Reviews of ShortE's BBQ (Restaurant)

david gray

Food was delicious. Service was good. Only complaint is if I'm cutting my own ribs I'd prefer something better than a plastic knife. But no biggie, I enjoyed the meal

denise Grandgenett

The food was very good. The portions of meat are very small, fantastic but small. The sides are good and portions better. Our waitress did not ask for any drink refill nor did we get any. The price was a little high for the portion of meat you get. The live music was good. Really have to step it up for 5 stars.

John Strawn

This is great place to enjoy a brew and some awesome BBQ! I'm surprised they are not packed every night. The staff is super friendly. I love this place.

Drew

Everything was amazing!

Jonathan Cottrill

Fairly pricey; food is good, but not outstanding. BBQ sauce options are poor.

Terry Hager

Good barbecue!

Carole Lieb

Great food. Busy time but still good service.

Perry Hartmann

Great food. Fun people in a relaxed atmoshere .

Theresa Chapman

Good food. Good amounts.yummy

Chris Gray

Really good BBQ!

Michael Mackeben

I stay at a local hotel often and had not noticed Shortees until today. Ordered a salad and wings to go. Salad was good but the wings were crazy good. Lots of good wings out there but these were something special. Tender and Smokey. Service on the phone was friendly, patient and helpful. Definitely my new go to take out in Johnston.

Stephen Coxe

This place could be 5 stars. The first time my family went the service was good. The food was on point, I eat a ton of barbecue each week. This place has great barbecue. The best part was it is a place that I can take my picky family.... and they like it! Now the bad, we have been to shortE's 3 times. The first I was amazed, the second I ordered a beer and after I got my beer that was the last time our waitress came to our table. After 20 minute I left some money on the table and we left. This was probably 8 weeks ago. So tonight was time number 3, I was hoping time number 2 was a fluke. I was wrong, we seated ourselves and no one came to our table at all. A table that sat down after us got served drinks and order taken. After 10-15 minutes of servers walking past we got up and left. So the food is good but service seems to be non existent.

Gabriel Kerr

Excellent bbq, the smoked turkey is bomb!

Ashley theRed

New Menu Items! Tried a taco and I was pleasantly surprised by the serving size. Definitely ordering that again. Then today for lunch I had the Turkey sandwich. Very tasty and juicy!

Trent Hunter

Place is AWESOME! A must visit! Try the wontons and tacos

Kelli Prussing

Food was great!!

Anthony Knowlton

WOW, fell in love with the falling apart moist brisket! Cool vibe and outstanding food

Moni Hart

Great food, very nice server!

P Wilson

Great food. Fun staff. Cold beer. If you want to be waited on and served great food, come here. My personal fav is the burnt ends. Had them on December 5, 2017 and they were so tender. Love the wings. And ribs. And the cold beer, I know, mentioned already. Just saying it again. Go to ShortE's if you want great BBQ!

Jim Jones

Shortys did a great job of hosting our large group and all of our orders were on time and correct.

Rusty Walker

Good food

Adam Bolander

Make sure to try the spicy BBQ sauce, it is very good! The sides we're very good as well! I had the bacon bomb, it was okay only because I don't prefer how the sausage was prepared (all other parts of it were very good though). Overall, good food, good service and I'll go back to get some of the burnt ends!

Steven A Smith

The chopped chicken is all of that and some. Old school flavor. If they'd sell half, whole, or quartered, chickens with that taste, It would fly out the door. The beef ribs were so, so, along with the brisket. Keep the chopped chicken, but add chicken on the bone.

Steve Williams

Great bbq, once you find them, behind McDonald's

Kati Anderson

Excellent quality meat. Large portions. Nice outdoor seating. Fast service.

Jack Carraher

Enjoyed this place. Good ribs and sausage. Would recommend cooking burnt ends a little longer to break down that fat, but not so long that they dry out. Nachos are great!

Eric

Ribs were excellent, very moist and tender. Sweet rub was unique and left me wanting more. Wings were solid also. Will definitely be back.

Matthew Moore

This place is legit. Maybe the best in Des Moines.

Brian Bum Hutzel

Friendly service, pickle bar, good ends, in a highly competitive field this place does very good.

Braeden Gierstorf

Best pork ever I like the fries and the cornbread too 5stars good job

lee kessler

Food was great, good service, easy sports bar

Jeff Harryman

Excellent quick friendly

Jennifer Fahan Houk

Good is awesome and the service is phenomenal! We love going here

Brian Hoing

Great food, great service.

Rob Carpenter

The service was fast and the staff was friendly. The food was kind of bland, and the price was a little high in comparison to other bbq places I have gone to.

Ashley Lawrence

Tasty but pricey!

Ahmed Al Kinani

Five stars , best meat I've had in a long time.

David Findley

Outstanding BBQ and really great service. I got the burnt ends and they were fantastic. I can't wait to go back! This is easily one of my favorite BBQ places now.

V Johnson

Great Food, Super Fast, Huge Portions... Brandi S did an outstanding job. Will be back!!!

Mallory Fox

We have eaten here several times and tonight was by far the worst experience we have had at Short E’s. Our order was wrong and our waitress disappeared for long periods of time and barely checked in on our table. The food was fantastic when it first opened and it has gone downhill since then. I don’t think we will be eating here again and will not recommend to anyone.

Melissa Cory

My new favorite place for BBQ! I got the turkey platter with potato bake and side salad. It came with corn bread. Amazing flavor on the turkey and not dried out. Everything else tasted great as well. was perfect! One tiny issue was I had iced tea. Or did I? I could barely taste the tea. More like water with a hint of tea. Which for me was not an issue I like weak tea but this was on the side of water. They still got a 5 star out me. Kudos!

Vicky Strand

Good food. Fun place. Great staff

Tammy Bannick

Baby backs were fatty and greasy. Chopped chicken was ok.

David Fast

ShortE's BBQ is by far the best BBQ in town. Great atmosphere, great food, and great people. Worth the stop, especially for the burnt ends sandwich!

Stephanie Anderson

Shore's BBQ is hands down the best BBQ in the metro.

Scott Holton

Had the chopped brisket wrap and seasoned tater tots! Fresh, hot, pure awesomeness!

Raymond Snethen

The mac attack is one of my favorites

Marna Landwehr

Best BBQ in Des Moines! Friendly staff and great drinks too! Highly recommend - enjoy al fresco if you can!

Jason Kems

Nice, clean, comfortable place. Food was good and service was fast and friendly. The brisket was very tender and not dried out.

Nick Behrens

Nice food. Bit pricey compared to Kued but as good

Don't Tread On Me!

Really good bbq and the service was spot on. Will be back for sure.

shane smith

Better than anything I've had at smokey d's by a long shot. These two guys know how to make high quality bbq. Definitely worth a weekly stop if you're a fan.

Patricia Vladeff

Great BBQ, nice selection, good sides

Tanner J

Great place for a quick lunch! I havent had anything less than great from there. Fast service, great food and always friendly staff! I highly recommend the baked potato special on Thursdays.

Herkey1

Service was great, food just ok, the meat did not have any smoke flavor and their BBQ sauce average, the sausage had no flavor the ribs were just ok but the brisket was really good. If their BBQ was as good as the service they would be a five.

Susmita Sanyal

Relaxed atmosphere. You get a lot of food for the money you pay (at least it was for me).

Levi Kragt

Terrible service, food seems like its frozen, meat was cold and dry. Waitress took forever for refills.

Kevin Johnson

Love food, menus confusing!

Billie Bergmann

Great for a quick lunch. Nice people, clean place, friendly service.

Lance Benson

Updated...best sliced brisket I've had in DSM. TLDR: Generally bland but nothing falls into the bad category. Loved the cornbread! Service was great and the portions are filling, but generally speaking (and keeping in mind my initial impressions of the meats are without sauce) the meal was bland and the price vs quality isn't competitive for the local BBQ scene. Since it was my first time at the restaurant, I tried to sample a variety. I had the pulled pork, sliced turkey, green beans, cheesy corn and potato bake. The cornbread was sweet and moist...my favorite kind, so I'll give them points there! The pulled pork was moist but had little flavor, once I poured on the Texas BBQ (3 times) it was okay. The turkey was actually pretty good and I'll recommend it to my turkey loving friends. The potato bake was again bland, but I enjoyed it more than the other two sides. The green beans came across with little flavor even though prepared with bacon. I derived this from mouth texture and digging through the beans. Also, I noted that they tasted oddly sweet. The cheesy corn would have been much better with a more flavorful cheese. As it the side came across like a sweet corn putty where the contribution the cheese real made was as glue. In closing, the best thing on my plate was the one piece of cornbread...which honestly ia probably the best in town I've had!

Jimmy Lela

I've only been once and will definitely go again to try other items but my pulled pork was bland and watery and my coleslaw was somehow simultaneously tasteless and bad tasting. Staff was great though and others I was with enjoyed their food, so it very well may be a good place. Also I did really like the pickled onions.

Matt Lenaghan

This our new Friday lunch spot and after the first trip there it will be your next place that you always want to go. Food it hot, fresh and delicious. Order at the counter and even on busy days wait time for your food averages less than 3 minutes. most times it is ready by the time you get ready to pay. I honestly don't think i have one complaint after going here dozens of times in the last 2 months, maybe only that i wish i could eat more!

Jim Howard

The food was good and quick, but the prices are high.

Lucia Dorr

Both days that I was in Des Moines I had to eat here. Delicious tacos and brisket sandwich

Cole Ripperger

With karate next door on Tuesday nights we have started to patron shortes a lot because of the kids eat free on Tuesday nights!!! Havnt had a menu item we havnt liked... also the cheesy corn is the best in the metro

Joanna Sue

Good food and fast service!

Matt Carnahan

Good place for board and ale.

Steve Pearson

Amazing food, great atmosphere and excellent service!

Nick Winterberg

All the different types of meat are flavorful and moist! Sauces have great taste and the mac n cheese is great. Service is perfect both times I've been there.

Mike and Tammy Twedt

First time and it was amazing! Our waitress Maranda M. was great! She is a standout from her peers! Great food and terrific service!

Adam Van Haaften

Great food! Even had gluten free buns!

Lon Gretillat

Not the greatest. I would say one step above fast food bbq if there was such a thing.

Kari Shadley

So delicious! I loved their ribs and their sides are phenomenal. Definitely go there for some good BBQ.

Bradley Robinson

Best BBQ I’ve ever eaten.

Dan Koch

Great sliced brisket and pulled pork. Liked the beans and loved the cheesy corn. Just a tad pricier compared to other metro bbq places but the quality is right up there. Will visit again

D Hanson

Great food!

Jay Ginsberg

First time there. Really good food and fun atmosphere. Definitely recommend.

Tim Meyer

Great service. Good food. Wife and I had the sliced turkey which was worth the trip. Corn bread was moist and really good. Spicy sauce was good but perfer the sweet Texas (personal preference)... but wife preferred the spicy sause. :-) Worth the stop.

Jon Bunger

Pleasantly surprised!! Very very good!! Very quick. Very delicious! I WILL be back A LOT!!!

Stephen Garofalo

Went for an early dinner around 4pm on a Friday. It wasn't busy, but the waitress was friendly and attentive. And more importantly, the food was phenomenal! I'll define be going back.

Marcos Muñiz

God teaste and god service

SEJ

Been there before. Service bad. Heard staff arguing. Food was good when it arrived.

Rich Onder

Mostly go here for lunch, prices not to bad, good food and fast and friendly service.

M Nemmers

Had a meeting with someone for several hours there and it was slow most of the time but the help was very attentive to our needs during the whole time. The food was very good and I appreciated the service.

Max Scott

The meat is better than Jethro's. I got the Texas Club and it was fantastic- the brisket fell apart when I touched it. My side was loaded potatoes which were ok, kind of a cheesy hashbrown dish. My wife got the buffalo chicken wrap and the mac n cheese for a side. The macaroni was great. We are happy to find a new restaurant that is really good.

Kim Harman

Friendly and helpful service. The Pitmaster sandwich is delicious and they make really good tots. Ranks right up there with Oklahoma Joe's in KC.

Mike Mitchell

Typical BBQ atmosphere. 15$ for the small portion of fatty rib tips was disappointing, all though tasty . Good sides and sauces, maybe need some hotter choices. Ohh and most importantly,. 7$ for a 20oz Beer!! at lunch!!! :(

Chris Topolinski

Best ribs, best wings, best brisket, best turkey, great sides, great beer selection. Try the Texas Club. New item. It's to DIE FOR.

Nicholas Ranch

Absolutely spectacular. Best flavored smoked meat in Des Moines. It's not too rich in flavor. It's fantastic. New favorite BBQ in Des Moines. Keep it up!!

Douglas Deaton

Awesome sliced Turkey sandwich

Jeremy Moranville

Great food & great bartender.

Randy Black

Portion sizes shrank after about six months about that time a menu change and some prices also adjusted, upwards; that was disappointing. The food however, is great. Counter/serving staff was turning over a bit so don't expect them to know much about the menu or suggestions. Come ready to eat.

shaun schneider

Excellent food and service. Will eat there again.

Crystal Dunham

Amazing food and atmosphere. Don’t like the plastic cutlery due to its not environmental friendly. Overall it is a great place to eat!!!!

Duane HUBBARD

Can't recommend this place enough; great BBQ meats, sides are spot on, good drinks, friendly service. Nice casual dining place. I'd post a picture but I had to dig in before I thought of it.

Mike Cleaver

Waitress was great. Food was good.

Tommy Yates

The food is delicious and service is outstanding. Make sure to try the Pitmaster sandwich. Pick a side, any side. they are all great.

Yvetta Cairns

Very good

Crystal W

It's not as good as it use to be, and the change in staff actually made it worse. We use to eat here weekly but the food has become more bland recently and they've forgotten food on several occasions. It's to the point where you have to check everything every time you go and when you tell them they forgot a side they don't believe you. Literally ran the food out to the car to check and saw they forgot one side so we took the food back in and they had to open all of the food to make sure we weren't lying. It's about as bad as the time we ordered extra ribs which they call "bones" and gave us buns instead. Hopefully they workout some of the training issues because it's really good when everything is prepared correctly.

Bill Haverman

Great pulled pork.

Joseph Kennedy

Great variety of foods with a laid back atmosphere. Try it!

Wyatt Doering

Love the food and good price

Wayne Henderson

Love that Bacon Bomb!

Cole Rixner

I wasnt sure about this place, as I heard little about it, but I came in and found a wonderful family style bbq restaurant that I go to every Friday from then on!

Anthony J. Gomez

Excellent food I highly recommended it,best barbecue in town. Service was fast and very friendly beer ice cold.

Damian Houk

My new FAVORITE for BBQ! Had the Texas Club which had smoked brisket, pork, ham and bacon... Best BBQ sandwich I've had in A LONG time from any of the local joints. Had the Loaded Potato Bake for my side..... very flavourful and creamy, was definitely a good choice. Each of the meats individually would have been great on their own, but together was a great combo. My wife ordered the smoked turkey with the broccoli salad for her side. I tried both and they were very good. I was tempted to order one of the sandwiches with smoked sausage on it but have found many times sausage is hit or miss....I asked our server how it was and she brought me a sample to try..... will definitely be getting something with sausage on our next trip here.

Tim Schindel

Fall off the bone bbq ribs hands down best bbq in town and the coleslaw is awesome.

Rich Thorpe

Delicious! Didn't know about this place that long ago, but now I do and we keep going back weekly. Their ribs are really good and so are their sides. Reasonable prices and the staff is friendly and professional. Would def recommend.

neal baedke

Little high on price but still dam good brisket. Sauces could be tad thicker.

Bill Privett

Yummy Stuff

Saldin Bajric

Expensive but good.

Krista Kielty

What a great find!! They are relatively new in Johnston - but they got the food right!! They offer gluten free items too!! Burnt ends and the baked beans were off the hook!

Richard Renfro

The burnt ends and brisket was outstanding! The cornbread was delicious too! We will be back!

Steven McNab

Worth the trip. Amazing food and service!

Joseph, T Kendall

Great food.

Deb Mark

Great Bbq, great service, fast and good!

Scott

Great food and service,..Delecious.Kids meals huge for 5 bucks,everything tasted fresh.A+

Renee Sexton

I had the pit master and my son had the ribs, delicious! We also enjoyed the broccoli slaw and cheesy corn and corn bread, Yummy! Great service too!

A L

Good bbq, good burnt ends! Will come back.

Kurt Ballard

Pulled pork is to die for, best I had yet in Des Moines! Great atmosphere , wonderful staff! --Kurt

Richard Buscher

Best brisket, hands down. Fast friendly service. You cannot go wrong with anything on menu. I try to have at least one thing different each time I visit and have not found anything that isn't fantastic.

Jakob Hood

Fast service. People were nice. The food was adequate but not worth the price.

Keith Wilges

The brisket was excellent and so was the pulled pork (not watery). I will go back. And I will tell others of my great experience.Thank you ShortE's!!!

Curtis Dumas

Best BBQ - sliced brisket just falls apart...really tender and tasty

P Jack

Attempted to go 2 times, once they were closed for a private party shortly after opening and another time after that. Live in Urbandale and love good BBQ but after 2 times of wanting to try and couldn't, I don't know if we will try a third?

Joe Huebbe

It was ok. Smaller portions than other area bbq's and cost more.

Michael Curry

Great BBQ friendly staff. Clean and comfortable.

Annie Novak Clough

This is a hidden gem! Excellent tender meat, great service and reasonable prices. We will be back!

Jonathan Meiners

Love it! Allways good and fast...great for lunch or dinner!

Brady Walz

Excellent service, plenty of seating, and excellent BBQ. Variety of sauces. Variety of specials. Love the BBQ Potato on Thursdays. This is what Ive been missing since leaving Oklahoma.