Tito's Lounge: Balkan comfort food in Urbandale

From the outside, Tito's Lounge on NW Urbandale Drive looks like a good neighborhood bar. And it is: an L-shaped bar in the middle of the room, high-tops, a game area with an electronic dartboard, and a wall-length soccer field on one wall. But the kitchen is doing something most bars in the suburbs aren't. Since opening in November 2021, Tito's has been serving the food of the Balkans alongside its burgers, and that's the reason to go.

And no, the name has nothing to do with the vodka. It's just a catchy name.

What to order

Start with the cevapi. These small grilled beef and veal sausages are a staple across Bosnia and the Balkans, and Tito's serves them the traditional way: with warm grilled flatbread, raw onion, sour cream, and ajvar, a smoky roasted red pepper and eggplant spread. If you're new to it, this is the dish to try.

For the table, the spread platter puts grilled flatbread with hummus, tzatziki, and ajvar in the middle. If someone in your group wants something more familiar, the signature burger comes topped with an egg, beef prosciutto, smoked gouda, and chipotle mayo on a brioche bun. There's also a gyro, a smash burger, a black bean chipotle burger, pasta, and build-your-own pizza.

Try the rakija

Rakija is a double-distilled fruit brandy you'll find poured at just about every celebration in the Balkans. Order a shot, or try it in a Balkanita, Tito's own take on a margarita. Beyond that, there's a full bar, a short wine list, and a few dozen beers, ciders, and seltzers.

When to go

Happy hour runs every day, weekends included, which is rare. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, brunch comes with bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, and screwdrivers. It's an easy pick for a low-key weekend afternoon with friends.