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Des Moines' best chicken tenders: Christopher's

Christopher's is the place to stop for some unique tenders.

Things to Do

Listen, I&#x27;m not the type of person to order only chicken tenders when I go to a restaurant (unless it&#x27;s Raising Cane&#x27;s), but the Kim&#x27;s chicken tenders ($14) at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" data-vars-content-id="74d0ad2a-6e0f-4711-8107-b87b89f7b333" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; best chicken tenders: Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" target="_blank">Christopher&#x27;s</a> in Beaverdale have me feeling a certain type of way.What it is: Three chicken strips breaded in cornflakes, almonds, and the secret to what makes it unique — brown sugar.<ul><li>It&#x27;s served with a side of honey mustard sauce (arguably better than ranch.)</li></ul>What I liked: As a sweet and savory lover, the sweeter breading won me over, balancing out the saltiness of the chicken. If you&#x27;re a fan of chicken nuggets and honey, this is the dish for you.<ul><li>Texturally, the cornflakes and almonds gave the strips a nice crisp and crunchy exterior.</li></ul>If you go: 5-10pm Monday-Thursday; 5-11pm Friday-Saturday; 2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines.

Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement

Oversized vegetation in the street's median contributed to a crash, according to a lawsuit.

News

The Des Moines City Council agreed this week to pay $150,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming that plants in the medians along Fleur Drive contributed to an accident that injured a motorcyclist.Why it matters: The payout highlights how routine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streetscape decisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" data-vars-content-id="caa1cfa4-dc98-4427-aa4c-a3ea5554b7b3" data-vars-headline="Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" target="_self">streetscape decisions</a> can expose cities to liability risks.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half

The refuge center was damaged by severe hail in 2024.

The visitor center at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith" data-vars-content-id="d82f67fa-fb31-4374-acc8-afbd66b39c22" data-vars-headline="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith" target="_blank">Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge</a> near Prairie City is set to be downsized following storm damage in 2024, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a draft federal planning document" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-compatibility-determination-nls-ee-multitype" data-vars-content-id="d82f67fa-fb31-4374-acc8-afbd66b39c22" data-vars-headline="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-compatibility-determination-nls-ee-multitype" target="_blank">according to a draft federal planning document</a>.Why it matters: The visitor center is the main hub for environmental education and programming at the refuge, which draws thousands of students and visitors annually.

Dave's Hot Chicken and Bonchon opening in West Des Moines

Here are the latest restaurants opening and closing in the Des Moines area.

Food and Drink

Here are some of the latest restaurants that are opening, closing, or making moves across the metro.

This Valentine's Day, call — don't click — to book dinner

Reservation apps can be costly and give an incomplete picture of available seating.

Some Des Moines restaurateurs are advising customers to call to make a reservation rather than book through an app.Why it matters: Razor-thin profit margins and an ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local restaurant crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/02/06/des-moines-restaurants-closing-fast-economy" data-vars-content-id="98d4fd41-b8ca-4ca8-9f06-56a017046718" data-vars-headline="This Valentine&#x27;s Day, call — don&#x27;t click — to book dinner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/02/06/des-moines-restaurants-closing-fast-economy" target="_self">local restaurant crisis</a> make every dollar count — and reservation fees add up fast in a tough local market.

First bite: Ocha opens new dessert cafe in downtown Des Moines

The bubble tea shop expanded its dessert menu for the downtown location.

Ocha Bubble Tea and Dessert Cafe <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opened its doors this month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/11/25/ocha-bubble-tea-opening-in-downtown-des-moines" data-vars-content-id="e8af6efd-5004-4815-8b6f-3839f7f13f7f" data-vars-headline="First bite: Ocha opens new dessert cafe in downtown Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/11/25/ocha-bubble-tea-opening-in-downtown-des-moines" target="_self">opened its doors this month</a> in the Court Avenue district, and I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to satisfy my sweet tooth.State of play: The cute boba tea shop is in the former Despensary location.

Why Des Moines' restaurants are closing fast

Iowa lost nearly 4,000 leisure and hospitality jobs last year.

A growing list of popular metro restaurants that have announced closures in recent months is likely to extend due to long-term workforce and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic pressures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/04/20/restaurant-bills-tabs-higher-groceries-iowa" data-vars-content-id="4ebfcf55-a0d0-474d-9b03-6f1c1f3c20c9" data-vars-headline="Why Des Moines&#x27; restaurants are closing fast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/04/20/restaurant-bills-tabs-higher-groceries-iowa" target="_self">economic pressures</a>, Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, tells Axios.Why it matters: Restaurants are a major economic and cultural engine for the Des Moines metro — anchoring foot traffic, drawing tourism, creating first jobs, and shaping how people experience the region.

Matcha business owner combines passion for plants and tea

Green Finds Cafe is a new matcha pop-up business in town.

Green Finds Cafe, a mobile <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="matcha pop-up business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/greenfindscafe/" data-vars-content-id="12928d1c-97c6-4583-9a66-7f525f104ea7" data-vars-headline="Matcha business owner combines passion for plants and tea" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/greenfindscafe/" target="_blank">matcha pop-up business</a>, is bringing the popular green tea beverage to events around Des Moines.The big picture: The drink is finding its way to menus across the Des Moines metro, especially as some people seek a subtler caffeine buzz than coffee.

The best thing Linh ate: Tous les Jours honey cheese pancakes

The $5 little pancakes have an irresistible chew to them.

If you&#x27;ve been to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tous les Jours" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/08/tous-les-jours-west-des-moines-food-review" data-vars-content-id="afd11826-f2b7-413d-9d89-ebd1b665db36" data-vars-headline="The best thing Linh ate: Tous les Jours honey cheese pancakes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/08/tous-les-jours-west-des-moines-food-review" target="_self">Tous les Jours</a>, the Korean-French bakery outside Jordan Creek mall, you&#x27;ll know there are a lot of pastry choices, including some hits and misses.<ul><li>However, I&#x27;ve found myself regularly craving the honey cheese pancakes ($5) — three little mochi pancakes with a cheesy filling.</li></ul>

Toyo Ramen brings authentic Japanese cuisine to Ankeny

The Tibetan owner says he also wants to give back to the community.

A new ramen shop is bringing Japanese flavors mixed with the owner&#x27;s Tibetan roots to Ankeny.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Toyo Ramen &amp; Japanese Street Foods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585587731972#" data-vars-content-id="9cf07876-c5ba-4015-bd63-bb6f8d950731" data-vars-headline="Toyo Ramen brings authentic Japanese cuisine to Ankeny" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585587731972#" target="_blank">Toyo Ramen &amp; Japanese Street Foods</a> opened Jan. 1 in The District at Prairie Trail, marking the first restaurant for owner Tashi Chompel, a Tibetan immigrant who trained in Japan.

Iowa's first women's sports bar opens in Des Moines

A growing interest in women's sports led to the new Ingersoll Avenue bar.

​​Iowa&#x27;s first bar dedicated to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/15/usa-today-womens-sports-stories" data-vars-content-id="68c00472-1730-4526-a5fd-da010cecb205" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s first women&#x27;s sports bar opens in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/15/usa-today-womens-sports-stories" target="_self">women&#x27;s sports</a> has opened in Des Moines.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heroics Sports Lounge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.heroicssportslounge.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPMslNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2anR0bUpzRWxCMFBVVnNPc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHodeJA2dNqQKlYL6tANy13AtWR2dzNjZ8NqlusEBGkBZEDTVQJqq-DjuZfOC_aem_dP_8Fh747NviWoAGKI5IFQ" data-vars-content-id="68c00472-1730-4526-a5fd-da010cecb205" data-vars-headline="Iowa&#x27;s first women&#x27;s sports bar opens in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.heroicssportslounge.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPMslNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2anR0bUpzRWxCMFBVVnNPc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHodeJA2dNqQKlYL6tANy13AtWR2dzNjZ8NqlusEBGkBZEDTVQJqq-DjuZfOC_aem_dP_8Fh747NviWoAGKI5IFQ" target="_blank">Heroics Sports Lounge</a> is a sign of the growing nationwide appetite for women-centered sports spaces, co-owner Jami Behun tells Axios.

What makes Des Moines, DSM? You tell us

Axios readers are revealing their favorites for our "best of" roundup.

Welcome to our ongoing feature inviting Axios readers to create the ultimate guide to authentic Des Moines.The big picture: The answers will be used to create a year-end roundup of our &quot;best of DSM.&quot;

Food and Drink 🍽

Dave's Hot Chicken and Bonchon opening in West Des Moines

Des Moines' best chicken tenders: Christopher's

This Valentine's Day, call — don't click — to book dinner

First bite: Ocha opens new dessert cafe in downtown Des Moines

Why Des Moines' restaurants are closing fast