Tursi’s Latin King
2200 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50317
Tursi’s Latin King Menu
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Address :
2200 Hubbell Ave
Des Moines, IA, 50317 - Phone (515) 266-4466
- Website https://tursislatinking-hub.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Ronald B.
Visited on a Friday night during state Fair. Salads were very good. Pasta sauces were tasteless.
(2)Kelly L.
Visit family in DSM every year and keep coming back. Get the bruschetta and toasted ravioli with meatballs! And don't forget about tiramisu. It's literally the best I've ever had!
(4)Craig Z.
I'm going to keep this short. This is the best place I have eatin at in the Des Moines area since I moved here last year.
(5)Cheryl N.
Have always been a fan. My go to place for family and friend events - but today got the bright idea to get my sons their favorite meal as takeout during finals week. Fast, well packaged, delicious and nutritious. Plus got an I Love You out of a teenage boy. Latin King wonders never cease!
(5)Barbara P.
Great Italian restaurant!! Very Friendly & good service! We like the appetizers; they had very good onion rings. I had their Excellent lasagne! My husband loved the Spaghetti Carbonara! Very good drinks too. All five of us had a wonderful evening at the iconic Tursi's Latin King!
(4)Bill L.
One of the most iconic restaurants in the city of Des Moines and it took me years of living here to actually come try it! I hear about the food and the atmosphere of this place all the time from people, everyone sure talks this place up! Location wise I thought this place could have done with a better placement for an Italian restaurant, perhaps somewhere closer to downtown. Parking is convenient here since they have a very big private lot for their patrons. The exterior of the restaurant is very nicely designed as well, definitely going for an "Italian look". The server was not unfriendly, but not very engaging and did not give a very positive attitude. It could have been she was just busy, but she was pretty much invisible to us our entire visit after taking our order and bringing our food. The other staff members were very friendly and had a very happy and upbeat attitude which is what I'm used to seeing when eating out. The atmosphere of Latin King is how you would expect, dimly lit, romantic, and relaxing dining experience. They really went all out with their interior decor trying to bring that Italian look to their customers. We read plenty of reviews prior to our visit here and decided to order based off what others recommended. We ordered the Roasted Raviolis for an appetizer, we also had the Pollo alla Marsala and the Chicken Spiedini Alfredo. The meal also comes with bread with butter and a salad for each person. The salad was very good and fresh, while the bread was cold and not very tasty. The Roasted Ravioli is a very unique item in my opinion, the texture and tasty of this appetizer was great! This is definitely a starter I recommend! For the Chicken Spiedini Alfredo, I can say it was good, but could have been creamier with the Alfredo. Apparently, the Chicken Spiedini is a signature dish at Latin King, I can say it was pretty good chicken, but I've definitely had better elsewhere. The Pollo alla Marsala was okay, there was nothing wrong with the dish, but I guess we just weren't a fan of the flavors of the dish. Overall, we may return if there was a friend/family member who wanted us to dine with them for an event, but probably not on our own unless we have a recommendation of must-try-dishes from people.
(4)Alex H.
The food- wasn't bad. I had a steak, which I ordered rare. It was quite rare- which is my preference as opposed to being cooked into a shoe. However, it was not tender, nor seasoned so far as I could tell. For some reason, I was billed another 75 cents for having salad dressing- which was heaped into a bowl on the side. The server, Dawny, was not to my liking. If you to be called young man, then this is your place. Otherwise, you might want to skip it. She forgot to refill my drink the first time around, which is understandable. I placed my glass toward her when she refilled my dinner companion's drink. She still missed it. Only after I had finished the meal did she offer a new glass. I'm at a loss for describing her mannerisms in better terms- all I can say is they were grating.
(2)Andrea T.
After living in the Des Moines area for six years, we finally made our way to Latin King. I've heard about this place the entire time I've lived here but it always seemed so far away (opposite side of town). Rumor was that it was really good and always busy. So unless you had reservations, have fun waiting! We ventured here on a Wednesday night with two other adults and our infant daughter. The building looks nice from the front and is nice upon entering. I had called around lunch time to make reservations and it's a good thing I did. The place was rather busy and would have been tough to get a large enough table for us. When I approached the woman at the front desk to tell her we had reservations, her response was "Yep." It seemed like a strange response to me. She led us to our table and was helpful with removing a chair to fit our daughter in that space. Our waiter came and asked what we wanted to drink. We had no menu for wine or beer so we initially said just water. When he came back we asked if there was a menu for wine/beer and he got us one. I'm not sure why it wouldn't just be on the table with the other menus? We placed our orders and I opted for the Chicken Spiedini since it's their specialty. My husband had the Pollo alla Marsala. I chose the house salad dressing. I asked what white wine would go well with my dish and I expected a quick answer since it is their specialty but instead I received an "um" and then an answer of "any Pinot Grigio." I expected a more definite answer. We also ordered a small plate of veggies for our daughter. They brought us bread that was nicely wrapped which normally means it's warm. Nope, it was a cold loaf of bread. It was ok. The salad was nothing special...lettuce, a tiny tomato slice, all drowning in dressing. I should have asked for the dressing on the side. The main course entrees were the best part by far. My Chicken Spiedini came out with broccoli and carrots. I thought I had read reviews that pasta came with it but it wasn't brought out initially. We also did not get my daughter's veggies so I thought maybe there was a misunderstanding that I would be giving her my veggies. About 5 minutes later, both the pasta and veggies were brought out. Strange that the waiter never said anything about them coming out late when he first brought us the food. The entrees were good and of large size. Each of us enjoyed our dishes. Overall, the service just seemed strange to me. From their initial responses to their lack of mentioning things. Luckily, their entrees made up for the strange service, ok bread, and nothing special salad. One last thing to note, they have a sign in the bathroom that they do have a changing table in a "private bathroom."
(3)Gregory S.
Matt is awesome... Thanks for making wine what it should be. Fun and enjoyable... Matt is very knowledgeable and friendly. Thanks for a Great experience......
(5)Mark G.
I had a nice time here, need to go back and try more of their dishes when I have a chance. They have a lot of nice items on their menu and you can tell it is a very family oriented customer service oriented place. I was treated very good here and was happy to see that they staff cared so much. I had the toasted ravioli and meatballs, both were good items to try for a first timer such as myself. I never had toasted ravioli before and really like them a lot. Both items had a nice flavor to it that was accompanied by a red sauce. I did try a cannoli that was just okay, I would try it still to see what you think. Only one meal here for me, but as I said they do have a good reputation around town and is worth a shot for a nice dinner out.
(4)Michael C.
We had always heard this place was good so we decided to go for our anniversary. It was an awesome choice. We both had steak and it was fantastic! My wife had the creamy parmesan dressing on her salad and said it was the best dressing she has had. Then we had the complimentary pasta and the sauce was so good. The steak was so fantastic. I think I could have cut it with a butter knife. I forgot about the homemade bread awesome as well. The staff was awesome made us feel very welcome and like we were regular customers which is a good thing in my book. Our waiter Fisnik was very good and friendly checked on us often. Prices were very much worth the value. I think we have a new favorite place! Highly recommend you visit. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Michael G.
Some of the best authentic Italian in Des Moines. I've had people tell me for years I need to go to Latin King. Finally when I did I was blown away. For an appetizer I had fried calamari which was done perfect and is the best I've had so far. Main course I had chicken prosciutto and again was perfect. I even had the server ask the chef how he got the chicken to be so tender and juicy. His reply...quality ingredients...har har should have known. My wife had a steak and said it was wunderful. Our only issue was the dining area we were seated at felt claustrophobic with a low ceiling, but was manageable. Our last visit my wife had the steak de burgo and said it was amazing. We were also treated to a very good sized portion of Tiramisu for our special ocasion. The seating this time was closer to the front and felt larger with more head space. Wonderful experiences both times hope to return soon for another special occasion.
(5)Maria J.
The food is great...HOWEVER, the service was very rushed. I was asked about dessert during the first bite of my meal. The waiter was a bit aggresive...assuming my husband wanted the house dressing, very suggestive of add-ons...to a fault. It almost felt as if the restaurant was over staffed...the waiter and bus boy came to our table about every 10 min...which made it difficult to continue conversation with my company. The annoying service canceled it the quality of the food...hence, 3 stars.
(3)Jeremy D.
Steak DeBurgo is where it's at. Best thing on the menu. Italian stuffed pork chops that were just added to the menu are pretty delicious too
(5)Chris P.
Delicious fried ravioli and hot sausages. Very good and the service was not compromised. Place has been open for decades and the food say's why.
(4)Jacob B.
This has been a family favorite for many years. Always a genuine pleasure to dine here - never disappointed!! Highly recommend!! Can't wait to go back
(5)Adam V.
Food was good. We had to wait quite a while and it was shoulder to shoulder on a Friday night at 7:30. Waitress was too casual. Probably been working there for too long and has gotten too comfortable. Her clothes were dirty and she was nonchalant with her demeanor.
(3)Sarah V.
A go to place for delicious food. The chicken spiedini is superb! You can order the spiedini dinner or salad. Dinner comes with Chicken spiedini, broccoli & side of pasta:) The huge salad has the chicken on top & make sure to order the amagio- Yum!! Great fried chicken, grilled pork chops & of course, pasta! I've been visiting Latin King for the past 25 years. Enjoy Gluten free people- Latin King was very accommodating to our daughter! She ordered the grilled pork chop & loved it. Wait staff made sure to check with the kitchen before we ordered to ensure the food was Gf:)
(5)Katie D.
Just went there with my family for NYE. Fantastic! All of our dishes were perfectly prepared. Service is the best in town.
(5)Tom G.
out of this world!! a must if you are in iowa.
(5)Robert R.
Kind of scratching my head on this one. It has some good ratings, and some very so so ratings. Overall, my experience was average at best. Food wasn't what I would consider top tier italian. it was decent/solid food, but nothing amazing. Service was good and the hostess/servers were all very pleasant. The folks that I was with were very happy with their meals, so no issues, just mine was ok. This seems to be a popular local destination with some history.
(3)Sherry L.
Was in Wednesday afternoon for lunch with 8 other gals and everyone loved the food .. from the onion rings, salad dressings , chicken Spadini , the special chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes were to die for. We all loved the tomato bread also. Besides the food, our waiter was Carlo's and he was very easy on the eyes and gave excellent service. Again the Latin King ''rocks''
(5)Kent N.
Great lunch and priced fairly. We had a group there celebrating my daughter's birthday. We were very well served. I had the Chicken Spadinie which is a favorite. I enjoyed it very much but one in our party thought his was rather dried out.
(4)Monica S.
The best Italian food in town I think. They're fried ravioli with meatballs is wonderful! A family restaurant, and has been in Des Moines for some time.
(4)Vicki J.
My husband and I ate here and loved it...the staff was wonderful. They seated us quickly and took our order in a timely manner. I had chicken and hubby had sausage ravioli. We also tried a new appetizer, the Italian fried Mozzara!! This is a must have if you eat here. Can't wait to go again.
(5)Robert B.
The Latin King Restaurant has been a fixture in Des Moines for more than fifty years, and Bob Tursi, the current owner, is doing a great job of maintaining its tradition of excellent Italian-American food at very reasonable prices. Last evening I went to the Latin King with my sister, who is an avid fan of the restaurant. Even as we drove up we could tell that the place was extremely busy; the parking lots were full, and we ended up parking on the street behind the building. Inside, we took a buzzer and waited in the teeming bar. The two bartenders were doing an intricate dance of pouring, decanting, shaking and stirring, but one of them finally took a breather, saw me, and popped the tops off a couple of Stellas for us. After only fifteen minutes or so, the buzzer vibrated and we get to our table. The wait staff was just as busy as the bartenders had been, but our waiter was with us immediately and took our order for our favorite appetizer, the antipasto plate consisting of sliced salami and cheese, quartered red potatoes, red bell pepper strips, olive tapenade and cannellini beans, all made brilliant by olive oil and a subtle blend of herbs and spices. Always an excellent beginning Rita always says she will try something new on the menu, but she always orders chicken spiedini, one of the restaurant's signature dishes. Oddly, though, she never orders the amogio sauce that completes the signature, but Alfredo sauce. In my opinion it ruins the appearance of the dish, but it's her meal after all. I do usually order something I haven't had before at the Latin King. Last night it was Polla alla Marsala. The portion was about twice as large as what I make at home, and it was at least four times as good. I did not need the knife our waiter provided, for the chicken was fork-tender, juicy and flavorful. As you know, chicken breast is too often overcooked, bland, and tough. Not at the Latin King. Even though the portions were large, even though we intended to box the leftovers for lunch today, we both devoured every morsel on our plates. The downside: we had no room for the delicious tiramisu or tartuffo on the Latin King's dessert menu. The upside: we had an excellent dining experience.
(5)Bob B.
I really don't know why this place is still in business. The chicken spiedini and raspberry gelato are great. Other than that it's chef boy-ar-dee all the way. Mushy (wonder style) white bread instead of a good hearty italian bread, Bland Americanized red gravy instead of a nice spicy tasty tomato gravy. Overall, very disappointing.
(1)J D.
We were quoted a time of "not more than 25 minutes". After 45 minutes, and not seeing anyone in the waiting area that was there when we came in, we talked to the staff; they had forgotten us. The food was way too rich (everything was drenched in over-flavored sauces) and overpriced for what you got. I much prefer Olive Garden or Mezzodi's.
(2)Nyota W.
From the outside, just driving along the road, I probably never would have stopped in. but after the recommendation of several people, I decided that this could be a good destination while in Des Moines for a few days. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to find a really cute restaurant. I was with a large group and the owner immediately took great care of us, welcoming us in and making recommendations. That's kind of where my lovefest with Latin Kings ended. I've been spoiled- living in New York City has provided the greatest access to Italian food short of catching a flight to Italy. So when we ask for the best appetizers for the table, I'm kind of surprised when a fried feast arrives topped off by a humongous plate of onion rings. I don't eat onion rings at Burger King, so I'm not starting with a sit-down restaurant, but I digress. Aside from the food, the service was just OK. In fact, this restaurant could have made much more money if they picked up just a few service elements that I've grown accustomed to. 1. We ordered bottles of wine for the table, yet none of the staff ever bothered to refill our glasses after the initial pour- we easily would have bought 7 bottles instead of 3 if this was the case. instead people sat with empty glasses for long periods of time until someone remembered to add some wine to theIr own glass. 2. I asked the waitress her opinion on the 2 meals that I was considering (lasagna or stuffed veal). She simply replied she's never had either and asked for my selection although one option was in fact double the price. I definitely want honesty, but when all else fails, tell me what others have said or at the minimum try to up sell me. I ended up ordering the lasagna, which I liked but didn't love. I saved $15 off the bill however. 3. Yes, there is a table behind me and yes walking behind my side of the table may be a bit uncomfortable, but please stop passing burning hot plates to people across the table. With that said, I'll still admit that the servers were nice enough and the food was decent enough, but nowhere close to amazing. If in Des Moines again, I might consider this place if others in the group were craving Italian, but I may look for other options.
(2)Brandie G.
Our favorite place to eat in Des Moines:) Wonderful atmosphere, service, food, and bar! My favorite is the fried cheese! A must have!
(5)Cheryl L.
The food is absolutely tasty, and if you are feeling really rare, try getting the strawberry shortcake instead of a traditional meal, it's ENORMOUS! A group of 5 of us popped in on a Friday at lunch and had no trouble being seated quickly, the decor is beautiful and it would be a great date place if I lived in the area!
(4)Jeremy C.
Great place for lunch or dinner. Service is outstanding and food is so good. Definitely a gem on the east side of Des Moines. You will be hard pressed to find a better meal in town.
(5)Chantalle v.
Um...I felt like I was in an Olive Garden. Why do people come to an Italian restaurant to eat fried chicken and mashed potatoes? I guess it is good Italian food for those in the Midwest...
(1)Janet E.
When I first heard the name of this restaurant, I thought it was for Mexican cuisine! To my surprise though, its all about authentic Italian cuisine! This place knows how to do Italian right! I had the mostaccioli which was in a really good pasta sauce (that had a little bit of spiciness to it but not too much) and the pasta was perfect, not overcooked and not undercooked. The mozzarella cheese that topped it was very good as well. The dish included two freshly made sausage links from the local meat shop Graziano. I'm glad to see that they use local business products here. A great way to support the local economy! The sausages were good and were not filled with fat at all (as some sausages can be). You can definitely tell the sausages were hand made with good quality meat and not mass produced by large companies. My meal came with freshly made pre-sliced bread. The bread was SUPER soft with a nice crunchy crust on the outside. The bread also came with a side of butter. In addition, my meal also included a side salad with parmesan dressing. Unfortunately I cannot rate the service because I ordered my food as carry out. However, I was told that there was a little bit of a wait for dine in patrons, so I would suggest calling ahead of time for reservations or to order your food to go. The restaurant was featured in the New York Times as a small business making a come back through the tough economy. nytimes.com/2010/04/15/b… I'm so glad that Tursi's Latin King has survived the economy. It would be a shame if this restaurant closed. The food here is so good!
(5)Scott C.
Take a red sauce restaurant and pump it full of steroids and you get Tursi's Latin King. It's a great place for family. The food is terrific, servers on their toes and a pretty place.The place was hoppin and they really were on top of it. It's noisy crowded and YUMMY.
(4)KD S.
This is the standard every time my family has a special occasion. The Latin King never disappoints. Chicken spiedini and cappellini alla sassi are our favorites.
(5)Mark M.
The food is amazing. I suggest getting the Lambrusco house wine. Ordered the pepper steak, I don't normally like a lot of red sauce, but the combination of the peppers, sauce, and tender steak made me like this dish. The next time I come I will be getting the steak deburgo. A patron sitting across from me ordered it and it looked incredible.
(4)Michael F.
Amazing! The food, the service, the everything. My angel hair pasta was out of this world. If you come here and the weather is nice out, eating outside is a must. You will probably have trouble finding a parking spot considering how popular this joint is. What can I say, I guess it's a Des Moines tradition to dine here. Hope to return the next time I'm in Iowa. 5 stars
(5)Brooke P.
Chicken Spiedini salad with the house dressing is so awesome! Nice people and typical Italian atmosphere. I have actually never ordered anything else and don't plan too. Great for special occasions and large groups for dinner.
(4)Abbie T.
Growing up, Latin King was my favorite place to eat. With plentiful portions of Italian food, it's was the type of place to gather with family and enjoy an evening. I remember Bobby buzzing around the restaurant and service that made the place feel like home. My last two visits have been sub par and it pains me to write this review. Unfortunately, it seems that turning tables is now the only priority, a feeling compounded by subpar service and food. After sitting down, almost immediately, we were asked what we wanted to eat. Our inquiries into dinner specials received barked and unhelpful responses. And our indecision was met with little time to decide. As the meal went on I felt pressured to shut up and eat instead of catch up with friends. Before I finished my salad, and with fork still in hand, bus boys cleared plates so entrees could be delivered. The food was fresh from the kitchen, but in general - flavor fell short. The Chicken Spiedini was decent, per usual (probably the only dish worth ordering) but the side of pasta that came with it was dreadful. The red sauce smelled and tasted spoiled, with a bitter dark red hue instead of a vibrant red. More than half of the table was still twirling pasta when we were asked if we'd want dessert. And our request to think it over for a few minutes was met with a grumble. More upsetting, the Tiramisu was old and dry. Coffees were poured but never refilled. And the ONE check for our 5 top, came with a 15% gratuity added. I can understand trying to turn tables on a busy night, but when wandering to the bathroom mid-meal - I noted both the bar and the lobby were empty. We were being rushed out for no reason. Aside from the red sauce leaving a bad taste in my mouth, the service ruined me of a childhood favorite. I will not ever be returning.
(1)Reed N.
Still solid... a lean hot Italian sausage sandwich [patty style] and fries were executed well. I do not know what they fry in, but it tastes good with the spuds. The owner and his wife are there and are gracious and friendly... and to be honest that means a lot. There have been some negative reviews of this place on things like prices. That is ridiculous. Mortons and the steak house ilk would all have horrible reviews if price and value were judged. Judge the food first. Service second. And save that fifth star for something different or special. If I ever have a bad meal, I have a reasonable discussion with the owner/mgr and see how it is addressed. They fix your complaint or invite you back on their dime. But then, you just can't teach negative Yelpers how to get along! : )
(4)Jade K.
We were told this was the best Italian in town but there must be something better! The atmosphere is great but the food is not up to par. The cap reuse salad was excellent but that's it! Our service was terrible along with my meal.
(2)Debbie B.
Great family-owned place to eat lunch or dinner. I've never had bad food there. Try the desserts. Homemade and luscious! Parmesan dressing on the salad, great bread, and pasta selections are sure to please. Yum.
(4)Linda S.
I love this place - the best of the east side of Des Moines. This is a family tradition where you can count on being greeted warmly and taken great care of. The food is consistently good and the atmosphere is warm and pleasing. Highly recommend.
(5)Andrew B.
I had heard pretty-much nothing but good things about this place for the 10+ years that we have lived in the area, but boy oh boy, Latin King leaves a lot to be desired. Why are so many people here? It tries to bridge the gap between a decent Italian restaurant and an old-style midwest steakhouse. The entry is very nice. We were greeted warmly and seated promptly. The tables have no tablecloths and instead each setting got a white paper placemat. Sure, this is fine for a diner, but Tursi's sells itself as fine dining, and charges accordingly. There was bread and butter on the table, but the bread was fluffy white stuff and pretty tasteless. We ordered wine and calamari. The calamari was fine, but not great. It came with some version of marinara (there seem to be many versions at Tursi's) We ordered and were soon brought salads. We had all chosen the house dressing, a creamy parmesan, I think? I'm sure many love it, but the person sitting next to me asked "Is this all just mayonnaise?" No, it's not, but it kind of has that consistency, and it's just plopped on top of a very weak iceberg lettuce salad. The dressing/salad ratio is very high. Then without a word, our server plopped down a small bowl of penne with some other marinara in front of my wife, who had ordered a filet. Was this part of what was ordered? Was it a special appetizer? Why is it here before the meal? We had no idea. Presentation left something to be desired on this, too. We did receive wine at this time, and kudos to the sommelier, who did a nice job. On to the main courses. My daughter ordered the pasta trio. One would think that with the pasta trio, pasta might be at the center of it all. Not so much. Everything was meat, meat and more meat, which might be good if you really want meat. But it was a pasta trio. And how can you overcook the pasta for such a thing? In lasagna? Another ordered carbonara, which was not what anyone should call carbonara. It was more like alfredo with some bacon in it. And again, the pasta was overcooked. My wife's filet was good, but not exceptional. We also ordered a penne dish, which was nondescript. I had a steak and chicken feature (not a special). The chicken was very good, and the sauces on both the chicken and steak also stood out. The steak wasn't flavorful, however, and it wasn't medium rare as ordered. We skipped desert and grabbed some frozen yogurt on the way home, so we can't comment on that. With a bottle of average wine, this ended up being about $145 for five of us. None of us were impressed.
(2)A S.
Latin King is a solid performer when it comes to Italian restaurants in Des Moines. They are know for their chicken spiedini (which is excellent) but their other menu items I have tried are just average. The atmosphere and service are excellent.
(4)Justin B.
This restaurant is very successful, but in reality it is not that great. The food is very blah but their service will blow you away. (Bobbi Tursi runs a tight ship) There restaurant is packed every night, and has a devoted following. I think this is the reason for the sub par food. "Don't fix it if it ain't broken" The second better restaurants go in on the East side, the Latin King will start to feel the squeeze.
(2)Ray W.
Spent 6 whole days in Iowa (mainly Des Moines) and had lunch and dinner at 12 different places. This was #1 (of 12), the last "dinner" of our trip. What an excellent place at which to spend our last evening. We arrived on a Wednesday night -- no reservations -- so had to wait about 15-20 minutes. No problem. The owner stopped to chat with us for a few moments (no big-city snobbiness) making us feel quite comfortable (all this despite having an over-energetic 6-year-old son who couldn't sit still and was all over the lobby; we felt as welcomed as at "Grandma's"). That wonderfulness continued throughout the entire meal. Service & food were top-notch (I had a stuffed veal chop, my wife had Chicken Spiedini, and our son had spaghetti & meatballs from the kid's menu. We had soup & salad, my wife and I both had a glass of wine, I had a Cappuccino. Dessert seemed tempting, but we ate too much. Their bread was just too good to resist and we ordered an extra loaf. The "icing on the cake" was when the bill arrived. We always "guess" how much it will be. I guessed $93, my wife guessed $96. But it was only $79! I even double-checked to see if something was left off by mistake (by Chicago standards, this was easilly a $90+ meal). What a great find!!
(5)Diane A.
Okay....after coming back again for a second time...I am just not impressed. Dishes are over-priced, service really isn't that great....I love supporting the local businesses, but honestly, you can find a greater deal / better quality @ other restaurants. No dining in for me, the only time I'll be stopping in is to have dessert in their bar area...that is, after I have dined elsewhere...
(1)JoAnna S.
Best Italian in Des Moines! Always get the house dressing on the salad, it rocks. Try the Moscow Mule- their bartenders and the only ones in town that really know how to make one! I am so very much in love with their Cappellini alla Sassi. I dream about getting this recipe. Their gnocchi is great too, as is the penne regine. Their menu is pretty big so it can be hard to decide. Their specialty is the chicken spiedini but personally I'm not a super huge fan- it's not bad, I just think there are better things on the menu.
(5)Char D.
went back - thought i'd give it another chance. i was wrong. the old lady that stands by the kitchen and stares at the people reminds me of a gestapo. both times i was there she stands at that spot and watches us eat. want a good steak - go to the Big Steer.
(3)Brian H.
Best Italian food around!
(5)Nicola P.
We were very excited to try a new place, but ended up very disappointed. The Atmosphere and wine were very nice with good service, but food was so, so. This place was ranked among the top restaurants in Des Moines, and it is definitely not! The food was very, very bland. All three of us thought the same. We had the manicotti, shrimp linguini and trio. Manicotti had very little ricotta. Shrimp linguini came as two separate plates one of shrimp scampi that was unpeeled and plain bland linguini, not at all what I was expecting! The trio included ravioli which was great, the bland linguini and blah lasagna. Even dessert was disappointing! I wish I could write a great review but I just can't!! Overall not impressed and probably won't go back.
(2)Emily T.
My mama is Italian. Not by upbringing mind you, (adopted) though you would never know it to see her cook. In mass quantities. The woman makes homemade pasta and stuffed rigatoni to die for, and The Latin King is her favorite Italian restaurant in Des Moines. To make this statement about a city which has a large Italian population is saying something. For those of you poor souls who have not yet darkened the door of this fine establishment, let me paint you a picture: This quaint little restaurant is on the east side of DM, cradled by used auto lots and a dairy, tucked almost underneath the freeway. Yet, when you walk in the door, the dimmed lighting, friendly waitstaff and the lively conversation instantly transports you to Italy. Well, that might be a stretch, but at the very least, you aren't on the east side of Des Moines. The food here is excellent. I highly recommend the antipasto plate and bruschetta appetizers- the former my father sometimes eats as a meal on its own. Our other reviewer didn't like the toasted ravioli- but toasted ravioli is extremely hard to pull off, for any restaurant. I am always disappointed by that dish. Regardless, pick anything else on the menu and you can't go wrong. Add to all of this an extensive yet extremely reasonable wine list, attentive yet unobtrusive waitstaff, and the feeling as though you've walked into your Italian grandma's dining room for dinner, and you've got the reason this place has been open as long as it has. I live in Chicago and have for a while, so I get my fair share of Italian food, but when we get the chance, its always nice to make the trek to the Latin King. It never disappoints.
(5)David F.
Great service, good food, ample portions at resonable prices and a euopean ambiance. What else could a diner ask for? Try it ... you'll like it. The Tursi family runs a wonderful restaurant.
(5)I l.
Tursi's a classy Italian joint. Don't let the surroundings fool you, it's what's on the inside that counts. The Latin King is known for their chicken spendini. The other Italian places give may try their hand, but Tursi's is the original. They serve it either with an buttery sauce or in an Alfredo sauce over pasta. If you plan on going on a weekend, it can get very busy.
(4)Jeremiah E.
Sometimes it can take awhile to be seated but it is worth it. Slightly surpases Centro in my heart.
(5)Drew H.
Other people love this place. It's an Italian restaurant that has a confusing name and the food was blah. I really would like to give this place 2.5 stars but that isn't an option. I think their marinara sauce was very pasty and the toasted ravioli was nothing to be proud of.
(2)Genevieve W.
Went here with a friend for dinner!!! Service is amazing!!! Waiter was absolutely amazing, he knew the menu and wine list and made great suggestions. Bruschetta and the fried ravioli were to die for!!! Their wine list was very nice!! Again waiter had great suggestions!! Truly A beautiful and clean restaurant !!! Was a little crowded but that is a good sign!!! Will definitely go again!!!
(5)Tracy S.
Just had a MauiJim dinner meeting at Latin King. Food and service was excellent. Top Italian restaurant in Des Moines. Love their parm dressing. Lasagna was wonderful. Very classy restaurant. Enjoyed it very much. Recommend for very enjoyable meal.
(5)Dave M.
Ever since I moved to Des Moines, I have been suggested the Latin King for good Italian food. I always thought to myself "how can this place offer the best Italian food with a name like that?" Last night I got my chance to answer that question. My answer? They don't. The location is a bit removed from downtown DSM, tucked away in a old neighborhood off Route 163. The building is old and the clientele is middle-age to older (self included in that statement). There is plenty of parking in the back and they seem to attract a good size crowd, even on a Tuesday night. The service was very attentive, almost too much so for a business meeting. The wine reportedly comes from the owner's cousin's vineyard in Italy; ok... but does that mean its good? I had the recommended house red (don't recall the name) and I would say it was just average. Now to the food - which I have been told is "the best in the city". Maybe this big town boy is soiled, but this place is definitely not the best Italian I have had, nor would it make the top ten list. I ordered the lasagna and fried zucchini appetizer, both of them were sub-par and I am being generous, since someone else picked up the bill. The noodles in the lasagna were overcooked, thereby making them limp as... well, you get the picture. The appetizer really had no flavor, almost like eating those Veggie Stix instead of chips at the grocery store. So Latin King is now officially off my bucket list, much like the overrated Fong's Pizza.
(2)Dan P.
Nice place good service attentive. I had the fried mozzarella for an appetizer was awesome the sauce was amazing great flavor sweet. The bread was fresh warm and served with butter had roasted garlic on it. Fresh salad was great and for the entree had the pasta trio sausage meatballs pasta lasagna Alfredo and ravioli. Quite impressed with the food hot fresh and good service.
(4)Mike B.
Soso experience. The waitperson was like a car salesman, trying to convince us the food was great and pimping appetizers on us. We got a soso appetizer that was not on the menu, so got gouged for that. The entrees were quite good, although somewhat over priced. Get there early, because if fills up quickly.
(3)Michael G.
You asked what we ordered I believe mine was steak Marcella my wife had a shrimp pasta and calamari as an app.
(2)Chris M.
We have gone to the Latin King for quite a few years. Lately it has gotten so busy we just order take out. We love the toasted Raviolis and the chicken spidini alfredo. The last time we ordered take out they where busy, I walked in and the pretty lady behind the counter asked my name and how I was. It was one of the coldest nights of the year. She was friendly and went and got our order. We always order extra bread and they give it to us. Even the salad dressings are above par. We are not much for eating in because there is always a wait to be seated. We are not enough of a regular to have the owner or staff know who we are but they always make you feel like the appreciate your business.
(5)