Winter 2021: Kansas City Chiefs Inspired Super Bowl Foods in Des Moines

The Kansas City Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row! After living in Kansas City for 15 years and having both of my kids there, KC will always hold a special place in my heart. It also holds a special place in my stomach. The Cowtown is known for a number of iconic foods. BBQ, steak, pizza, fried chicken, frozen custard, chocolate, coffee and beer to name a few.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to come up with a list of local Des Moines eats and treats that will help you recreate that KC vibe here in Des Moines on Superbowl Sunday – February 7, 2021.

Here is our round-up of Kansas City Chiefs inspired goodies to enjoy on Super Bowl Sunday:

Barbecue

There are so many famous BBQ joints in KC (Arthur Bryant’s, Gates, Fiorella’s), it’s hard to know where to begin to list them. Enjoying some while cheering on the Chiefs seems like a no brainer. Order up some Q for the big game from one of these local Des Moines restaurants:

Jethro’s BBQ – Multiple Locations
Kue’d Smokhouse – Waukee
Rolling Smoke BBQ – Pleasant Hill
ShortE’s BBQ – Johnston
Smoky D’s BBQ – Des Moines

Steak

Kansas City is also home to several old school steak houses like The Majestic and Hereford House and the Kansas City strip can be found on just about any menu where steaks are served. Here’s a few places where you can find some tasty Midwest beef in Des Moines:

Fareway Meat & Grocery – Multiple Locations
Iowa Beef Steakhouse – Des Moines
Iowa Meat Truck, LLC. – Delivery Service
John & Nick’s Steak & Prime Rib Inc. – Clive
Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse – Multiple Locations

Pizza

The Pizza Shoppe and Minsky’s Pizza are a couple of famous Kansas City pizza shops that immediately come to mind. You can even find the Pizza Shoppe’s famous The Pink Stuff salad dressing at local grocery stores in Des Moines. If you’re wanting to order up some za for the big game, here’s a few of our favs:

Bordenaro’s Pizza – Des Moines
Gusto Pizza Co. – Des Moines & West Des Moines
Taste of New York – West Des Moines
The Other Place – Ankeny & Clive
Truman’s KC Pizza Tavern – Des Moines

Fried Chicken

Kansas City might be known as the Cowtown, but fried chicken has long been popular there and Stroud’s Restaurant has been serving it up since 1933. Here’s where you can find some great fried chicken and chicken strips in Des Moines:

Birdhouse Chicken Co. – West Des Moines
Bubba – Des Moines
The Chicken Orilla – West Des Moines
G.G.’s Chicken & Waffles – Des Moines
High Life Lounge – Des Moines

Brews

Kansas City’s Southwest Boulevard is home to Boulevard Brewing Co. and The Roasterie. Both can be purchased at Des Moines area grocery stores. If you’re looking to support local, check out these beverage labels crafted here in central Iowa:

BLK & Bold Specialty Coffee & Tea – Des Moines
Confluence Brewing Co. – Des Moines
Firetrucker Brewery – Ankeny
Friedrichs Coffee Roasters – Urbandale
Twisted Vine Brewery – West Des Moines

Sweet Treats

Russell Stover candies are made in Kansas City and can be purchased locally. Many Des Moines area sweet shops and bakeries are making amazing candies, cakes and cookies with Chiefs-inspired themes and great flavors. Here’s just a few that caught our eye:

Almost Famous Popcorn Co. – Des Moines
Eileen’s Colossal Cookies – Windsor Heights
Hurts Donut Co. – West Des Moines
Hy-Vee – Multiple Locations
The Cookie Jar – Ankeny