Unearth The Voyage
There is a steakhouse tucked away in Des Moines, Iowa, that feels like it was frozen in time, and honestly, that is a very good thing. The moment you walk through the door, the dim lighting, vintage decor, and the smell of perfectly seasoned prime rib tell you that this place means serious business.
It has been feeding loyal locals for decades, and the buzz around it has never really faded. From a legendary salad bar to cuts of beef that regulars swear by, this spot delivers a full-on experience that is hard to find anywhere else in the state.
If you have ever wanted to know what a classic Prohibition-era supper club feels like in real life, this is your answer, and every detail of the visit is worth knowing about before you go.
A Steakhouse With a Story Worth Knowing
Long before farm-to-table became a trend, Chicago Speakeasy at 1520 Euclid Ave, Des Moines, was already doing things its own way. The restaurant carries a Prohibition-era theme that feels completely authentic, not like a costume party version of history but like a place that genuinely respects the era it draws from.
The dim lighting, the moody decor, and the overall atmosphere create a setting that feels like stepping back into a time when supper clubs were the social heartbeat of the Midwest. That old-school sensibility is baked into every corner of the space.
Locals have been returning here for nearly 30 years, which says more about the quality than any award ever could. A place that keeps people coming back across generations has clearly figured out something worth protecting, and Chicago Speakeasy has done exactly that with quiet confidence.
The Prohibition Vibe That Sets the Mood
The theme here is not just a coat of paint. The entire interior of Chicago Speakeasy leans hard into the Prohibition era, with decor choices that feel deliberate and layered rather than surface-level.
Dim lighting runs throughout the dining room, giving the space a warm, secretive glow that makes every meal feel like a slightly special occasion. The booths line a hallway that wraps around the salad bar, creating an intimate, almost hidden feel that fits the speakeasy concept perfectly.
There is something genuinely fun about eating in a room that feels like it has a backstory. The gangster headquarters atmosphere, as some regulars describe it, adds a playful edge without ever feeling kitschy or overdone.
The decor earns its personality rather than borrowing it, and that distinction is exactly what makes the ambiance here so memorable and easy to enjoy on repeat visits.
Prime Rib That Earns Its Reputation
The prime rib at Chicago Speakeasy is the kind of dish that people plan their week around. Seasoned with care and cooked to order, it arrives at the table tender and full of flavor, the sort of cut that reminds you why a great steakhouse is worth seeking out.
The lunch special features prime rib with fries at a price point that feels almost too reasonable for what lands on your plate. The portion is generous, the meat is consistently well-prepared on most visits, and the overall package delivers serious value for a mid-range price.
Those who order it rare or medium rare tend to walk away the happiest, and regulars are quick to point that out. The prime rib has become the anchor of the menu, the one dish that defines the restaurant’s identity and keeps the dining room full on weeknights and packed solid on Friday evenings.
Steak de Burgo and the Case for Ordering It
Steak de Burgo is a dish deeply rooted in Des Moines culinary tradition, and Chicago Speakeasy does its version proud. The preparation involves a tender cut of beef finished with a garlic and herb butter sauce that soaks into the meat in the most satisfying way possible.
People who grew up eating steak de Burgo in the area often say this version brings them right back to the first time they tried it. The tenderness of the beef, combined with the richness of the sauce, creates a combination that is hard to forget and even harder to stop eating once you start.
It is one of those menu items that does not need a lot of fanfare or a lengthy description to sell itself. One bite is the entire pitch, and the kitchen delivers it consistently enough that first-timers often leave wondering why they did not order it sooner.
The Salad Bar That Steals the Spotlight
Ask anyone who has eaten at Chicago Speakeasy what they remember most, and a surprising number of them will lead with the salad bar before they even mention the steak. That is how good it is, and it is not just because of the variety.
The bar includes fresh vegetables, pasta salads, sweet salads, and even some unexpected additions like raw fish that catch first-timers off guard in the best way. The Oreo mousse sitting at the end of the bar is the kind of dessert that makes you wish you had saved more room from the very start of the meal.
Homemade hot bread also comes with the meal, arriving soft and fresh from the kitchen, and it pairs with the salad bar so well that pacing yourself becomes a real challenge. The salad bar alone is worth the trip, which is a bold statement for a steakhouse and yet completely accurate here.
Hot Bread and the Simple Pleasures
Before the main course arrives, the bread basket sets the tone for everything that follows. At Chicago Speakeasy, the homemade hot bread comes out soft and fresh, with a texture that makes it nearly impossible to stop at one piece.
The bread is the kind of detail that separates a good restaurant from a great one. It signals that the kitchen cares about the full experience and not just the headline dishes.
Regulars who have been coming here for decades often mention the bread as one of the small constants they look forward to on every visit.
Butter arrives on the side, and while some guests wish it came a little softer for easier spreading, the bread itself is warm enough to handle the task. It is a simple, honest addition to the meal that lands with more impact than its humble appearance suggests, quietly earning its place at the table every single time.
Fettuccine Alfredo for Those Who Skip the Steak
Not every table at Chicago Speakeasy is there for the beef, and the menu is smart enough to accommodate that. The fettuccine Alfredo is a popular alternative, particularly when ordered with grilled shrimp added on top for a little extra protein and flavor.
The pasta dish holds its own on a menu dominated by steak, which is genuinely impressive. The sauce is creamy and rich, and when the shrimp are cooked right, the whole plate comes together in a way that feels satisfying rather than like a consolation prize for non-steak eaters.
It is the kind of dish that works well for groups where not everyone is in the mood for a full cut of beef. Having a genuinely good pasta option on the menu is one of the ways Chicago Speakeasy manages to be a place that almost any group can agree on, regardless of individual preferences or dietary habits.
The Supper Club Format and Why It Works
The supper club format is a Midwestern institution, and Chicago Speakeasy is one of the best examples of why the format has survived for so long. The combination of a full salad bar, hearty entrees, and a relaxed dining pace creates an experience that feels unhurried and genuinely enjoyable.
There is no pressure to turn the table quickly or rush through courses. The expectation is that you will settle in, make multiple trips to the salad bar, and take your time with the main course.
That rhythm is increasingly rare in modern dining, and it is one of the things that makes this place feel like a genuine retreat from the usual pace of eating out.
The supper club model also encourages sharing and communal enjoyment in a way that more formal restaurants do not. Families, couples, and groups of friends all seem equally at home here, which is a sign of a well-balanced dining environment that knows its audience well.
Live Music and the Entertainment Factor
Chicago Speakeasy is not just a place to eat. The venue also features live music, which adds another layer to the experience and helps explain why the atmosphere feels so alive on certain evenings.
The music fits the overall vibe of the space without overpowering the conversations happening at each table.
Having live entertainment in a supper club setting is a nod to how these venues originally operated, as places where a full evening out meant food, music, and good company all rolled into one location. Chicago Speakeasy carries that tradition forward in a way that feels natural rather than forced.
For anyone planning a visit on a night when music is scheduled, arriving a little early to secure a good seat is a smart move. The combination of a full meal, a Prohibition-era atmosphere, and live music in one place is the kind of evening that tends to leave a lasting impression on first-time visitors.
Hours, Pricing, and Planning Your Visit
Chicago Speakeasy is open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 9 PM, with extended Friday hours running until 10 PM. Saturday hours shift to a dinner-only schedule from 4 PM to 10 PM, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays, so planning ahead is essential.
The pricing falls in the mid-range category, with most meals offering solid value for the quality and quantity of food served. The prime rib lunch special in particular stands out as one of the better deals in the Des Moines dining scene, especially when the salad bar access is factored into the overall cost.
Parking is available on-site, though the lot can feel cramped during peak hours on busy Friday and Saturday nights. Arriving early or calling ahead to get on the wait list is the best strategy for avoiding a long hold time, especially for larger groups visiting on a weekend.
Why This Place Keeps Pulling People Back
Nearly 30 years of consistent business does not happen by accident. Chicago Speakeasy has built something that goes beyond a single great dish or a well-designed room.
The combination of atmosphere, comfort food, and a format that encourages lingering has created a loyal customer base that treats the place like a personal tradition.
Families celebrate birthdays here. Couples mark anniversaries over prime rib and hot bread.
Groups of friends return year after year because the experience reliably delivers what they came for. That kind of repeat loyalty is the truest measure of a restaurant’s staying power, and this place has earned it honestly.
For anyone passing through Des Moines or looking for a dinner destination that feels genuinely different from the usual chain options, Chicago Speakeasy is the kind of place that rewards the visit and sticks in the memory long after the last bite. Some restaurants are good; this one has become part of the fabric of the city.
