If you find Paul here, which you probably will, he'll be wearing his Air Jordans and playing NBA Jam. Ivy will be unnecessarily chastising her Mario Kart competitors on N64. You've probably got old-school arcade game favorites of your own, which are undoubtedly there as well.
Ivy has a penchant for tacos and El Fogon fulfills that need in her life. Enjoy a little Mexican fare with the best handmade corn tortillas in town. (Get the beef barbacoa!)
Even though it's in West Des Moines, AKA hell, this is a fun spot for large groups of people. They've got pickleball, ping pong, board games, shuffleboard, and a selection of pub food favorites. Plus alcohol, of course.
Ivy's beloved locale for kitchy items that generally have a feminist feel. It's a unique gift shop with tons of cool finds if you're trying to find a gift (or if you're trying to buy yourself something). #treatyourself
Hands down Paul's fave breakfast in town; he's a corned beef and hash kinda guy. Ivy recommends the breakfast burrito and bloody mary. (Add a beer back!)
Can't go wrong with any brunch item on this menu, but the biscuits and gravy plate is a pretty solid pick. Try playing I Spy to identify all the famous celeb mullets on the walls.
Stop here for a quick drink. It's small, but fun! (As evidenced by the one time they served liquor to a minor and suffered a 30-day suspension.)
Pick up some hilarious t-shirts to help you remember why you love the midwest. They also have books, stickers, baby clothes... pretty much anything you'd ever want.
Ivy can usually spend hours in this place filled with fine paper goods. Paper just smells so nice, ya know?
This place is a true Des Moines staple. A wait in line is usually inevitable, but the food is so worth it. Snag a plate of their french toast and a cup of coffee.
Paul and his friend Hoger should be partial owners by now, given the portion of their life savings spent here. It is also the site of their annual Oscars party. Grab their OJ beer, and help yourself to a board game. Food is BYO, but they're cool with anything, and used to Paul ordering pizza delivery.
Breakfast and lunch only. You have likely already heard of this because Ivy and Paul never shut up about it... Try the avocado toast or the huevos rancheros. And you can never go wrong with their weekend special.
As we know many of our guests are beer connoisseurs, we would be remiss if we didn't mention El Bait Shop. They are world-renowned for their beer selection (seriously) - 262 rotationally on tap! Plus, it's connected to Miller High Life Lounge, a bar that takes its customers back in time with the 1970s decor and shag carpet.
The happy couple went here on what they both deem was their first date before a concert at Wooly's. It's pretty much your typical bar, but they have a stellar darts board and fried pickles (fry-ckles if you ask Paul), so it's been frequently visited by the soon-to-be Soeners. They used to have Big Buck Hunter, but it's gone. RIP.