Hot off the stovetop, we’ve rounded up a list of the best hot beef sandwiches in Greater Des Moines, as voted by locals. A staple of Midwest diners, this open-faced sandwich piled high with mashed potatoes, roast beef (or turkey), and gravy is a carb lover's dream and comfort food in its final form. See what made the list and make plans to warm up with some hot beef!
*All of our Des Best lists are crowdsourced and voted by locals.*
Maxie’s Supper Club
While supper clubs are a staple of Wisconsin’s dining culture, they’re not nearly as ubiquitous here in Iowa. That’s what helps make Maxie’s a wholly unique and decidedly retro Des Moines dining experience. Founded in West Des Moines in 1967, not much has changed about Maxie’s through the years, from the retro vibes and family friendly atmosphere to supper club staples like stuffed mushrooms, relish trays, cheese curds, and steaks with baked potatoes wrapped in foil. But we’re here to fawn over their hot roast beef sandwich, which was the top vote getter on this list. Its Iowa comfort food meets Wisconsin tradition, with a hefty side of Iowa Nice.
Winn’s Pizza and Steakhouse
Recently made famous for their cheeseburger egg rolls, which won Best New Fair Food at the Iowa State Fair in 2024, Winn’s has been quietly building a loyal fanbase in Indianola and Norwalk thanks to its commitment to quality across an array of different cuisines, from pizza and steaks to eggrolls and gyros. It’s their Norwalk location where you’ll find the hot beef sandwich, where Texas toast provides a little added umph to an already impressively hefty dish. It’s also the only place on this list where you could pair it with a crab rangoon appetizer, which is never a bad thing.
Highlife Lounge
Comfort food is the name of the game at Highlife Lounge, where the 1960s style wallpaper, wood paneling, retro light fixtures, and Formica bar top practically demand that you pair it with one of their hot beef sandwiches. Start the meal off with an order of bacon-wrapped tator tots or Velvet Elvis dip and wash it all down with a Miller Highlife (what else?) to really commit to the bit. If craft beer is your thing, the attached El Bait Shop offers more than 250 on tap, with the same great food menu.
Crouse Cafe
Crouse Cafe in Indianola has everything you want in a family diner. Town square charm? Check. Breakfast served all day? Check. Homemade pie? Check. And we haven’t even gotten to the hot beef sandwich and all of its variations. Try the hot turkey with turkey gravy or equally delicious hot ham. With Crouse Cafe and Winn’s both appearing on this list, Indianola is positioning itself as the hot beef capital of Iowa. Sounds like multiple trips are in order.
Angry Goldfish and Eatery
Angry Goldfish is the type of classic neighborhood joint on the southside of Des Moines that only takes one visit to cement itself as one of your go-to “spots.” Comfort meets classy with lots of dark woods, burgundy leather, and lights fashioned from whiskey bottles. The menu is filled with elevated bar food favorites like a Sriracha goldfish breaded tenderloin, poutine, and a pot roast dinner just like mom used to make. On Wednesdays, stop in for their hot beef special, along with $1 off whiskey. We’re not angry about it.
Food Depot
Come to Grimes for one of the best hot beef (or turkey) sandwiches in the metro and leave with enough groceries to meal plan for the rest of the week. That’s because not only does Food Depot serve up delicious homemade dishes like pizzas, burgers, and wraps, but they have both take and bake and grocery options to take home as well. There’s everything from ready to heat meals like biscuits and gravy casserole and lasagna to frozen foods like cheese curds, wings, and soups, assuring you won’t leave hungry or stay hungry for long later.
The Dam Pub
Adorned with ‘80s murals and relics that bring the nostalgic feels rushing back faster than a DeLorean set to 88 mph, the menu at The Dam Pub is appropriately retro and comforting, with staples like chicken and noodles, asiago mac and cheese, and Monte Cristo sandwiches. The hot beef sandwich here is served with skin-on mashed potatoes and smothered in house-made gravy. They also have one Des Best Patios in the metro and a progressive cocktail list, so there are numerous reasons to go back (to the future).
Drake Diner
Drake Diner has been a Des Moines institution since first opening its doors in 1987. It never goes out of style thanks to a vintage diner atmosphere, all-day breakfast and comfort food dishes that are all timeless. Check them out for lunch and try their trio of open-faced all-stars. hot roast beef, turkey or homemade meatloaf sandwiches, all covered with gravy and served with skin-on-smashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day.
Smokey D’s
When it comes to comfort food, Smokey D’s is cornering the market. From their award-winning BBQ to their tremendous tenderloins, everything here sticks to your ribs. That includes the Wednesday hot beef sandwich special, where you get a side of buttered carrots to make sure you’re getting some extra veggies with all those carbs. All the better to help see what a tremendous value you’re getting.
The Pelican Post
If Jimmy Buffet was a fan of hot beef (and who isn’t), we like to imagine that The Pelican Post in West Des Moines would have been his jam. With live music, a killer patio, and a drink menu that screams ‘cheeseburger in paradise,’ The Pelican Post give you the license to chill. Their menu covers all the bases, from their popular “Gallon of Nachos” to sandwiches like the grouper Reuben and BLT. On Mondays is when you get their hot beef sandwich lunch, which comes with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?
Pleasant Hill Diner
Although the Pleasant Hill Diner was founded in 2000, it definitely feels like a holdover from another century. The 1950s aura is strong with this one, with gray and red vinyl booths, individual juke boxes on each table, and diner bar stools that beg to be saddled up to for some all-day breakfast. But first, you need to work your way through their hot and hearty sandwiches portion of the menu, where you’ve not only got hot beef, but all of its extended family as well. Hot turkey, hot ham, hot pork tenderloin, and hot chicken fried steak. Did someone say “Bingo!”?
Brick Street Cafe
Hot Beef sandwiches can be pretty comparable…get the mashed potatoes right and it’s hard to screw the rest of it up. So, any time there’s a unique twist on the classic you’ve got our attention. Brick Street Café in Bondurant offers a delicious twist, putting the creamy mashed potatoes, hot beef, gravy, and breadcrumbs inside of a homemade bread bowl. Other bread bowl options include mac and cheese, chicken and corn, and even their award-winning tenderloin. All the yums.
Waveland Cafe
Is there any comfort food that Waveland Cafe doesn’t knock out of the park? That’s a rhetorical question of course. The home of the best hashbrowns in the galaxy is also home to one of the best hot beef (and hot turkey) sandwiches. We certainly won’t judge you if you get a side of the hashbrowns as an “appetizer” to kick off the feast.
