Eating in Iowa goes far beyond pork tenderloin and sweet corn—though both are outstanding in their own right and shouldn’t be missed. From farm-fresh veggies to steaks the size of your head, the state has a motley of delicious offerings to satisfy any foodie.
The Cheese Shop of Des Moines
[gallery type=“slideshow” ids=“2141259,2141261”]A cheese counter and cafe rolled into one, The Cheese Shop is a local lunch favorite. The aroma of melting cheese wafts through the room, legs of prosciutto hang from the walls, bottles of wine stock the shelves to the ceiling, and the staff members are warm and perpetually smiling. For lunch, try any of the Toasties ($8–$12), amped-up grilled cheese sandwiches with your choice of add-ins from salty La Quercia prosciutto to fragrant Valencia almond butter, or the killer Cast-Iron Mac & Cheese ($10). Be sure to pick up a chunk of cheese—the shop offers Iowan to international varieties—and a jar of housemade pickles on your way out.
