Gone but not forgotten: 41 popular Des Moines restaurants now closed

Babe's has been closed since 1996, but this iconic Des Moines restaurant still lingers in the memories of many. It was a smash hit as a restaurant and "nite club" during World War II and maintained a reputation as one of the metro's premier restaurants for decades.  Register file photo

There are few other Des Moines restaurants like Bamie's that are remembered as such a singular extension of one man. Bamie Bonanno, known for his "wacko" antics and eccentric hospitality, served pizza at the corner of Fleur Drive and Army Post Raod for 23 years before closing in 1986. Long after he died in 1993, people were still commemorating Bamie's pizza by eating it at the Waveland Cafe in 1998, where a fire extinguisher and a trombone were set out in his honor. Register file photo

From 1998: The fire extinguisher and trombone with attached boxing glove that evoke memories of Bamie's pizza now are on display at the Waveland Cafe, 4708 University Ave. Register file photo

Run by Italian natives Harry and Ann Tancredi, Anjo's was first located in Madrid and then, by popular demand, moved to Des Moines. Though it was closed in 1991, Anjo's is still remembered for its unforgettable authentic Italian cuisine.  Register file photo

Beggar's Banquet was a deli ahead of its time and stood fast for 35 years, first in the Drake neighborhood and then downtown in the space Proof now occupies. The deli offered inspired sandwiches for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike in a laid-back atmosphere.  Register file photo

Big Daddy's BBQ cultivated a reputation as the best pit in town, the Capitol Park favorite closed after the death of its owner in 2004. Even Tom Brokaw would request that his driver pick up an order of ribs when he was in town.    Register file photo

A franchised restaurant, Bishops Buffet dominated the Des Moines metro for the better part of the 20th century, the last location at SouthRidge Mall closed in 1997, though its pies and fried chicken are still missed. Pictured at Bishops are Drake halfback Johnny Bright (right) and end Bob Binette (left), co-captains of the 1951 football team. Register file photo

Boswell's Select Foods was a treasured breakfast and lunch spot in the Drake neighborhood, this spot closed when its final Boswell family caretaker, Randy, closed it in 1996. Memories of those hashbrowns, however, will last forever.  David Finch

Opened in 1991, Cafe Su altered the dining scene in Des Moines as soon as it opened. Serving a variety of classic Chinese dishes while drawing from a variety of Asian culinary culture in a setting that set itself apart with its modern sensibility, the dim sum and the crab rangoons are already missed by its many fans.  Register file photo

Ahead of its time and gone too soon, this restaurant occupied a special place in Sherman Hill from 1994 to 2004, before the area's restoration and gentrification would kick into high gear. Chat Noir was also serving unique dishes with locally-sourced ingredients before the trend really kicked off. Former fans of the Noir can still go to the Northside Cafe in Winterset, which some of the former owners now run. Register file photo

Though only closed at the end of 2018, Chef's Kitchen was the pride of the Beaverdale culinary scene and is already sorely missed. The restaurant was bought by Jason Simon, owner of buzzy new restaurants Alba and Eatery A, so expect to hear something about the location soon. Scott Morgan/Special to Juice, Scott Morgan/Special to Juice

Crimmin's Cattle Company was a Texas-style roundhouse specializing in choice cuts like prime rib and filet mignon that once had multiple locations on the south and west sides of the metro. The last vestige of the restaurant closed at Southridge Mall in 2010. Register file photo

The Des Moines iteration of this regional chain only lived on Westtown Parkway from the mid-1980s to the early 90s, but the freshness of Flakey Jake's ingredients and the generous size of its burgers and other offerings keep it in the hearts and minds of many metro diners. Register file photo

The French Quarter was short-lived cajun-style restaurant opening in 1989 offered a unique and memorable cuisine on Court Avenue. Unfortunately, the historic and devastating flooding that took place in Des Moines in 1993 closed the original location. The restaurant tried to resume business on Fourth Street after the death of its original chef Tom Stirling shortly after before disappearing from the dining scene for good. Register file photo

Gino's Restaurant was a Des Moines institutional for nearly 50 years. The Italian restaurant closed in 2015 and left a large hole in the Des Moines food scene. Luckily for the restaurant's loyal patrons, you can still purchase various Gino's brand sauces and dressings are many local grocery stores. Register file photo

For the better part of four decades, Helen & Pat's was famous for cavatelli, a dish named for the small curled pasta used in the dish. According to reports, Helen & Pat's cavatelli was as delicious as it was affordable. The restaurant's flagship sprung up on the north side before sprouting franchised establishments across the metro before fading away at the dawn of the new century.  Steve Pope/ The Des Moines Register

Johnny & Kay's: Johnny and Kay Compiano, a husband-and-wife team, opened this still-missed-today eatery near the Des Moines Municipal Airport in 1946. Its Steak DeBurgo recipe made it into ‘Famous Foods from Famous Places’, a recipe book from Better Homes and Gardens in 1964. Also popular were the creamy garlic salad dressing, french-fried onion rings, fried chicken on the weekends and the red cake with white frosting. The Compianos remained in the restaurant business for many years after they sold the restaurant to the Hyatt House hotel chain in 1968. Register file photo

In 1946, John Stamatelos converted his Valley Junction home into a restaurant. Johnny’s Vet’s Club’s supper club atmosphere with live entertainment was where people went for the version of Steak de Burgo made with garlic, basil and a splash of cream. The recipe was resurrected by Steve Little of Chef’s Kitchen in Beaverdale before it closed at the end of 2018. In fact, Johnny’s was owned by Steve Little and the restaurant closed after the flood of 1993. Johnny’s name and vibe lives on, along with Johnny & Kay’s, with the regional Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse chain. Register file photo

After its start as Bucknam's Steak House in 1957, Bob and Rita Dietz bought this Ingersoll Avenue landmark in 1974 and changed the name to Bucknam's Imperial House. It was revered for its throwback decor and affordable options like bacon-wrapped chicken livers, steak Diane, barbecued ribs and ice cream sundaes. After longtime employee and manager Lester Brewer bought the restaurant in 1994 and changed the name to Imperial Steak House & Lounge, the restaurant burned down in 1996 and never reopened.  Taylor Carlson, Brian/Des Moines Register Archives

Like any late-night, local favorite greasy spoon, Knox's Cafe was more than just the favored eatery of Des Moines' north side. It was a capsule of culture, serving everyone from the after-school crowd to late night drinkers. Opened on Euclid Avenue in 1936 then moved to another location on the same block in 1956, the restaurant was closed and torn down in 1995.   Register File Photo

Millie's Tenderloin went by a few different monikers during its time, but the University Avenue casual dining restaurant, at times a drive-in, was known first and foremost for its tenderloin. That beloved tenderloin was lost to the public when Millie's burned down in 1988, a case of authorities believed involved a former police officer and the restaurant's owners. Millie's tenderloin was revived as Georgia's Diner on the south side before sinking into oblivion in 1996 when the owner's declared bankruptcy.  Register file photo

As soon as Mustard's Last Stand opened in 1971 on the corner of Harding Road and Forest Avenue, Mustard's burgers and barbecue were a hit. Like many other successful Des Moines restaurants, several franchised versions existed throughout the metro at one point, though the final Mustard's outpost in Windsor Heights closed in 2016. Register file photo

When this long-time luncheonette destination for noon-time (or anytime) steaks and chops was yet another victim of the downtown development boom. Mr. Filet outlasted many who opened their doors in the 1960s and saw long lines after announcing their closing in 2015. Zach Boyden-Holmes/Register File Photo

This nautical-themed restaurant was a mainstay of a former era on Fleur Drive. The Pier was the place to go in Des Moines to get your fill of surf and turf alike from the 1970s into the late 90s. Former patrons still think of it fondly as they pass the Walgreens that now stands in its place. Register file photo

Another institution devoted to the worship of the fried pork tenderloin, Porky's Diner had occupied a special place in the heart's of its diners and the wallets of area cardiologists since it opened in the 1980s. It was also a hot spot for classic car enthusiasts. The unique building the diner occupied for several decades was razed in 2009. Register File Photo

Closed short of what would've been its 25th anniversary in 2009, Robin's Wood Oven Grill — first as the Robin's Nest then as the Wood Oven Grill — showed the south side of Des Moines the value of a local place with reliably good food. The addition of the wood oven grill in the mid-90s allowed for a truly unique dining experience for the time. Register file photo

Opening near the end of the 1970s to much fanfare, the Rusty Scupper was the premier surf and turf restaurant near Terrace Hill. It was instantly the nightlife spot du jour where locals could catch music and participate in the local social scene. It epitomized a certain time in  Des Moines, though not an enduring one. Register file photo

Sam & Gabe's moved from Clive to Urbandale in 2004 in the former location of Kenilworth Cafe. Owned by brother and sister, Julia and Jerry Talerico. Jerry opened the original location with Marty Baedaro in the former space of Raul's West. Sam is the name of Talerico's son and Gabe is the name of Baedaro's son. The restaurant served Italian specialties including stuffed cannelloni, pizza and its popular lemon mousse cheesecake. In 2016, Jerry Talerico sold the business to Shawn Chapman, who opened another location in The Lyon building in East Village. Michael Zamora/The Register

Born along a wave of resurgent enthusiasm for the 1950s and part of a then-new wave of popular restaurants opening in the Des Moines suburbs, Stella's Blue Sky Diner opened in the late 80s and saw immediate popularity. The restaurant gave its patrons a replicated vintage diner experience complete with a talented server who would serve you a classic shake poured into a container balanced on the customer's head. Register file photo

In 1913, the Tea Room opened on the 5th floor at Younkers in downtown Des Moines. Shoppers and diners dressed for the refined occasion and the restaurant was known for its sticky buns, rarebit burger and chicken salad. Younkers closed its downtown location in 2005.  Register file photo

For 35 years, Top's Steak House served steak and baked potato dinners with salad. The restaurant was flooded in 1993 but reopened after repairs shortly after. Owners Maroussa and Sotere "Sotos" Annoussis decided it was time to retire in 2007. Sotos Annoussis was also president of a chain of 11 Spartan Steak Houses during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Taylor Carlson, Brian/Des Moines Register Archives

Wimpy's Steak House was a Des Moines institution for nearly 50 years, opening in 1931 and closing in 1980. Originally selling large hamburgers for a nickel, owner Joseph Cimino lived above the restaurant and hired men released from the city and county jail to give them a new start in life. These servers were known for taking accurate orders for large parties using only their memories. Copyright 2002; The Des Moines Register