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After decades, this meat-heavy Des Moines pizza is coming back

Scarpino's pizza will be sold at the Iowa State Fair this year.

News

Scarpino&#x27;s pizza will return this summer at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, more than 50 years after going off the market.Why it matters: The revival brings a rare piece of the metro&#x27;s culinary history back to the public.

How The Bake Shoppe's co-owner starts her day

Lisa Kannapel wakes up bright and early to start work in the bakery.

Growing up in the newspaper business, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bake Shoppe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/04/03/the-bake-shoppe-plans-second-location-in-waukee" data-vars-content-id="9dcfbc90-39bb-40b4-8bef-c377ef357f41" data-vars-headline="How The Bake Shoppe&#x27;s co-owner starts her day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/04/03/the-bake-shoppe-plans-second-location-in-waukee" target="_self">The Bake Shoppe</a> co-owner Lisa Kannapel was no stranger to early mornings.<ul><li>Kannapel says she&#x27;s taken on the work ethic of her father, who still owns small-town Iowa papers in places like Armstrong and Ringsted today.</li></ul>And while she still puts many hours into the bakery, a breast cancer diagnosis last year kept her out of the kitchen — a major endeavor as a &quot;workaholic,&quot; she says. <ul><li>Now she tries to take more moments to appreciate other parts of her life.</li><li>&quot;Ever since my cancer diagnosis, we&#x27;ve just kind of decided our personal lives are a little more important than we&#x27;re giving it credit for,&quot; says Kannapel, who runs the bakery with her husband, Chris.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Lisa is in remission, and the Kannapels are opening a second location this spring in Waukee.<ul><li>&quot;You only live once,&quot; she says.</li></ul>Here&#x27;s how Kannapel starts her day:⏰ Wake up: 5:15–5:45am.🍳 Breakfast: Two hard-boiled eggs and coffee. Scrambled on the weekends.📱 What she&#x27;s reading: Work emails. 💡 Her advice for new bakers: Start at farmers markets for experience.

Six Iowa counties get an F for unhealthy ozone levels

Over 500,000 people in Iowa live in counties with failing air quality grades.

Six Iowa counties received failing grades for unhealthy ozone levels, while Polk County received a D, per the latest American Lung Association report.Why it matters: Ozone pollution can irritate lungs, trigger asthma attacks and make breathing harder, especially for children, seniors and people with lung disease.

Iowa farmers face some of their toughest times since 1980s crisis

The president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association predicts fewer farmers in the next year.

Business

Falling crop prices and stubbornly high costs are squeezing Iowa farmers, with some warning that the strain rivals the 1980s farm crisis.Why it matters: The downturn is hitting a cornerstone of the U.S. food supply — with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ripple effects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-war-food-inflation-oil" data-vars-content-id="1a44a1c7-bf10-4815-be7c-f70c11b45241" data-vars-headline="Iowa farmers face some of their toughest times since 1980s crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-war-food-inflation-oil" target="_self">ripple effects</a> for rural communities and consumers.

Owner of Hello, Marjorie opening another bar in downtown's Equitable Building

Nothing Major is planned for this summer.

Food and Drink

Nick Tillinghast, the owner of cocktail bars like Hello, Marjorie and Secret Admirer, is expanding his footprint at downtown Des Moines&#x27; Equitable Building.Why it matters: Downtown&#x27;s business district has struggled with foot traffic since COVID, but Tillinghast, a decade-long resident of the Equitable Building himself, wants to help spur a neighborhood revival.

The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee

The longtime bakery is opening a second location in the Waukee Triangle.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bake Shoppe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thebakeshoppe.org/" data-vars-content-id="713855c3-32e1-41d9-b828-fdd49538a707" data-vars-headline="The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thebakeshoppe.org/" target="_blank">The Bake Shoppe</a>, home of Barbara&#x27;s iconic Champagne cake recipe, is expanding with a second location at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waukee Triangle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.waukeedowntown.com/" data-vars-content-id="713855c3-32e1-41d9-b828-fdd49538a707" data-vars-headline="The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.waukeedowntown.com/" target="_blank">Waukee Triangle</a>.Why it matters: The dreamy blush-pink cake has been a Des Moines tradition since the 1940s, and demand has grown so much in recent years that co-owner Lisa Kannapel says they need another shop.

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

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

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

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.

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>

Food and Drink 🍽

How The Bake Shoppe's co-owner starts her day

Owner of Hello, Marjorie opening another bar in downtown's Equitable Building

The Bake Shoppe plans second location in Waukee

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

Des Moines' best chicken tenders: Christopher's