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Landmark spot featuring a classic Italian menu & an extensive wine list in a country-villa setting.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2200 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
Phone: (515) 266-4466
Website: http://latinkingdsm.com/
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Latin King | Italian Restaurant in Des Moines, IA
For over 69 years Tursi’s Latin King Restaurant has stood as a hallmark of quality traditional Italian dining in Des Moines, IA.
Menus | Latin King in Des Moines, IA
GREAT TASTES OF ITALY · CAPPELLINI ALLA SASSI. angel hair with mozzarella in a spicy tomato sauce 20 · GNOCCHI ALLA SORRENTINA. tossed with a fresh marinara and …
Hours & Location | Latin King in Des Moines, IA
Visit Latin King in Des Moines, IA at 2200 Hubbell Avenue. Open for Lunch: Tuesday – Friday: 11a.m. – 2p.m. and Dinner: Tuesday – Thursday: 4p.m.
Reviews
Janel Hoban
There are restaurants you go to for the food, and then there are restaurants you go to because they’ve become part of the rhythm of your life. Latin King is very much the second kind. It’s been feeding Des Moines since 1947, which at this point means it’s fed entire generations of the same families, and you can feel that the second you walk in. The place has that old-school Italian-American room warmth where the lighting is just dim enough, the booths are wide enough, and the smell of garlic and red sauce hits you before the host even says hello.
I came in on a Tuesday, which meant live music in the background, just a guy with an acoustic and a voice that fit the whole vibe perfectly. We started with the toasted ravioli, which is one of those things that sounds simple but is genuinely hard to get right. These were crispy on the outside, soft inside, with a good amount of cheese and a marinara for dipping that tasted like it had been going since the morning. Could’ve easily eaten the whole plate myself.
For the main course I got the Chicken Spiedini, and this is the dish people talk about when they talk about Latin King. The chicken is rolled and grilled and comes sauced in a way that is rich but not heavy, and the portion is exactly the size it should be. My partner went with the Cappellini Alla Sassi, which is angel hair pasta in a spicy light tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella. She’s had pasta a lot of places and she kept saying she couldn’t figure out how it was so good. I think that’s just what Italian food tastes like when someone actually cares about it.
The staff is genuinely attentive in the old-fashioned way, not in a performative check-in every five minutes way, just present when you need them and giving you space when you don’t. Owner Matthew was moving through the dining room the whole night making sure tables were happy. We finished with tiramisu, which was appropriately not too sweet, and honestly I sat there for a minute just not wanting to leave.
It’s a special occasion place for some people. For others it’s just Tuesday. Both are the right answer.
… moreI came in on a Tuesday, which meant live music in the background, just a guy with an acoustic and a voice that fit the whole vibe perfectly. We started with the toasted ravioli, which is one of those things that sounds simple but is genuinely hard to get right. These were crispy on the outside, soft inside, with a good amount of cheese and a marinara for dipping that tasted like it had been going since the morning. Could’ve easily eaten the whole plate myself.
For the main course I got the Chicken Spiedini, and this is the dish people talk about when they talk about Latin King. The chicken is rolled and grilled and comes sauced in a way that is rich but not heavy, and the portion is exactly the size it should be. My partner went with the Cappellini Alla Sassi, which is angel hair pasta in a spicy light tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella. She’s had pasta a lot of places and she kept saying she couldn’t figure out how it was so good. I think that’s just what Italian food tastes like when someone actually cares about it.
The staff is genuinely attentive in the old-fashioned way, not in a performative check-in every five minutes way, just present when you need them and giving you space when you don’t. Owner Matthew was moving through the dining room the whole night making sure tables were happy. We finished with tiramisu, which was appropriately not too sweet, and honestly I sat there for a minute just not wanting to leave.
It’s a special occasion place for some people. For others it’s just Tuesday. Both are the right answer.
Melinda
Latin King reminds me of a real rustic trattoria! I didn’t really order any classic Italian dishes, but their menu is full of them! It was Friday night so they were having a prime rib special and I can never resist that. We got the calamari to start, followed by house salads that preceded our entrées–medium rare prime rib and fried chicken, and a Tiramisu (to-go). The calamari was lightly breaded and nicely seasoned. The prime rib was absolutely succulent. I also added a side of spaghetti with the Marsala sauce on it. I’ve never had a Marsala sauce with tomatoes in it but it was eerily good, and surprisingly tasted similar to my Nonna’s. She always used a dry Marsala wine and most American-Italian restaurants use sweet. The fried chicken was also juicy and perfectly seasoned. Honestly, I don’t know why it took me so long to come here for the first time! Our server, Arianna, was wonderful! We appreciated her attention-to-detail and menu recommendations!
… moreDennis Platt
Great food!! Wonderful Staff!!! The staff was friendly and helpful, water was always full and drinks were on point. Definitely worth a stop, felt like an Italian grandma was cooking… so good.
… moreBabette Leshinsky
Our first impression of this restaurant was not good. I had made a reservation for 7. When I told the person who welcomed us that we would be 8 rather than 7, he appeared rather annoyed. We wondered why since the restaurant was half empty.
After this cold welcome, everything turned out well. Our waitress, Stacey was outstanding and so competent. We found out that she has worked here for many years. She is also used to handle large groups.
Overall, our food was very good. Portions are very generous and prices very reasonable. Come with a large appetite.
Also, we had read on Trip Advisor a few negative comments since this place changed ownership. Do not pay too much attention to those. We had a lovely dinner and were able to sit outside on a wonderful cool night.
… moreAfter this cold welcome, everything turned out well. Our waitress, Stacey was outstanding and so competent. We found out that she has worked here for many years. She is also used to handle large groups.
Overall, our food was very good. Portions are very generous and prices very reasonable. Come with a large appetite.
Also, we had read on Trip Advisor a few negative comments since this place changed ownership. Do not pay too much attention to those. We had a lovely dinner and were able to sit outside on a wonderful cool night.
Pamie “Iowa Girl Mac” Mac
OMG!! The absolute BEST Italian food, my fiancé and I both ordered pasta with seafood, calamari, homemade pasta was exceptional, service was outstanding, our server was attentive and courteous, I celebrated my birthday and my now fiancé proposed to me at the restaurant…talk about a memorable time. And the sever brought out a slice of tiramisu with a candle. Pricey but worth it. Highly recommend. We will definitely be going back.
… moreCorey Baker
We had a group of nine individuals for a business dinner. Service was great, food was as I remember it as I have been out of the Des Moines area for several years. Great job by the bar staff, wait staff, and the hosting staff.
… moreKim Weaver
I’ve been going to Latin King since before I can remember. It was always a family favorite. I haven’t been back there in a few years basically because of COVID, but my husband and I decided to head over there for an early dinner after we went to town to drop my son off at the airport .
They’ve done some updating to the inside and they now have an outdoor eating area. It was a little too warm for us to take advantage of that, but it was very nice looking .
Our waitress was wonderful and very attentive .
I got the dinner that came with lasagna Alfredo noodles meatballs and Italian sausage. All were very good, however I think I would have liked a little bit more spice in the meatball. The texture, however was excellent.
They carry a nice selection of beers as well as they do carry O’Doul’s non-alcoholic beer .
The focaccia bread and dinner rolls were also very good.
We are way too stuff to try dessert. Maybe next time.
… moreThey’ve done some updating to the inside and they now have an outdoor eating area. It was a little too warm for us to take advantage of that, but it was very nice looking .
Our waitress was wonderful and very attentive .
I got the dinner that came with lasagna Alfredo noodles meatballs and Italian sausage. All were very good, however I think I would have liked a little bit more spice in the meatball. The texture, however was excellent.
They carry a nice selection of beers as well as they do carry O’Doul’s non-alcoholic beer .
The focaccia bread and dinner rolls were also very good.
We are way too stuff to try dessert. Maybe next time.
Misty Fontanini
Just had the most delicious meal at The Latin King. Everything was delicious. But hands down our server Shayla was AMAZING. We had the house specialty Pollo Sorrentina & Filet Mignon Marsala. Cooked perfectly. Shared a bottle of Chianti. Then for dessert had the Tartufo (Raspberry Gelato coated in Chocolate and their house Raspberry sauce). 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s. Sorry this was the only picture.
… moreSandi Tucker-Stanbro
My husband and I had dinner at Latin King tonight on a whim. He had never been there, and it had been at least 15 years or so since I had been there. Eva was our server, and she was incredible! We had a calamari appetizer, and as folks who always get calamari if it’s on the menu, this was #2 on our list, getting edged out by sea side calamari in Jamaica, and I mean, who can get fresher than that? It was crispy, salty and incredibly well done! I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs (huge serving with lots of leftovers to take home), and my husband had the fried chicken. It came with FOUR pieces of chicken! He loved it! We got carrot cake to take home which was also very good. Will definitely return!
… moreLaura Lien-Schwartz
We went for a large family dinner and had an amazing experience. The service was fantastic and the food was fabulous. Our servers did and amazing job handling our large group. They were very knowledgeable about the menu and offered suggestions. One server made Stacey let me know that I could get my favorite dish the Chicken Spedini served half and half style ( served with both Alfredo and traditional Spedini sauce). This took a dish the dish to the next level. We are already looking forward to our next trip to the Latin King!
… more