Des Moines Going Out: Sushi, Smoke, and Scares
This week in Des Moines going out: Iowa's first conveyor-belt sushi opens at Jordan Creek on Oct 22, a Food and Wine-praised BBQ joint in Luther, and haunted house season.
Good week to go out: a long-awaited opening is almost here, there's barbecue worth the drive, and it is officially haunted house season. Here's what's worth it around Des Moines this week.
Iowa's first conveyor-belt sushi opens Oct 22
The wait is nearly over. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opens Wednesday, Oct 22 at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, taking over the old Panera space and bringing Iowa its first true conveyor-belt sushi experience: plates rolling by on a belt, orders placed from a tablet, and robot servers running drinks to the table. Expect a line while it's new. Details at Kura Sushi, and if you want a head start on the local scene, our best sushi and Asian food guide has where to go in the meantime. The same corner of town has another opening in the pipeline too, with Meddys planning a Mediterranean spot in the former On The Border for 2027.
Barbecue worth the drive: Whatcha Smokin? in Luther
If you've got a free afternoon, point the car toward Luther, about 40 minutes northwest of downtown, where Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew has turned a small town into a barbecue destination. Central Texas style, smoked daily, paired with Iowa craft beer, and good enough that Food and Wine named it among the best barbecue in the state. It's at 403 Iowa Ave, open Tuesday through Sunday, and the regulars know to go early: popular cuts like ribs and smoked turkey sell out on busy days.
Haunted house season is in full swing
It's October, which means the metro's haunts are open for business. Linn's Haunted House (3805 6th Ave, Des Moines) is running its 41st season this year, with the family carrying on after the recent passing of founder Merlyn Linn. It's open Friday through Sunday, 7 p.m. to midnight, through Oct 31. For the full lineup of haunts, pumpkin patches, and cool-weather outings, our fall things to do guide has you covered, and everything we're tracking is on the events calendar.
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