The Corn Patch Restaurant And Lounge

Amazing Sunday dinner at "The Corn Patch." Right on HWY 44 in Grimes, IA., easily accessible from anywhere in the Des Moines metro area. Spotlessly clean, friendly hometown eatery with a little lounge attached you could come to with your kids. Nicely seasoned and simmered homemade potato soup and bread to start with every meal. Today's special was all-you-can-eat fried chicken. Saw a plateful walking to another table and had to have it. Perfectly golden-brown, batter was light with just enough crunch, piping hot with not even a hint of oiliness. I generally go for the dark meat, particularly with fried chicken, but the breast was every bit as tender and juicy as the thighs and drums. With "Dennie fries" (homemade potato wedges), salad and a great cup of coffee, it was a fabulous Sunday dinner for about $14. I asked for an extra thigh for dessert. The waitress brought me two and asked if I wanted some cheesecake to go with it. She could have been flirting, I never know anymore, but my wife would have said something. Just a really great country meal. If you're on the west side of Des Moines headed for Cracker Barrel, keep heading west another 15-20 minutes and go here instead. You'll thank me later.

I chose this place because it was close by and had good reviews. What they serve here is total comfort food. If you've ever eaten at a church dinner or supper club, you will be magically transported back there with a meal at the Corn Patch. The food was ok and lacked flavors I would expect, like garlic in the spaghetti sauce for example. The amount of food you get is amazing! Free refills on potato soup! Very friendly staff. Full bar. Assortment of arcade games in the bar area. Nice family restaurant.