Ted's Coney Island has been serving Greek American fast food in Des Moines for decades, first downtown and later on Ingersoll Avenue. The Ingersoll location has advertised tenderloins on their sign but has served the pre-formed frozen ones for as long as I can remember. Their location in Urbandale has been around for just a couple years. Recently, a chalkboard reading NOW SERVING HOMEMADE TENDERLOINS appeared beside the menu board.Location: 2667 86th St in Urbandale, in the Des Moines Suburbs. I thought this was in Clive, then I looked at a map and found out its in Urbandale.
Directions: This is in the Westmark Plaza II strip mall with Hobby Haven and its toy race car dirt track on the corner.
The Tenderloin: You get a real good size pork loin for your money, it feels like about eight ounces. The meat is only slightly tenderized, the grain is still visible. The breading forms a thick layer. The whole thing has good thickness, only thin on the edges. Fried to a golden brown with ketchup, mustard, onions, and pickles. Overall a good 7.0 out of ten.
Price: $4.85, add $3 to make a basket with fries, onion rings and slaw to make a complete meal.Also on the menu: Greek American fast food favorites including gyros, coney dogs, grilled burgers, chili, and falafel.
Papa Joe's Pizza Loin: This sandwich includes a Italian Sausage patty with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian Peppers on top of a tenderloin. The Italian Sausage is served at more places in Des Moines than the pork tenderloin, so it is only natural to combine the two. Its priced to sell at $5.95.Service: Its counter service with food brought to your table.
Ambiance: Both locations have an upscale fast food setting with high ceilings and good lighting. This place is not a dive.Final thoughts: Its always good to see a restaurant replace a frozen tenderloin with a homemade one. The Pizza Loin is a good addition to the topped tenderloin selection, because it uses the next most popular sandwich in Des Moines. I would like to see the Ingersoll Avenue location serve these homemade sandwiches as well.
Wow! I never heard of a Pizza Loin before this post. I'm going to have to try it sometime!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review; we're linking to it from our blog.
ReplyDeleteI have been a customer for several years, but last night my wife and i stopped at 8:15 to place an order to go and were told that you were closed. When I pointed ouy that your sign said "open until 8:30, we were told that everything had been put away. I would suggest that you change the sign stating your hours of operation so we know when you do close.
ReplyDeleteOh, never mind, we won't be coming back!
John Schiefer
Clive, IA