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Decades-old, family-friendly surf ‘n’ turf restaurant serving meat cooked on an open grill.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3301 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone: (515) 255-6011
Website: http://theoriginaljessesembers.com/
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Reviews
Robert Shewmake
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.
… moreWhen 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.
Andy Finzer
I had a fantastic experience at Jesse’s Embers in Des Moines! I ordered the French Dip and the onion rings, both were absolutely delicious and cooked perfectly. The French Dip was tender and flavorful, and the onion rings were crispy without being too greasy.
On top of the great food, the service was excellent. A young man named Carter checked in with us regularly to make sure everything was just right, and he made the whole experience even better.
It was a wonderful visit from start to finish, and I’m already looking forward to coming back!
… moreOn top of the great food, the service was excellent. A young man named Carter checked in with us regularly to make sure everything was just right, and he made the whole experience even better.
It was a wonderful visit from start to finish, and I’m already looking forward to coming back!
Melinda
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!
… moreJohn Holveck
I haven’t eaten or stepped foot in Jesse’s Embers since the early 90s and I was very impressed. It’s intimate and original and the service was inpecable. I ordered the onion rings as a starter and they were delicious and set the tone for the entire meal. I like to think that I can cook a steak better than any restaurant and they definitely rivaled this notion. The filet minon was cooked perfectly medium rare and the au gratin potatoes were delicious. If you’re looking for a local non-chain restaurant that does steak right, this is the place.
… moreBill Carlough
One of my favorite restaurants on Des Moines. Great steaks, seafood and more. Friendly and welcoming atmosphere. When I’m in Des Moines I always make an effort to dine here.
… moreChelsea Rewerts
Have never been to this place. Me and my husband have talked about it for years. We had the best time tonight. The food was so good. The service was absolutely wonderful and the atmosphere was nostalgic and festive. We will be back for sure! Steak cooked perfectly. Yum.
… moreJean Biase Klein
Quaint atmosphere. Small, a bit secluded. I had the blackened salmon. Good, but not great. Nothing spectacular. Sides are pretty pedestrian. I went with a basic baked potato because everything else was equally basic. They do make their own creamy garlic salad dressing and that was good.
… moreRobert Bartholomay
Service was great. I ordered the pasta special – chicken parm – where was the Parmesan? My wife ordered chicken breast, rice pilaf was dry and very bland. Salads were good. Bread basket was taken from table before meal was half done.
… moreDennis O’Donnell
Despite decent food, and what my wife considered wonderful service, I am left with a bad taste in my mouth. Because the service was good, my wife left a $20 cash tip for a $90.95 bill. She wrote $90.95 as the total, with $0 tip on the merchant copy. As I was reconciling her checkbook, I discovered that another $18 was added to the total, a twenty percent tip of the original bill. That left me paying a $38 tip on a $90.95 bill. I have made numerous calls to Jesse’s, speaking with an employee, and later Christy. She agreed to look into it, and eventually, I received an $18 credit to my account. I was told this was an honest mistake, probably with someone else who had a $90 bill at about the same time. I asked for a photocopy of the original receipt, and received a computer copy. I followed up twice, requesting that copy of the signed receipt, with no response. I am sure that someone, although I do not know who, has altered the original receipt, however, they will not provide me a copy to dispel that belief. I will not dine at Jesse’s Ember again unless I was paying cash.
… moreSM DSM
Maybe it was an off day. Went to Jesse’s for lunch with some other fellows that I have know for a long time. It had been a while since last time there. As I said maybe a off day for the cook. Had the Ember burger and doubt that it was a half a pound. More like a 1/3 burger. Got the pasta with it. Asked for it be slightly pink, medium well. It came out more like well done and was quite dry. For 17 dollars getting a burger and small portion of pasta seems a bit overpriced. Rest of the fellows ordered burgers and one fellow a steak sandwich and all were over cooked. One meal had to go back. Buns were in some cases almost black from grilling them. Burger had no real taste to it. Food was sent back and order switched to a ember burger and took about 20 minutes to get another order out while the rest of the party ate. One of the owners I believe was there, but was not circulating among the patrons to see how things were going. Wait staff was very good since it seemed she had a lot of table to look after.
I may try it one more time before writing it off and not going back, but overall experience was just so so. Cook needs to be trained better, burger portions need to be reviewed, and prices perhaps reconsidered given the quantity and quality of the food.
Price before tip was almost 19.00 for basically a burger and small pasta and with tip over 20. Better value elsewhere.
… moreI may try it one more time before writing it off and not going back, but overall experience was just so so. Cook needs to be trained better, burger portions need to be reviewed, and prices perhaps reconsidered given the quantity and quality of the food.
Price before tip was almost 19.00 for basically a burger and small pasta and with tip over 20. Better value elsewhere.