Where to chow down on Steak de Burgo in Des Moines

Steak de Burgo has been a specialty dish when dining out in Des Moines for many decades. Read about several restaurants that serve up this steak seasoned with butter, garlic, and Italian herbs. 

If you’ve never tried steak de Burgo when dining out for a fine meal, you are missing out. This regionally popular dish reigns supreme in Des Moines. Said to have been first created at around the time of the Second World War by Johnny and Kay’s restaurant—a Des Moines icon in its own right—this dish features beef tenderloin served with butter (or sometimes cream), garlic, and Italian herb sauce. Restaurant goers will tell you the smell of the dish is incredibly enticing.

Luckily, the popularity of the dish means you can pop into a number of restaurants around the area and dig in. Read on to see where you can order up steak de Burgo in Des Moines. 

1. Latin King

Steak de Burgo has been a staple at Latin King for more than 40 years. At this well-known and beloved restaurant on the east side of Des Moines, they serve a 9-ounce beef tenderloin with butter, garlic, and basil. For a unique touch, they top it with a giant mushroom cap. Many in the area argue that this is the best place to order steak de Burgo. We’ll let you be the judge of that. 

Steak de Burgo cost: $39

Location: 2200 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 266-4466

A steak de Burgo paired with wine at Latin King. (Latin King)

2. Tumea and Sons

Tumea and Sons is a well-known restaurant on Des Moines’s southeast side with a rich history that dates back almost 30 years. The restaurant has become a local staple, known for its warm, family-friendly atmosphere and delicious Italian-American cuisine. The steak de Burgo features two five-ounce beef medallions served with a rich buttery garlic sauce and garnished with fresh parsley for this presentation. At Tumea’s, it’s a standout dish. Their team says the fresh herbs add a burst of flavor that compliments the savory steak. It’s a must-try for anyone visiting this restaurant and is a testament to the culinary traditions that Tumea and Sons uphold.

Steak de Burgo cost: $34

Location: 1501 SE 1st St., Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 282-7976

A tasty steak de Burgo from Tumea and Sons. (Tumea and Sons)

3. Christopher’s 

A landmark in the Beaverdale neighborhood, Christopher’s first opened more than 50 years ago. With a legacy that long in the Des Moines area, it’s no surprise that this Italian-American restaurant serves steak de Burgo as a signature dish. It features a cream-style herbed sauce on top of a sirloin cooked to perfection and then topped with sauteed mushrooms. The atmosphere is charming and welcoming, and you are sure to enjoy every savory bite. 

Steak de Burgo cost: $40

Location: 2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 274-3694

4. 801 Chophouse

At 801 Chophouse, steak de Burgo is one of several USDA prime steaks on offer. This downtown restaurant (with several locations around the Midwest and beyond) only serves steak de Burgo on its Sunday Supper menu, so plan your visit accordingly. They prepare a 6-ounce filet mignon (cream sauce version) and serve it with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. 

Steak de Burgo cost: Varies

Location: 801 Grand Ave., Suite 200, Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 288-6000

5. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse

At Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, steak de Burgo is the signature dish, so you know it’s going to be delicious. Served with a cream-style sauce with roasted garlic, basil, and oregano, this 6-ounce sirloin–hand-selected and aged a minimum of 28 days–is also served up with your choice of garlic mashed potatoes, a baked potato, pasta marinara, or roasted vegetables. It also comes with a house salad and the restaurant’s homemade focaccia bread. Add in the Sinatra-esque mode of the place, and you’ll feel transported to a different era while you dine. Plus, there are other locations scattered all around the Midwest and beyond, in case you want to give this restaurant a try when outside of Des Moines.

Steak de Burgo cost: Not listed

Location: 6800 Fleur Dr., Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 287-0847

Steak de Burgo paired with red wine. (Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse)

6. Simon’s 

What happens if you want to try steak de Burgo but you aren’t into steaks? Head to Simon’s, where you can order up de Burgo beef, pork, or chicken. For steak, you can select from a six-ounce or eight-ounce USDA choice beef tenderloin. It’s sauteed in garlic, fresh oregano, basil, butter, and spices and served with the vegetable and potato of the day, along with a salad or cup of soup. And if you head in to dine on Wednesday or Friday from 7 to 9 p.m., you can also enjoy the sounds of live jazz. 

Steak de Burgo cost: $37.95-$39.95

Location: 5800 Franklin Ave., Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 255-3725

7. Baratta’s 

This restaurant on the south side of Des Moines has a comfortable, casual atmosphere, which can be especially nice when you don’t feel like getting too fancy but also want to enjoy a delicious steak. Order up their version of steak de Burgo, an eight-ounce USDA choice beef tenderloin featuring a butter sauce and their own unique seasoning blend. Don’t even think about asking for the recipe! This Italian restaurant has a rich history in the Des Moines area and has been serving up delicious pastas, pizzas, and more for more than 30 years. 

Steak de Burgo cost: $38.95

Location: 2320 South Union, Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 243-4516

The Steak de Burgo seasoning blend is a Baratta’s secret. (Baratta’s)

8. Skips

Skip’s is another place with a more casual vibe. A local favorite since opening in 1981, Skip’s serves its steak de Burgo dish as two four-ounce beef medallions pan-sauteed with mushrooms and covered in a butter de Burgo sauce. Skip’s is an American-style restaurant, so if your dinner date isn’t looking for something Italian like at many of the other restaurants that serve steak de Burgo, that can be a nice change as well. 

Steak de Burgo cost: $37.50

Location: 4000 Fleur Dr., Des Moines

Phone number: (515) 287-1820

9. AJ’s Steakhouse

If you’re feeling lucky, head out to AJ’s Steakhouse to grab dinner before trying your hand at the gaming options at Prairie Meadows Casino, where the restaurant is located. Here, you can order the eight-ounce filet or go with the 14-ounce ribeye if you’re feeling particularly ambitious. Either way, they will cover it with house-crafted white wine garlic-herbed cream-style steak de Burgo sauce. Whether you win, lose, or draw at the slots, we’re sure the steak de Burgo is worth the drive to Altoona. 

Steak de Burgo cost: $42-50

Location: 1 Prairie Meadows Dr., Altoona

Phone number: (515) 967-1000

10. Rusty Duck

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, head to Dexter and pop into The Rusty Duck. The best part about ordering steak de Burgo at this unassuming bar and grill is that you can order it the way you like it, and we are not talking about how well you’d like your steak cooked. The Rusty Duck serves steak de Burgo with butter sauce or steak de burgo with cream sauce. No need to argue which is better. It may be a small-town establishment, but it’s a dining experience that is big on flavor, just the way you like it. 

Steak de Burgo cost: $35

Location: 723 Marshall St, Dexter

Phone number: (515) 789-4142

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.