juicy and flavorful and the ambiance was elegant casual. Don't worry, no dress code here they let my jeans and sneakered ass sit and order! The Ribeye with tuscan season & herb crust was delicious! We ordered rare and it was waaaay too cold in the center but they happily recooked it for us. The garlic mash was good but came out warm- not hot. Steamed broccoli was normal. Lobster and Shrimp linguini was good but not great. Good part was they were not sheisty on the lobster and shrimps were huge! Bad part was the portion was small and a bit too saucy (is that even a word?!). If you don't mind paying the dough I would recommend this place for a good meal. Just remember that it's inside a business building!
(4)
Carla W.
One of the best restaurants in our city. My husband and I went there last night and had a wonderful experience. Jamie, our waitress is fun, and very knowledgeable. I ordered the lamb chops, double cut and my husband had the dry-rubbed ribeye and we shared the 2 lb lobster tail. Absolutely delicious. We also ordered the asparagus and the augratin blue cheese and bacon potatoes, unbelieveably rich and worth every blessed calorie. Topped it off with the Chocolate Lava Cake with homemade carmel sauce. Jamie allowed us to take our time and enjoy the evening. It was fabulous. A wonderful place to go for a special time.
(5)
Sofia H.
I am from Florida and traveling coast to coast from California to Boston ...we thought we need ed to stop in Nebraska or Iowa for the best steak in America... Our journey took us to stop in Des Moines and we just follow recommendations from Yelp reviews about the best steak house in town. We arrive to the Hyatt hotel that will have it s own review in hotels And we, my daughter and I were going toward the 801 Chop house... The customer service was great from the door to the end, but the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. The prime rib was ok but not superb.... I asked for a rib eye steak grilled with salt and pepper but the waitresses insisted to choose some seasoning on it...I choose cajun and medium juicy.... And a bottle of wine.... There was enough time for us to drink the complete bottle before the food was on the table . When finally we got our food, the steak was no hot, but warn and really dry, the Cajun seasoning was nothing to be crazy about,,,When I tried to choose a Port wine I was in shock when the waitresses told me that $ 40 dollars was for the glass not for the bottle,,,,, This restaurant can have a very snobby atmosphere, and inviting environment, even very friendly staff, but was not good enough for the price .... Too Expensive for mediocre food... If you want a good steak go to Fort Lauderdale , Florida to Ruth Chris Steak house ...! Those are really good!!!
(2)
Justin W.
Too many people in Des Moines are obsessed with decor and the price of a meal. It is like there is this citywide inferiority complex when it comes to issues of fine dining, culture and nightlife. You aren't Kansas City or Chicago and you never will be, so why not just be yourself. And that is what frustrates me about 801. The food is alright, and I would even go as far as to say the sides are phenomenal. However, it isn't worth the price and I get the feeling like I am paying twice as much for my meal just to say I ate at 801, especially when the steaks aren't that good. I also get the feeling like it is frequented by all those who are frustrated that they haven't been invited to become a member of the Embassy Club yet. Well I doubt that eating at 801 is going to help you in that regard. Yes, every city needs a restaurant like this with the prestige factor. And no, it isn't my bag. So I guess my opinion is a little skewed as to my impressions of the place itself and the clientele. What isn't skewed is my view of the food. Like I said, there are some redeeming qualities, but by god when you are a steakhouse your high point shouldn't be the mashed potatoes! Additionally, on one occasion I went to 801 with a large group for a company Christmas party and suspect that our steaks were subpar cuts that had been chemically tenderized. Why this suspicion? Beyond the steak not being very good I ended up very ill immediately upon finishing my meal as I am allergic to the MSG in meat tenderizer. Though I cannot totally verify this, of course, I wouldn't expect as prestigious of an establishment to make me violently ill.
(2)
Andrea B.
It's okay, but there are honestly much better places in downtown Des Moines for a better price.
(3)
Gigi W.
terrific spice-rubbed steaks. melt-in-your mouth garlic mashed potatoes. very pricey, but for a reason. it's an upscale place with dark wood paneling, excellent service and high-end atmosphere.
(5)
Emily T.
This is one of the most expensive places in Des Moines to get a steak. Our steaks were well worth it as we savored every flavorful, juicy, tender bite. Our server was also fabulous as she tipped us off that they would scale down the portion sizes for us. Our bill even stated that percentage, however, I did feel that those percentages should have gone down a bit more. BUT, we didn't come here to have sides, we came here for the steak and it was well worth it. Our wine choice went well, it was a random choice of the VERY select few least expensive bottles. The majority were in the triple digits. Ordering the souffle is a must and hopefully your server tips you off to order before your meal as it takes 40 minutes. The size was perfect for the two of us (even more but we were feeling greedy) accompanied by 3 sauces. Very glad we ordered it and comparatively the price was amazing. If we had the $$$$ to, we would dine her more often, alas, this will be one of our special occasion locations.
(5)
Doug L.
Close your eyes. Imagine a New York steak house. That's what you get. Good food and lots of it (portions are too big, so if you like to take home some, a plus for you). Great service. But all of that comes for a price. It's nice to come here once in a while but not a go to place for me
(4)
Nick B.
801 isn't going to win any awards in creativity, but honestly, they don't really need to. They're a prime steakhouse. That's what they do, and they do it well. Iowa doesn't have many restaurants with deep wine lists, but this place will satisfy most vinophiles. Flemings in West Des Moines, and Linn Street Cafe in Iowa City are the only other shops in the state that I've been to that even are close to the amount of wines offered. I've been to quite a few high end steakhouses in my day, and I always enjoy a visit to the deep booths of 801. If you appreciate a well prepared prime grade steak, head to 801. Afterwards you'll have a hard time enjoying a mid-tier restaurant steak again.
(5)
Matt M.
We decided to meet some old friends here since we frequent the Omaha location and absolutely love it. This was definitely a disappointment. Nothing but the service lived up to our expectations. We started with the calamari and it was great, that's where the "great" ended. The steaks were mediocre with one filet being 1/4 fat, none of the steaks had any bone marrow butter on the plates, the boursin mashed tasted just like mashed & the fried zucchini were large strips that keep the zucchini inside from getting cooked properly. While we return to 801 Chophouse Omaha all the time this will never be the case with the original location in Des Moines. I'm sorry but for 552.00 (including tip) I expect a outstanding meal
(2)
Manolo E.
You have to know where this place is and persist. The office building does not betray the lively steakhouse that is inside. The staff is outfitted as they are at Smith & Wollensky, greens and whites abound. Our bartendress could have used some help both in the personality department and behind the bar but all-in-all it was a wonderful experience with excellent food and ambiance. Will be back!
(4)
Shing Yiing O.
I was searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday and also my offer at the same time.. I really want to spend my money and get an awesome meal with some wine.. So based on my research, Flemming's and 801 Chop were top 2!!! I don't really have any preference.. So we chose 801 Chop because the menu looks good with a variety of wine and steak.. (and of course a pretty good review as well) So I made a reservation here.. I did not expect that Des Moines has such an expensive restaurant in the Principal Building.. The waitress was really nice and friendly to us, the environment is nice (which you can see that it's a pretty classy place).. While we were looking at the menu.. The waitress brought us some bread.. It's sour dough and it's so awesome.. It's crispy and soft at the same time.. spread it with butter = AWESOME!!! I just can't stop eating it even though I told myself I have to save some "space" in my stomach for the steak later. They even refill it for us but as I said we do not want to fill up our stomach with bread so we told them not to refill for us.. We each ordered a red wine to go with the steak under the waitress recommendation.. (I don't really remember the name.. I will check it and update my review later:) ) So for appetizer, we ordered escargot that baked it with cheese and garlic (that's what my taste butt told me).. It tasted really good.. You can see that it's freshly bake and not pre-made.. :) Entree: I ordered an 8oz fillet mignon and my friend ordered single cut roast prime rib.. The prime rib is HUGE!!! 8oz fillet mignon is just perfect for me.. BOTH are good but not to say AWESOME!! I will just quote what my friend said.. "For the price we paid, we expected the cow to dance for us".. which means we expected the meat to be really good for what we paid.. We also ordered lobster mash potatoes as a side and we both shared.. The mash potatoes is nice.. but it's just a normal mash potatoes and added lobster.. which I expected something more based on the price I paid.. As for dessert, we ordered souffle.. This was my first time having it.. We ordered right before our entree came because the waitress told us that all the dessert on the menu are freshly bake and it needs approximately 45 minutes to bake it.. which made me added 1 star for them.. :) and also since it's my friend's 21st birthday.. they gave us the dessert for free!! :D I never had souffle before so I do not know how it's supposed to be.. but according to my friend.. it's just normal... I will trust my friend since he is pretty harsh on rating.. :) Highlight of the day.. bread.. dessert... wine.. experience.. and service. It's a great experience in Des Moines but I might not return for the steak..
(4)
Pam W.
We have been to 801 Chophouse twice before and it is definitely a special place for a nice occasion as it is pricey. That being said, the food was perfect. This last week we tried fish rather than beef and oh my goodness......the salmon was to die for. The pan roasted mushrooms and lobster potatoes wonderful. We have been so pleased with the service and attentiveness. Truly a favorite dining experience.
(5)
Robert D.
My wife and I stop in a few times a year. And the Chophouse is my go to place for business dinners. Yes it is spendy but the experience is worth it. They have mastered the only three things a restaurant must master - quality, consistency, and customer service. Other than the amazing cuts of aged beef which are always prepared to perfection, the roasted bone marrow (a.k.a. meat butter) will literally change your life. Add it to your bucket list. All the servers and bartenders are awesome at their jobs and really seem to enjoy working there. If you want the best ask for Kyle. His attention to the littlest of details is amazing and makes for a complete and wonderful experience.
(5)
Aaron C.
Best restaurant in Des Moines and one of the best chop houses in the country. It will not disappoint and I would recommend to anyone looking for an upscale evening dining experience.
(5)
Kristi H.
This is a place you can pick to impress your date or if you're meeting a prospective client. Food is cooked to perfection, service is impeccable and the atmosphere is classy and comfortable. The proportions are huge so beware. Best meal in Des Moines to date!
(5)
Eolo N.
My daughter bought my wife and I a groupon for 100.00, to start the food is WAY OVERPRICED, one baked potato is 10.00, my salad 10.00 which is 1/4 head of lettuce and three half's of cherry tomato's, my 52.00 steak was not very good, had more fat and gristle then what I wanted, my wife had mashed potato's 11.00 and a overpriced steak, so even with a 100.00 groupon, I still had to come up with 65.00 and a 25.00 tip, won't go back, many other places around Des Moines to get better steak and at a better price!!
(2)
K B.
By far my favorite restaurant in Des Moines. Lets not kid around...801 isn't cheap. But if you are looking for a fine dining experience, this is it. The steak cut, quality, and cooking are outstanding. I've been getting the filet mignon since 2004 and have never been disappointed. In fact, I like it so much, I will try and eat there multiple times on the same trip...as long as the accountants don't look too closely at my expense report. The service is top notch. You will see the same servers throughout the years, making it feel nice to see a familiar face when you enter.
(5)
Vivian T.
Hubby and I came here for our anniversary dinner and we really wanted to like this place but we walked out disappointed. The Food: Sirloin (3/5) they under-cooked it. Ribeye (2/5) why? They over-cooked it and burned it. Ugh! So, I wish I could give a real review on the flavor of it. Lobster Mac-n-Cheese (4/5) We've been spoiled because we've been able to go to lots of great steakhouses in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California. We thought that this place would reign supreme cause, well Iowa has great beef! But unfortunately, I wasn't able to enjoy my steak like I wanted to. Hubby ordered his steak Well-done, it came out with pink in it. I ordered my Ribeye medium and it came out burnt and well-done. I don't know if they got our temps mixed up or what, but when they tried to fix it, it was too late. How can you charge so much for a steak and not get the cooking temp right? I hope this was just a one time thing but honestly, the amount we paid (almost $200) for the two of us, we were hoping for a great, romantic meal and leave satisfied. We actually went last year and have not gone back since. Maybe one day we will. Maybe.
(3)
Timothy S.
The best grapefruit martini in the Des Moines metro! We stopped in for a couple after dinner drinks last night and started with the troon. It is a delicious and fresh take on a greyhound. The freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and premium alcohol does a fantastic dance on the tongue that leaves you satisfied and refreshed. Our 2nd drink was a round of Gin Blossoms and this wonderful mix of gin, St. Germaine, champagne, and Mixers really make this cocktail something extraordinary! The bartender was extremely attentive and kept our waters full and ensured we enjoyed our time at the bar.
(5)
Jesse M.
Wow, I'm a pretty huge fan of Fleming's, but 801 has, IMHO lapped them. Amazing food, expert service (Fleming's too), and just a top notch experience. Their bone-in ribeye, prime rib, whatever you get for a side...all are great. For a drink, if you like grapefruit, get the Troon - double dang. Now they have a happy hour deal (full disclosure, haven't tried it) and I hear it's great. GO.
(5)
Jeremy F.
This could possibly be the nicest restaurant in the Des Moines metro. It is one of the best places I've ever eaten a steak. But sadly the price makes it unaffordable to eat there regularly. But luckily every year in May and June they have a groupon which makes them more affordable. It is during this time of the year that I get to go. They have an amazing selection of wine that is unrivaled, the wine list is a book in its self. The services staff is very knowledgable about the menu and amazingly nice, you might pay a lot for the meal, but you definitely will be paying for good service. One warning, everything on the menu is al a carte, so if you want a potato with your steak that will be separate and probably about another $10. The only reason I give the chop house 4 stars instead of 5 is the sheer price.
(4)
Katie S.
This place is definitely a five star restaurant. So don't go here unless you plan to spend about $200 on a meal for two. The service was amazing and my husband and I both thought our entrees were top notch. This place is definitely worth the money and we will keep it in mind for special occasions.
(5)
Patrick T.
Well, this place is fancy what can I say! I don't normally go to places with 30-50 dollar meals, but lucky for me.. I'm vegan so my meal of Onion Rings, and asparagus was no where near that range! The steaks here look remarkable.. As do the mashed potatoes.. But again I'm not really reviewing the taste of the specialties. The service is great as well! Kinda feels like you in another time period, maybe like a high class joint might feel in the late 60's or something. The bar is really nice and they specialize in martini's and fancy craft cocktails. If you are wanting to splurge on a crazy expensive meal, or impress a date this might be a great place to go.. Not to stuffy, but Stuffy enough to make it count!
(4)
Jennifer W.
First time to 801 tonight! Finally! The family was celebrating an anniversary and a birthday. Our reservation was at 5:30, which was nice because there was no crowd and no waiting. We found a place right out front to park. We participated in the pris-fix Sunday deal-Three courses for $40. We brought our own bottle of wine. The corking fee is $25. I order the Cesar side salad with anchovies, filet, and lemon poppyseed dessert. The salad was amahzing. Seriously, so good. The steak was mediocre at best. It was lukewarm and tough to cut. I hate to say it, but it's true. Flemings is my steakhouse of choice, to which very little can be compared. I came in with an open mind and left knowing that Flemings still has the best steak. I LOVE lemon and the dessert was so good. Additionally, we ordered three sides: lobster with Mac n cheese, cream corn, and scalloped potatoes. The Mac and potatoes were great, the corn left more to be desired. The bread and butter was wonderful, all warm and delicious. Our server Paul was great- very timely, funny, and tentative. They had two cards at the table, one birthday and anniversary. Very thoughtful. They also waived the corking fee, very awesome! I like the ambience and all the rich mahogany. It's straight class. The dress code is business casual.
(4)
Diane B.
My husband and I had a date night dinner at 801 last night. Everything was perfect. The atmosphere is old- school prime steakhouse. The service is beyond reproach and the food- oh the food- was Superb!! We started out sharing a shrimp cocktail- 4 huge, meaty, very fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce that actually could have used a little spicing- up but was still tasty. We also shared a Cesar salad- which was served in 2 separate plates( his with anchovies-mine without) and the serving size of a half-salad was still huge. Our beef was exceptional. His prime rib and my filet were the best we'd had since we were on the east coast. We shared the au gratin potatoes and these were also excellent. Our waiter Kyle was so kind and knowledgable and we never wanted for a thing. This place is pricey but actually a great value for what you get. It was a wonderful experience!!
(5)
Jill B.
Always amazing! A great place to celebrate an occasion! They totally spoil you here. The food is to die for!
(5)
David G.
Brought guests here Wednesday evening this past week. Fantastic food! We all ordered steaks and were blown away! We had one guest arrive a little later and our server, Paul, took our sides and warmed/replaced them for out late arrival! This restaurant, food, and service continue to impress!
(5)
Mark G.
This is a great steakhouse in downtown Des Moines! To start with the sides, the green beans were delicious; they use onion and bacon, the boursin mashed potatoes were rich and full of flavor, and the lobster mac was amazing. Also they offer half portions which is a huge plus at an upscale steakhouse. I had the NY strip with the Cajun spice rub and it was cooked perfect, seasoned just right, and had a great aged flavor. I was very happy with my steak and enjoyed every bite. They do offer several different finishes to your steak, so you really can experience something different every time that many steakhouses do not offer. The Creme Souffle was amazing, they had three sauces that come with that were very very good. Need to try more desert here, didn't know a steakhouse could bake so well. Had a great experience here, would love to come back and try more of their offerings.
(5)
Scott B.
I must say, I have been to great Steakhouses in New York, Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Chicago, but have not had a steak this good anywhere. Truly prime and delicious, with impeccable service from our waiter, Billy. In addition the side of spinach with garlic and lemon was excellent also. The appetizer of Oysters on the half shell from Washington were beyond excellent, even better than the Chesapeake Bay Oysters they also offered on the daily fresh menu. A fine selection of wines are also available for dining. I must ALERT you to expect to pay an average of $100 per person with drinks and appetizers. Our bill was $171.00 with the drinks and appetizers. Also know everything on the menu is alacart, including any special sauce such as bernaise ($10). I just used fresh horseradish, but the steak, 8oz Filet, stands on its own without anything. If you want an awesome meal above the level of Ruth Chris, or Wildfire, this is worth it.
(5)
Vic J.
This is one of the most expensive restaurants in town. Very nice atmosphere. Took my wife there for her birthday. Went in the evening and parked right on Grand. No dedicated parking lot. Service was good. I was surprised at the small portions. The food was arranged and presented well on the plate but I thought it was a child's plate. Maybe I should have ordered a few drinks first.
(2)
Frank T.
Great service good martini.. The delmonico was just ok. Mine was supposed to be mid rare plus and ended up medium plus. Nothing spectacular coming out of the creamed spinach. It was quite underwhelming. When my tab for a steak, creamed spinach and 2 martini's is over $100 before tip I expect a lot more. Overall a solid steak and great service would I go back? Only on an expense account.
(3)
Madonna V.
I had an 8:30pm reservation and still waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Both the host and hostess were polite which made waiting manageable. I ordered the prime rib 801 cut. The quality of the steak is high. I will say though, that the particular rub my steak was cooked with made it salty but it tasted delicious nevertheless. We ordered a lobster tail as an appetizer and that was a bit dry, however, the shellfish linguine was exceptional-this was my favorite dish. Our server brought us fried lobster instead of the steamed lobster tail, however, this mix up was fixed rather promptly. I would say this restaurant is worth the splurge for a special occasion.
(4)
Dave M.
The quality of the steaks at this place are undeniably fantastic, as is the overall atmosphere -- but believe me you will be paying for it and at the end asking yourself if it was really worth it. I went to 801 Chophouse last evening using a Groupon deal. Scanning the menu, I thought the best steak in the house would be in the $50 range; tip #1: never assume at an expensive steakhouse. Turns out, but beef alone was $73. When you add in two glasses of Merlot (Raymond and Rombauer; both were delicious!), a half-size side of glazed carrots, my final bill (20% tip factored in) was $146. Did I say that I was dining alone?? With the Groupon certificate that I paid $40 for an $80 value, out of pocket I netted out at $100. I am new to Iowa, and everyone I know highly recommended 801, so I am glad I tried it. But unless you are expensing this meal on the company card, there is no way I would recommend going there again. Again - the food was amazingly good, but I would argue that I have had delicious steaks in many other restaurants of similar dining experience and 50% less than this place. Final note: The service at the bar was outstanding.
You cannot beat the steak (I had the filet medallions with lobster meat and a red wine demi-glace, my dining partner had the plain filet, no preparations). Best steak I've had. Melted in my mouth. Still dreaming about it. The sides were just okay. The scalloped potatoes lacked flavor and the wild mushrooms with boursin were tender, but not terribly warm. Meh. The Iowa State Fair Ice Cream Sundae was a blast (we shared it). Their sweet corn ice cream is really something special. I could go just for that... Had a great chocolate martini, though, and for $10, one of the cheapest things on the menu ;D Other people have said this but my main sticking point is the cost of dining here. I knew that the restaurant was pricey going in, but spending $164 for two people *after* my Groupon deal (which I paid $40 for $80, making the full price of this meal $244) is absolutely ridiculous for this meal. There's no other way to say it. And I'm not a budget diner who's complaining because my meal wasn't cheap. I've eaten similarly priced meals in the past and this wasn't as good. Also, the ambient noise on a Sunday night was elevated, and what is up with the flat screens. Really? There are plenty of other restaurants in the Des Moines area that are fancy enough for even the most special occasion, yet you won't be dropping $250.
(3)
Anne B.
Fabulous dining experience. We choose 801 Chop to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. The food was delicious, service was outstanding and most importantly it was a memorable experience for a special occasion. Was it expensive? Yes, but well worth it and will go again. When your looking to celebrate a special occasion or wanting great food, 801 Chop in my opinion is the place to go.
(5)
He And She I.
OK, it was time to try this "fine" restaurant, since we'd tried nearly every other fine dining establishment in Des Moines downtown area. We made a reservation through Open Table, thinking that the restaurant would be crowded before a performance at the Civic Center. Wrong. We could have had our choice of seating, at least by what we saw. The waitstaff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and obsequious. If you like that, you'll be happy. My idea of good table service does not include a waiter who says "My pleasure" to every request or comment. But, he did get the chef to make me some honey mustard dressing for my salad, without asking, which was not on the menu. Without my even asking! Our meal was well-plated, and cooked as we requested. However, I recommend that, if the special sounds good, you ask the price. We are not averse to paying for good meat, and it was good, but it was at best a $50 steak, not an $80 steak. The hashbrowns, however, were stellar. I would have appreciated a few more options for healthier dining. I don't like being relegated to the "shrimp cocktail and salad with dressing on the side" type of dining. The wine list was good, but, when I asked for a Malbec, the waiter suggested the Sangiovese. Not having looked at the menu, I found later I had been upsold. Not a big item, but it rankled a little. I don't think we'll be back. However, if you want to impress someone you are hosting, this might be the place for you.
(3)
Brooke P.
Okay this place is old school and really good steak. Very pricey but I think the food is worth it. I actually got chicken one time and it was the best chicken I have ever had. Really fun for special occasions or NYE.
(4)
Seth M.
A truly excellent meal. Great food, great service. Steaks, sides, and salads all very very good. It is expensive, but they serve only PRIME dry aged beef. There were a lot of reviews complaining about the "expense for a steak house", but I don't think it was that unreasonable, and here's why... They serve ONLY prime dry aged beef. Most of the other "high end" steak houses no longer have all prime beef due to the expense. Take a look on other menus and compare the price for prime vs choice and I think 801 is fairly well in line. If you like prime and you want to pay for it, 801 Chophouse is a great choice.
(4)
Phil M.
One of the best prime ribs around; however, the portion sizes are monstrous.
(4)
Cody K.
Great steaks. I almost always get the filet and it is prepared perfectly every time. Sides can be a bit rich but still very good. Service is always excellent. If you are looking for a great steak you can't go wrong with 801.
(4)
Mariana P.
My fiance and I went here last night for the first time for his birthday. I made a reservation through open table and left them a message asking them to make the occasion special if they could. We were given a quiet table at the back of the restaurant that was decorated and the menu had "Happy Birthday" written on it. Just with that I was ready to write a great review. Then the food came and it was AMAZING. He had the prime rib and it was like butter, I had the filet with the truffle butter bath (which was not on the menu so make sure to ask for it if they haven't added it yet!). The service was outstanding, the wine list extensive and the ambience was delightful. I lived in Washington DC for 11 years and they claim to have the best steakhouses in the country, 801 Chophouse was far superior. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Tony H.
I was there for a business dinner a couple weeks ago. Although this place has a really nice atmosphere and a great wine list, the steaks are pretty much on par with what you would get at a Ruth Chris or Flemmings. Overpriced and average taste. I'm not sure why people associate price with quality because for $40 I received an 8oz filet that not even as good as what I could get at a Texas Roadhouse. Also, I really hate this style of restaurant. You spend all that money on a steak and still have to shell out another $12 for 8 pieces of overcooked asparagus and 8 dollars for mashed potatoes which were ok. My advice, save your money. This place is not worth the price. Just because its expensive doesn't mean it's any good.
(2)
Mike G.
I visited with a party of 10 and we were seated in a private area. It was a great fit for the large party and made it very easy to talk. Our server was very knowledgeable and did a good job of explaining the menu. I ordered the prime rib and my wife had the filet with blue cheese; both were excellent. We had five great sides at the table, but my favorites were the asparagus and the hash browns. The price tag is high but worth it for an occasional special night out.
(5)
Y L.
I've been to 801 multiple times. Most of the time my steak is cooked to perfection. There was a time when my steak was over cooked. They took it back in and the second one was undercooked. Other than that one time my experiences have been good. The lobster corn chowder is delicious. I always get the scalloped potatoes and asparagus for sides. Yesterday was my maybe 4th time there and the first time I was given the presentation. The wait staff was very informative and the presentation was helpful. Make sure to ask for it. Amazing steaks. I took my parents and mom really liked it. She's not usually fond of steaks, so that's saying a lot. For me, it's also the best steak I've had so far.
(4)
Tracy B.
Love. Love. Love this place! Great service. Even better food. Quality steaks are well worth the price.
(5)
Bo K.
My wife and I had a really good dinner. The steak was awesome but the service was lacking. I'm not one who likes to hounded during my dinner , but we were not asked but once for a fresh drink. The bill was 127.00 and he got a 20.00 tip. Boarder line 15%
(3)
K B.
By far my favorite restaurant in Des Moines. Lets not kid around...801 isn't cheap. But if you are looking for a fine dining experience, this is it. The steak cut, quality, and cooking are outstanding. I've been getting the filet mignon since 2004 and have never been disappointed. In fact, I like it so much, I will try and eat there multiple times on the same trip...as long as the accountants don't look too closely at my expense report. The service is top notch. You will see the same servers throughout the years, making it feel nice to see a familiar face when you enter.
(5)
Vivian T.
Hubby and I came here for our anniversary dinner and we really wanted to like this place but we walked out disappointed. The Food: Sirloin (3/5) they under-cooked it. Ribeye (2/5) why? They over-cooked it and burned it. Ugh! So, I wish I could give a real review on the flavor of it. Lobster Mac-n-Cheese (4/5) We've been spoiled because we've been able to go to lots of great steakhouses in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California. We thought that this place would reign supreme cause, well Iowa has great beef! But unfortunately, I wasn't able to enjoy my steak like I wanted to. Hubby ordered his steak Well-done, it came out with pink in it. I ordered my Ribeye medium and it came out burnt and well-done. I don't know if they got our temps mixed up or what, but when they tried to fix it, it was too late. How can you charge so much for a steak and not get the cooking temp right? I hope this was just a one time thing but honestly, the amount we paid (almost $200) for the two of us, we were hoping for a great, romantic meal and leave satisfied. We actually went last year and have not gone back since. Maybe one day we will. Maybe.
(3)
Timothy S.
The best grapefruit martini in the Des Moines metro! We stopped in for a couple after dinner drinks last night and started with the troon. It is a delicious and fresh take on a greyhound. The freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and premium alcohol does a fantastic dance on the tongue that leaves you satisfied and refreshed. Our 2nd drink was a round of Gin Blossoms and this wonderful mix of gin, St. Germaine, champagne, and Mixers really make this cocktail something extraordinary! The bartender was extremely attentive and kept our waters full and ensured we enjoyed our time at the bar.
(5)
Jesse M.
Wow, I'm a pretty huge fan of Fleming's, but 801 has, IMHO lapped them. Amazing food, expert service (Fleming's too), and just a top notch experience. Their bone-in ribeye, prime rib, whatever you get for a side...all are great. For a drink, if you like grapefruit, get the Troon - double dang. Now they have a happy hour deal (full disclosure, haven't tried it) and I hear it's great. GO.
(5)
Jeremy F.
This could possibly be the nicest restaurant in the Des Moines metro. It is one of the best places I've ever eaten a steak. But sadly the price makes it unaffordable to eat there regularly. But luckily every year in May and June they have a groupon which makes them more affordable. It is during this time of the year that I get to go. They have an amazing selection of wine that is unrivaled, the wine list is a book in its self. The services staff is very knowledgable about the menu and amazingly nice, you might pay a lot for the meal, but you definitely will be paying for good service. One warning, everything on the menu is al a carte, so if you want a potato with your steak that will be separate and probably about another $10. The only reason I give the chop house 4 stars instead of 5 is the sheer price.
(4)
Katie S.
This place is definitely a five star restaurant. So don't go here unless you plan to spend about $200 on a meal for two. The service was amazing and my husband and I both thought our entrees were top notch. This place is definitely worth the money and we will keep it in mind for special occasions.
(5)
Patrick T.
Well, this place is fancy what can I say! I don't normally go to places with 30-50 dollar meals, but lucky for me.. I'm vegan so my meal of Onion Rings, and asparagus was no where near that range! The steaks here look remarkable.. As do the mashed potatoes.. But again I'm not really reviewing the taste of the specialties. The service is great as well! Kinda feels like you in another time period, maybe like a high class joint might feel in the late 60's or something. The bar is really nice and they specialize in martini's and fancy craft cocktails. If you are wanting to splurge on a crazy expensive meal, or impress a date this might be a great place to go.. Not to stuffy, but Stuffy enough to make it count!
(4)
Jennifer W.
First time to 801 tonight! Finally! The family was celebrating an anniversary and a birthday. Our reservation was at 5:30, which was nice because there was no crowd and no waiting. We found a place right out front to park. We participated in the pris-fix Sunday deal-Three courses for $40. We brought our own bottle of wine. The corking fee is $25. I order the Cesar side salad with anchovies, filet, and lemon poppyseed dessert. The salad was amahzing. Seriously, so good. The steak was mediocre at best. It was lukewarm and tough to cut. I hate to say it, but it's true. Flemings is my steakhouse of choice, to which very little can be compared. I came in with an open mind and left knowing that Flemings still has the best steak. I LOVE lemon and the dessert was so good. Additionally, we ordered three sides: lobster with Mac n cheese, cream corn, and scalloped potatoes. The Mac and potatoes were great, the corn left more to be desired. The bread and butter was wonderful, all warm and delicious. Our server Paul was great- very timely, funny, and tentative. They had two cards at the table, one birthday and anniversary. Very thoughtful. They also waived the corking fee, very awesome! I like the ambience and all the rich mahogany. It's straight class. The dress code is business casual.
(4)
Diane B.
My husband and I had a date night dinner at 801 last night. Everything was perfect. The atmosphere is old- school prime steakhouse. The service is beyond reproach and the food- oh the food- was Superb!! We started out sharing a shrimp cocktail- 4 huge, meaty, very fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce that actually could have used a little spicing- up but was still tasty. We also shared a Cesar salad- which was served in 2 separate plates( his with anchovies-mine without) and the serving size of a half-salad was still huge. Our beef was exceptional. His prime rib and my filet were the best we'd had since we were on the east coast. We shared the au gratin potatoes and these were also excellent. Our waiter Kyle was so kind and knowledgable and we never wanted for a thing. This place is pricey but actually a great value for what you get. It was a wonderful experience!!
(5)
Jill B.
Always amazing! A great place to celebrate an occasion! They totally spoil you here. The food is to die for!
(5)
Eolo N.
My daughter bought my wife and I a groupon for 100.00, to start the food is WAY OVERPRICED, one baked potato is 10.00, my salad 10.00 which is 1/4 head of lettuce and three half's of cherry tomato's, my 52.00 steak was not very good, had more fat and gristle then what I wanted, my wife had mashed potato's 11.00 and a overpriced steak, so even with a 100.00 groupon, I still had to come up with 65.00 and a 25.00 tip, won't go back, many other places around Des Moines to get better steak and at a better price!!
(2)
Pam W.
We have been to 801 Chophouse twice before and it is definitely a special place for a nice occasion as it is pricey. That being said, the food was perfect. This last week we tried fish rather than beef and oh my goodness......the salmon was to die for. The pan roasted mushrooms and lobster potatoes wonderful. We have been so pleased with the service and attentiveness. Truly a favorite dining experience.
(5)
Robert D.
My wife and I stop in a few times a year. And the Chophouse is my go to place for business dinners. Yes it is spendy but the experience is worth it. They have mastered the only three things a restaurant must master - quality, consistency, and customer service. Other than the amazing cuts of aged beef which are always prepared to perfection, the roasted bone marrow (a.k.a. meat butter) will literally change your life. Add it to your bucket list. All the servers and bartenders are awesome at their jobs and really seem to enjoy working there. If you want the best ask for Kyle. His attention to the littlest of details is amazing and makes for a complete and wonderful experience.
(5)
David G.
Brought guests here Wednesday evening this past week. Fantastic food! We all ordered steaks and were blown away! We had one guest arrive a little later and our server, Paul, took our sides and warmed/replaced them for out late arrival! This restaurant, food, and service continue to impress!
(5)
Aaron C.
Best restaurant in Des Moines and one of the best chop houses in the country. It will not disappoint and I would recommend to anyone looking for an upscale evening dining experience.
(5)
Kristi H.
This is a place you can pick to impress your date or if you're meeting a prospective client. Food is cooked to perfection, service is impeccable and the atmosphere is classy and comfortable. The proportions are huge so beware. Best meal in Des Moines to date!
(5)
Madonna V.
I had an 8:30pm reservation and still waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Both the host and hostess were polite which made waiting manageable. I ordered the prime rib 801 cut. The quality of the steak is high. I will say though, that the particular rub my steak was cooked with made it salty but it tasted delicious nevertheless. We ordered a lobster tail as an appetizer and that was a bit dry, however, the shellfish linguine was exceptional-this was my favorite dish. Our server brought us fried lobster instead of the steamed lobster tail, however, this mix up was fixed rather promptly. I would say this restaurant is worth the splurge for a special occasion.
(4)
Mark G.
This is a great steakhouse in downtown Des Moines! To start with the sides, the green beans were delicious; they use onion and bacon, the boursin mashed potatoes were rich and full of flavor, and the lobster mac was amazing. Also they offer half portions which is a huge plus at an upscale steakhouse. I had the NY strip with the Cajun spice rub and it was cooked perfect, seasoned just right, and had a great aged flavor. I was very happy with my steak and enjoyed every bite. They do offer several different finishes to your steak, so you really can experience something different every time that many steakhouses do not offer. The Creme Souffle was amazing, they had three sauces that come with that were very very good. Need to try more desert here, didn't know a steakhouse could bake so well. Had a great experience here, would love to come back and try more of their offerings.
(5)
Scott B.
I must say, I have been to great Steakhouses in New York, Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Chicago, but have not had a steak this good anywhere. Truly prime and delicious, with impeccable service from our waiter, Billy. In addition the side of spinach with garlic and lemon was excellent also. The appetizer of Oysters on the half shell from Washington were beyond excellent, even better than the Chesapeake Bay Oysters they also offered on the daily fresh menu. A fine selection of wines are also available for dining. I must ALERT you to expect to pay an average of $100 per person with drinks and appetizers. Our bill was $171.00 with the drinks and appetizers. Also know everything on the menu is alacart, including any special sauce such as bernaise ($10). I just used fresh horseradish, but the steak, 8oz Filet, stands on its own without anything. If you want an awesome meal above the level of Ruth Chris, or Wildfire, this is worth it.
(5)
Vic J.
This is one of the most expensive restaurants in town. Very nice atmosphere. Took my wife there for her birthday. Went in the evening and parked right on Grand. No dedicated parking lot. Service was good. I was surprised at the small portions. The food was arranged and presented well on the plate but I thought it was a child's plate. Maybe I should have ordered a few drinks first.
(2)
Frank T.
Great service good martini.. The delmonico was just ok. Mine was supposed to be mid rare plus and ended up medium plus. Nothing spectacular coming out of the creamed spinach. It was quite underwhelming. When my tab for a steak, creamed spinach and 2 martini's is over $100 before tip I expect a lot more. Overall a solid steak and great service would I go back? Only on an expense account.
(3)
Brooke P.
Okay this place is old school and really good steak. Very pricey but I think the food is worth it. I actually got chicken one time and it was the best chicken I have ever had. Really fun for special occasions or NYE.
(4)
Emily T.
This is one of the most expensive places in Des Moines to get a steak. Our steaks were well worth it as we savored every flavorful, juicy, tender bite. Our server was also fabulous as she tipped us off that they would scale down the portion sizes for us. Our bill even stated that percentage, however, I did feel that those percentages should have gone down a bit more. BUT, we didn't come here to have sides, we came here for the steak and it was well worth it. Our wine choice went well, it was a random choice of the VERY select few least expensive bottles. The majority were in the triple digits. Ordering the souffle is a must and hopefully your server tips you off to order before your meal as it takes 40 minutes. The size was perfect for the two of us (even more but we were feeling greedy) accompanied by 3 sauces. Very glad we ordered it and comparatively the price was amazing. If we had the $$$$ to, we would dine her more often, alas, this will be one of our special occasion locations.
(5)
Doug L.
Close your eyes. Imagine a New York steak house. That's what you get. Good food and lots of it (portions are too big, so if you like to take home some, a plus for you). Great service. But all of that comes for a price. It's nice to come here once in a while but not a go to place for me
(4)
Nick B.
801 isn't going to win any awards in creativity, but honestly, they don't really need to. They're a prime steakhouse. That's what they do, and they do it well. Iowa doesn't have many restaurants with deep wine lists, but this place will satisfy most vinophiles. Flemings in West Des Moines, and Linn Street Cafe in Iowa City are the only other shops in the state that I've been to that even are close to the amount of wines offered. I've been to quite a few high end steakhouses in my day, and I always enjoy a visit to the deep booths of 801. If you appreciate a well prepared prime grade steak, head to 801. Afterwards you'll have a hard time enjoying a mid-tier restaurant steak again.
(5)
Matt M.
We decided to meet some old friends here since we frequent the Omaha location and absolutely love it. This was definitely a disappointment. Nothing but the service lived up to our expectations. We started with the calamari and it was great, that's where the "great" ended. The steaks were mediocre with one filet being 1/4 fat, none of the steaks had any bone marrow butter on the plates, the boursin mashed tasted just like mashed & the fried zucchini were large strips that keep the zucchini inside from getting cooked properly. While we return to 801 Chophouse Omaha all the time this will never be the case with the original location in Des Moines. I'm sorry but for 552.00 (including tip) I expect a outstanding meal
(2)
Manolo E.
You have to know where this place is and persist. The office building does not betray the lively steakhouse that is inside. The staff is outfitted as they are at Smith & Wollensky, greens and whites abound. Our bartendress could have used some help both in the personality department and behind the bar but all-in-all it was a wonderful experience with excellent food and ambiance. Will be back!
(4)
Phil M.
One of the best prime ribs around; however, the portion sizes are monstrous.
(4)
Aidy E.
You cannot beat the steak (I had the filet medallions with lobster meat and a red wine demi-glace, my dining partner had the plain filet, no preparations). Best steak I've had. Melted in my mouth. Still dreaming about it. The sides were just okay. The scalloped potatoes lacked flavor and the wild mushrooms with boursin were tender, but not terribly warm. Meh. The Iowa State Fair Ice Cream Sundae was a blast (we shared it). Their sweet corn ice cream is really something special. I could go just for that... Had a great chocolate martini, though, and for $10, one of the cheapest things on the menu ;D Other people have said this but my main sticking point is the cost of dining here. I knew that the restaurant was pricey going in, but spending $164 for two people *after* my Groupon deal (which I paid $40 for $80, making the full price of this meal $244) is absolutely ridiculous for this meal. There's no other way to say it. And I'm not a budget diner who's complaining because my meal wasn't cheap. I've eaten similarly priced meals in the past and this wasn't as good. Also, the ambient noise on a Sunday night was elevated, and what is up with the flat screens. Really? There are plenty of other restaurants in the Des Moines area that are fancy enough for even the most special occasion, yet you won't be dropping $250.
(3)
Anne B.
Fabulous dining experience. We choose 801 Chop to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. The food was delicious, service was outstanding and most importantly it was a memorable experience for a special occasion. Was it expensive? Yes, but well worth it and will go again. When your looking to celebrate a special occasion or wanting great food, 801 Chop in my opinion is the place to go.
(5)
He And She I.
OK, it was time to try this "fine" restaurant, since we'd tried nearly every other fine dining establishment in Des Moines downtown area. We made a reservation through Open Table, thinking that the restaurant would be crowded before a performance at the Civic Center. Wrong. We could have had our choice of seating, at least by what we saw. The waitstaff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and obsequious. If you like that, you'll be happy. My idea of good table service does not include a waiter who says "My pleasure" to every request or comment. But, he did get the chef to make me some honey mustard dressing for my salad, without asking, which was not on the menu. Without my even asking! Our meal was well-plated, and cooked as we requested. However, I recommend that, if the special sounds good, you ask the price. We are not averse to paying for good meat, and it was good, but it was at best a $50 steak, not an $80 steak. The hashbrowns, however, were stellar. I would have appreciated a few more options for healthier dining. I don't like being relegated to the "shrimp cocktail and salad with dressing on the side" type of dining. The wine list was good, but, when I asked for a Malbec, the waiter suggested the Sangiovese. Not having looked at the menu, I found later I had been upsold. Not a big item, but it rankled a little. I don't think we'll be back. However, if you want to impress someone you are hosting, this might be the place for you.
(3)
Cody K.
Great steaks. I almost always get the filet and it is prepared perfectly every time. Sides can be a bit rich but still very good. Service is always excellent. If you are looking for a great steak you can't go wrong with 801.
(4)
Mariana P.
My fiance and I went here last night for the first time for his birthday. I made a reservation through open table and left them a message asking them to make the occasion special if they could. We were given a quiet table at the back of the restaurant that was decorated and the menu had "Happy Birthday" written on it. Just with that I was ready to write a great review. Then the food came and it was AMAZING. He had the prime rib and it was like butter, I had the filet with the truffle butter bath (which was not on the menu so make sure to ask for it if they haven't added it yet!). The service was outstanding, the wine list extensive and the ambience was delightful. I lived in Washington DC for 11 years and they claim to have the best steakhouses in the country, 801 Chophouse was far superior. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Tony H.
I was there for a business dinner a couple weeks ago. Although this place has a really nice atmosphere and a great wine list, the steaks are pretty much on par with what you would get at a Ruth Chris or Flemmings. Overpriced and average taste. I'm not sure why people associate price with quality because for $40 I received an 8oz filet that not even as good as what I could get at a Texas Roadhouse. Also, I really hate this style of restaurant. You spend all that money on a steak and still have to shell out another $12 for 8 pieces of overcooked asparagus and 8 dollars for mashed potatoes which were ok. My advice, save your money. This place is not worth the price. Just because its expensive doesn't mean it's any good.
(2)
Mike G.
I visited with a party of 10 and we were seated in a private area. It was a great fit for the large party and made it very easy to talk. Our server was very knowledgeable and did a good job of explaining the menu. I ordered the prime rib and my wife had the filet with blue cheese; both were excellent. We had five great sides at the table, but my favorites were the asparagus and the hash browns. The price tag is high but worth it for an occasional special night out.
(5)
Y L.
I've been to 801 multiple times. Most of the time my steak is cooked to perfection. There was a time when my steak was over cooked. They took it back in and the second one was undercooked. Other than that one time my experiences have been good. The lobster corn chowder is delicious. I always get the scalloped potatoes and asparagus for sides. Yesterday was my maybe 4th time there and the first time I was given the presentation. The wait staff was very informative and the presentation was helpful. Make sure to ask for it. Amazing steaks. I took my parents and mom really liked it. She's not usually fond of steaks, so that's saying a lot. For me, it's also the best steak I've had so far.
(4)
Shing Yiing O.
I was searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday and also my offer at the same time.. I really want to spend my money and get an awesome meal with some wine.. So based on my research, Flemming's and 801 Chop were top 2!!! I don't really have any preference.. So we chose 801 Chop because the menu looks good with a variety of wine and steak.. (and of course a pretty good review as well) So I made a reservation here.. I did not expect that Des Moines has such an expensive restaurant in the Principal Building.. The waitress was really nice and friendly to us, the environment is nice (which you can see that it's a pretty classy place).. While we were looking at the menu.. The waitress brought us some bread.. It's sour dough and it's so awesome.. It's crispy and soft at the same time.. spread it with butter = AWESOME!!! I just can't stop eating it even though I told myself I have to save some "space" in my stomach for the steak later. They even refill it for us but as I said we do not want to fill up our stomach with bread so we told them not to refill for us.. We each ordered a red wine to go with the steak under the waitress recommendation.. (I don't really remember the name.. I will check it and update my review later:) ) So for appetizer, we ordered escargot that baked it with cheese and garlic (that's what my taste butt told me).. It tasted really good.. You can see that it's freshly bake and not pre-made.. :) Entree: I ordered an 8oz fillet mignon and my friend ordered single cut roast prime rib.. The prime rib is HUGE!!! 8oz fillet mignon is just perfect for me.. BOTH are good but not to say AWESOME!! I will just quote what my friend said.. "For the price we paid, we expected the cow to dance for us".. which means we expected the meat to be really good for what we paid.. We also ordered lobster mash potatoes as a side and we both shared.. The mash potatoes is nice.. but it's just a normal mash potatoes and added lobster.. which I expected something more based on the price I paid.. As for dessert, we ordered souffle.. This was my first time having it.. We ordered right before our entree came because the waitress told us that all the dessert on the menu are freshly bake and it needs approximately 45 minutes to bake it.. which made me added 1 star for them.. :) and also since it's my friend's 21st birthday.. they gave us the dessert for free!! :D I never had souffle before so I do not know how it's supposed to be.. but according to my friend.. it's just normal... I will trust my friend since he is pretty harsh on rating.. :) Highlight of the day.. bread.. dessert... wine.. experience.. and service. It's a great experience in Des Moines but I might not return for the steak..
(4)
Tyler R.
The first time I went here the food was really good but not great. Also, the waitress Chris was awkward and sarcastic acting--she also dropped our plates ungracefully onto our table when serving; and by drop I mean she slid them and then allowed one end to drop 1/2 inch to the table. However, the management responded promptly to the complaint and really went above and beyond our expecations for reparations. Major props to Mr. Murphy. The Sunday Prix Fixe menu is a real draw and really fantastic. The prime rib is excellent and the sour cream laced horseradish sauce was awesome! My girlfriend's filet was seasoned and cooked to perfection as well. Our waiter, Paul (I believe?), had a real soft voice that made dining very comfortable. He recommended the Troon martini which my girlfriend really enjoyed. I got Pepsi that tasted way better in the Crystal wine glasses--Classy! The bill for 2 with a martini and a soda was $86. We left a $15 tip gratefully--college kids can tip well too you know, so dont treat us all the same! Thanks 801 for taking care of us--really appreciated.
(3)
MiJung L.
Great steak, great sides and seriously great pancetta wrapped scallops! Best steak in Des Moines so far but I haven't tried Fleming's out here yet. The server was kind of talkative but great service overall.
(5)
Stephanie P.
I was so impressed by my first time at Des Moines finest restaurant! We had a Groupon to use here which was the only way we could afford to try it. We expected the prices to be much higher but they were comparable to Flemings - $30/entree, various wine prices, a la carte sides in the $7-$12 range. I booked a reservation on opentable.com about a week before. My dinner companion and I were taken care of by Paul who was wonderful. He was attentive without hovering and provided recommendations and details about the different steak finishes. The sourdough bread and butter they bring to the table is hot and fantastic. We then had the calamari appetizer which was also good - not greasy with a spicy dip on the side. I had the scallops and my companion had the 8 oz filet. We tried each other's dishes and agreed that they both melted in your mouth. For a side we got the hashbrowns with aged cheddar which were good but just that, hashbrowns. I drank ice tea which tasted like actual tea and not instant something. The wine list had all kinds of options at different price points. For dessert, we had their signature grand marnier souffle which takes over an hour to bake so you order early in the meal. It was truly amazing. Enough to serve 4 people with three different toppings - fudge sauce, raspberry, and cream. All were delicious and very fresh. Paul invited us to come back and wished us a good evening. I hope we can come back some time!
(5)
Michael N.
I sometimes think all of these steakhouses should combine and call themselves Ruth Wollensky's Palm Steak Houses. I mean it's always the same drill... a NY strip steak for $37.50, side dishes served "family style" for two or more at $8-12 a pop for steamed asparagus and mashed potatoes and there "world famous" NY cheese cake or Key lime pie or creme brule (yawn) for dessert. The food is predictably very good, my steak was excellent. I'm going with 3 stars because the menu and atmosphere are pretty unoriginal... and for the cost you just should have more. BTW... I actually cut and pasted this from another steakhouse I reviewed in Chicago.
(3)
Monica S.
Excellent fine dining experience! My husband and I originally stopped at 2 sushi places to have a nice dinner on Valentine's Day evening- usually we have no problem getting in to restaurants on such a day even without reservations, but not this year (the economy really must be doing better!). Both places were packed, so last minute we called 801 Chop House to see if they could fit in a late reservation for 2 that night- it was 6:30 when we called, and they said they had an 8pm available so we took it. We got there a little early, content to sit at the bar and have a drink until our seats opened up, but the host said they had a booth that opened up early and sat us down right away- fantastic! Service was attentive and professional, without hovering over us, and knowledgeable about the wine selections. The atmosphere was as a steakhouse should be- dark wood paneling, dim lighting, very elegant (the huge bar is gorgeous). Now for the food...Ahh! Truly delicious. We started with the lobster corn dogs- it was like a very dense lobster cake with lots of flavor, dipped and perfectly fried under sweet corn batter, and served with a mustard sauce, Yum! 4 mini corn dogs on a stick- was plenty for 2 for an appetizer. For the entree I ordered the 2 bone-in, grilled lamb chops, medium rare, with a house made mint sauce. My husband got the fillet, ordered with the Tuscan seasoning- this is not listed on the menu, but they are happy to oblige. Both were absolutely delicious, but while mine was maybe an 8, his was a 10! Mouth watering! We got the lobster mashed potatoes, and the baked cream spinach as our sides- both wonderful. Now someone mentioned in a review about the serving sizes, but I didn't find anything wrong with the serving sizes. People need to be reminded that fine dining is about *quality* and not quantity- the Texas Roadhouse, this ain't'! We ended with the souffle for desert- perfect and delicious! I'm not sure if people realize how difficult it is to make a souffle like this, as they are temperamental to minute temperature changes and can easily and disastrously deflate! So it was pretty impressive they make these to order, and they come out perfectly fluffy, with a creamy center! The raspberry sauce I found to be the perfect accent, with a glass of port. Happily stuffed, and more than pleased with the entire meal and experience. Yes, it's pricey, all in all our meal was about $200 with tip, but well worth it for such an occasion. I can't wait for the next celebration to come back!
(5)
Erin S.
Made this reservation for my husband and his wrestler buddies during NCAA finals . . . they LOVED it!
(5)
C C.
First choice for a night out! Service is outstanding! Food is consistently good and they make fantastic top shelf Martinis. Perfect for formal occasion but it's great to dine in the bar area - if you like a little more laid back experience, it's always fun!
(5)
Sandy S.
Excellent service, enjoyed the meat presentation which is somewhat typical for a upper crust steakhouse. The place was nearly empty on a Wed nite and we had a whole room to ourselves. The service was excellent and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The prices were similar to what you would pay at Ruths Chris and Flemings about $40 for a 8oz filet and around $56 for a 24oz porterhouse. I didn't have any wine, but noticed the wine list was extensive. I had two cocktails, a filet and one side and my bill was around $86 with tax and tip. Do not go here if you are on a budget. Good for special occasions or when you really want to impress your date with your fat wallet!
(5)
Tracy B.
Love. Love. Love this place! Great service. Even better food. Quality steaks are well worth the price.
(5)
Sean D.
I wasn't expecting much in the not so booming metropolis of Des Moines, but much to my surprise they have a good restaurant and bar scene. 801 is a steak house, good steaks, cooked to perfect doneness as requested. The asparagus was tender and sweet. The scalloped potatoes were creamy and Delicious. The carpaccio was quite tasty too. The service was very attentive and polite. They have a good wine list, but you won't get out of here cheap. If you're in Des Moines, check them out
(4)
Jonathan W.
This is a very, very fine steakhouse. I actually wasn't in a steak mood so I just had a martini (awesome), a shrimp cocktail (7/10), the baby carrots with brown sugar, the potatoes with bleu cheese and one spectacular king crab leg. If I'm ever back in Des Moines, looking to do it up, I'll be sure to be back to try the steak or a surf and turf. This could potentially be upgraded to five stars!
(4)
Bob B.
This is the place for that special occasion, or when you're on expense account. My wife and I decided that this is where we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wow, what a great, albeit expensive, dinner. My wife's scallops and my NY Strip were cooked to perfection. The green beans were sauteed with bacon and caramelized onion and were very tasty. Coffee and dessert topped off a wonderful dinner. Our waitress was knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely a 'fine dining' experience.
(5)
Charlie N.
great filet cooked as ordered medium rare. haven't been dissatisfied yet between here and Kansas City. two thumbs up as Ebert used to say
(4)
Louis M.
Honestly, the steak was the least impressive part. I think it's very over priced for the taste. We went in to celebrate our anniversary, wife had fillet, and I had the Delmonico. Crab cake was good, scallop potatoes were good, steaks were so-so. Service was ok, nothing stellar. AJ's at prairie meadows or Johnny's Italian Steakhouse are better options for steak, service, and price.
(3)
Mark H.
Absolutely wonderful decor. Food was very good. Put had a had time choking down the prices.
(3)
Jerry M.
Very nice place. Excellent steaks
(4)
Jeff D.
Good traditional steakhouse with a few surprises like the lobster corn dogs... Frankly I think the service at most upscale steakhouses is very good and fairly consistent... Ad much of what they serve for an entree is a commodity (beef, lobster, chicken) so the items that have a unique preparation tend to be the salads and the sides... And I thought 801 chop covers its bases very well with numerous kinds of potatoes, vegetables, and salads... Very pleased with this little gem in Des Moines. Pricing is probably high for Des Moines but not out of whack with other big city establishments,
(4)
Anna B.
Overpriced with average food. I agree with the previous review that the quality of the beef was on par with a steakhouse chain like Ruth Chris. The atmosphere was noisy, really bright and un-romantic. Service was really disappointing given the prices.
(3)
Tommy T.
First of all....there are two entrances to the 801 Chophouse. You can enter through the revolving doors on Grand and take the escalator up to the 2nd floor or enter through the Revolving doors on High Street. Everyone kept telling me that the view would be wonderful on the upper floors and I think they have it confused with the members only eatery up top. My honey and I went to celebrate his birthday tonight and we enjoyed everything. We took advantage of the Prix Fixe for $33 per person. We had a choice of salad between Caesar and Wedge (they were not tiny), he had the Prime Rib and I had the Filet Mingon and each came with Mashed Potatoes and veggies. Then we selected Creme Brulee (the other option was sorbet) and it was the best we have ever had anywhere. Our waitress, Jami, was very attentive and informative. She suggested I try the Troon Martini and it was excellent. It was not a busy Sunday, but we loved that the parking was easy and close and we received wonderful service while we enjoyed a delicious meal. If you want to give this place a try, I highly suggest the Sundy Prix Fixe.
(5)
Bo K.
My wife and I had a really good dinner. The steak was awesome but the service was lacking. I'm not one who likes to hounded during my dinner , but we were not asked but once for a fresh drink. The bill was 127.00 and he got a 20.00 tip. Boarder line 15%
(3)
Lindsey R.
This is my husband's and my favorite restaurant in Des Moines and we frequent it almost weekly. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money. We always receive top-notch service and the food and drinks are fantastic. This is the place to go for an overall classy and enjoyable dining experience. From the time you open the frosted glass double doors, enter the dark, mahony rich restaurant, and are greeted by the Maître de it sets the mood for a five star night. The warm right-out-of-the-oven bread brought to the table is always delicious, for an appetizer, you can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio. And since it is a steak house, my entree is always the filet mignon. It is by far consistently the best steak I have ever had- extremely tender, buttery, melt in your mouth, with the perfect sear on the outside. As for side dishes, our two favorites are macaroni and cheese and creamed corn- you can't beat this creamed corn when Iowa sweet corn is in season. And they do have an excellent selection of wine- my favorite is the White Meritage. After our entrees, we usually make our way to the bar for some after dinner drinks and dessert. The bar has a fabulous atmosphere with the massive maghony bar and shelf-upon-shelf of alcohol. For dessert our two favorites are the chocolate lava cake with Absolut ice cream and the white chocolate banana cream pie. Besides the food being outstanding, the service is always among the best we have ever experienced, all of the staff including the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and know how to treat a customer. You can tell this is a career for them, not just a job, and they show it. I highly recommend a visit to this incredible Iowa steak house!
(5)
Bryan N.
Stopped by on a business trip. Obviously, I can't speak to its local reputation (apparently there appears to be a divide between folks that think its "The Greatest Steakhouse On The Face of the Earth(tm)", and others that grumble about disappointment. So, for better or for worse, I walked in expectation-free (other than expecting to drop a pretty penny on some steak). Waitstaff was impeccable. Managed to walk the fine line between being helpful and attentive, but not so much as to be hovering. All the food arrived at the right temperature, and portions were great (I went with the Tuscan Ribeye, and potato wedge-thingees for a side). Wine selection was impressive (although, admittedly, I'm not much of a wine drinker, and couldn't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle if my life depended on it - red with meat, etc. is all I know), and the waitstaff was good at helping me pick. Dessert was just fine - creme brulee (although, obviously, it's pretty hard to mess up what is, in actuality, just burnt pudding). At the end of the day, I had no gripes - I suppose folks could dicker about pricing (yes, you can get equally great steaks for cheaper at other places), but it's just a nice sit down place that I imagine you'd go for a fancy date, a victory-at-work meal, an impress-potential-client meal, etc. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)
Megan H.
I know it's like sacrilege to say this in Des Moines, but I was less than impressed with 801. I also know better than to order fish at a steakhouse, but in a moment of weakness I ordered the ahi tuna. Wow. I've had better ahi at chain restaurants. We ordered hash browns for the table and they were greasy to the point of being inedible. For the price we paid, I can think of thirty restaurants in Des Moines where the money would have been better spent. It gets three stars for the atmosphere - it's swanky and refined while still warm and comfortable. However, the food was far below my expectations. I truly hope it was an "off" night - I'd been there in the past and remembered it much differently!
(3)
Jan C.
Great steak, and drinks. Falls a little short on dessert. But well worth it.
(5)
Chantalle v.
I went here for dinner during a business trip to Des Moines. I must say i'm not too impressed with the city (hello, where is everybody?) but this restaurant was OK. The waiter was patient and polite, the sides were yummy, and my main course was great. I ordered the medallion and lobster, and the meat was prepared perfectly to my liking. However, the only disappointment was the one or two itty bitty pieces of lobster that came with the dish. Why advertise it as medallion and lobster when there hardly isn't any lobster to speak of? Oh yeah, my appetizer, which was a butternut squash soup, came out cold. But it was still tasty. Hey, i'm not going to complain about things in front of my boss. The dessert...not so good. We ordered a few things - apple pie, brownie, carrot cake, and something else, I forget, but I was not impressed. The sad part is...this is probably one of the nicest restaurants in Des Moines, if not THE nicest there. The next evening, my boss and I walked around downtown Des Moines looking for a place to eat and could not find anything. Lucca's was empty and there was a homeless person throwing up in a trash can a few feet away from the restaurant. Yuck.
(3)
Matthew A.
My favorite restuarant in DM. Best and Classiest steakhouse. Feels like an major league steakhouse (such as Ruth Chris's, Smith&Woll, Morton's, etc.). Food is fantastic. Staff is friendly and helpful. Decor is top-notch. The only draw backs are price (can only go every so often) and the noise (not the kind of place to have a focused one-on-one).
(5)
M M.
Just finished dinner and all we can say is never again!! Service was any slower they would be dead. Food was OK but not great. Management and waiter was arrogant had something floating in my drink and took 20 minutes to bring a fresh one by then my dinner was cold and the manager acted like he did me a favor. Please don't spend $150 on dinner here there are far far better in the city.
(1)
Justin W.
Too many people in Des Moines are obsessed with decor and the price of a meal. It is like there is this citywide inferiority complex when it comes to issues of fine dining, culture and nightlife. You aren't Kansas City or Chicago and you never will be, so why not just be yourself. And that is what frustrates me about 801. The food is alright, and I would even go as far as to say the sides are phenomenal. However, it isn't worth the price and I get the feeling like I am paying twice as much for my meal just to say I ate at 801, especially when the steaks aren't that good. I also get the feeling like it is frequented by all those who are frustrated that they haven't been invited to become a member of the Embassy Club yet. Well I doubt that eating at 801 is going to help you in that regard. Yes, every city needs a restaurant like this with the prestige factor. And no, it isn't my bag. So I guess my opinion is a little skewed as to my impressions of the place itself and the clientele. What isn't skewed is my view of the food. Like I said, there are some redeeming qualities, but by god when you are a steakhouse your high point shouldn't be the mashed potatoes! Additionally, on one occasion I went to 801 with a large group for a company Christmas party and suspect that our steaks were subpar cuts that had been chemically tenderized. Why this suspicion? Beyond the steak not being very good I ended up very ill immediately upon finishing my meal as I am allergic to the MSG in meat tenderizer. Though I cannot totally verify this, of course, I wouldn't expect as prestigious of an establishment to make me violently ill.
(2)
Andrea B.
It's okay, but there are honestly much better places in downtown Des Moines for a better price.
(3)
Gigi W.
terrific spice-rubbed steaks. melt-in-your mouth garlic mashed potatoes. very pricey, but for a reason. it's an upscale place with dark wood paneling, excellent service and high-end atmosphere.
(5)
Ann C.
INSIDE BUILDING HIDDEN GEM Downtown Des Moines, Iowa...lots of beautiful buildings and artsy statues. Places to eat were a bit hard to decide on because there aren't many choices to choose from! My father and I chose 801 Steak & Chop from a tourist map. We got lost. Yes, I know it was on a MAP but it did not state that the restaurant was INSIDE an office building!!! It also did not state that it was fine dining. Fine dining is code word for super duper expensive! Although pricey, I must say the food matched up to the value. The steaks were juicy and flavorful and the ambiance was elegant casual. Don't worry, no dress code here they let my jeans and sneakered ass sit and order! The Ribeye with tuscan season & herb crust was delicious! We ordered rare and it was waaaay too cold in the center but they happily recooked it for us. The garlic mash was good but came out warm- not hot. Steamed broccoli was normal. Lobster and Shrimp linguini was good but not great. Good part was they were not sheisty on the lobster and shrimps were huge! Bad part was the portion was small and a bit too saucy (is that even a word?!). If you don't mind paying the dough I would recommend this place for a good meal. Just remember that it's inside a business building!
(4)
Carla W.
One of the best restaurants in our city. My husband and I went there last night and had a wonderful experience. Jamie, our waitress is fun, and very knowledgeable. I ordered the lamb chops, double cut and my husband had the dry-rubbed ribeye and we shared the 2 lb lobster tail. Absolutely delicious. We also ordered the asparagus and the augratin blue cheese and bacon potatoes, unbelieveably rich and worth every blessed calorie. Topped it off with the Chocolate Lava Cake with homemade carmel sauce. Jamie allowed us to take our time and enjoy the evening. It was fabulous. A wonderful place to go for a special time.
(5)
Sofia H.
I am from Florida and traveling coast to coast from California to Boston ...we thought we need ed to stop in Nebraska or Iowa for the best steak in America... Our journey took us to stop in Des Moines and we just follow recommendations from Yelp reviews about the best steak house in town. We arrive to the Hyatt hotel that will have it s own review in hotels And we, my daughter and I were going toward the 801 Chop house... The customer service was great from the door to the end, but the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. The prime rib was ok but not superb.... I asked for a rib eye steak grilled with salt and pepper but the waitresses insisted to choose some seasoning on it...I choose cajun and medium juicy.... And a bottle of wine.... There was enough time for us to drink the complete bottle before the food was on the table . When finally we got our food, the steak was no hot, but warn and really dry, the Cajun seasoning was nothing to be crazy about,,,When I tried to choose a Port wine I was in shock when the waitresses told me that $ 40 dollars was for the glass not for the bottle,,,,, This restaurant can have a very snobby atmosphere, and inviting environment, even very friendly staff, but was not good enough for the price .... Too Expensive for mediocre food... If you want a good steak go to Fort Lauderdale , Florida to Ruth Chris Steak house ...! Those are really good!!!
(2)
Dave M.
The quality of the steaks at this place are undeniably fantastic, as is the overall atmosphere -- but believe me you will be paying for it and at the end asking yourself if it was really worth it. I went to 801 Chophouse last evening using a Groupon deal. Scanning the menu, I thought the best steak in the house would be in the $50 range; tip #1: never assume at an expensive steakhouse. Turns out, but beef alone was $73. When you add in two glasses of Merlot (Raymond and Rombauer; both were delicious!), a half-size side of glazed carrots, my final bill (20% tip factored in) was $146. Did I say that I was dining alone?? With the Groupon certificate that I paid $40 for an $80 value, out of pocket I netted out at $100. I am new to Iowa, and everyone I know highly recommended 801, so I am glad I tried it. But unless you are expensing this meal on the company card, there is no way I would recommend going there again. Again - the food was amazingly good, but I would argue that I have had delicious steaks in many other restaurants of similar dining experience and 50% less than this place. Final note: The service at the bar was outstanding.
A truly excellent meal. Great food, great service. Steaks, sides, and salads all very very good. It is expensive, but they serve only PRIME dry aged beef. There were a lot of reviews complaining about the "expense for a steak house", but I don't think it was that unreasonable, and here's why... They serve ONLY prime dry aged beef. Most of the other "high end" steak houses no longer have all prime beef due to the expense. Take a look on other menus and compare the price for prime vs choice and I think 801 is fairly well in line. If you like prime and you want to pay for it, 801 Chophouse is a great choice.
(4)
Euge C.
801. Often spoken with a whisper. Perhaps the finest steakhouse in town. If not, it is certainly the most celebrated and the most polished. Their prime rib is perhaps the best I've ever had, and I'm including Lawry's in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Most steakhouses truly fail to execute on other dishes, but 801 is an exception. Their seafood, appetizers, salads, chicken and side dishes are almost as good as non-steak restaurants in the same price range. The wine list will make your eyes pop. You are not imagining those prices. Note: they do NOT make regional recipe Steak DeBurgo! So why only 3 stars? No value. While the steak is first rate, it doesn't come cheap.
(3)
Brent G.
Excellent food. Be ready for portion sizes bigger than your head :)
(5)
Ben P.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Des Moines at night, be sure to do the following: 1. Look around and say out loud "Where the hell is everybody? It's only 6:30. Why are the streets empty? Is that a tumbleweed?" 2. Wander around and look at the office buildings and ask "Does Principal own all of downtown Des Moines?" If there was a native around to answer your question (and there won't be), the native would say "Why yes it does." 3. Eat at 801 Chop and Steak House. The minute you walk in, you will forget that you are visiting the middle of....Iowa (I'll be polite). The restaurant could be in NYC, LA, Chicago, any major metropolitan city that isn't owned by an insurance and retirement company. The steaks, the roast beef---awesome. I have never had the fish, because I cannot fathom why you would go to the middle of the country, and then go into a steakhouse, and then order fish. If you order fish, the waiter should bring the fish out and beat you with it until you order beef or pork. Also, order the Maytag Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin. My arteries are still hardening, but it was well worth it. This restaurant is so good, it almost makes going to Des Moine worth it. Almost.......
(5)
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Address :801 Grand Ave,Ste 200
Des Moines, IA, 50309
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Tommy T.
First of all....there are two entrances to the 801 Chophouse. You can enter through the revolving doors on Grand and take the escalator up to the 2nd floor or enter through the Revolving doors on High Street. Everyone kept telling me that the view would be wonderful on the upper floors and I think they have it confused with the members only eatery up top. My honey and I went to celebrate his birthday tonight and we enjoyed everything. We took advantage of the Prix Fixe for $33 per person. We had a choice of salad between Caesar and Wedge (they were not tiny), he had the Prime Rib and I had the Filet Mingon and each came with Mashed Potatoes and veggies. Then we selected Creme Brulee (the other option was sorbet) and it was the best we have ever had anywhere. Our waitress, Jami, was very attentive and informative. She suggested I try the Troon Martini and it was excellent. It was not a busy Sunday, but we loved that the parking was easy and close and we received wonderful service while we enjoyed a delicious meal. If you want to give this place a try, I highly suggest the Sundy Prix Fixe.
(5)Tyler R.
The first time I went here the food was really good but not great. Also, the waitress Chris was awkward and sarcastic acting--she also dropped our plates ungracefully onto our table when serving; and by drop I mean she slid them and then allowed one end to drop 1/2 inch to the table. However, the management responded promptly to the complaint and really went above and beyond our expecations for reparations. Major props to Mr. Murphy. The Sunday Prix Fixe menu is a real draw and really fantastic. The prime rib is excellent and the sour cream laced horseradish sauce was awesome! My girlfriend's filet was seasoned and cooked to perfection as well. Our waiter, Paul (I believe?), had a real soft voice that made dining very comfortable. He recommended the Troon martini which my girlfriend really enjoyed. I got Pepsi that tasted way better in the Crystal wine glasses--Classy! The bill for 2 with a martini and a soda was $86. We left a $15 tip gratefully--college kids can tip well too you know, so dont treat us all the same! Thanks 801 for taking care of us--really appreciated.
(3)MiJung L.
Great steak, great sides and seriously great pancetta wrapped scallops! Best steak in Des Moines so far but I haven't tried Fleming's out here yet. The server was kind of talkative but great service overall.
(5)Stephanie P.
I was so impressed by my first time at Des Moines finest restaurant! We had a Groupon to use here which was the only way we could afford to try it. We expected the prices to be much higher but they were comparable to Flemings - $30/entree, various wine prices, a la carte sides in the $7-$12 range. I booked a reservation on opentable.com about a week before. My dinner companion and I were taken care of by Paul who was wonderful. He was attentive without hovering and provided recommendations and details about the different steak finishes. The sourdough bread and butter they bring to the table is hot and fantastic. We then had the calamari appetizer which was also good - not greasy with a spicy dip on the side. I had the scallops and my companion had the 8 oz filet. We tried each other's dishes and agreed that they both melted in your mouth. For a side we got the hashbrowns with aged cheddar which were good but just that, hashbrowns. I drank ice tea which tasted like actual tea and not instant something. The wine list had all kinds of options at different price points. For dessert, we had their signature grand marnier souffle which takes over an hour to bake so you order early in the meal. It was truly amazing. Enough to serve 4 people with three different toppings - fudge sauce, raspberry, and cream. All were delicious and very fresh. Paul invited us to come back and wished us a good evening. I hope we can come back some time!
(5)Michael N.
I sometimes think all of these steakhouses should combine and call themselves Ruth Wollensky's Palm Steak Houses. I mean it's always the same drill... a NY strip steak for $37.50, side dishes served "family style" for two or more at $8-12 a pop for steamed asparagus and mashed potatoes and there "world famous" NY cheese cake or Key lime pie or creme brule (yawn) for dessert. The food is predictably very good, my steak was excellent. I'm going with 3 stars because the menu and atmosphere are pretty unoriginal... and for the cost you just should have more. BTW... I actually cut and pasted this from another steakhouse I reviewed in Chicago.
(3)Sandy S.
Excellent service, enjoyed the meat presentation which is somewhat typical for a upper crust steakhouse. The place was nearly empty on a Wed nite and we had a whole room to ourselves. The service was excellent and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The prices were similar to what you would pay at Ruths Chris and Flemings about $40 for a 8oz filet and around $56 for a 24oz porterhouse. I didn't have any wine, but noticed the wine list was extensive. I had two cocktails, a filet and one side and my bill was around $86 with tax and tip. Do not go here if you are on a budget. Good for special occasions or when you really want to impress your date with your fat wallet!
(5)Jonathan W.
This is a very, very fine steakhouse. I actually wasn't in a steak mood so I just had a martini (awesome), a shrimp cocktail (7/10), the baby carrots with brown sugar, the potatoes with bleu cheese and one spectacular king crab leg. If I'm ever back in Des Moines, looking to do it up, I'll be sure to be back to try the steak or a surf and turf. This could potentially be upgraded to five stars!
(4)Monica S.
Excellent fine dining experience! My husband and I originally stopped at 2 sushi places to have a nice dinner on Valentine's Day evening- usually we have no problem getting in to restaurants on such a day even without reservations, but not this year (the economy really must be doing better!). Both places were packed, so last minute we called 801 Chop House to see if they could fit in a late reservation for 2 that night- it was 6:30 when we called, and they said they had an 8pm available so we took it. We got there a little early, content to sit at the bar and have a drink until our seats opened up, but the host said they had a booth that opened up early and sat us down right away- fantastic! Service was attentive and professional, without hovering over us, and knowledgeable about the wine selections. The atmosphere was as a steakhouse should be- dark wood paneling, dim lighting, very elegant (the huge bar is gorgeous). Now for the food...Ahh! Truly delicious. We started with the lobster corn dogs- it was like a very dense lobster cake with lots of flavor, dipped and perfectly fried under sweet corn batter, and served with a mustard sauce, Yum! 4 mini corn dogs on a stick- was plenty for 2 for an appetizer. For the entree I ordered the 2 bone-in, grilled lamb chops, medium rare, with a house made mint sauce. My husband got the fillet, ordered with the Tuscan seasoning- this is not listed on the menu, but they are happy to oblige. Both were absolutely delicious, but while mine was maybe an 8, his was a 10! Mouth watering! We got the lobster mashed potatoes, and the baked cream spinach as our sides- both wonderful. Now someone mentioned in a review about the serving sizes, but I didn't find anything wrong with the serving sizes. People need to be reminded that fine dining is about *quality* and not quantity- the Texas Roadhouse, this ain't'! We ended with the souffle for desert- perfect and delicious! I'm not sure if people realize how difficult it is to make a souffle like this, as they are temperamental to minute temperature changes and can easily and disastrously deflate! So it was pretty impressive they make these to order, and they come out perfectly fluffy, with a creamy center! The raspberry sauce I found to be the perfect accent, with a glass of port. Happily stuffed, and more than pleased with the entire meal and experience. Yes, it's pricey, all in all our meal was about $200 with tip, but well worth it for such an occasion. I can't wait for the next celebration to come back!
(5)Erin S.
Made this reservation for my husband and his wrestler buddies during NCAA finals . . . they LOVED it!
(5)C C.
First choice for a night out! Service is outstanding! Food is consistently good and they make fantastic top shelf Martinis. Perfect for formal occasion but it's great to dine in the bar area - if you like a little more laid back experience, it's always fun!
(5)Bob B.
This is the place for that special occasion, or when you're on expense account. My wife and I decided that this is where we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wow, what a great, albeit expensive, dinner. My wife's scallops and my NY Strip were cooked to perfection. The green beans were sauteed with bacon and caramelized onion and were very tasty. Coffee and dessert topped off a wonderful dinner. Our waitress was knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely a 'fine dining' experience.
(5)Charlie N.
great filet cooked as ordered medium rare. haven't been dissatisfied yet between here and Kansas City. two thumbs up as Ebert used to say
(4)Louis M.
Honestly, the steak was the least impressive part. I think it's very over priced for the taste. We went in to celebrate our anniversary, wife had fillet, and I had the Delmonico. Crab cake was good, scallop potatoes were good, steaks were so-so. Service was ok, nothing stellar. AJ's at prairie meadows or Johnny's Italian Steakhouse are better options for steak, service, and price.
(3)Mark H.
Absolutely wonderful decor. Food was very good. Put had a had time choking down the prices.
(3)Jerry M.
Very nice place. Excellent steaks
(4)Jeff D.
Good traditional steakhouse with a few surprises like the lobster corn dogs... Frankly I think the service at most upscale steakhouses is very good and fairly consistent... Ad much of what they serve for an entree is a commodity (beef, lobster, chicken) so the items that have a unique preparation tend to be the salads and the sides... And I thought 801 chop covers its bases very well with numerous kinds of potatoes, vegetables, and salads... Very pleased with this little gem in Des Moines. Pricing is probably high for Des Moines but not out of whack with other big city establishments,
(4)Anna B.
Overpriced with average food. I agree with the previous review that the quality of the beef was on par with a steakhouse chain like Ruth Chris. The atmosphere was noisy, really bright and un-romantic. Service was really disappointing given the prices.
(3)Gigi W.
terrific spice-rubbed steaks. melt-in-your mouth garlic mashed potatoes. very pricey, but for a reason. it's an upscale place with dark wood paneling, excellent service and high-end atmosphere.
(5)Bryan N.
Stopped by on a business trip. Obviously, I can't speak to its local reputation (apparently there appears to be a divide between folks that think its "The Greatest Steakhouse On The Face of the Earth(tm)", and others that grumble about disappointment. So, for better or for worse, I walked in expectation-free (other than expecting to drop a pretty penny on some steak). Waitstaff was impeccable. Managed to walk the fine line between being helpful and attentive, but not so much as to be hovering. All the food arrived at the right temperature, and portions were great (I went with the Tuscan Ribeye, and potato wedge-thingees for a side). Wine selection was impressive (although, admittedly, I'm not much of a wine drinker, and couldn't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle if my life depended on it - red with meat, etc. is all I know), and the waitstaff was good at helping me pick. Dessert was just fine - creme brulee (although, obviously, it's pretty hard to mess up what is, in actuality, just burnt pudding). At the end of the day, I had no gripes - I suppose folks could dicker about pricing (yes, you can get equally great steaks for cheaper at other places), but it's just a nice sit down place that I imagine you'd go for a fancy date, a victory-at-work meal, an impress-potential-client meal, etc. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)Megan H.
I know it's like sacrilege to say this in Des Moines, but I was less than impressed with 801. I also know better than to order fish at a steakhouse, but in a moment of weakness I ordered the ahi tuna. Wow. I've had better ahi at chain restaurants. We ordered hash browns for the table and they were greasy to the point of being inedible. For the price we paid, I can think of thirty restaurants in Des Moines where the money would have been better spent. It gets three stars for the atmosphere - it's swanky and refined while still warm and comfortable. However, the food was far below my expectations. I truly hope it was an "off" night - I'd been there in the past and remembered it much differently!
(3)Jan C.
Great steak, and drinks. Falls a little short on dessert. But well worth it.
(5)Euge C.
801. Often spoken with a whisper. Perhaps the finest steakhouse in town. If not, it is certainly the most celebrated and the most polished. Their prime rib is perhaps the best I've ever had, and I'm including Lawry's in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Most steakhouses truly fail to execute on other dishes, but 801 is an exception. Their seafood, appetizers, salads, chicken and side dishes are almost as good as non-steak restaurants in the same price range. The wine list will make your eyes pop. You are not imagining those prices. Note: they do NOT make regional recipe Steak DeBurgo! So why only 3 stars? No value. While the steak is first rate, it doesn't come cheap.
(3)Brent G.
Excellent food. Be ready for portion sizes bigger than your head :)
(5)Chantalle v.
I went here for dinner during a business trip to Des Moines. I must say i'm not too impressed with the city (hello, where is everybody?) but this restaurant was OK. The waiter was patient and polite, the sides were yummy, and my main course was great. I ordered the medallion and lobster, and the meat was prepared perfectly to my liking. However, the only disappointment was the one or two itty bitty pieces of lobster that came with the dish. Why advertise it as medallion and lobster when there hardly isn't any lobster to speak of? Oh yeah, my appetizer, which was a butternut squash soup, came out cold. But it was still tasty. Hey, i'm not going to complain about things in front of my boss. The dessert...not so good. We ordered a few things - apple pie, brownie, carrot cake, and something else, I forget, but I was not impressed. The sad part is...this is probably one of the nicest restaurants in Des Moines, if not THE nicest there. The next evening, my boss and I walked around downtown Des Moines looking for a place to eat and could not find anything. Lucca's was empty and there was a homeless person throwing up in a trash can a few feet away from the restaurant. Yuck.
(3)Lindsey R.
This is my husband's and my favorite restaurant in Des Moines and we frequent it almost weekly. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money. We always receive top-notch service and the food and drinks are fantastic. This is the place to go for an overall classy and enjoyable dining experience. From the time you open the frosted glass double doors, enter the dark, mahony rich restaurant, and are greeted by the Maître de it sets the mood for a five star night. The warm right-out-of-the-oven bread brought to the table is always delicious, for an appetizer, you can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio. And since it is a steak house, my entree is always the filet mignon. It is by far consistently the best steak I have ever had- extremely tender, buttery, melt in your mouth, with the perfect sear on the outside. As for side dishes, our two favorites are macaroni and cheese and creamed corn- you can't beat this creamed corn when Iowa sweet corn is in season. And they do have an excellent selection of wine- my favorite is the White Meritage. After our entrees, we usually make our way to the bar for some after dinner drinks and dessert. The bar has a fabulous atmosphere with the massive maghony bar and shelf-upon-shelf of alcohol. For dessert our two favorites are the chocolate lava cake with Absolut ice cream and the white chocolate banana cream pie. Besides the food being outstanding, the service is always among the best we have ever experienced, all of the staff including the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and know how to treat a customer. You can tell this is a career for them, not just a job, and they show it. I highly recommend a visit to this incredible Iowa steak house!
(5)M M.
Just finished dinner and all we can say is never again!! Service was any slower they would be dead. Food was OK but not great. Management and waiter was arrogant had something floating in my drink and took 20 minutes to bring a fresh one by then my dinner was cold and the manager acted like he did me a favor. Please don't spend $150 on dinner here there are far far better in the city.
(1)Ben P.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Des Moines at night, be sure to do the following: 1. Look around and say out loud "Where the hell is everybody? It's only 6:30. Why are the streets empty? Is that a tumbleweed?" 2. Wander around and look at the office buildings and ask "Does Principal own all of downtown Des Moines?" If there was a native around to answer your question (and there won't be), the native would say "Why yes it does." 3. Eat at 801 Chop and Steak House. The minute you walk in, you will forget that you are visiting the middle of....Iowa (I'll be polite). The restaurant could be in NYC, LA, Chicago, any major metropolitan city that isn't owned by an insurance and retirement company. The steaks, the roast beef---awesome. I have never had the fish, because I cannot fathom why you would go to the middle of the country, and then go into a steakhouse, and then order fish. If you order fish, the waiter should bring the fish out and beat you with it until you order beef or pork. Also, order the Maytag Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin. My arteries are still hardening, but it was well worth it. This restaurant is so good, it almost makes going to Des Moine worth it. Almost.......
(5)Ann C.
INSIDE BUILDING HIDDEN GEM Downtown Des Moines, Iowa...lots of beautiful buildings and artsy statues. Places to eat were a bit hard to decide on because there aren't many choices to choose from! My father and I chose 801 Steak & Chop from a tourist map. We got lost. Yes, I know it was on a MAP but it did not state that the restaurant was INSIDE an office building!!! It also did not state that it was fine dining. Fine dining is code word for super duper expensive! Although pricey, I must say the food matched up to the value. The steaks were juicy and flavorful and the ambiance was elegant casual. Don't worry, no dress code here they let my jeans and sneakered ass sit and order! The Ribeye with tuscan season & herb crust was delicious! We ordered rare and it was waaaay too cold in the center but they happily recooked it for us. The garlic mash was good but came out warm- not hot. Steamed broccoli was normal. Lobster and Shrimp linguini was good but not great. Good part was they were not sheisty on the lobster and shrimps were huge! Bad part was the portion was small and a bit too saucy (is that even a word?!). If you don't mind paying the dough I would recommend this place for a good meal. Just remember that it's inside a business building!
(4)Carla W.
One of the best restaurants in our city. My husband and I went there last night and had a wonderful experience. Jamie, our waitress is fun, and very knowledgeable. I ordered the lamb chops, double cut and my husband had the dry-rubbed ribeye and we shared the 2 lb lobster tail. Absolutely delicious. We also ordered the asparagus and the augratin blue cheese and bacon potatoes, unbelieveably rich and worth every blessed calorie. Topped it off with the Chocolate Lava Cake with homemade carmel sauce. Jamie allowed us to take our time and enjoy the evening. It was fabulous. A wonderful place to go for a special time.
(5)Sofia H.
I am from Florida and traveling coast to coast from California to Boston ...we thought we need ed to stop in Nebraska or Iowa for the best steak in America... Our journey took us to stop in Des Moines and we just follow recommendations from Yelp reviews about the best steak house in town. We arrive to the Hyatt hotel that will have it s own review in hotels And we, my daughter and I were going toward the 801 Chop house... The customer service was great from the door to the end, but the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. The prime rib was ok but not superb.... I asked for a rib eye steak grilled with salt and pepper but the waitresses insisted to choose some seasoning on it...I choose cajun and medium juicy.... And a bottle of wine.... There was enough time for us to drink the complete bottle before the food was on the table . When finally we got our food, the steak was no hot, but warn and really dry, the Cajun seasoning was nothing to be crazy about,,,When I tried to choose a Port wine I was in shock when the waitresses told me that $ 40 dollars was for the glass not for the bottle,,,,, This restaurant can have a very snobby atmosphere, and inviting environment, even very friendly staff, but was not good enough for the price .... Too Expensive for mediocre food... If you want a good steak go to Fort Lauderdale , Florida to Ruth Chris Steak house ...! Those are really good!!!
(2)Matthew A.
My favorite restuarant in DM. Best and Classiest steakhouse. Feels like an major league steakhouse (such as Ruth Chris's, Smith&Woll, Morton's, etc.). Food is fantastic. Staff is friendly and helpful. Decor is top-notch. The only draw backs are price (can only go every so often) and the noise (not the kind of place to have a focused one-on-one).
(5)Justin W.
Too many people in Des Moines are obsessed with decor and the price of a meal. It is like there is this citywide inferiority complex when it comes to issues of fine dining, culture and nightlife. You aren't Kansas City or Chicago and you never will be, so why not just be yourself. And that is what frustrates me about 801. The food is alright, and I would even go as far as to say the sides are phenomenal. However, it isn't worth the price and I get the feeling like I am paying twice as much for my meal just to say I ate at 801, especially when the steaks aren't that good. I also get the feeling like it is frequented by all those who are frustrated that they haven't been invited to become a member of the Embassy Club yet. Well I doubt that eating at 801 is going to help you in that regard. Yes, every city needs a restaurant like this with the prestige factor. And no, it isn't my bag. So I guess my opinion is a little skewed as to my impressions of the place itself and the clientele. What isn't skewed is my view of the food. Like I said, there are some redeeming qualities, but by god when you are a steakhouse your high point shouldn't be the mashed potatoes! Additionally, on one occasion I went to 801 with a large group for a company Christmas party and suspect that our steaks were subpar cuts that had been chemically tenderized. Why this suspicion? Beyond the steak not being very good I ended up very ill immediately upon finishing my meal as I am allergic to the MSG in meat tenderizer. Though I cannot totally verify this, of course, I wouldn't expect as prestigious of an establishment to make me violently ill.
(2)Andrea B.
It's okay, but there are honestly much better places in downtown Des Moines for a better price.
(3)Sean D.
I wasn't expecting much in the not so booming metropolis of Des Moines, but much to my surprise they have a good restaurant and bar scene. 801 is a steak house, good steaks, cooked to perfect doneness as requested. The asparagus was tender and sweet. The scalloped potatoes were creamy and Delicious. The carpaccio was quite tasty too. The service was very attentive and polite. They have a good wine list, but you won't get out of here cheap. If you're in Des Moines, check them out
(4)K B.
By far my favorite restaurant in Des Moines. Lets not kid around...801 isn't cheap. But if you are looking for a fine dining experience, this is it. The steak cut, quality, and cooking are outstanding. I've been getting the filet mignon since 2004 and have never been disappointed. In fact, I like it so much, I will try and eat there multiple times on the same trip...as long as the accountants don't look too closely at my expense report. The service is top notch. You will see the same servers throughout the years, making it feel nice to see a familiar face when you enter.
(5)Timothy S.
The best grapefruit martini in the Des Moines metro! We stopped in for a couple after dinner drinks last night and started with the troon. It is a delicious and fresh take on a greyhound. The freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and premium alcohol does a fantastic dance on the tongue that leaves you satisfied and refreshed. Our 2nd drink was a round of Gin Blossoms and this wonderful mix of gin, St. Germaine, champagne, and Mixers really make this cocktail something extraordinary! The bartender was extremely attentive and kept our waters full and ensured we enjoyed our time at the bar.
(5)Jesse M.
Wow, I'm a pretty huge fan of Fleming's, but 801 has, IMHO lapped them. Amazing food, expert service (Fleming's too), and just a top notch experience. Their bone-in ribeye, prime rib, whatever you get for a side...all are great. For a drink, if you like grapefruit, get the Troon - double dang. Now they have a happy hour deal (full disclosure, haven't tried it) and I hear it's great. GO.
(5)Jeremy F.
This could possibly be the nicest restaurant in the Des Moines metro. It is one of the best places I've ever eaten a steak. But sadly the price makes it unaffordable to eat there regularly. But luckily every year in May and June they have a groupon which makes them more affordable. It is during this time of the year that I get to go. They have an amazing selection of wine that is unrivaled, the wine list is a book in its self. The services staff is very knowledgable about the menu and amazingly nice, you might pay a lot for the meal, but you definitely will be paying for good service. One warning, everything on the menu is al a carte, so if you want a potato with your steak that will be separate and probably about another $10. The only reason I give the chop house 4 stars instead of 5 is the sheer price.
(4)Katie S.
This place is definitely a five star restaurant. So don't go here unless you plan to spend about $200 on a meal for two. The service was amazing and my husband and I both thought our entrees were top notch. This place is definitely worth the money and we will keep it in mind for special occasions.
(5)Jennifer W.
First time to 801 tonight! Finally! The family was celebrating an anniversary and a birthday. Our reservation was at 5:30, which was nice because there was no crowd and no waiting. We found a place right out front to park. We participated in the pris-fix Sunday deal-Three courses for $40. We brought our own bottle of wine. The corking fee is $25. I order the Cesar side salad with anchovies, filet, and lemon poppyseed dessert. The salad was amahzing. Seriously, so good. The steak was mediocre at best. It was lukewarm and tough to cut. I hate to say it, but it's true. Flemings is my steakhouse of choice, to which very little can be compared. I came in with an open mind and left knowing that Flemings still has the best steak. I LOVE lemon and the dessert was so good. Additionally, we ordered three sides: lobster with Mac n cheese, cream corn, and scalloped potatoes. The Mac and potatoes were great, the corn left more to be desired. The bread and butter was wonderful, all warm and delicious. Our server Paul was great- very timely, funny, and tentative. They had two cards at the table, one birthday and anniversary. Very thoughtful. They also waived the corking fee, very awesome! I like the ambience and all the rich mahogany. It's straight class. The dress code is business casual.
(4)Jan C.
Great steak, and drinks. Falls a little short on dessert. But well worth it.
(5)Vic J.
This is one of the most expensive restaurants in town. Very nice atmosphere. Took my wife there for her birthday. Went in the evening and parked right on Grand. No dedicated parking lot. Service was good. I was surprised at the small portions. The food was arranged and presented well on the plate but I thought it was a child's plate. Maybe I should have ordered a few drinks first.
(2)Robert D.
My wife and I stop in a few times a year. And the Chophouse is my go to place for business dinners. Yes it is spendy but the experience is worth it. They have mastered the only three things a restaurant must master - quality, consistency, and customer service. Other than the amazing cuts of aged beef which are always prepared to perfection, the roasted bone marrow (a.k.a. meat butter) will literally change your life. Add it to your bucket list. All the servers and bartenders are awesome at their jobs and really seem to enjoy working there. If you want the best ask for Kyle. His attention to the littlest of details is amazing and makes for a complete and wonderful experience.
(5)David G.
Brought guests here Wednesday evening this past week. Fantastic food! We all ordered steaks and were blown away! We had one guest arrive a little later and our server, Paul, took our sides and warmed/replaced them for out late arrival! This restaurant, food, and service continue to impress!
(5)Aaron C.
Best restaurant in Des Moines and one of the best chop houses in the country. It will not disappoint and I would recommend to anyone looking for an upscale evening dining experience.
(5)Kristi H.
This is a place you can pick to impress your date or if you're meeting a prospective client. Food is cooked to perfection, service is impeccable and the atmosphere is classy and comfortable. The proportions are huge so beware. Best meal in Des Moines to date!
(5)Mark G.
This is a great steakhouse in downtown Des Moines! To start with the sides, the green beans were delicious; they use onion and bacon, the boursin mashed potatoes were rich and full of flavor, and the lobster mac was amazing. Also they offer half portions which is a huge plus at an upscale steakhouse. I had the NY strip with the Cajun spice rub and it was cooked perfect, seasoned just right, and had a great aged flavor. I was very happy with my steak and enjoyed every bite. They do offer several different finishes to your steak, so you really can experience something different every time that many steakhouses do not offer. The Creme Souffle was amazing, they had three sauces that come with that were very very good. Need to try more desert here, didn't know a steakhouse could bake so well. Had a great experience here, would love to come back and try more of their offerings.
(5)Scott B.
I must say, I have been to great Steakhouses in New York, Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Chicago, but have not had a steak this good anywhere. Truly prime and delicious, with impeccable service from our waiter, Billy. In addition the side of spinach with garlic and lemon was excellent also. The appetizer of Oysters on the half shell from Washington were beyond excellent, even better than the Chesapeake Bay Oysters they also offered on the daily fresh menu. A fine selection of wines are also available for dining. I must ALERT you to expect to pay an average of $100 per person with drinks and appetizers. Our bill was $171.00 with the drinks and appetizers. Also know everything on the menu is alacart, including any special sauce such as bernaise ($10). I just used fresh horseradish, but the steak, 8oz Filet, stands on its own without anything. If you want an awesome meal above the level of Ruth Chris, or Wildfire, this is worth it.
(5)Patrick T.
Well, this place is fancy what can I say! I don't normally go to places with 30-50 dollar meals, but lucky for me.. I'm vegan so my meal of Onion Rings, and asparagus was no where near that range! The steaks here look remarkable.. As do the mashed potatoes.. But again I'm not really reviewing the taste of the specialties. The service is great as well! Kinda feels like you in another time period, maybe like a high class joint might feel in the late 60's or something. The bar is really nice and they specialize in martini's and fancy craft cocktails. If you are wanting to splurge on a crazy expensive meal, or impress a date this might be a great place to go.. Not to stuffy, but Stuffy enough to make it count!
(4)Eolo N.
My daughter bought my wife and I a groupon for 100.00, to start the food is WAY OVERPRICED, one baked potato is 10.00, my salad 10.00 which is 1/4 head of lettuce and three half's of cherry tomato's, my 52.00 steak was not very good, had more fat and gristle then what I wanted, my wife had mashed potato's 11.00 and a overpriced steak, so even with a 100.00 groupon, I still had to come up with 65.00 and a 25.00 tip, won't go back, many other places around Des Moines to get better steak and at a better price!!
(2)Diane B.
My husband and I had a date night dinner at 801 last night. Everything was perfect. The atmosphere is old- school prime steakhouse. The service is beyond reproach and the food- oh the food- was Superb!! We started out sharing a shrimp cocktail- 4 huge, meaty, very fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce that actually could have used a little spicing- up but was still tasty. We also shared a Cesar salad- which was served in 2 separate plates( his with anchovies-mine without) and the serving size of a half-salad was still huge. Our beef was exceptional. His prime rib and my filet were the best we'd had since we were on the east coast. We shared the au gratin potatoes and these were also excellent. Our waiter Kyle was so kind and knowledgable and we never wanted for a thing. This place is pricey but actually a great value for what you get. It was a wonderful experience!!
(5)Jill B.
Always amazing! A great place to celebrate an occasion! They totally spoil you here. The food is to die for!
(5)Pam W.
We have been to 801 Chophouse twice before and it is definitely a special place for a nice occasion as it is pricey. That being said, the food was perfect. This last week we tried fish rather than beef and oh my goodness......the salmon was to die for. The pan roasted mushrooms and lobster potatoes wonderful. We have been so pleased with the service and attentiveness. Truly a favorite dining experience.
(5)Emily T.
This is one of the most expensive places in Des Moines to get a steak. Our steaks were well worth it as we savored every flavorful, juicy, tender bite. Our server was also fabulous as she tipped us off that they would scale down the portion sizes for us. Our bill even stated that percentage, however, I did feel that those percentages should have gone down a bit more. BUT, we didn't come here to have sides, we came here for the steak and it was well worth it. Our wine choice went well, it was a random choice of the VERY select few least expensive bottles. The majority were in the triple digits. Ordering the souffle is a must and hopefully your server tips you off to order before your meal as it takes 40 minutes. The size was perfect for the two of us (even more but we were feeling greedy) accompanied by 3 sauces. Very glad we ordered it and comparatively the price was amazing. If we had the $$$$ to, we would dine her more often, alas, this will be one of our special occasion locations.
(5)Doug L.
Close your eyes. Imagine a New York steak house. That's what you get. Good food and lots of it (portions are too big, so if you like to take home some, a plus for you). Great service. But all of that comes for a price. It's nice to come here once in a while but not a go to place for me
(4)Nick B.
801 isn't going to win any awards in creativity, but honestly, they don't really need to. They're a prime steakhouse. That's what they do, and they do it well. Iowa doesn't have many restaurants with deep wine lists, but this place will satisfy most vinophiles. Flemings in West Des Moines, and Linn Street Cafe in Iowa City are the only other shops in the state that I've been to that even are close to the amount of wines offered. I've been to quite a few high end steakhouses in my day, and I always enjoy a visit to the deep booths of 801. If you appreciate a well prepared prime grade steak, head to 801. Afterwards you'll have a hard time enjoying a mid-tier restaurant steak again.
(5)Manolo E.
You have to know where this place is and persist. The office building does not betray the lively steakhouse that is inside. The staff is outfitted as they are at Smith & Wollensky, greens and whites abound. Our bartendress could have used some help both in the personality department and behind the bar but all-in-all it was a wonderful experience with excellent food and ambiance. Will be back!
(4)Matt M.
We decided to meet some old friends here since we frequent the Omaha location and absolutely love it. This was definitely a disappointment. Nothing but the service lived up to our expectations. We started with the calamari and it was great, that's where the "great" ended. The steaks were mediocre with one filet being 1/4 fat, none of the steaks had any bone marrow butter on the plates, the boursin mashed tasted just like mashed & the fried zucchini were large strips that keep the zucchini inside from getting cooked properly. While we return to 801 Chophouse Omaha all the time this will never be the case with the original location in Des Moines. I'm sorry but for 552.00 (including tip) I expect a outstanding meal
(2)Andrea T.
We had heard great things about this restaurant so we were excited to give it a try. Unfortunately, when I called for a reservation, the only ones they had for Friday or Saturday was at 9:30 pm. In my opinion, that is insanely late to be eating. So, why did we still go at that time? We had a Groupon that was about to expire. We did not know exactly where the restaurant was in the building but assumed it would be on a floor that we would need to take the elevator to reach. Basically, we thought the place would be looking over Des Moines. Boy were we wrong! It is on the second floor. Not impressed so far! We were promptly seated and handed menus. We ordered drinks. My wine was $12 a glass which was expensive for what it was. I was not about ready to order a bottle since they were outrageous! After we placed our orders, the waiter brought us bread. The bread was good with a crispy crust and soft inside. My fiancé got the Lamb Chops (3) with mint sauce and a side of Potatoe Gnocchi. I ordered the Filet Medallians and a side of Cauliflower Gratin. The food came out decently quick. I was disappointed n the amount of food we received. I mean, $10 worth of Cauliflower should give you a hefty amount of food but nope, not here. Same goes for the $9 Gnocchi! The meat, sure it was good but by no means was it something to write home about. I found that I actually like Texas Roadhouses Filet Medalians more! We opted to skip dessert. The atmosphere of the place was ok, but wow was it ever LOUD! We could not hear each other and had to repeat everything we said. That made it less enjoyable. Overall, is it worth the money? No, and we do not plan to be returning without a really good reason to!
(3)Aidy E.
You cannot beat the steak (I had the filet medallions with lobster meat and a red wine demi-glace, my dining partner had the plain filet, no preparations). Best steak I've had. Melted in my mouth. Still dreaming about it. The sides were just okay. The scalloped potatoes lacked flavor and the wild mushrooms with boursin were tender, but not terribly warm. Meh. The Iowa State Fair Ice Cream Sundae was a blast (we shared it). Their sweet corn ice cream is really something special. I could go just for that... Had a great chocolate martini, though, and for $10, one of the cheapest things on the menu ;D Other people have said this but my main sticking point is the cost of dining here. I knew that the restaurant was pricey going in, but spending $164 for two people *after* my Groupon deal (which I paid $40 for $80, making the full price of this meal $244) is absolutely ridiculous for this meal. There's no other way to say it. And I'm not a budget diner who's complaining because my meal wasn't cheap. I've eaten similarly priced meals in the past and this wasn't as good. Also, the ambient noise on a Sunday night was elevated, and what is up with the flat screens. Really? There are plenty of other restaurants in the Des Moines area that are fancy enough for even the most special occasion, yet you won't be dropping $250.
(3)Anne B.
Fabulous dining experience. We choose 801 Chop to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. The food was delicious, service was outstanding and most importantly it was a memorable experience for a special occasion. Was it expensive? Yes, but well worth it and will go again. When your looking to celebrate a special occasion or wanting great food, 801 Chop in my opinion is the place to go.
(5)Lindsey R.
This is my husband's and my favorite restaurant in Des Moines and we frequent it almost weekly. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money. We always receive top-notch service and the food and drinks are fantastic. This is the place to go for an overall classy and enjoyable dining experience. From the time you open the frosted glass double doors, enter the dark, mahony rich restaurant, and are greeted by the Maître de it sets the mood for a five star night. The warm right-out-of-the-oven bread brought to the table is always delicious, for an appetizer, you can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio. And since it is a steak house, my entree is always the filet mignon. It is by far consistently the best steak I have ever had- extremely tender, buttery, melt in your mouth, with the perfect sear on the outside. As for side dishes, our two favorites are macaroni and cheese and creamed corn- you can't beat this creamed corn when Iowa sweet corn is in season. And they do have an excellent selection of wine- my favorite is the White Meritage. After our entrees, we usually make our way to the bar for some after dinner drinks and dessert. The bar has a fabulous atmosphere with the massive maghony bar and shelf-upon-shelf of alcohol. For dessert our two favorites are the chocolate lava cake with Absolut ice cream and the white chocolate banana cream pie. Besides the food being outstanding, the service is always among the best we have ever experienced, all of the staff including the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and know how to treat a customer. You can tell this is a career for them, not just a job, and they show it. I highly recommend a visit to this incredible Iowa steak house!
(5)M M.
Just finished dinner and all we can say is never again!! Service was any slower they would be dead. Food was OK but not great. Management and waiter was arrogant had something floating in my drink and took 20 minutes to bring a fresh one by then my dinner was cold and the manager acted like he did me a favor. Please don't spend $150 on dinner here there are far far better in the city.
(1)Ben P.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Des Moines at night, be sure to do the following: 1. Look around and say out loud "Where the hell is everybody? It's only 6:30. Why are the streets empty? Is that a tumbleweed?" 2. Wander around and look at the office buildings and ask "Does Principal own all of downtown Des Moines?" If there was a native around to answer your question (and there won't be), the native would say "Why yes it does." 3. Eat at 801 Chop and Steak House. The minute you walk in, you will forget that you are visiting the middle of....Iowa (I'll be polite). The restaurant could be in NYC, LA, Chicago, any major metropolitan city that isn't owned by an insurance and retirement company. The steaks, the roast beef---awesome. I have never had the fish, because I cannot fathom why you would go to the middle of the country, and then go into a steakhouse, and then order fish. If you order fish, the waiter should bring the fish out and beat you with it until you order beef or pork. Also, order the Maytag Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin. My arteries are still hardening, but it was well worth it. This restaurant is so good, it almost makes going to Des Moine worth it. Almost.......
(5)Jeff D.
Good traditional steakhouse with a few surprises like the lobster corn dogs... Frankly I think the service at most upscale steakhouses is very good and fairly consistent... Ad much of what they serve for an entree is a commodity (beef, lobster, chicken) so the items that have a unique preparation tend to be the salads and the sides... And I thought 801 chop covers its bases very well with numerous kinds of potatoes, vegetables, and salads... Very pleased with this little gem in Des Moines. Pricing is probably high for Des Moines but not out of whack with other big city establishments,
(4)Anna B.
Overpriced with average food. I agree with the previous review that the quality of the beef was on par with a steakhouse chain like Ruth Chris. The atmosphere was noisy, really bright and un-romantic. Service was really disappointing given the prices.
(3)Frank T.
Great service good martini.. The delmonico was just ok. Mine was supposed to be mid rare plus and ended up medium plus. Nothing spectacular coming out of the creamed spinach. It was quite underwhelming. When my tab for a steak, creamed spinach and 2 martini's is over $100 before tip I expect a lot more. Overall a solid steak and great service would I go back? Only on an expense account.
(3)Dave M.
The quality of the steaks at this place are undeniably fantastic, as is the overall atmosphere -- but believe me you will be paying for it and at the end asking yourself if it was really worth it. I went to 801 Chophouse last evening using a Groupon deal. Scanning the menu, I thought the best steak in the house would be in the $50 range; tip #1: never assume at an expensive steakhouse. Turns out, but beef alone was $73. When you add in two glasses of Merlot (Raymond and Rombauer; both were delicious!), a half-size side of glazed carrots, my final bill (20% tip factored in) was $146. Did I say that I was dining alone?? With the Groupon certificate that I paid $40 for an $80 value, out of pocket I netted out at $100. I am new to Iowa, and everyone I know highly recommended 801, so I am glad I tried it. But unless you are expensing this meal on the company card, there is no way I would recommend going there again. Again - the food was amazingly good, but I would argue that I have had delicious steaks in many other restaurants of similar dining experience and 50% less than this place. Final note: The service at the bar was outstanding.
(3)He And She I.
OK, it was time to try this "fine" restaurant, since we'd tried nearly every other fine dining establishment in Des Moines downtown area. We made a reservation through Open Table, thinking that the restaurant would be crowded before a performance at the Civic Center. Wrong. We could have had our choice of seating, at least by what we saw. The waitstaff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and obsequious. If you like that, you'll be happy. My idea of good table service does not include a waiter who says "My pleasure" to every request or comment. But, he did get the chef to make me some honey mustard dressing for my salad, without asking, which was not on the menu. Without my even asking! Our meal was well-plated, and cooked as we requested. However, I recommend that, if the special sounds good, you ask the price. We are not averse to paying for good meat, and it was good, but it was at best a $50 steak, not an $80 steak. The hashbrowns, however, were stellar. I would have appreciated a few more options for healthier dining. I don't like being relegated to the "shrimp cocktail and salad with dressing on the side" type of dining. The wine list was good, but, when I asked for a Malbec, the waiter suggested the Sangiovese. Not having looked at the menu, I found later I had been upsold. Not a big item, but it rankled a little. I don't think we'll be back. However, if you want to impress someone you are hosting, this might be the place for you.
(3)Madonna V.
I had an 8:30pm reservation and still waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Both the host and hostess were polite which made waiting manageable. I ordered the prime rib 801 cut. The quality of the steak is high. I will say though, that the particular rub my steak was cooked with made it salty but it tasted delicious nevertheless. We ordered a lobster tail as an appetizer and that was a bit dry, however, the shellfish linguine was exceptional-this was my favorite dish. Our server brought us fried lobster instead of the steamed lobster tail, however, this mix up was fixed rather promptly. I would say this restaurant is worth the splurge for a special occasion.
(4)Brooke P.
Okay this place is old school and really good steak. Very pricey but I think the food is worth it. I actually got chicken one time and it was the best chicken I have ever had. Really fun for special occasions or NYE.
(4)Seth M.
A truly excellent meal. Great food, great service. Steaks, sides, and salads all very very good. It is expensive, but they serve only PRIME dry aged beef. There were a lot of reviews complaining about the "expense for a steak house", but I don't think it was that unreasonable, and here's why... They serve ONLY prime dry aged beef. Most of the other "high end" steak houses no longer have all prime beef due to the expense. Take a look on other menus and compare the price for prime vs choice and I think 801 is fairly well in line. If you like prime and you want to pay for it, 801 Chophouse is a great choice.
(4)Phil M.
One of the best prime ribs around; however, the portion sizes are monstrous.
(4)Cody K.
Great steaks. I almost always get the filet and it is prepared perfectly every time. Sides can be a bit rich but still very good. Service is always excellent. If you are looking for a great steak you can't go wrong with 801.
(4)Mariana P.
My fiance and I went here last night for the first time for his birthday. I made a reservation through open table and left them a message asking them to make the occasion special if they could. We were given a quiet table at the back of the restaurant that was decorated and the menu had "Happy Birthday" written on it. Just with that I was ready to write a great review. Then the food came and it was AMAZING. He had the prime rib and it was like butter, I had the filet with the truffle butter bath (which was not on the menu so make sure to ask for it if they haven't added it yet!). The service was outstanding, the wine list extensive and the ambience was delightful. I lived in Washington DC for 11 years and they claim to have the best steakhouses in the country, 801 Chophouse was far superior. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Mike G.
I visited with a party of 10 and we were seated in a private area. It was a great fit for the large party and made it very easy to talk. Our server was very knowledgeable and did a good job of explaining the menu. I ordered the prime rib and my wife had the filet with blue cheese; both were excellent. We had five great sides at the table, but my favorites were the asparagus and the hash browns. The price tag is high but worth it for an occasional special night out.
(5)Tony H.
I was there for a business dinner a couple weeks ago. Although this place has a really nice atmosphere and a great wine list, the steaks are pretty much on par with what you would get at a Ruth Chris or Flemmings. Overpriced and average taste. I'm not sure why people associate price with quality because for $40 I received an 8oz filet that not even as good as what I could get at a Texas Roadhouse. Also, I really hate this style of restaurant. You spend all that money on a steak and still have to shell out another $12 for 8 pieces of overcooked asparagus and 8 dollars for mashed potatoes which were ok. My advice, save your money. This place is not worth the price. Just because its expensive doesn't mean it's any good.
(2)Y L.
I've been to 801 multiple times. Most of the time my steak is cooked to perfection. There was a time when my steak was over cooked. They took it back in and the second one was undercooked. Other than that one time my experiences have been good. The lobster corn chowder is delicious. I always get the scalloped potatoes and asparagus for sides. Yesterday was my maybe 4th time there and the first time I was given the presentation. The wait staff was very informative and the presentation was helpful. Make sure to ask for it. Amazing steaks. I took my parents and mom really liked it. She's not usually fond of steaks, so that's saying a lot. For me, it's also the best steak I've had so far.
(4)Sandy S.
Excellent service, enjoyed the meat presentation which is somewhat typical for a upper crust steakhouse. The place was nearly empty on a Wed nite and we had a whole room to ourselves. The service was excellent and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The prices were similar to what you would pay at Ruths Chris and Flemings about $40 for a 8oz filet and around $56 for a 24oz porterhouse. I didn't have any wine, but noticed the wine list was extensive. I had two cocktails, a filet and one side and my bill was around $86 with tax and tip. Do not go here if you are on a budget. Good for special occasions or when you really want to impress your date with your fat wallet!
(5)Shing Yiing O.
I was searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday and also my offer at the same time.. I really want to spend my money and get an awesome meal with some wine.. So based on my research, Flemming's and 801 Chop were top 2!!! I don't really have any preference.. So we chose 801 Chop because the menu looks good with a variety of wine and steak.. (and of course a pretty good review as well) So I made a reservation here.. I did not expect that Des Moines has such an expensive restaurant in the Principal Building.. The waitress was really nice and friendly to us, the environment is nice (which you can see that it's a pretty classy place).. While we were looking at the menu.. The waitress brought us some bread.. It's sour dough and it's so awesome.. It's crispy and soft at the same time.. spread it with butter = AWESOME!!! I just can't stop eating it even though I told myself I have to save some "space" in my stomach for the steak later. They even refill it for us but as I said we do not want to fill up our stomach with bread so we told them not to refill for us.. We each ordered a red wine to go with the steak under the waitress recommendation.. (I don't really remember the name.. I will check it and update my review later:) ) So for appetizer, we ordered escargot that baked it with cheese and garlic (that's what my taste butt told me).. It tasted really good.. You can see that it's freshly bake and not pre-made.. :) Entree: I ordered an 8oz fillet mignon and my friend ordered single cut roast prime rib.. The prime rib is HUGE!!! 8oz fillet mignon is just perfect for me.. BOTH are good but not to say AWESOME!! I will just quote what my friend said.. "For the price we paid, we expected the cow to dance for us".. which means we expected the meat to be really good for what we paid.. We also ordered lobster mash potatoes as a side and we both shared.. The mash potatoes is nice.. but it's just a normal mash potatoes and added lobster.. which I expected something more based on the price I paid.. As for dessert, we ordered souffle.. This was my first time having it.. We ordered right before our entree came because the waitress told us that all the dessert on the menu are freshly bake and it needs approximately 45 minutes to bake it.. which made me added 1 star for them.. :) and also since it's my friend's 21st birthday.. they gave us the dessert for free!! :D I never had souffle before so I do not know how it's supposed to be.. but according to my friend.. it's just normal... I will trust my friend since he is pretty harsh on rating.. :) Highlight of the day.. bread.. dessert... wine.. experience.. and service. It's a great experience in Des Moines but I might not return for the steak..
(4)Charlie N.
great filet cooked as ordered medium rare. haven't been dissatisfied yet between here and Kansas City. two thumbs up as Ebert used to say
(4)Louis M.
Honestly, the steak was the least impressive part. I think it's very over priced for the taste. We went in to celebrate our anniversary, wife had fillet, and I had the Delmonico. Crab cake was good, scallop potatoes were good, steaks were so-so. Service was ok, nothing stellar. AJ's at prairie meadows or Johnny's Italian Steakhouse are better options for steak, service, and price.
(3)Mark H.
Absolutely wonderful decor. Food was very good. Put had a had time choking down the prices.
(3)Jerry M.
Very nice place. Excellent steaks
(4)Tommy T.
First of all....there are two entrances to the 801 Chophouse. You can enter through the revolving doors on Grand and take the escalator up to the 2nd floor or enter through the Revolving doors on High Street. Everyone kept telling me that the view would be wonderful on the upper floors and I think they have it confused with the members only eatery up top. My honey and I went to celebrate his birthday tonight and we enjoyed everything. We took advantage of the Prix Fixe for $33 per person. We had a choice of salad between Caesar and Wedge (they were not tiny), he had the Prime Rib and I had the Filet Mingon and each came with Mashed Potatoes and veggies. Then we selected Creme Brulee (the other option was sorbet) and it was the best we have ever had anywhere. Our waitress, Jami, was very attentive and informative. She suggested I try the Troon Martini and it was excellent. It was not a busy Sunday, but we loved that the parking was easy and close and we received wonderful service while we enjoyed a delicious meal. If you want to give this place a try, I highly suggest the Sundy Prix Fixe.
(5)Tyler R.
The first time I went here the food was really good but not great. Also, the waitress Chris was awkward and sarcastic acting--she also dropped our plates ungracefully onto our table when serving; and by drop I mean she slid them and then allowed one end to drop 1/2 inch to the table. However, the management responded promptly to the complaint and really went above and beyond our expecations for reparations. Major props to Mr. Murphy. The Sunday Prix Fixe menu is a real draw and really fantastic. The prime rib is excellent and the sour cream laced horseradish sauce was awesome! My girlfriend's filet was seasoned and cooked to perfection as well. Our waiter, Paul (I believe?), had a real soft voice that made dining very comfortable. He recommended the Troon martini which my girlfriend really enjoyed. I got Pepsi that tasted way better in the Crystal wine glasses--Classy! The bill for 2 with a martini and a soda was $86. We left a $15 tip gratefully--college kids can tip well too you know, so dont treat us all the same! Thanks 801 for taking care of us--really appreciated.
(3)MiJung L.
Great steak, great sides and seriously great pancetta wrapped scallops! Best steak in Des Moines so far but I haven't tried Fleming's out here yet. The server was kind of talkative but great service overall.
(5)Jonathan W.
This is a very, very fine steakhouse. I actually wasn't in a steak mood so I just had a martini (awesome), a shrimp cocktail (7/10), the baby carrots with brown sugar, the potatoes with bleu cheese and one spectacular king crab leg. If I'm ever back in Des Moines, looking to do it up, I'll be sure to be back to try the steak or a surf and turf. This could potentially be upgraded to five stars!
(4)Bob B.
This is the place for that special occasion, or when you're on expense account. My wife and I decided that this is where we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wow, what a great, albeit expensive, dinner. My wife's scallops and my NY Strip were cooked to perfection. The green beans were sauteed with bacon and caramelized onion and were very tasty. Coffee and dessert topped off a wonderful dinner. Our waitress was knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely a 'fine dining' experience.
(5)Monica S.
Excellent fine dining experience! My husband and I originally stopped at 2 sushi places to have a nice dinner on Valentine's Day evening- usually we have no problem getting in to restaurants on such a day even without reservations, but not this year (the economy really must be doing better!). Both places were packed, so last minute we called 801 Chop House to see if they could fit in a late reservation for 2 that night- it was 6:30 when we called, and they said they had an 8pm available so we took it. We got there a little early, content to sit at the bar and have a drink until our seats opened up, but the host said they had a booth that opened up early and sat us down right away- fantastic! Service was attentive and professional, without hovering over us, and knowledgeable about the wine selections. The atmosphere was as a steakhouse should be- dark wood paneling, dim lighting, very elegant (the huge bar is gorgeous). Now for the food...Ahh! Truly delicious. We started with the lobster corn dogs- it was like a very dense lobster cake with lots of flavor, dipped and perfectly fried under sweet corn batter, and served with a mustard sauce, Yum! 4 mini corn dogs on a stick- was plenty for 2 for an appetizer. For the entree I ordered the 2 bone-in, grilled lamb chops, medium rare, with a house made mint sauce. My husband got the fillet, ordered with the Tuscan seasoning- this is not listed on the menu, but they are happy to oblige. Both were absolutely delicious, but while mine was maybe an 8, his was a 10! Mouth watering! We got the lobster mashed potatoes, and the baked cream spinach as our sides- both wonderful. Now someone mentioned in a review about the serving sizes, but I didn't find anything wrong with the serving sizes. People need to be reminded that fine dining is about *quality* and not quantity- the Texas Roadhouse, this ain't'! We ended with the souffle for desert- perfect and delicious! I'm not sure if people realize how difficult it is to make a souffle like this, as they are temperamental to minute temperature changes and can easily and disastrously deflate! So it was pretty impressive they make these to order, and they come out perfectly fluffy, with a creamy center! The raspberry sauce I found to be the perfect accent, with a glass of port. Happily stuffed, and more than pleased with the entire meal and experience. Yes, it's pricey, all in all our meal was about $200 with tip, but well worth it for such an occasion. I can't wait for the next celebration to come back!
(5)Erin S.
Made this reservation for my husband and his wrestler buddies during NCAA finals . . . they LOVED it!
(5)C C.
First choice for a night out! Service is outstanding! Food is consistently good and they make fantastic top shelf Martinis. Perfect for formal occasion but it's great to dine in the bar area - if you like a little more laid back experience, it's always fun!
(5)Stephanie P.
I was so impressed by my first time at Des Moines finest restaurant! We had a Groupon to use here which was the only way we could afford to try it. We expected the prices to be much higher but they were comparable to Flemings - $30/entree, various wine prices, a la carte sides in the $7-$12 range. I booked a reservation on opentable.com about a week before. My dinner companion and I were taken care of by Paul who was wonderful. He was attentive without hovering and provided recommendations and details about the different steak finishes. The sourdough bread and butter they bring to the table is hot and fantastic. We then had the calamari appetizer which was also good - not greasy with a spicy dip on the side. I had the scallops and my companion had the 8 oz filet. We tried each other's dishes and agreed that they both melted in your mouth. For a side we got the hashbrowns with aged cheddar which were good but just that, hashbrowns. I drank ice tea which tasted like actual tea and not instant something. The wine list had all kinds of options at different price points. For dessert, we had their signature grand marnier souffle which takes over an hour to bake so you order early in the meal. It was truly amazing. Enough to serve 4 people with three different toppings - fudge sauce, raspberry, and cream. All were delicious and very fresh. Paul invited us to come back and wished us a good evening. I hope we can come back some time!
(5)Tracy B.
Love. Love. Love this place! Great service. Even better food. Quality steaks are well worth the price.
(5)Michael N.
I sometimes think all of these steakhouses should combine and call themselves Ruth Wollensky's Palm Steak Houses. I mean it's always the same drill... a NY strip steak for $37.50, side dishes served "family style" for two or more at $8-12 a pop for steamed asparagus and mashed potatoes and there "world famous" NY cheese cake or Key lime pie or creme brule (yawn) for dessert. The food is predictably very good, my steak was excellent. I'm going with 3 stars because the menu and atmosphere are pretty unoriginal... and for the cost you just should have more. BTW... I actually cut and pasted this from another steakhouse I reviewed in Chicago.
(3)Bo K.
My wife and I had a really good dinner. The steak was awesome but the service was lacking. I'm not one who likes to hounded during my dinner , but we were not asked but once for a fresh drink. The bill was 127.00 and he got a 20.00 tip. Boarder line 15%
(3)Sean D.
I wasn't expecting much in the not so booming metropolis of Des Moines, but much to my surprise they have a good restaurant and bar scene. 801 is a steak house, good steaks, cooked to perfect doneness as requested. The asparagus was tender and sweet. The scalloped potatoes were creamy and Delicious. The carpaccio was quite tasty too. The service was very attentive and polite. They have a good wine list, but you won't get out of here cheap. If you're in Des Moines, check them out
(4)Bryan N.
Stopped by on a business trip. Obviously, I can't speak to its local reputation (apparently there appears to be a divide between folks that think its "The Greatest Steakhouse On The Face of the Earth(tm)", and others that grumble about disappointment. So, for better or for worse, I walked in expectation-free (other than expecting to drop a pretty penny on some steak). Waitstaff was impeccable. Managed to walk the fine line between being helpful and attentive, but not so much as to be hovering. All the food arrived at the right temperature, and portions were great (I went with the Tuscan Ribeye, and potato wedge-thingees for a side). Wine selection was impressive (although, admittedly, I'm not much of a wine drinker, and couldn't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle if my life depended on it - red with meat, etc. is all I know), and the waitstaff was good at helping me pick. Dessert was just fine - creme brulee (although, obviously, it's pretty hard to mess up what is, in actuality, just burnt pudding). At the end of the day, I had no gripes - I suppose folks could dicker about pricing (yes, you can get equally great steaks for cheaper at other places), but it's just a nice sit down place that I imagine you'd go for a fancy date, a victory-at-work meal, an impress-potential-client meal, etc. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)Megan H.
I know it's like sacrilege to say this in Des Moines, but I was less than impressed with 801. I also know better than to order fish at a steakhouse, but in a moment of weakness I ordered the ahi tuna. Wow. I've had better ahi at chain restaurants. We ordered hash browns for the table and they were greasy to the point of being inedible. For the price we paid, I can think of thirty restaurants in Des Moines where the money would have been better spent. It gets three stars for the atmosphere - it's swanky and refined while still warm and comfortable. However, the food was far below my expectations. I truly hope it was an "off" night - I'd been there in the past and remembered it much differently!
(3)Euge C.
801. Often spoken with a whisper. Perhaps the finest steakhouse in town. If not, it is certainly the most celebrated and the most polished. Their prime rib is perhaps the best I've ever had, and I'm including Lawry's in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Most steakhouses truly fail to execute on other dishes, but 801 is an exception. Their seafood, appetizers, salads, chicken and side dishes are almost as good as non-steak restaurants in the same price range. The wine list will make your eyes pop. You are not imagining those prices. Note: they do NOT make regional recipe Steak DeBurgo! So why only 3 stars? No value. While the steak is first rate, it doesn't come cheap.
(3)Brent G.
Excellent food. Be ready for portion sizes bigger than your head :)
(5)Chantalle v.
I went here for dinner during a business trip to Des Moines. I must say i'm not too impressed with the city (hello, where is everybody?) but this restaurant was OK. The waiter was patient and polite, the sides were yummy, and my main course was great. I ordered the medallion and lobster, and the meat was prepared perfectly to my liking. However, the only disappointment was the one or two itty bitty pieces of lobster that came with the dish. Why advertise it as medallion and lobster when there hardly isn't any lobster to speak of? Oh yeah, my appetizer, which was a butternut squash soup, came out cold. But it was still tasty. Hey, i'm not going to complain about things in front of my boss. The dessert...not so good. We ordered a few things - apple pie, brownie, carrot cake, and something else, I forget, but I was not impressed. The sad part is...this is probably one of the nicest restaurants in Des Moines, if not THE nicest there. The next evening, my boss and I walked around downtown Des Moines looking for a place to eat and could not find anything. Lucca's was empty and there was a homeless person throwing up in a trash can a few feet away from the restaurant. Yuck.
(3)Matthew A.
My favorite restuarant in DM. Best and Classiest steakhouse. Feels like an major league steakhouse (such as Ruth Chris's, Smith&Woll, Morton's, etc.). Food is fantastic. Staff is friendly and helpful. Decor is top-notch. The only draw backs are price (can only go every so often) and the noise (not the kind of place to have a focused one-on-one).
(5)Ann C.
INSIDE BUILDING HIDDEN GEM Downtown Des Moines, Iowa...lots of beautiful buildings and artsy statues. Places to eat were a bit hard to decide on because there aren't many choices to choose from! My father and I chose 801 Steak & Chop from a tourist map. We got lost. Yes, I know it was on a MAP but it did not state that the restaurant was INSIDE an office building!!! It also did not state that it was fine dining. Fine dining is code word for super duper expensive! Although pricey, I must say the food matched up to the value. The steaks were juicy and flavorful and the ambiance was elegant casual. Don't worry, no dress code here they let my jeans and sneakered ass sit and order! The Ribeye with tuscan season & herb crust was delicious! We ordered rare and it was waaaay too cold in the center but they happily recooked it for us. The garlic mash was good but came out warm- not hot. Steamed broccoli was normal. Lobster and Shrimp linguini was good but not great. Good part was they were not sheisty on the lobster and shrimps were huge! Bad part was the portion was small and a bit too saucy (is that even a word?!). If you don't mind paying the dough I would recommend this place for a good meal. Just remember that it's inside a business building!
(4)Carla W.
One of the best restaurants in our city. My husband and I went there last night and had a wonderful experience. Jamie, our waitress is fun, and very knowledgeable. I ordered the lamb chops, double cut and my husband had the dry-rubbed ribeye and we shared the 2 lb lobster tail. Absolutely delicious. We also ordered the asparagus and the augratin blue cheese and bacon potatoes, unbelieveably rich and worth every blessed calorie. Topped it off with the Chocolate Lava Cake with homemade carmel sauce. Jamie allowed us to take our time and enjoy the evening. It was fabulous. A wonderful place to go for a special time.
(5)Sofia H.
I am from Florida and traveling coast to coast from California to Boston ...we thought we need ed to stop in Nebraska or Iowa for the best steak in America... Our journey took us to stop in Des Moines and we just follow recommendations from Yelp reviews about the best steak house in town. We arrive to the Hyatt hotel that will have it s own review in hotels And we, my daughter and I were going toward the 801 Chop house... The customer service was great from the door to the end, but the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. The prime rib was ok but not superb.... I asked for a rib eye steak grilled with salt and pepper but the waitresses insisted to choose some seasoning on it...I choose cajun and medium juicy.... And a bottle of wine.... There was enough time for us to drink the complete bottle before the food was on the table . When finally we got our food, the steak was no hot, but warn and really dry, the Cajun seasoning was nothing to be crazy about,,,When I tried to choose a Port wine I was in shock when the waitresses told me that $ 40 dollars was for the glass not for the bottle,,,,, This restaurant can have a very snobby atmosphere, and inviting environment, even very friendly staff, but was not good enough for the price .... Too Expensive for mediocre food... If you want a good steak go to Fort Lauderdale , Florida to Ruth Chris Steak house ...! Those are really good!!!
(2)Justin W.
Too many people in Des Moines are obsessed with decor and the price of a meal. It is like there is this citywide inferiority complex when it comes to issues of fine dining, culture and nightlife. You aren't Kansas City or Chicago and you never will be, so why not just be yourself. And that is what frustrates me about 801. The food is alright, and I would even go as far as to say the sides are phenomenal. However, it isn't worth the price and I get the feeling like I am paying twice as much for my meal just to say I ate at 801, especially when the steaks aren't that good. I also get the feeling like it is frequented by all those who are frustrated that they haven't been invited to become a member of the Embassy Club yet. Well I doubt that eating at 801 is going to help you in that regard. Yes, every city needs a restaurant like this with the prestige factor. And no, it isn't my bag. So I guess my opinion is a little skewed as to my impressions of the place itself and the clientele. What isn't skewed is my view of the food. Like I said, there are some redeeming qualities, but by god when you are a steakhouse your high point shouldn't be the mashed potatoes! Additionally, on one occasion I went to 801 with a large group for a company Christmas party and suspect that our steaks were subpar cuts that had been chemically tenderized. Why this suspicion? Beyond the steak not being very good I ended up very ill immediately upon finishing my meal as I am allergic to the MSG in meat tenderizer. Though I cannot totally verify this, of course, I wouldn't expect as prestigious of an establishment to make me violently ill.
(2)Andrea B.
It's okay, but there are honestly much better places in downtown Des Moines for a better price.
(3)Gigi W.
terrific spice-rubbed steaks. melt-in-your mouth garlic mashed potatoes. very pricey, but for a reason. it's an upscale place with dark wood paneling, excellent service and high-end atmosphere.
(5)Emily T.
This is one of the most expensive places in Des Moines to get a steak. Our steaks were well worth it as we savored every flavorful, juicy, tender bite. Our server was also fabulous as she tipped us off that they would scale down the portion sizes for us. Our bill even stated that percentage, however, I did feel that those percentages should have gone down a bit more. BUT, we didn't come here to have sides, we came here for the steak and it was well worth it. Our wine choice went well, it was a random choice of the VERY select few least expensive bottles. The majority were in the triple digits. Ordering the souffle is a must and hopefully your server tips you off to order before your meal as it takes 40 minutes. The size was perfect for the two of us (even more but we were feeling greedy) accompanied by 3 sauces. Very glad we ordered it and comparatively the price was amazing. If we had the $$$$ to, we would dine her more often, alas, this will be one of our special occasion locations.
(5)Doug L.
Close your eyes. Imagine a New York steak house. That's what you get. Good food and lots of it (portions are too big, so if you like to take home some, a plus for you). Great service. But all of that comes for a price. It's nice to come here once in a while but not a go to place for me
(4)Nick B.
801 isn't going to win any awards in creativity, but honestly, they don't really need to. They're a prime steakhouse. That's what they do, and they do it well. Iowa doesn't have many restaurants with deep wine lists, but this place will satisfy most vinophiles. Flemings in West Des Moines, and Linn Street Cafe in Iowa City are the only other shops in the state that I've been to that even are close to the amount of wines offered. I've been to quite a few high end steakhouses in my day, and I always enjoy a visit to the deep booths of 801. If you appreciate a well prepared prime grade steak, head to 801. Afterwards you'll have a hard time enjoying a mid-tier restaurant steak again.
(5)Matt M.
We decided to meet some old friends here since we frequent the Omaha location and absolutely love it. This was definitely a disappointment. Nothing but the service lived up to our expectations. We started with the calamari and it was great, that's where the "great" ended. The steaks were mediocre with one filet being 1/4 fat, none of the steaks had any bone marrow butter on the plates, the boursin mashed tasted just like mashed & the fried zucchini were large strips that keep the zucchini inside from getting cooked properly. While we return to 801 Chophouse Omaha all the time this will never be the case with the original location in Des Moines. I'm sorry but for 552.00 (including tip) I expect a outstanding meal
(2)Manolo E.
You have to know where this place is and persist. The office building does not betray the lively steakhouse that is inside. The staff is outfitted as they are at Smith & Wollensky, greens and whites abound. Our bartendress could have used some help both in the personality department and behind the bar but all-in-all it was a wonderful experience with excellent food and ambiance. Will be back!
(4)Shing Yiing O.
I was searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday and also my offer at the same time.. I really want to spend my money and get an awesome meal with some wine.. So based on my research, Flemming's and 801 Chop were top 2!!! I don't really have any preference.. So we chose 801 Chop because the menu looks good with a variety of wine and steak.. (and of course a pretty good review as well) So I made a reservation here.. I did not expect that Des Moines has such an expensive restaurant in the Principal Building.. The waitress was really nice and friendly to us, the environment is nice (which you can see that it's a pretty classy place).. While we were looking at the menu.. The waitress brought us some bread.. It's sour dough and it's so awesome.. It's crispy and soft at the same time.. spread it with butter = AWESOME!!! I just can't stop eating it even though I told myself I have to save some "space" in my stomach for the steak later. They even refill it for us but as I said we do not want to fill up our stomach with bread so we told them not to refill for us.. We each ordered a red wine to go with the steak under the waitress recommendation.. (I don't really remember the name.. I will check it and update my review later:) ) So for appetizer, we ordered escargot that baked it with cheese and garlic (that's what my taste butt told me).. It tasted really good.. You can see that it's freshly bake and not pre-made.. :) Entree: I ordered an 8oz fillet mignon and my friend ordered single cut roast prime rib.. The prime rib is HUGE!!! 8oz fillet mignon is just perfect for me.. BOTH are good but not to say AWESOME!! I will just quote what my friend said.. "For the price we paid, we expected the cow to dance for us".. which means we expected the meat to be really good for what we paid.. We also ordered lobster mash potatoes as a side and we both shared.. The mash potatoes is nice.. but it's just a normal mash potatoes and added lobster.. which I expected something more based on the price I paid.. As for dessert, we ordered souffle.. This was my first time having it.. We ordered right before our entree came because the waitress told us that all the dessert on the menu are freshly bake and it needs approximately 45 minutes to bake it.. which made me added 1 star for them.. :) and also since it's my friend's 21st birthday.. they gave us the dessert for free!! :D I never had souffle before so I do not know how it's supposed to be.. but according to my friend.. it's just normal... I will trust my friend since he is pretty harsh on rating.. :) Highlight of the day.. bread.. dessert... wine.. experience.. and service. It's a great experience in Des Moines but I might not return for the steak..
(4)Pam W.
We have been to 801 Chophouse twice before and it is definitely a special place for a nice occasion as it is pricey. That being said, the food was perfect. This last week we tried fish rather than beef and oh my goodness......the salmon was to die for. The pan roasted mushrooms and lobster potatoes wonderful. We have been so pleased with the service and attentiveness. Truly a favorite dining experience.
(5)Robert D.
My wife and I stop in a few times a year. And the Chophouse is my go to place for business dinners. Yes it is spendy but the experience is worth it. They have mastered the only three things a restaurant must master - quality, consistency, and customer service. Other than the amazing cuts of aged beef which are always prepared to perfection, the roasted bone marrow (a.k.a. meat butter) will literally change your life. Add it to your bucket list. All the servers and bartenders are awesome at their jobs and really seem to enjoy working there. If you want the best ask for Kyle. His attention to the littlest of details is amazing and makes for a complete and wonderful experience.
(5)Aaron C.
Best restaurant in Des Moines and one of the best chop houses in the country. It will not disappoint and I would recommend to anyone looking for an upscale evening dining experience.
(5)Kristi H.
This is a place you can pick to impress your date or if you're meeting a prospective client. Food is cooked to perfection, service is impeccable and the atmosphere is classy and comfortable. The proportions are huge so beware. Best meal in Des Moines to date!
(5)Eolo N.
My daughter bought my wife and I a groupon for 100.00, to start the food is WAY OVERPRICED, one baked potato is 10.00, my salad 10.00 which is 1/4 head of lettuce and three half's of cherry tomato's, my 52.00 steak was not very good, had more fat and gristle then what I wanted, my wife had mashed potato's 11.00 and a overpriced steak, so even with a 100.00 groupon, I still had to come up with 65.00 and a 25.00 tip, won't go back, many other places around Des Moines to get better steak and at a better price!!
(2)K B.
By far my favorite restaurant in Des Moines. Lets not kid around...801 isn't cheap. But if you are looking for a fine dining experience, this is it. The steak cut, quality, and cooking are outstanding. I've been getting the filet mignon since 2004 and have never been disappointed. In fact, I like it so much, I will try and eat there multiple times on the same trip...as long as the accountants don't look too closely at my expense report. The service is top notch. You will see the same servers throughout the years, making it feel nice to see a familiar face when you enter.
(5)Vivian T.
Hubby and I came here for our anniversary dinner and we really wanted to like this place but we walked out disappointed. The Food: Sirloin (3/5) they under-cooked it. Ribeye (2/5) why? They over-cooked it and burned it. Ugh! So, I wish I could give a real review on the flavor of it. Lobster Mac-n-Cheese (4/5) We've been spoiled because we've been able to go to lots of great steakhouses in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California. We thought that this place would reign supreme cause, well Iowa has great beef! But unfortunately, I wasn't able to enjoy my steak like I wanted to. Hubby ordered his steak Well-done, it came out with pink in it. I ordered my Ribeye medium and it came out burnt and well-done. I don't know if they got our temps mixed up or what, but when they tried to fix it, it was too late. How can you charge so much for a steak and not get the cooking temp right? I hope this was just a one time thing but honestly, the amount we paid (almost $200) for the two of us, we were hoping for a great, romantic meal and leave satisfied. We actually went last year and have not gone back since. Maybe one day we will. Maybe.
(3)Timothy S.
The best grapefruit martini in the Des Moines metro! We stopped in for a couple after dinner drinks last night and started with the troon. It is a delicious and fresh take on a greyhound. The freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and premium alcohol does a fantastic dance on the tongue that leaves you satisfied and refreshed. Our 2nd drink was a round of Gin Blossoms and this wonderful mix of gin, St. Germaine, champagne, and Mixers really make this cocktail something extraordinary! The bartender was extremely attentive and kept our waters full and ensured we enjoyed our time at the bar.
(5)Jesse M.
Wow, I'm a pretty huge fan of Fleming's, but 801 has, IMHO lapped them. Amazing food, expert service (Fleming's too), and just a top notch experience. Their bone-in ribeye, prime rib, whatever you get for a side...all are great. For a drink, if you like grapefruit, get the Troon - double dang. Now they have a happy hour deal (full disclosure, haven't tried it) and I hear it's great. GO.
(5)Jeremy F.
This could possibly be the nicest restaurant in the Des Moines metro. It is one of the best places I've ever eaten a steak. But sadly the price makes it unaffordable to eat there regularly. But luckily every year in May and June they have a groupon which makes them more affordable. It is during this time of the year that I get to go. They have an amazing selection of wine that is unrivaled, the wine list is a book in its self. The services staff is very knowledgable about the menu and amazingly nice, you might pay a lot for the meal, but you definitely will be paying for good service. One warning, everything on the menu is al a carte, so if you want a potato with your steak that will be separate and probably about another $10. The only reason I give the chop house 4 stars instead of 5 is the sheer price.
(4)Katie S.
This place is definitely a five star restaurant. So don't go here unless you plan to spend about $200 on a meal for two. The service was amazing and my husband and I both thought our entrees were top notch. This place is definitely worth the money and we will keep it in mind for special occasions.
(5)Patrick T.
Well, this place is fancy what can I say! I don't normally go to places with 30-50 dollar meals, but lucky for me.. I'm vegan so my meal of Onion Rings, and asparagus was no where near that range! The steaks here look remarkable.. As do the mashed potatoes.. But again I'm not really reviewing the taste of the specialties. The service is great as well! Kinda feels like you in another time period, maybe like a high class joint might feel in the late 60's or something. The bar is really nice and they specialize in martini's and fancy craft cocktails. If you are wanting to splurge on a crazy expensive meal, or impress a date this might be a great place to go.. Not to stuffy, but Stuffy enough to make it count!
(4)Jennifer W.
First time to 801 tonight! Finally! The family was celebrating an anniversary and a birthday. Our reservation was at 5:30, which was nice because there was no crowd and no waiting. We found a place right out front to park. We participated in the pris-fix Sunday deal-Three courses for $40. We brought our own bottle of wine. The corking fee is $25. I order the Cesar side salad with anchovies, filet, and lemon poppyseed dessert. The salad was amahzing. Seriously, so good. The steak was mediocre at best. It was lukewarm and tough to cut. I hate to say it, but it's true. Flemings is my steakhouse of choice, to which very little can be compared. I came in with an open mind and left knowing that Flemings still has the best steak. I LOVE lemon and the dessert was so good. Additionally, we ordered three sides: lobster with Mac n cheese, cream corn, and scalloped potatoes. The Mac and potatoes were great, the corn left more to be desired. The bread and butter was wonderful, all warm and delicious. Our server Paul was great- very timely, funny, and tentative. They had two cards at the table, one birthday and anniversary. Very thoughtful. They also waived the corking fee, very awesome! I like the ambience and all the rich mahogany. It's straight class. The dress code is business casual.
(4)Diane B.
My husband and I had a date night dinner at 801 last night. Everything was perfect. The atmosphere is old- school prime steakhouse. The service is beyond reproach and the food- oh the food- was Superb!! We started out sharing a shrimp cocktail- 4 huge, meaty, very fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce that actually could have used a little spicing- up but was still tasty. We also shared a Cesar salad- which was served in 2 separate plates( his with anchovies-mine without) and the serving size of a half-salad was still huge. Our beef was exceptional. His prime rib and my filet were the best we'd had since we were on the east coast. We shared the au gratin potatoes and these were also excellent. Our waiter Kyle was so kind and knowledgable and we never wanted for a thing. This place is pricey but actually a great value for what you get. It was a wonderful experience!!
(5)Jill B.
Always amazing! A great place to celebrate an occasion! They totally spoil you here. The food is to die for!
(5)David G.
Brought guests here Wednesday evening this past week. Fantastic food! We all ordered steaks and were blown away! We had one guest arrive a little later and our server, Paul, took our sides and warmed/replaced them for out late arrival! This restaurant, food, and service continue to impress!
(5)Mark G.
This is a great steakhouse in downtown Des Moines! To start with the sides, the green beans were delicious; they use onion and bacon, the boursin mashed potatoes were rich and full of flavor, and the lobster mac was amazing. Also they offer half portions which is a huge plus at an upscale steakhouse. I had the NY strip with the Cajun spice rub and it was cooked perfect, seasoned just right, and had a great aged flavor. I was very happy with my steak and enjoyed every bite. They do offer several different finishes to your steak, so you really can experience something different every time that many steakhouses do not offer. The Creme Souffle was amazing, they had three sauces that come with that were very very good. Need to try more desert here, didn't know a steakhouse could bake so well. Had a great experience here, would love to come back and try more of their offerings.
(5)Scott B.
I must say, I have been to great Steakhouses in New York, Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Chicago, but have not had a steak this good anywhere. Truly prime and delicious, with impeccable service from our waiter, Billy. In addition the side of spinach with garlic and lemon was excellent also. The appetizer of Oysters on the half shell from Washington were beyond excellent, even better than the Chesapeake Bay Oysters they also offered on the daily fresh menu. A fine selection of wines are also available for dining. I must ALERT you to expect to pay an average of $100 per person with drinks and appetizers. Our bill was $171.00 with the drinks and appetizers. Also know everything on the menu is alacart, including any special sauce such as bernaise ($10). I just used fresh horseradish, but the steak, 8oz Filet, stands on its own without anything. If you want an awesome meal above the level of Ruth Chris, or Wildfire, this is worth it.
(5)Vic J.
This is one of the most expensive restaurants in town. Very nice atmosphere. Took my wife there for her birthday. Went in the evening and parked right on Grand. No dedicated parking lot. Service was good. I was surprised at the small portions. The food was arranged and presented well on the plate but I thought it was a child's plate. Maybe I should have ordered a few drinks first.
(2)Frank T.
Great service good martini.. The delmonico was just ok. Mine was supposed to be mid rare plus and ended up medium plus. Nothing spectacular coming out of the creamed spinach. It was quite underwhelming. When my tab for a steak, creamed spinach and 2 martini's is over $100 before tip I expect a lot more. Overall a solid steak and great service would I go back? Only on an expense account.
(3)Madonna V.
I had an 8:30pm reservation and still waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Both the host and hostess were polite which made waiting manageable. I ordered the prime rib 801 cut. The quality of the steak is high. I will say though, that the particular rub my steak was cooked with made it salty but it tasted delicious nevertheless. We ordered a lobster tail as an appetizer and that was a bit dry, however, the shellfish linguine was exceptional-this was my favorite dish. Our server brought us fried lobster instead of the steamed lobster tail, however, this mix up was fixed rather promptly. I would say this restaurant is worth the splurge for a special occasion.
(4)Dave M.
The quality of the steaks at this place are undeniably fantastic, as is the overall atmosphere -- but believe me you will be paying for it and at the end asking yourself if it was really worth it. I went to 801 Chophouse last evening using a Groupon deal. Scanning the menu, I thought the best steak in the house would be in the $50 range; tip #1: never assume at an expensive steakhouse. Turns out, but beef alone was $73. When you add in two glasses of Merlot (Raymond and Rombauer; both were delicious!), a half-size side of glazed carrots, my final bill (20% tip factored in) was $146. Did I say that I was dining alone?? With the Groupon certificate that I paid $40 for an $80 value, out of pocket I netted out at $100. I am new to Iowa, and everyone I know highly recommended 801, so I am glad I tried it. But unless you are expensing this meal on the company card, there is no way I would recommend going there again. Again - the food was amazingly good, but I would argue that I have had delicious steaks in many other restaurants of similar dining experience and 50% less than this place. Final note: The service at the bar was outstanding.
(3)Andrea T.
We had heard great things about this restaurant so we were excited to give it a try. Unfortunately, when I called for a reservation, the only ones they had for Friday or Saturday was at 9:30 pm. In my opinion, that is insanely late to be eating. So, why did we still go at that time? We had a Groupon that was about to expire. We did not know exactly where the restaurant was in the building but assumed it would be on a floor that we would need to take the elevator to reach. Basically, we thought the place would be looking over Des Moines. Boy were we wrong! It is on the second floor. Not impressed so far! We were promptly seated and handed menus. We ordered drinks. My wine was $12 a glass which was expensive for what it was. I was not about ready to order a bottle since they were outrageous! After we placed our orders, the waiter brought us bread. The bread was good with a crispy crust and soft inside. My fiancé got the Lamb Chops (3) with mint sauce and a side of Potatoe Gnocchi. I ordered the Filet Medallians and a side of Cauliflower Gratin. The food came out decently quick. I was disappointed n the amount of food we received. I mean, $10 worth of Cauliflower should give you a hefty amount of food but nope, not here. Same goes for the $9 Gnocchi! The meat, sure it was good but by no means was it something to write home about. I found that I actually like Texas Roadhouses Filet Medalians more! We opted to skip dessert. The atmosphere of the place was ok, but wow was it ever LOUD! We could not hear each other and had to repeat everything we said. That made it less enjoyable. Overall, is it worth the money? No, and we do not plan to be returning without a really good reason to!
(3)Aidy E.
You cannot beat the steak (I had the filet medallions with lobster meat and a red wine demi-glace, my dining partner had the plain filet, no preparations). Best steak I've had. Melted in my mouth. Still dreaming about it. The sides were just okay. The scalloped potatoes lacked flavor and the wild mushrooms with boursin were tender, but not terribly warm. Meh. The Iowa State Fair Ice Cream Sundae was a blast (we shared it). Their sweet corn ice cream is really something special. I could go just for that... Had a great chocolate martini, though, and for $10, one of the cheapest things on the menu ;D Other people have said this but my main sticking point is the cost of dining here. I knew that the restaurant was pricey going in, but spending $164 for two people *after* my Groupon deal (which I paid $40 for $80, making the full price of this meal $244) is absolutely ridiculous for this meal. There's no other way to say it. And I'm not a budget diner who's complaining because my meal wasn't cheap. I've eaten similarly priced meals in the past and this wasn't as good. Also, the ambient noise on a Sunday night was elevated, and what is up with the flat screens. Really? There are plenty of other restaurants in the Des Moines area that are fancy enough for even the most special occasion, yet you won't be dropping $250.
(3)Anne B.
Fabulous dining experience. We choose 801 Chop to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. The food was delicious, service was outstanding and most importantly it was a memorable experience for a special occasion. Was it expensive? Yes, but well worth it and will go again. When your looking to celebrate a special occasion or wanting great food, 801 Chop in my opinion is the place to go.
(5)He And She I.
OK, it was time to try this "fine" restaurant, since we'd tried nearly every other fine dining establishment in Des Moines downtown area. We made a reservation through Open Table, thinking that the restaurant would be crowded before a performance at the Civic Center. Wrong. We could have had our choice of seating, at least by what we saw. The waitstaff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and obsequious. If you like that, you'll be happy. My idea of good table service does not include a waiter who says "My pleasure" to every request or comment. But, he did get the chef to make me some honey mustard dressing for my salad, without asking, which was not on the menu. Without my even asking! Our meal was well-plated, and cooked as we requested. However, I recommend that, if the special sounds good, you ask the price. We are not averse to paying for good meat, and it was good, but it was at best a $50 steak, not an $80 steak. The hashbrowns, however, were stellar. I would have appreciated a few more options for healthier dining. I don't like being relegated to the "shrimp cocktail and salad with dressing on the side" type of dining. The wine list was good, but, when I asked for a Malbec, the waiter suggested the Sangiovese. Not having looked at the menu, I found later I had been upsold. Not a big item, but it rankled a little. I don't think we'll be back. However, if you want to impress someone you are hosting, this might be the place for you.
(3)Brooke P.
Okay this place is old school and really good steak. Very pricey but I think the food is worth it. I actually got chicken one time and it was the best chicken I have ever had. Really fun for special occasions or NYE.
(4)Seth M.
A truly excellent meal. Great food, great service. Steaks, sides, and salads all very very good. It is expensive, but they serve only PRIME dry aged beef. There were a lot of reviews complaining about the "expense for a steak house", but I don't think it was that unreasonable, and here's why... They serve ONLY prime dry aged beef. Most of the other "high end" steak houses no longer have all prime beef due to the expense. Take a look on other menus and compare the price for prime vs choice and I think 801 is fairly well in line. If you like prime and you want to pay for it, 801 Chophouse is a great choice.
(4)Phil M.
One of the best prime ribs around; however, the portion sizes are monstrous.
(4)Cody K.
Great steaks. I almost always get the filet and it is prepared perfectly every time. Sides can be a bit rich but still very good. Service is always excellent. If you are looking for a great steak you can't go wrong with 801.
(4)Mariana P.
My fiance and I went here last night for the first time for his birthday. I made a reservation through open table and left them a message asking them to make the occasion special if they could. We were given a quiet table at the back of the restaurant that was decorated and the menu had "Happy Birthday" written on it. Just with that I was ready to write a great review. Then the food came and it was AMAZING. He had the prime rib and it was like butter, I had the filet with the truffle butter bath (which was not on the menu so make sure to ask for it if they haven't added it yet!). The service was outstanding, the wine list extensive and the ambience was delightful. I lived in Washington DC for 11 years and they claim to have the best steakhouses in the country, 801 Chophouse was far superior. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Tony H.
I was there for a business dinner a couple weeks ago. Although this place has a really nice atmosphere and a great wine list, the steaks are pretty much on par with what you would get at a Ruth Chris or Flemmings. Overpriced and average taste. I'm not sure why people associate price with quality because for $40 I received an 8oz filet that not even as good as what I could get at a Texas Roadhouse. Also, I really hate this style of restaurant. You spend all that money on a steak and still have to shell out another $12 for 8 pieces of overcooked asparagus and 8 dollars for mashed potatoes which were ok. My advice, save your money. This place is not worth the price. Just because its expensive doesn't mean it's any good.
(2)Mike G.
I visited with a party of 10 and we were seated in a private area. It was a great fit for the large party and made it very easy to talk. Our server was very knowledgeable and did a good job of explaining the menu. I ordered the prime rib and my wife had the filet with blue cheese; both were excellent. We had five great sides at the table, but my favorites were the asparagus and the hash browns. The price tag is high but worth it for an occasional special night out.
(5)Y L.
I've been to 801 multiple times. Most of the time my steak is cooked to perfection. There was a time when my steak was over cooked. They took it back in and the second one was undercooked. Other than that one time my experiences have been good. The lobster corn chowder is delicious. I always get the scalloped potatoes and asparagus for sides. Yesterday was my maybe 4th time there and the first time I was given the presentation. The wait staff was very informative and the presentation was helpful. Make sure to ask for it. Amazing steaks. I took my parents and mom really liked it. She's not usually fond of steaks, so that's saying a lot. For me, it's also the best steak I've had so far.
(4)Tracy B.
Love. Love. Love this place! Great service. Even better food. Quality steaks are well worth the price.
(5)Bo K.
My wife and I had a really good dinner. The steak was awesome but the service was lacking. I'm not one who likes to hounded during my dinner , but we were not asked but once for a fresh drink. The bill was 127.00 and he got a 20.00 tip. Boarder line 15%
(3)K B.
By far my favorite restaurant in Des Moines. Lets not kid around...801 isn't cheap. But if you are looking for a fine dining experience, this is it. The steak cut, quality, and cooking are outstanding. I've been getting the filet mignon since 2004 and have never been disappointed. In fact, I like it so much, I will try and eat there multiple times on the same trip...as long as the accountants don't look too closely at my expense report. The service is top notch. You will see the same servers throughout the years, making it feel nice to see a familiar face when you enter.
(5)Vivian T.
Hubby and I came here for our anniversary dinner and we really wanted to like this place but we walked out disappointed. The Food: Sirloin (3/5) they under-cooked it. Ribeye (2/5) why? They over-cooked it and burned it. Ugh! So, I wish I could give a real review on the flavor of it. Lobster Mac-n-Cheese (4/5) We've been spoiled because we've been able to go to lots of great steakhouses in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California. We thought that this place would reign supreme cause, well Iowa has great beef! But unfortunately, I wasn't able to enjoy my steak like I wanted to. Hubby ordered his steak Well-done, it came out with pink in it. I ordered my Ribeye medium and it came out burnt and well-done. I don't know if they got our temps mixed up or what, but when they tried to fix it, it was too late. How can you charge so much for a steak and not get the cooking temp right? I hope this was just a one time thing but honestly, the amount we paid (almost $200) for the two of us, we were hoping for a great, romantic meal and leave satisfied. We actually went last year and have not gone back since. Maybe one day we will. Maybe.
(3)Timothy S.
The best grapefruit martini in the Des Moines metro! We stopped in for a couple after dinner drinks last night and started with the troon. It is a delicious and fresh take on a greyhound. The freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice and premium alcohol does a fantastic dance on the tongue that leaves you satisfied and refreshed. Our 2nd drink was a round of Gin Blossoms and this wonderful mix of gin, St. Germaine, champagne, and Mixers really make this cocktail something extraordinary! The bartender was extremely attentive and kept our waters full and ensured we enjoyed our time at the bar.
(5)Jesse M.
Wow, I'm a pretty huge fan of Fleming's, but 801 has, IMHO lapped them. Amazing food, expert service (Fleming's too), and just a top notch experience. Their bone-in ribeye, prime rib, whatever you get for a side...all are great. For a drink, if you like grapefruit, get the Troon - double dang. Now they have a happy hour deal (full disclosure, haven't tried it) and I hear it's great. GO.
(5)Jeremy F.
This could possibly be the nicest restaurant in the Des Moines metro. It is one of the best places I've ever eaten a steak. But sadly the price makes it unaffordable to eat there regularly. But luckily every year in May and June they have a groupon which makes them more affordable. It is during this time of the year that I get to go. They have an amazing selection of wine that is unrivaled, the wine list is a book in its self. The services staff is very knowledgable about the menu and amazingly nice, you might pay a lot for the meal, but you definitely will be paying for good service. One warning, everything on the menu is al a carte, so if you want a potato with your steak that will be separate and probably about another $10. The only reason I give the chop house 4 stars instead of 5 is the sheer price.
(4)Katie S.
This place is definitely a five star restaurant. So don't go here unless you plan to spend about $200 on a meal for two. The service was amazing and my husband and I both thought our entrees were top notch. This place is definitely worth the money and we will keep it in mind for special occasions.
(5)Patrick T.
Well, this place is fancy what can I say! I don't normally go to places with 30-50 dollar meals, but lucky for me.. I'm vegan so my meal of Onion Rings, and asparagus was no where near that range! The steaks here look remarkable.. As do the mashed potatoes.. But again I'm not really reviewing the taste of the specialties. The service is great as well! Kinda feels like you in another time period, maybe like a high class joint might feel in the late 60's or something. The bar is really nice and they specialize in martini's and fancy craft cocktails. If you are wanting to splurge on a crazy expensive meal, or impress a date this might be a great place to go.. Not to stuffy, but Stuffy enough to make it count!
(4)Jennifer W.
First time to 801 tonight! Finally! The family was celebrating an anniversary and a birthday. Our reservation was at 5:30, which was nice because there was no crowd and no waiting. We found a place right out front to park. We participated in the pris-fix Sunday deal-Three courses for $40. We brought our own bottle of wine. The corking fee is $25. I order the Cesar side salad with anchovies, filet, and lemon poppyseed dessert. The salad was amahzing. Seriously, so good. The steak was mediocre at best. It was lukewarm and tough to cut. I hate to say it, but it's true. Flemings is my steakhouse of choice, to which very little can be compared. I came in with an open mind and left knowing that Flemings still has the best steak. I LOVE lemon and the dessert was so good. Additionally, we ordered three sides: lobster with Mac n cheese, cream corn, and scalloped potatoes. The Mac and potatoes were great, the corn left more to be desired. The bread and butter was wonderful, all warm and delicious. Our server Paul was great- very timely, funny, and tentative. They had two cards at the table, one birthday and anniversary. Very thoughtful. They also waived the corking fee, very awesome! I like the ambience and all the rich mahogany. It's straight class. The dress code is business casual.
(4)Diane B.
My husband and I had a date night dinner at 801 last night. Everything was perfect. The atmosphere is old- school prime steakhouse. The service is beyond reproach and the food- oh the food- was Superb!! We started out sharing a shrimp cocktail- 4 huge, meaty, very fresh shrimp and a cocktail sauce that actually could have used a little spicing- up but was still tasty. We also shared a Cesar salad- which was served in 2 separate plates( his with anchovies-mine without) and the serving size of a half-salad was still huge. Our beef was exceptional. His prime rib and my filet were the best we'd had since we were on the east coast. We shared the au gratin potatoes and these were also excellent. Our waiter Kyle was so kind and knowledgable and we never wanted for a thing. This place is pricey but actually a great value for what you get. It was a wonderful experience!!
(5)Jill B.
Always amazing! A great place to celebrate an occasion! They totally spoil you here. The food is to die for!
(5)Eolo N.
My daughter bought my wife and I a groupon for 100.00, to start the food is WAY OVERPRICED, one baked potato is 10.00, my salad 10.00 which is 1/4 head of lettuce and three half's of cherry tomato's, my 52.00 steak was not very good, had more fat and gristle then what I wanted, my wife had mashed potato's 11.00 and a overpriced steak, so even with a 100.00 groupon, I still had to come up with 65.00 and a 25.00 tip, won't go back, many other places around Des Moines to get better steak and at a better price!!
(2)Pam W.
We have been to 801 Chophouse twice before and it is definitely a special place for a nice occasion as it is pricey. That being said, the food was perfect. This last week we tried fish rather than beef and oh my goodness......the salmon was to die for. The pan roasted mushrooms and lobster potatoes wonderful. We have been so pleased with the service and attentiveness. Truly a favorite dining experience.
(5)Robert D.
My wife and I stop in a few times a year. And the Chophouse is my go to place for business dinners. Yes it is spendy but the experience is worth it. They have mastered the only three things a restaurant must master - quality, consistency, and customer service. Other than the amazing cuts of aged beef which are always prepared to perfection, the roasted bone marrow (a.k.a. meat butter) will literally change your life. Add it to your bucket list. All the servers and bartenders are awesome at their jobs and really seem to enjoy working there. If you want the best ask for Kyle. His attention to the littlest of details is amazing and makes for a complete and wonderful experience.
(5)David G.
Brought guests here Wednesday evening this past week. Fantastic food! We all ordered steaks and were blown away! We had one guest arrive a little later and our server, Paul, took our sides and warmed/replaced them for out late arrival! This restaurant, food, and service continue to impress!
(5)Aaron C.
Best restaurant in Des Moines and one of the best chop houses in the country. It will not disappoint and I would recommend to anyone looking for an upscale evening dining experience.
(5)Kristi H.
This is a place you can pick to impress your date or if you're meeting a prospective client. Food is cooked to perfection, service is impeccable and the atmosphere is classy and comfortable. The proportions are huge so beware. Best meal in Des Moines to date!
(5)Madonna V.
I had an 8:30pm reservation and still waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Both the host and hostess were polite which made waiting manageable. I ordered the prime rib 801 cut. The quality of the steak is high. I will say though, that the particular rub my steak was cooked with made it salty but it tasted delicious nevertheless. We ordered a lobster tail as an appetizer and that was a bit dry, however, the shellfish linguine was exceptional-this was my favorite dish. Our server brought us fried lobster instead of the steamed lobster tail, however, this mix up was fixed rather promptly. I would say this restaurant is worth the splurge for a special occasion.
(4)Mark G.
This is a great steakhouse in downtown Des Moines! To start with the sides, the green beans were delicious; they use onion and bacon, the boursin mashed potatoes were rich and full of flavor, and the lobster mac was amazing. Also they offer half portions which is a huge plus at an upscale steakhouse. I had the NY strip with the Cajun spice rub and it was cooked perfect, seasoned just right, and had a great aged flavor. I was very happy with my steak and enjoyed every bite. They do offer several different finishes to your steak, so you really can experience something different every time that many steakhouses do not offer. The Creme Souffle was amazing, they had three sauces that come with that were very very good. Need to try more desert here, didn't know a steakhouse could bake so well. Had a great experience here, would love to come back and try more of their offerings.
(5)Scott B.
I must say, I have been to great Steakhouses in New York, Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Chicago, but have not had a steak this good anywhere. Truly prime and delicious, with impeccable service from our waiter, Billy. In addition the side of spinach with garlic and lemon was excellent also. The appetizer of Oysters on the half shell from Washington were beyond excellent, even better than the Chesapeake Bay Oysters they also offered on the daily fresh menu. A fine selection of wines are also available for dining. I must ALERT you to expect to pay an average of $100 per person with drinks and appetizers. Our bill was $171.00 with the drinks and appetizers. Also know everything on the menu is alacart, including any special sauce such as bernaise ($10). I just used fresh horseradish, but the steak, 8oz Filet, stands on its own without anything. If you want an awesome meal above the level of Ruth Chris, or Wildfire, this is worth it.
(5)Vic J.
This is one of the most expensive restaurants in town. Very nice atmosphere. Took my wife there for her birthday. Went in the evening and parked right on Grand. No dedicated parking lot. Service was good. I was surprised at the small portions. The food was arranged and presented well on the plate but I thought it was a child's plate. Maybe I should have ordered a few drinks first.
(2)Frank T.
Great service good martini.. The delmonico was just ok. Mine was supposed to be mid rare plus and ended up medium plus. Nothing spectacular coming out of the creamed spinach. It was quite underwhelming. When my tab for a steak, creamed spinach and 2 martini's is over $100 before tip I expect a lot more. Overall a solid steak and great service would I go back? Only on an expense account.
(3)Brooke P.
Okay this place is old school and really good steak. Very pricey but I think the food is worth it. I actually got chicken one time and it was the best chicken I have ever had. Really fun for special occasions or NYE.
(4)Emily T.
This is one of the most expensive places in Des Moines to get a steak. Our steaks were well worth it as we savored every flavorful, juicy, tender bite. Our server was also fabulous as she tipped us off that they would scale down the portion sizes for us. Our bill even stated that percentage, however, I did feel that those percentages should have gone down a bit more. BUT, we didn't come here to have sides, we came here for the steak and it was well worth it. Our wine choice went well, it was a random choice of the VERY select few least expensive bottles. The majority were in the triple digits. Ordering the souffle is a must and hopefully your server tips you off to order before your meal as it takes 40 minutes. The size was perfect for the two of us (even more but we were feeling greedy) accompanied by 3 sauces. Very glad we ordered it and comparatively the price was amazing. If we had the $$$$ to, we would dine her more often, alas, this will be one of our special occasion locations.
(5)Doug L.
Close your eyes. Imagine a New York steak house. That's what you get. Good food and lots of it (portions are too big, so if you like to take home some, a plus for you). Great service. But all of that comes for a price. It's nice to come here once in a while but not a go to place for me
(4)Nick B.
801 isn't going to win any awards in creativity, but honestly, they don't really need to. They're a prime steakhouse. That's what they do, and they do it well. Iowa doesn't have many restaurants with deep wine lists, but this place will satisfy most vinophiles. Flemings in West Des Moines, and Linn Street Cafe in Iowa City are the only other shops in the state that I've been to that even are close to the amount of wines offered. I've been to quite a few high end steakhouses in my day, and I always enjoy a visit to the deep booths of 801. If you appreciate a well prepared prime grade steak, head to 801. Afterwards you'll have a hard time enjoying a mid-tier restaurant steak again.
(5)Matt M.
We decided to meet some old friends here since we frequent the Omaha location and absolutely love it. This was definitely a disappointment. Nothing but the service lived up to our expectations. We started with the calamari and it was great, that's where the "great" ended. The steaks were mediocre with one filet being 1/4 fat, none of the steaks had any bone marrow butter on the plates, the boursin mashed tasted just like mashed & the fried zucchini were large strips that keep the zucchini inside from getting cooked properly. While we return to 801 Chophouse Omaha all the time this will never be the case with the original location in Des Moines. I'm sorry but for 552.00 (including tip) I expect a outstanding meal
(2)Manolo E.
You have to know where this place is and persist. The office building does not betray the lively steakhouse that is inside. The staff is outfitted as they are at Smith & Wollensky, greens and whites abound. Our bartendress could have used some help both in the personality department and behind the bar but all-in-all it was a wonderful experience with excellent food and ambiance. Will be back!
(4)Phil M.
One of the best prime ribs around; however, the portion sizes are monstrous.
(4)Aidy E.
You cannot beat the steak (I had the filet medallions with lobster meat and a red wine demi-glace, my dining partner had the plain filet, no preparations). Best steak I've had. Melted in my mouth. Still dreaming about it. The sides were just okay. The scalloped potatoes lacked flavor and the wild mushrooms with boursin were tender, but not terribly warm. Meh. The Iowa State Fair Ice Cream Sundae was a blast (we shared it). Their sweet corn ice cream is really something special. I could go just for that... Had a great chocolate martini, though, and for $10, one of the cheapest things on the menu ;D Other people have said this but my main sticking point is the cost of dining here. I knew that the restaurant was pricey going in, but spending $164 for two people *after* my Groupon deal (which I paid $40 for $80, making the full price of this meal $244) is absolutely ridiculous for this meal. There's no other way to say it. And I'm not a budget diner who's complaining because my meal wasn't cheap. I've eaten similarly priced meals in the past and this wasn't as good. Also, the ambient noise on a Sunday night was elevated, and what is up with the flat screens. Really? There are plenty of other restaurants in the Des Moines area that are fancy enough for even the most special occasion, yet you won't be dropping $250.
(3)Anne B.
Fabulous dining experience. We choose 801 Chop to celebrate my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. The food was delicious, service was outstanding and most importantly it was a memorable experience for a special occasion. Was it expensive? Yes, but well worth it and will go again. When your looking to celebrate a special occasion or wanting great food, 801 Chop in my opinion is the place to go.
(5)He And She I.
OK, it was time to try this "fine" restaurant, since we'd tried nearly every other fine dining establishment in Des Moines downtown area. We made a reservation through Open Table, thinking that the restaurant would be crowded before a performance at the Civic Center. Wrong. We could have had our choice of seating, at least by what we saw. The waitstaff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and obsequious. If you like that, you'll be happy. My idea of good table service does not include a waiter who says "My pleasure" to every request or comment. But, he did get the chef to make me some honey mustard dressing for my salad, without asking, which was not on the menu. Without my even asking! Our meal was well-plated, and cooked as we requested. However, I recommend that, if the special sounds good, you ask the price. We are not averse to paying for good meat, and it was good, but it was at best a $50 steak, not an $80 steak. The hashbrowns, however, were stellar. I would have appreciated a few more options for healthier dining. I don't like being relegated to the "shrimp cocktail and salad with dressing on the side" type of dining. The wine list was good, but, when I asked for a Malbec, the waiter suggested the Sangiovese. Not having looked at the menu, I found later I had been upsold. Not a big item, but it rankled a little. I don't think we'll be back. However, if you want to impress someone you are hosting, this might be the place for you.
(3)Cody K.
Great steaks. I almost always get the filet and it is prepared perfectly every time. Sides can be a bit rich but still very good. Service is always excellent. If you are looking for a great steak you can't go wrong with 801.
(4)Mariana P.
My fiance and I went here last night for the first time for his birthday. I made a reservation through open table and left them a message asking them to make the occasion special if they could. We were given a quiet table at the back of the restaurant that was decorated and the menu had "Happy Birthday" written on it. Just with that I was ready to write a great review. Then the food came and it was AMAZING. He had the prime rib and it was like butter, I had the filet with the truffle butter bath (which was not on the menu so make sure to ask for it if they haven't added it yet!). The service was outstanding, the wine list extensive and the ambience was delightful. I lived in Washington DC for 11 years and they claim to have the best steakhouses in the country, 801 Chophouse was far superior. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Tony H.
I was there for a business dinner a couple weeks ago. Although this place has a really nice atmosphere and a great wine list, the steaks are pretty much on par with what you would get at a Ruth Chris or Flemmings. Overpriced and average taste. I'm not sure why people associate price with quality because for $40 I received an 8oz filet that not even as good as what I could get at a Texas Roadhouse. Also, I really hate this style of restaurant. You spend all that money on a steak and still have to shell out another $12 for 8 pieces of overcooked asparagus and 8 dollars for mashed potatoes which were ok. My advice, save your money. This place is not worth the price. Just because its expensive doesn't mean it's any good.
(2)Mike G.
I visited with a party of 10 and we were seated in a private area. It was a great fit for the large party and made it very easy to talk. Our server was very knowledgeable and did a good job of explaining the menu. I ordered the prime rib and my wife had the filet with blue cheese; both were excellent. We had five great sides at the table, but my favorites were the asparagus and the hash browns. The price tag is high but worth it for an occasional special night out.
(5)Y L.
I've been to 801 multiple times. Most of the time my steak is cooked to perfection. There was a time when my steak was over cooked. They took it back in and the second one was undercooked. Other than that one time my experiences have been good. The lobster corn chowder is delicious. I always get the scalloped potatoes and asparagus for sides. Yesterday was my maybe 4th time there and the first time I was given the presentation. The wait staff was very informative and the presentation was helpful. Make sure to ask for it. Amazing steaks. I took my parents and mom really liked it. She's not usually fond of steaks, so that's saying a lot. For me, it's also the best steak I've had so far.
(4)Shing Yiing O.
I was searching for a nice restaurant to celebrate my friend's 21st birthday and also my offer at the same time.. I really want to spend my money and get an awesome meal with some wine.. So based on my research, Flemming's and 801 Chop were top 2!!! I don't really have any preference.. So we chose 801 Chop because the menu looks good with a variety of wine and steak.. (and of course a pretty good review as well) So I made a reservation here.. I did not expect that Des Moines has such an expensive restaurant in the Principal Building.. The waitress was really nice and friendly to us, the environment is nice (which you can see that it's a pretty classy place).. While we were looking at the menu.. The waitress brought us some bread.. It's sour dough and it's so awesome.. It's crispy and soft at the same time.. spread it with butter = AWESOME!!! I just can't stop eating it even though I told myself I have to save some "space" in my stomach for the steak later. They even refill it for us but as I said we do not want to fill up our stomach with bread so we told them not to refill for us.. We each ordered a red wine to go with the steak under the waitress recommendation.. (I don't really remember the name.. I will check it and update my review later:) ) So for appetizer, we ordered escargot that baked it with cheese and garlic (that's what my taste butt told me).. It tasted really good.. You can see that it's freshly bake and not pre-made.. :) Entree: I ordered an 8oz fillet mignon and my friend ordered single cut roast prime rib.. The prime rib is HUGE!!! 8oz fillet mignon is just perfect for me.. BOTH are good but not to say AWESOME!! I will just quote what my friend said.. "For the price we paid, we expected the cow to dance for us".. which means we expected the meat to be really good for what we paid.. We also ordered lobster mash potatoes as a side and we both shared.. The mash potatoes is nice.. but it's just a normal mash potatoes and added lobster.. which I expected something more based on the price I paid.. As for dessert, we ordered souffle.. This was my first time having it.. We ordered right before our entree came because the waitress told us that all the dessert on the menu are freshly bake and it needs approximately 45 minutes to bake it.. which made me added 1 star for them.. :) and also since it's my friend's 21st birthday.. they gave us the dessert for free!! :D I never had souffle before so I do not know how it's supposed to be.. but according to my friend.. it's just normal... I will trust my friend since he is pretty harsh on rating.. :) Highlight of the day.. bread.. dessert... wine.. experience.. and service. It's a great experience in Des Moines but I might not return for the steak..
(4)Tyler R.
The first time I went here the food was really good but not great. Also, the waitress Chris was awkward and sarcastic acting--she also dropped our plates ungracefully onto our table when serving; and by drop I mean she slid them and then allowed one end to drop 1/2 inch to the table. However, the management responded promptly to the complaint and really went above and beyond our expecations for reparations. Major props to Mr. Murphy. The Sunday Prix Fixe menu is a real draw and really fantastic. The prime rib is excellent and the sour cream laced horseradish sauce was awesome! My girlfriend's filet was seasoned and cooked to perfection as well. Our waiter, Paul (I believe?), had a real soft voice that made dining very comfortable. He recommended the Troon martini which my girlfriend really enjoyed. I got Pepsi that tasted way better in the Crystal wine glasses--Classy! The bill for 2 with a martini and a soda was $86. We left a $15 tip gratefully--college kids can tip well too you know, so dont treat us all the same! Thanks 801 for taking care of us--really appreciated.
(3)MiJung L.
Great steak, great sides and seriously great pancetta wrapped scallops! Best steak in Des Moines so far but I haven't tried Fleming's out here yet. The server was kind of talkative but great service overall.
(5)Stephanie P.
I was so impressed by my first time at Des Moines finest restaurant! We had a Groupon to use here which was the only way we could afford to try it. We expected the prices to be much higher but they were comparable to Flemings - $30/entree, various wine prices, a la carte sides in the $7-$12 range. I booked a reservation on opentable.com about a week before. My dinner companion and I were taken care of by Paul who was wonderful. He was attentive without hovering and provided recommendations and details about the different steak finishes. The sourdough bread and butter they bring to the table is hot and fantastic. We then had the calamari appetizer which was also good - not greasy with a spicy dip on the side. I had the scallops and my companion had the 8 oz filet. We tried each other's dishes and agreed that they both melted in your mouth. For a side we got the hashbrowns with aged cheddar which were good but just that, hashbrowns. I drank ice tea which tasted like actual tea and not instant something. The wine list had all kinds of options at different price points. For dessert, we had their signature grand marnier souffle which takes over an hour to bake so you order early in the meal. It was truly amazing. Enough to serve 4 people with three different toppings - fudge sauce, raspberry, and cream. All were delicious and very fresh. Paul invited us to come back and wished us a good evening. I hope we can come back some time!
(5)Michael N.
I sometimes think all of these steakhouses should combine and call themselves Ruth Wollensky's Palm Steak Houses. I mean it's always the same drill... a NY strip steak for $37.50, side dishes served "family style" for two or more at $8-12 a pop for steamed asparagus and mashed potatoes and there "world famous" NY cheese cake or Key lime pie or creme brule (yawn) for dessert. The food is predictably very good, my steak was excellent. I'm going with 3 stars because the menu and atmosphere are pretty unoriginal... and for the cost you just should have more. BTW... I actually cut and pasted this from another steakhouse I reviewed in Chicago.
(3)Monica S.
Excellent fine dining experience! My husband and I originally stopped at 2 sushi places to have a nice dinner on Valentine's Day evening- usually we have no problem getting in to restaurants on such a day even without reservations, but not this year (the economy really must be doing better!). Both places were packed, so last minute we called 801 Chop House to see if they could fit in a late reservation for 2 that night- it was 6:30 when we called, and they said they had an 8pm available so we took it. We got there a little early, content to sit at the bar and have a drink until our seats opened up, but the host said they had a booth that opened up early and sat us down right away- fantastic! Service was attentive and professional, without hovering over us, and knowledgeable about the wine selections. The atmosphere was as a steakhouse should be- dark wood paneling, dim lighting, very elegant (the huge bar is gorgeous). Now for the food...Ahh! Truly delicious. We started with the lobster corn dogs- it was like a very dense lobster cake with lots of flavor, dipped and perfectly fried under sweet corn batter, and served with a mustard sauce, Yum! 4 mini corn dogs on a stick- was plenty for 2 for an appetizer. For the entree I ordered the 2 bone-in, grilled lamb chops, medium rare, with a house made mint sauce. My husband got the fillet, ordered with the Tuscan seasoning- this is not listed on the menu, but they are happy to oblige. Both were absolutely delicious, but while mine was maybe an 8, his was a 10! Mouth watering! We got the lobster mashed potatoes, and the baked cream spinach as our sides- both wonderful. Now someone mentioned in a review about the serving sizes, but I didn't find anything wrong with the serving sizes. People need to be reminded that fine dining is about *quality* and not quantity- the Texas Roadhouse, this ain't'! We ended with the souffle for desert- perfect and delicious! I'm not sure if people realize how difficult it is to make a souffle like this, as they are temperamental to minute temperature changes and can easily and disastrously deflate! So it was pretty impressive they make these to order, and they come out perfectly fluffy, with a creamy center! The raspberry sauce I found to be the perfect accent, with a glass of port. Happily stuffed, and more than pleased with the entire meal and experience. Yes, it's pricey, all in all our meal was about $200 with tip, but well worth it for such an occasion. I can't wait for the next celebration to come back!
(5)Erin S.
Made this reservation for my husband and his wrestler buddies during NCAA finals . . . they LOVED it!
(5)C C.
First choice for a night out! Service is outstanding! Food is consistently good and they make fantastic top shelf Martinis. Perfect for formal occasion but it's great to dine in the bar area - if you like a little more laid back experience, it's always fun!
(5)Sandy S.
Excellent service, enjoyed the meat presentation which is somewhat typical for a upper crust steakhouse. The place was nearly empty on a Wed nite and we had a whole room to ourselves. The service was excellent and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The prices were similar to what you would pay at Ruths Chris and Flemings about $40 for a 8oz filet and around $56 for a 24oz porterhouse. I didn't have any wine, but noticed the wine list was extensive. I had two cocktails, a filet and one side and my bill was around $86 with tax and tip. Do not go here if you are on a budget. Good for special occasions or when you really want to impress your date with your fat wallet!
(5)Tracy B.
Love. Love. Love this place! Great service. Even better food. Quality steaks are well worth the price.
(5)Sean D.
I wasn't expecting much in the not so booming metropolis of Des Moines, but much to my surprise they have a good restaurant and bar scene. 801 is a steak house, good steaks, cooked to perfect doneness as requested. The asparagus was tender and sweet. The scalloped potatoes were creamy and Delicious. The carpaccio was quite tasty too. The service was very attentive and polite. They have a good wine list, but you won't get out of here cheap. If you're in Des Moines, check them out
(4)Jonathan W.
This is a very, very fine steakhouse. I actually wasn't in a steak mood so I just had a martini (awesome), a shrimp cocktail (7/10), the baby carrots with brown sugar, the potatoes with bleu cheese and one spectacular king crab leg. If I'm ever back in Des Moines, looking to do it up, I'll be sure to be back to try the steak or a surf and turf. This could potentially be upgraded to five stars!
(4)Bob B.
This is the place for that special occasion, or when you're on expense account. My wife and I decided that this is where we wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Wow, what a great, albeit expensive, dinner. My wife's scallops and my NY Strip were cooked to perfection. The green beans were sauteed with bacon and caramelized onion and were very tasty. Coffee and dessert topped off a wonderful dinner. Our waitress was knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely a 'fine dining' experience.
(5)Charlie N.
great filet cooked as ordered medium rare. haven't been dissatisfied yet between here and Kansas City. two thumbs up as Ebert used to say
(4)Louis M.
Honestly, the steak was the least impressive part. I think it's very over priced for the taste. We went in to celebrate our anniversary, wife had fillet, and I had the Delmonico. Crab cake was good, scallop potatoes were good, steaks were so-so. Service was ok, nothing stellar. AJ's at prairie meadows or Johnny's Italian Steakhouse are better options for steak, service, and price.
(3)Mark H.
Absolutely wonderful decor. Food was very good. Put had a had time choking down the prices.
(3)Jerry M.
Very nice place. Excellent steaks
(4)Jeff D.
Good traditional steakhouse with a few surprises like the lobster corn dogs... Frankly I think the service at most upscale steakhouses is very good and fairly consistent... Ad much of what they serve for an entree is a commodity (beef, lobster, chicken) so the items that have a unique preparation tend to be the salads and the sides... And I thought 801 chop covers its bases very well with numerous kinds of potatoes, vegetables, and salads... Very pleased with this little gem in Des Moines. Pricing is probably high for Des Moines but not out of whack with other big city establishments,
(4)Anna B.
Overpriced with average food. I agree with the previous review that the quality of the beef was on par with a steakhouse chain like Ruth Chris. The atmosphere was noisy, really bright and un-romantic. Service was really disappointing given the prices.
(3)Tommy T.
First of all....there are two entrances to the 801 Chophouse. You can enter through the revolving doors on Grand and take the escalator up to the 2nd floor or enter through the Revolving doors on High Street. Everyone kept telling me that the view would be wonderful on the upper floors and I think they have it confused with the members only eatery up top. My honey and I went to celebrate his birthday tonight and we enjoyed everything. We took advantage of the Prix Fixe for $33 per person. We had a choice of salad between Caesar and Wedge (they were not tiny), he had the Prime Rib and I had the Filet Mingon and each came with Mashed Potatoes and veggies. Then we selected Creme Brulee (the other option was sorbet) and it was the best we have ever had anywhere. Our waitress, Jami, was very attentive and informative. She suggested I try the Troon Martini and it was excellent. It was not a busy Sunday, but we loved that the parking was easy and close and we received wonderful service while we enjoyed a delicious meal. If you want to give this place a try, I highly suggest the Sundy Prix Fixe.
(5)Bo K.
My wife and I had a really good dinner. The steak was awesome but the service was lacking. I'm not one who likes to hounded during my dinner , but we were not asked but once for a fresh drink. The bill was 127.00 and he got a 20.00 tip. Boarder line 15%
(3)Lindsey R.
This is my husband's and my favorite restaurant in Des Moines and we frequent it almost weekly. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money. We always receive top-notch service and the food and drinks are fantastic. This is the place to go for an overall classy and enjoyable dining experience. From the time you open the frosted glass double doors, enter the dark, mahony rich restaurant, and are greeted by the Maître de it sets the mood for a five star night. The warm right-out-of-the-oven bread brought to the table is always delicious, for an appetizer, you can't go wrong with the beef carpaccio. And since it is a steak house, my entree is always the filet mignon. It is by far consistently the best steak I have ever had- extremely tender, buttery, melt in your mouth, with the perfect sear on the outside. As for side dishes, our two favorites are macaroni and cheese and creamed corn- you can't beat this creamed corn when Iowa sweet corn is in season. And they do have an excellent selection of wine- my favorite is the White Meritage. After our entrees, we usually make our way to the bar for some after dinner drinks and dessert. The bar has a fabulous atmosphere with the massive maghony bar and shelf-upon-shelf of alcohol. For dessert our two favorites are the chocolate lava cake with Absolut ice cream and the white chocolate banana cream pie. Besides the food being outstanding, the service is always among the best we have ever experienced, all of the staff including the bartenders are extremely knowledgable and know how to treat a customer. You can tell this is a career for them, not just a job, and they show it. I highly recommend a visit to this incredible Iowa steak house!
(5)Bryan N.
Stopped by on a business trip. Obviously, I can't speak to its local reputation (apparently there appears to be a divide between folks that think its "The Greatest Steakhouse On The Face of the Earth(tm)", and others that grumble about disappointment. So, for better or for worse, I walked in expectation-free (other than expecting to drop a pretty penny on some steak). Waitstaff was impeccable. Managed to walk the fine line between being helpful and attentive, but not so much as to be hovering. All the food arrived at the right temperature, and portions were great (I went with the Tuscan Ribeye, and potato wedge-thingees for a side). Wine selection was impressive (although, admittedly, I'm not much of a wine drinker, and couldn't tell the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle if my life depended on it - red with meat, etc. is all I know), and the waitstaff was good at helping me pick. Dessert was just fine - creme brulee (although, obviously, it's pretty hard to mess up what is, in actuality, just burnt pudding). At the end of the day, I had no gripes - I suppose folks could dicker about pricing (yes, you can get equally great steaks for cheaper at other places), but it's just a nice sit down place that I imagine you'd go for a fancy date, a victory-at-work meal, an impress-potential-client meal, etc. Definitely worth a visit!
(4)Megan H.
I know it's like sacrilege to say this in Des Moines, but I was less than impressed with 801. I also know better than to order fish at a steakhouse, but in a moment of weakness I ordered the ahi tuna. Wow. I've had better ahi at chain restaurants. We ordered hash browns for the table and they were greasy to the point of being inedible. For the price we paid, I can think of thirty restaurants in Des Moines where the money would have been better spent. It gets three stars for the atmosphere - it's swanky and refined while still warm and comfortable. However, the food was far below my expectations. I truly hope it was an "off" night - I'd been there in the past and remembered it much differently!
(3)Jan C.
Great steak, and drinks. Falls a little short on dessert. But well worth it.
(5)Chantalle v.
I went here for dinner during a business trip to Des Moines. I must say i'm not too impressed with the city (hello, where is everybody?) but this restaurant was OK. The waiter was patient and polite, the sides were yummy, and my main course was great. I ordered the medallion and lobster, and the meat was prepared perfectly to my liking. However, the only disappointment was the one or two itty bitty pieces of lobster that came with the dish. Why advertise it as medallion and lobster when there hardly isn't any lobster to speak of? Oh yeah, my appetizer, which was a butternut squash soup, came out cold. But it was still tasty. Hey, i'm not going to complain about things in front of my boss. The dessert...not so good. We ordered a few things - apple pie, brownie, carrot cake, and something else, I forget, but I was not impressed. The sad part is...this is probably one of the nicest restaurants in Des Moines, if not THE nicest there. The next evening, my boss and I walked around downtown Des Moines looking for a place to eat and could not find anything. Lucca's was empty and there was a homeless person throwing up in a trash can a few feet away from the restaurant. Yuck.
(3)Matthew A.
My favorite restuarant in DM. Best and Classiest steakhouse. Feels like an major league steakhouse (such as Ruth Chris's, Smith&Woll, Morton's, etc.). Food is fantastic. Staff is friendly and helpful. Decor is top-notch. The only draw backs are price (can only go every so often) and the noise (not the kind of place to have a focused one-on-one).
(5)M M.
Just finished dinner and all we can say is never again!! Service was any slower they would be dead. Food was OK but not great. Management and waiter was arrogant had something floating in my drink and took 20 minutes to bring a fresh one by then my dinner was cold and the manager acted like he did me a favor. Please don't spend $150 on dinner here there are far far better in the city.
(1)Justin W.
Too many people in Des Moines are obsessed with decor and the price of a meal. It is like there is this citywide inferiority complex when it comes to issues of fine dining, culture and nightlife. You aren't Kansas City or Chicago and you never will be, so why not just be yourself. And that is what frustrates me about 801. The food is alright, and I would even go as far as to say the sides are phenomenal. However, it isn't worth the price and I get the feeling like I am paying twice as much for my meal just to say I ate at 801, especially when the steaks aren't that good. I also get the feeling like it is frequented by all those who are frustrated that they haven't been invited to become a member of the Embassy Club yet. Well I doubt that eating at 801 is going to help you in that regard. Yes, every city needs a restaurant like this with the prestige factor. And no, it isn't my bag. So I guess my opinion is a little skewed as to my impressions of the place itself and the clientele. What isn't skewed is my view of the food. Like I said, there are some redeeming qualities, but by god when you are a steakhouse your high point shouldn't be the mashed potatoes! Additionally, on one occasion I went to 801 with a large group for a company Christmas party and suspect that our steaks were subpar cuts that had been chemically tenderized. Why this suspicion? Beyond the steak not being very good I ended up very ill immediately upon finishing my meal as I am allergic to the MSG in meat tenderizer. Though I cannot totally verify this, of course, I wouldn't expect as prestigious of an establishment to make me violently ill.
(2)Andrea B.
It's okay, but there are honestly much better places in downtown Des Moines for a better price.
(3)Gigi W.
terrific spice-rubbed steaks. melt-in-your mouth garlic mashed potatoes. very pricey, but for a reason. it's an upscale place with dark wood paneling, excellent service and high-end atmosphere.
(5)Ann C.
INSIDE BUILDING HIDDEN GEM Downtown Des Moines, Iowa...lots of beautiful buildings and artsy statues. Places to eat were a bit hard to decide on because there aren't many choices to choose from! My father and I chose 801 Steak & Chop from a tourist map. We got lost. Yes, I know it was on a MAP but it did not state that the restaurant was INSIDE an office building!!! It also did not state that it was fine dining. Fine dining is code word for super duper expensive! Although pricey, I must say the food matched up to the value. The steaks were juicy and flavorful and the ambiance was elegant casual. Don't worry, no dress code here they let my jeans and sneakered ass sit and order! The Ribeye with tuscan season & herb crust was delicious! We ordered rare and it was waaaay too cold in the center but they happily recooked it for us. The garlic mash was good but came out warm- not hot. Steamed broccoli was normal. Lobster and Shrimp linguini was good but not great. Good part was they were not sheisty on the lobster and shrimps were huge! Bad part was the portion was small and a bit too saucy (is that even a word?!). If you don't mind paying the dough I would recommend this place for a good meal. Just remember that it's inside a business building!
(4)Carla W.
One of the best restaurants in our city. My husband and I went there last night and had a wonderful experience. Jamie, our waitress is fun, and very knowledgeable. I ordered the lamb chops, double cut and my husband had the dry-rubbed ribeye and we shared the 2 lb lobster tail. Absolutely delicious. We also ordered the asparagus and the augratin blue cheese and bacon potatoes, unbelieveably rich and worth every blessed calorie. Topped it off with the Chocolate Lava Cake with homemade carmel sauce. Jamie allowed us to take our time and enjoy the evening. It was fabulous. A wonderful place to go for a special time.
(5)Sofia H.
I am from Florida and traveling coast to coast from California to Boston ...we thought we need ed to stop in Nebraska or Iowa for the best steak in America... Our journey took us to stop in Des Moines and we just follow recommendations from Yelp reviews about the best steak house in town. We arrive to the Hyatt hotel that will have it s own review in hotels And we, my daughter and I were going toward the 801 Chop house... The customer service was great from the door to the end, but the prices were outrageous for the quality of food. The prime rib was ok but not superb.... I asked for a rib eye steak grilled with salt and pepper but the waitresses insisted to choose some seasoning on it...I choose cajun and medium juicy.... And a bottle of wine.... There was enough time for us to drink the complete bottle before the food was on the table . When finally we got our food, the steak was no hot, but warn and really dry, the Cajun seasoning was nothing to be crazy about,,,When I tried to choose a Port wine I was in shock when the waitresses told me that $ 40 dollars was for the glass not for the bottle,,,,, This restaurant can have a very snobby atmosphere, and inviting environment, even very friendly staff, but was not good enough for the price .... Too Expensive for mediocre food... If you want a good steak go to Fort Lauderdale , Florida to Ruth Chris Steak house ...! Those are really good!!!
(2)Dave M.
The quality of the steaks at this place are undeniably fantastic, as is the overall atmosphere -- but believe me you will be paying for it and at the end asking yourself if it was really worth it. I went to 801 Chophouse last evening using a Groupon deal. Scanning the menu, I thought the best steak in the house would be in the $50 range; tip #1: never assume at an expensive steakhouse. Turns out, but beef alone was $73. When you add in two glasses of Merlot (Raymond and Rombauer; both were delicious!), a half-size side of glazed carrots, my final bill (20% tip factored in) was $146. Did I say that I was dining alone?? With the Groupon certificate that I paid $40 for an $80 value, out of pocket I netted out at $100. I am new to Iowa, and everyone I know highly recommended 801, so I am glad I tried it. But unless you are expensing this meal on the company card, there is no way I would recommend going there again. Again - the food was amazingly good, but I would argue that I have had delicious steaks in many other restaurants of similar dining experience and 50% less than this place. Final note: The service at the bar was outstanding.
(3)Andrea T.
We had heard great things about this restaurant so we were excited to give it a try. Unfortunately, when I called for a reservation, the only ones they had for Friday or Saturday was at 9:30 pm. In my opinion, that is insanely late to be eating. So, why did we still go at that time? We had a Groupon that was about to expire. We did not know exactly where the restaurant was in the building but assumed it would be on a floor that we would need to take the elevator to reach. Basically, we thought the place would be looking over Des Moines. Boy were we wrong! It is on the second floor. Not impressed so far! We were promptly seated and handed menus. We ordered drinks. My wine was $12 a glass which was expensive for what it was. I was not about ready to order a bottle since they were outrageous! After we placed our orders, the waiter brought us bread. The bread was good with a crispy crust and soft inside. My fiancé got the Lamb Chops (3) with mint sauce and a side of Potatoe Gnocchi. I ordered the Filet Medallians and a side of Cauliflower Gratin. The food came out decently quick. I was disappointed n the amount of food we received. I mean, $10 worth of Cauliflower should give you a hefty amount of food but nope, not here. Same goes for the $9 Gnocchi! The meat, sure it was good but by no means was it something to write home about. I found that I actually like Texas Roadhouses Filet Medalians more! We opted to skip dessert. The atmosphere of the place was ok, but wow was it ever LOUD! We could not hear each other and had to repeat everything we said. That made it less enjoyable. Overall, is it worth the money? No, and we do not plan to be returning without a really good reason to!
(3)Seth M.
A truly excellent meal. Great food, great service. Steaks, sides, and salads all very very good. It is expensive, but they serve only PRIME dry aged beef. There were a lot of reviews complaining about the "expense for a steak house", but I don't think it was that unreasonable, and here's why... They serve ONLY prime dry aged beef. Most of the other "high end" steak houses no longer have all prime beef due to the expense. Take a look on other menus and compare the price for prime vs choice and I think 801 is fairly well in line. If you like prime and you want to pay for it, 801 Chophouse is a great choice.
(4)Euge C.
801. Often spoken with a whisper. Perhaps the finest steakhouse in town. If not, it is certainly the most celebrated and the most polished. Their prime rib is perhaps the best I've ever had, and I'm including Lawry's in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Most steakhouses truly fail to execute on other dishes, but 801 is an exception. Their seafood, appetizers, salads, chicken and side dishes are almost as good as non-steak restaurants in the same price range. The wine list will make your eyes pop. You are not imagining those prices. Note: they do NOT make regional recipe Steak DeBurgo! So why only 3 stars? No value. While the steak is first rate, it doesn't come cheap.
(3)Brent G.
Excellent food. Be ready for portion sizes bigger than your head :)
(5)Ben P.
If you ever find yourself in downtown Des Moines at night, be sure to do the following: 1. Look around and say out loud "Where the hell is everybody? It's only 6:30. Why are the streets empty? Is that a tumbleweed?" 2. Wander around and look at the office buildings and ask "Does Principal own all of downtown Des Moines?" If there was a native around to answer your question (and there won't be), the native would say "Why yes it does." 3. Eat at 801 Chop and Steak House. The minute you walk in, you will forget that you are visiting the middle of....Iowa (I'll be polite). The restaurant could be in NYC, LA, Chicago, any major metropolitan city that isn't owned by an insurance and retirement company. The steaks, the roast beef---awesome. I have never had the fish, because I cannot fathom why you would go to the middle of the country, and then go into a steakhouse, and then order fish. If you order fish, the waiter should bring the fish out and beat you with it until you order beef or pork. Also, order the Maytag Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin. My arteries are still hardening, but it was well worth it. This restaurant is so good, it almost makes going to Des Moine worth it. Almost.......
(5)