Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes

by Darcy Dougherty-Maulsby

Overview

With Italian steakhouses, the Younkers Tea Room and Stella's Blue Sky Diner, Des Moines's culinary history is tantalizingly diverse. It is filled with colorful characters like bootlegger/"millionaire bus boy" Babe Bisignano, a buxom bar owner named Ruthie and future president of the United States Ronald Reagan. The savory details reveal deeper stories of race relations, women's rights, Iowa caucus politics, the arts, immigration and assimilation. Don't be surprised if you experience sudden cravings for Steak de Burgo, fried pork tenderloin sandwiches and chocolate ambrosia pie, à la Bishop's Buffet. Author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby serves up a feast of Des Moines classics mixed with Iowa history, complete with iconic recipes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467145459
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	11/02/2020
Series:	American Palate
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Darcy Maulsby is a past president and current director with the Calhoun County Farm Bureau, president of the Calhoun County Corn Growers and District Advisory Committee member for the Iowa Soybean Association. She also serves on the Calhoun County Historic Preservation Commission and is the president of the board of Central School Preservation in Lake City. She enjoys reading, cooking, going for Sunday drives in the country, helping her family on the farm and laughing at the antics of her beloved pets, including Maggie the Red Heeler and Lieutenant Dan the Cat. Visit her online at www.darcymaulsby.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Introduction 9

1 Midwestern Roots Mixed with Ethnic Accents 11

2 Authentic Italian Influences 25

3 Babe, You've Got What It Takes 43

4 Fine Dining in Des Moines: Steakhouses, Supper Clubs and Steak de Burgo 59

5 A Taste of Elegance at the Younkers Tea Room 79

6 Cooking Up Change: Restaurants, Race Relations and Civil Rights 95

7 Diners, Drive-Ins, Food and Fun 113

8 Eat, Drink and Be Merry: From Ronald Reagan to Ruthie 133

9 Dinner Theaters in Des Moines Mixed Entertainment and Good Eats 147

10 Downtown Des Moines and the Revitalization of Court Avenue 163

11 Savor a Taste of the Iowa Caucus 175

12 Changing Times and the Future of Des Moines Dining 185

Bibliography 205

About the Author 207