Satisfy Your Taste Buds At The Best Take-Out Spots in Des Moines

At the end of a long day, you don't always feel like cooking—or even getting dressed up enough to go out for dinner! This is when take-out comes in handy. In Des Moines, take-out doesn't have to be generic or mundane, especially at these five spots:

1. Kue'd Smokehouse
245 Hickman Rd
Waukee, IA
0.6 miles from Springs at Waukee

If you're craving some delicious, authentic barbecue, this joint is hard to beat. The menu features a selection of open-face sandwiches, including pulled pork, chop chicken, and sausage. Each day, there's a different feature to try, like the BBQ tacos on Wednesdays and the beef short ribs on Saturday. Of course, no barbecue meal is complete without some delicious sides, and Kue'd Smokehouse exceeds expectations with their mac 'n' cheese, potato salad, and Southwestern roasted corn salad. They're open until 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and until 6 p.m. on Sundays.

2. Jethro's BBQ 'n Jambalaya
9350 S.E. University Ave
West Des Moines, IA
2.5 miles from Springs at Waukee

Jethro's BBQ 'n Jambalaya has been featured on Man v. Food and the Travel Channel's United States of Bacon. Their ribs and chicken have a loyal following, but if you're feeling more adventurous, try one of the Cajun dishes. Chicken and sausage gumbo is hearty and filling, and the smokehouse jambalaya is as flavorful as can be with smoked gulf shrimp and Andouille sausage. Jethro's is open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can satisfy those late-night cravings.

3. Gusto Pizza
8950 University Ave Suite 105
West Des Moines
3.2 miles from Springs at Jordan Creek

Everything at Gusto Pizza is made from scratch, from the pizzas to the sandwiches. The restaurant really takes pride in its signature pies, which include the Bay of Pigs, topped with Dijon cream, ham, pork, Swiss cheese, Sriracha pickles, red onion, and cilantro. If you prefer, you can create your own Gusto pizza from their long list of toppings; they even offer gluten-free and vegan options. Gusto is open until 10 p.m. on weekends.

4. Fresh Mediterranean Express
15 NE Carefree Ln
Waukee, IA
.8 miles from Springs at Waukee

If you're looking for something a little lighter, the fresh, flavorful options at Fresh Mediterranean Express are sure to satisfy. Choose from classic gyros, falafel, and kabobs, topped with any of their delicious sauces from soy ginger dressing to homemade tzatziki. They're open until 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and close at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

5. Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food
2231 E University Ave
Des Moines, IA
14.7 miles from Springs at Jordan Creek

When you're in the mood for classic Chinese take-out, Tsing Tsao's is the place to go. The lunch and dinner specials come with an entree, fried rice, a spring roll, and your choice of soup. The food is always flavorful and fresh, with favorites like General Tsao's chicken and beef with broccoli gracing the menu. They're open until 9 p.m. nightly, so give them a try for a weeknight dinner.

What's your go-to place for take-out in the Des Moines area? Let us know in the comments so we can try it out, too!