Jethro’s ‘n Jakes Smokehouse Steaks, Altoona IA

Got the pork chop dinner.it was to die for! Very pleased all around! I'm a truck driver and parked at the truck stop near by and walked the short walk over, if I'm ever in the area again I'm definitely stopping in again!

For the truckers. This is a great place to eat at, with in walking distance of the casino. A must try. I'd rather eat here at Jethro's instead of the casino. Affordable.

Went in and ordered food and drinks to go at the bar, and the guy bartending acted like it was a chore to help me. Great food but the service sucked.

Meal is normally good.
1st time at altoona jethros.
Meat was cold & mac & cheeses was cold. Shell noodles were a little under cooked too.
They brought more sliced brisket and wasn't that much hotter.
Otherwise would of been 5 stars
Went again and food was much better and hot, so I am adding a star for that.
Side were good too

Food was so yummy. Excellent BBQ. We had the family meal. A ton of food and excellent value

I’ve been to the original Jethro’s numerous times and this was my first time at this location. Just as good. Their burnt ends are so good. I forgot how good the applesauce is there and forgot to order it. The beans are mediocre and the potato salad is pretty good. Our waitress was also very attentive.

This is one of the best places, outside of Kansas city, that you could get some excellent BBQ.

First time in there I always Heard it was good I have the Brisket platter was not all that great. Chop brisket was OK slice brisket was dry and the burnt ends were hard.

Was out wandering and found this place, went in for lunch. OMG the food was soooo good! The corn muffins.had to order 1/2 dozen to take home. The burnt ends were great with a sweet BBQ sauce and the candied bacon, recommended by my waiter was fabulous as well. The mashe potatoes with gravy.had to get an extra container of gravy to take home with the leftovers. For lunch the portion was wonderful, too much to eat for me, and that's ok, cuz it will all make for great leftovers for work. Not a fan of the green beans, but I never really am so that is just me. Service was friendly and quick, great music and atmosphere. Definitely highly recommend this place. I want to come back and get ribs or wings.

Burnt ends were smoked to perfection. Brisket was very good. Ribs had a great smoke but we're a little dry. It may have been an odd night for them. Highly recommend the burnt ends. Great tasting BBQ sauces at each table.
Our kids ordered macaroni and cheese, it was phenomenal.

It was good BBQ it would have been better if I had eaten at the restaurant I think. I ended up taking back to the hotel and it was warm I had smoked turkey and pulled pork they were cooked good and tender ill definitely stop back in and eat next time I'm thruogh.

Food was amazing, full stop. 3 of us got water and were sick after, one person no water felt great. Went back a week later for the same food and also felt great after. Do not drink Des Moines faucet water!

We went there for the first time 8/7/23. The food was the bomb. We will be going again for sure. Love the music that was playing and our waitress was a sweetheart, very pleasant and bubbly. Had great sauces too, we bought a couple Bears to bring home.

Food is pretty good, the boneless wings are great! Used to be slightly better, but still good overall.

First time here. Service and hostess was great. Food tasted wonderful, and hardly any wait time. Try the Brisket platter.

We decided to stop here for lunch and this was our 2nd time in first time we thought was a fluke maybe.
Ordered the 2 meat platter with burnt ends, brisket, potato salad and fries.

The food came out pleasantly fast. I also prefer a bbq that has a great smoke flavor and doesn’t require a sauce. The brisket was dry, my husband’s pulled pork was extremely dry, the cornbread was more like a corn dodger. After scoping out the BBQ sauce I prefer a sweet and smoky just my flavor. I am not a fan of runny sauces. I like a thick sauce. They said the reason theirs is in a bigger bottle is because it’s best. Well when you compare it to the other flavors hands down it is the best that they have to offer. I’ll typically mix 2 sauces to create something, but no.
So my husband tries the sweet heat- it was definitely on the hot side.
Jethro’s house sauce was ok. I know this is a staple in Des Moines. As much as you toot your own horn with all your award winning signs around the bar, you should make sure it’s on point.

I visited Des Moines to my son making it to the the Jr Olympics. My family and I needed something good to eat close by our hotel and we truly enjoyed ourselves. We enjoyed the service, the environment and the food was delicious. So glad we got to experience this restaurant.