Unearth The Voyage
If you think fast food is predictable, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab is your plot twist. This Des Moines cult favorite turns dinner into a delicious horror-comedy with towering burgers, outrageous shakes, and a vibe you will want to photograph.
With 4.5 stars from thousands of reviews, it delivers more than theme park thrills, it delivers craveable flavor. Step inside hungry and leave with a new go-to spot you will brag about to friends.
1. The Walking Ched Burger
You hear it before you see it, the crispy crackle of golden mac and cheese buns hitting the plate. The Walking Ched is pure stunt food that actually tastes incredible, with a juicy patty, bacon, and a creamy sauce clinging to every curve.
Bite in, and the crunch gives way to molten comfort that regular buns could never match.
Sure, it is messy, but that is part of the charm. Grab extra napkins, lean over the tray, and let yourself have fun.
This is the burger you order when you want memories and leftovers, because nobody walks away from this one without talking about it later.
2. Undead Elvis Shake Experience
Peanut butter, banana, and bacon join forces in a shake that sounds like a dare but drinks like a dream. The Undead Elvis leans sweet-salty, with smoky crunch in every sip, and it absolutely nails that nostalgic diner flavor with a Halloween grin.
You will want to take a photo, then immediately demolish it.
It is indulgent, no doubt, but the balance keeps it from feeling heavy. If you like cereal shakes, this one pushes the idea further with grown-up swagger.
Order it to share or keep it to yourself and call it dinner, no judgment from me.
3. Poutine With Perfect Fries
Poutine here hits that sweet spot between comforting and overboard. The fries are crisp enough to stand up to gravy without surrender, and the curds squeak the way you want them to.
You get a hearty, shareable side that can easily become a main if you are feeling rebellious.
Load them up next to a burger or make them the star while you sip a shake. Either way, you will be chasing the last gravy-glossed fry.
It is the kind of side that proves Zombie Burger does not rely on theme alone, they sweat the small things.
4. Goat Cheese Poppers With Raspberry Sauce
These poppers are the sleeper hit. Crunch gives way to warm, tangy goat cheese, then the raspberry sauce swoops in with a playful sweet zip.
The pairing sounds odd until you try it, and then you understand why regulars will not stop talking about them.
They are perfect for starting the table conversation and priming your appetite for bigger flavors ahead. Dunk generously, then chase with a fry.
If you are the person who always orders jalapeño poppers, this twist might become your new ritual here.
5. Juan of the Dead Veggie Upgrade
Craving bold flavor without beef? Swap in the veggie or Beyond patty on the Juan of the Dead and still get the satisfying layers you came for.
The spices pop, the sauce stays creamy, and the texture holds up so you are not chasing crumbles.
Ask for lettuce instead of a bun if you are going light, and it turns into a hearty salad that still feels like a treat. You will not miss the meat, which is kind of the point.
It proves Zombie Burger takes plant-based choices seriously, not as an afterthought.
6. Sweet Potato Fries Done Right
Sweet potato fries can be soggy. Not here.
These arrive crisp, lightly salted, and made for dipping, and they keep their shape even under shake-sipping pauses. The portion is generous enough to share, though you might not want to.
Pair them with a lighter burger or go full tilt with poutine on the side. Either way, you get a little caramelized sweetness that plays beautifully with smoky or spicy toppings.
They are the side that convinces you to skip the standard fries without feeling like you compromised.
7. K-Pop Ramen Hunters
Yes, ramen at a burger spot, and it works. K-Pop Ramen Hunters brings a savory, comfort-forward bowl with customizable spice, and the team will happily swap broths if heat is not your thing.
The noodles have spring, the egg is jammy, and the pork sings.
It is a smart move when you want something slurpable before a shake. Sit on the ramen side if the main room is packed, the menu is shared and the service is quick.
You might come for burgers, but this detour earns a repeat visit.
8. Chocolate Cake Shake Spectacle
This is dessert turned dial-to-11. A thick chocolate shake arrives crowned with cake like a tiny parade float, and somehow it is not just for show.
The textures blend into a spoon-sip-repeat rhythm you will not want to stop.
Share it if you must, but it is surprisingly manageable for one sweet tooth. Snap the photo, then lay claim to the best bites before the cake sinks in.
On cold nights, it feels wildly decadent. On hot afternoons, it becomes the only plan that matters.
9. Brussels Sprouts With Zombie Sauce
Brussels sprouts show up like a mic drop here. Charred edges, tender centers, and a tangy-sweet Zombie sauce that earns its fan club.
If you think greens are boring, this plate will change your mind before the second forkful.
They work as a snack with cocktails or as a veggie side to anchor a monster burger. Expect to scrape the bowl for the last sticky bits.
It is proof that the kitchen plays with flavor, not just gimmicks, and nails the balance.
10. Flamethrower Heat Lovers Option
If spice is your love language, the Flamethrower speaks fluently. Layers of jalapeño, pepper jack, and hot sauce ride on a juicy patty, and every bite lands with a clean, flavorful burn.
It is not pain for pain’s sake, it is heat with purpose.
Cool it down with a cereal shake or double down with poutine. Either way, you will get that satisfying forehead-tingle that makes spicy food fans smile.
Consider it your bragging-rights burger that still respects your taste buds.
11. East Village Vibes And Photo Ops
Part of the fun is the setting. Neon, campy posters, and cheeky menu jokes make the East Village space feel like a movie set where you get to eat the props.
You will find yourself reaching for your phone before the food even lands.
Photo ops are everywhere, from the wall art to the collectible Zombo meal boxes. Grab a booth, soak up the soundtrack, and let the theme loosen you up.
It is playful without being pretentious, the kind of spot that keeps locals and road-trippers happy.
12. Service That Goes The Extra Mile
You feel it in the little touches. Servers walk you through the wild menu, flag mess hazards, and check on heat levels for ramen or burgers.
When timing is off, they will swap plates to keep food hot without being asked.
It is the kind of hospitality that turns a fun meal into a loyal habit. You are seen, not rushed, and the flow holds even on busy nights.
That care shows why the reviews trend glowing, not just for food, but for people.
13. Big Kid Zombo Meal Throwback
Nostalgia comes boxed with the Big Kid Zombo Meal. Think classic roadside burger vibes, crinkle of paper, and a cheeky prize stashed inside.
It is limited-time magic that hits the childlike joy button while still tasting grown-up good.
Great for a quick lunch or a pre-show bite before exploring the East Village. The portions are generous, so sharing is smart if you are saving room for a shake.
Snap the box, keep the prize, and remember why fast food used to feel special.
14. Late-Night Friendly Hours
Hours here make it easy to plan a casual night out. Weekends stretch later, weekdays keep a reliable rhythm, and patio seating comes through when the line looks long.
If the main room is packed, slide to the ramen side and you are seated faster.
Check the closing time before you roll up, then settle in for fries and a shake that beat any drive-thru run. It feels like a hangout, not a rush.
That flexibility is part of why travelers and locals fold it into their regular rotation.
15. Why It Outshines Chains
Chains are convenient, but they rarely surprise you. Zombie Burger brings spectacle and craft, from mac and cheese buns to poppers with raspberry sauce that somehow just work.
You get real crunch, careful seasoning, and service that treats you like a regular on day one.
Prices sit slightly higher than drive-thru meals, yet the quality and creativity deliver clear value. You leave with a story, not just a receipt.
For road trips, date nights, or a solo splurge, this little Des Moines gem is the memorable move.
