Okay, this post has absolutely nothing to do with lacrosse. Sometimes I come across something so great that I simply have to share it with the world.
Last Friday my wife and I were running errands in West Des Moines. It was about dinner time as we headed home. I asked her if she wanted to stop and grab a bite. She suggested the newly opened Louie D's Authentic Philly Steaks on EP True Parkway. She previously ate at the downtown location (700 Locust) during a lunch break and had raved about how great Louie D's was. It was a no brainer.
The 1903 EP True Parkway location is not very large, but it packs a great atmosphere. Reminiscent of sandwich shops in much larger cities, the decor is simple and classy. The smell of beef with a faint tinge of grilled onions greets you from the open kitchen. The menu is large but not complicated. Louie offers a choice of steak or chicken Phillys; you can have yours plain or with cheese. Louie offers Provolone, American, or Whiz, which is highly recommended. You can add onions, peppers, or mushrooms for a quarter.
Sides are reasonably priced as well. Louie D's also offers pasta, salads, and other sandwiches. Everything is reasonable.
We both ordered a steak whiz wit* onions; I also had peppers. Oh my God! It was the best Philly Steak I have had in the Midwest. The meat was tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The onions and peppers were a treasure of caramelized sweetness. The cheese whiz brought the whole thing together. And the bread! Louie has real Amoroso Rolls flown in from Philadelphia to make his sandwiches truly authentic. It is just one of the little things that makes his sandwiches perfect.
The potato salad was quite great as well.
We were fortunate enough to visit when Louie himself was in the kitchen. As it was not yet peak dinner time, Louie came out to hang with us in the dining area. We learned of his start in catering, his long running career in insurance (which brought him to Des Moines), and more importantly, his quest to find a perfect Philly in Iowa. After growing frustrated with not getting the taste he remembers, Louie decided to open his own place. He opened his downtown location (lunch hours only) in March. The West Des Moines location had its grand opening on July 14.
Louie told us that he will be expanding the menu to include his homemade cheesecakes and other fresh desert items. Louie plans to sell the cheesecakes by the slice and half slice (they are massive). You can currently order whole ten inch cheesecakes 48 hours in advance.
He will also be adding another iconic sandwich soon - the Chicago Italian Beef. Surprisingly, nobody in Des Moines sells the Windy City's favorite sandwich. Just hearing him describe the new sandwich sparked a craving that brought me to the verge of a weekend road trip. You had better believe I am eager for him to launch it.
Downtown: 700 Locust St Ste 7 515-288-3115
West Des Moines: 1903 EP True Pkwy Ste 308 515-226-8368
*Not a typo! Louie asks that you order properly!
