Restaurants in Ankeny

When the owners first laid eyes on the 116-year-old house that would later become Capital Pub and Hot Dog Co., they viewed it as an opportunity to accomplish a long-lived goal rather than as an archaic, dilapidated building. Today, the once-condemned structure stands completely renovated and now serves as a dining hotspot where neighborhood regulars furnish their bellies with 100%-all-beef Klement's hot dogs and signature cocktails. The laid-back eatery's 13 Capital Dogs bear such unique toppings as homemade chili, crispy Fritos, and buffalo hot sauce, and its hearty sandwiches punch hunger in the gut with Angus beef, marinated chicken, and american cheese. Headlining a hefty appetizer menu, sweet-potato fries drizzled in honey and accompanied by marshmallow-cream sauce charm taste buds with bites sweeter than love notes written by Oompa Loompas. Capital's sleek, intimate space treats stompers to warm wooden floors that glimmer beneath burnished dining islands and beer-inspired signage.

Since 1964, Blimpie has filled patrons' bellies with submarines packed with freshly sliced meats and quality toppings. Each of the coast-to-coast franchise's locations offers an assortment of bread-based eats ranging from classic deli subs to paninis served between warm ciabatta buns festooned with grill stripes or uneven tan lines. Subsmiths roll up fresh wraps and keep waistlines in check with Lighter Stuff, a health-conscious selection of menu items with less than 400 calories and 6 grams of fat. Kids' meals satiate the appetites of youngsters 12 years old and younger or adults with fake IDs.

801 Chophouse approaches the Platonic form of a special-occasion restaurant, where every table might well hold a ring in a hidden box or a couple celebrating an anniversary. There are the white tablecloths popping against dark leather booths, the racks of wine tended by a certified sommelier, the encyclopedic list of single-malt scotches, and, of course, the chops and steaks, all USDA Prime. On the other hand, it's quite conceivable that someone might gladly eat at 801 Chophouse every week—the menu and drink selection could accommodate months of exploration, and an ever-changing "fresh sheet" overflows with the seafood selections of the day.

On any given night, the wait staff moves across wooden floors beneath high ceilings and 1920s-inspired decor, trays loaded with Maine lobster pulled live from the tank, nine creative potato preparations, filet mignon, and dry-aged pork chops. Meanwhile, golden calf statues gaze out over the dining room's cherry-wood finishes and granite counters, waiting patiently to graze on uneaten garnishes.

Bennigan’s evokes a spirit of Irish hospitality with Celtic-inflected fare and generous portions, evidenced in their half-pound burgers and overflowing pints. The eatery’s focuses on hearty meat dishes such as the pot roast doused in red-ale gravy, the new york strip steak, and baby-back ribs. Half-pound single-patty burgers, such as the Guinness-glazed bacon burger, kneel before The Big Irish, a two-patty tower interspersed with three bun slices. Alternatively, groups can share plates of snacks such as bacon-cheeseburger chips—kettle chips topped in ground beef, bacon bits, and cheese—as they cheer for their favorite team or shout the species of their favorite mascot during televised games.

Business at Red Bistro is a family affair. Everything from the menu items to the interior design to the day-to-day operations is handled by one of the Nong siblings. Their brother, Executive Chef Zon, taps his culinary instincts to create an eclectic mix of traditional and innovative Chinese dishes that include familiar favorites such as lo mein alongside dishes such as tilapia with ginger sauce and shrimp on crispy noodles. The restaurant folds in Japanese culinary traditions with fresh sushi—chefs assemble artful rolls such as the Red Caterpillar, which features a topping of crab meat and unagi sauce and a heart of tempura shrimp and gold.