REVIEWS
I hadn't been to Jesse's Embers in a very long time. I was happy to see that not much had changed, classic dining in a homey atmosphere. The service was great and the food was equally good. The owner stopped by to say hello and was very congenial. If you haven't tried it in a while, you should.
Under new ownership but they wisely kept the menu and recipes. Also the famed Steve Little is cooking there some nights. That alone is worth the price of admission, highly recommended!
Great food and great environment
It was cozy. I like being somewhat close to other patrons and seeing what they're enjoying. It was packed when we went there for a weekday lunch. We were seated immediately but I will say that it took quite some time for the food to come out. It was 45 minutes without an appetizer. But, they were absolutely slammed! I think the servers handled it really well by checking in on everyone and giving updates on food. The burger was so-so but my London Broil was absolutely worth the wait! I would go back for that alone! The pasta salad doesn't seem like anything fancy but the dressing reminds me of something my granny made. The whole visit tasted like nostalgia. It was great!
While visiting Des Moines, IA this weekend, I was in the mood for a great steak or pork chop. Several locals recommended Jesse’s Embers, so I decided to give it a try.
When I arrived, it was clear it was a busy Saturday night. The entrance felt a bit chaotic, and I wasn’t sure where to go for seating. Eventually, I found an employee folding napkins and asked for a table for one. Another staff member persistently tried to seat me at the bar—which I generally avoid due to the noise and rowdiness—but after being asked again, I reluctantly agreed, taking a seat at the far end.
Donna, one of the bartenders, took my order after a few minutes. She and another bartender, Joe, were handling the entire bar, which was clearly a challenge given how busy it was. The area was quite warm, and a customer seated next to me named Dan was loudly chatting with others and making his next date—exactly the kind of environment I had hoped to avoid.
I ordered a steak with a salad and broccoli. The salad arrived quickly but was room temperature and wilting. My steak came about 10 minutes later; I had ordered medium, but it was more on the rare side. I went ahead and ate it, mainly because I was ready to leave due to the heat and the noisy atmosphere.
I will say Joe and Donna did their best under tough conditions. Before leaving, I spoke with the manager, Marty, who listened to my concerns and said he would address them.
Overall, while I appreciated the effort from the staff, the experience wasn’t what I was hoping for, and I don’t think I’d return.
When I arrived, it was clear it was a busy Saturday night. The entrance felt a bit chaotic, and I wasn’t sure where to go for seating. Eventually, I found an employee folding napkins and asked for a table for one. Another staff member persistently tried to seat me at the bar—which I generally avoid due to the noise and rowdiness—but after being asked again, I reluctantly agreed, taking a seat at the far end.
Donna, one of the bartenders, took my order after a few minutes. She and another bartender, Joe, were handling the entire bar, which was clearly a challenge given how busy it was. The area was quite warm, and a customer seated next to me named Dan was loudly chatting with others and making his next date—exactly the kind of environment I had hoped to avoid.
I ordered a steak with a salad and broccoli. The salad arrived quickly but was room temperature and wilting. My steak came about 10 minutes later; I had ordered medium, but it was more on the rare side. I went ahead and ate it, mainly because I was ready to leave due to the heat and the noisy atmosphere.
I will say Joe and Donna did their best under tough conditions. Before leaving, I spoke with the manager, Marty, who listened to my concerns and said he would address them.
Overall, while I appreciated the effort from the staff, the experience wasn’t what I was hoping for, and I don’t think I’d return.
Went here for dinner on Saturday July 7th at 5:30 place was closed. No explanation. Should have been open. No website to comment on. Phone number rang & rang we could hear it.