Sneaky's Chicken in Arnolds Park Okoboji

Sneaky's Chicken is part of a long running tradition of fried chicken places with raccoon mascots. Who among us can honestly say they would drive past a fried chicken place with a big raccoon on its sign. For their new location near Okoboji, Sneaky's added sunglasses, a visor, beach towel and most importantly sandals to its raccoon mascot.


Location: 293 Hwy 71 North in Arnold's Park, right off Lake Okoboji in Northern Iowa.


Directions: Highway 71 is the main drag into Okobji, and Sneaky's is just south of the bridge across the lake.

Sneaky's Pride: This sandwich is described as "famous" and "hand breaded" in its description. It felt like seven ounces of pork meat in the classic mitten triangle shape. The meat was cut with the grain and a little on the thin side. The texture was a great hard crunch on the outside with chewy and dry pork inside. I can't help but think this is the same kind of breading they put on their fried chicken. Served on a huge toasted bun. Overall 7.0 out of ten.

Price: $8.99 with two sides and pickle slice.

Also on the menu: fried chicken, side items, fried chicken, fish, fried chicken, burgers, fried chicken, chicken gizzards, fried chicken, sandwiches, fried chicken, and catering or picnic size orders of fried chicken.

They took a usual cole slaw mix and topped it with what must have been paprika for some extra color:
Service: I came in during the off hours and went straight to the take-out counter. I think its table service for dining in or on the patio.


Ambiance: This is a newly remodeled space that was just recently turned into Sneaky's. I don't know what was here before, but the dining area was open and bright, and you might be able to see the lake from the corner of your eye from the patio. I snuck out of this place without getting a picture of the building.
Final Thoughts: The Sneaky's Chicken location in Sioux City is in more of an older roadside fast food style of building several decades old. I saw the menu board there and it only listed Sneaky's Pride, and I didn't put together that that was the name for their tenderloin. I haven't written up many sandwiches in this part of Iowa because I don't make it that often. Sneaky's was only my second choice after another place was closed. I'm sure this place gets busy during the summer months when the lake is packed with families.

Zombie Burger Des Moines Plan 12 Space Loin

Zombie Burger has been the most successful new restaurant of the past few years in Des Moines. They have generated all kinds of traditional and social media attention from their initial opening and Zombie Walk to selling over 100,000 burgers in their first four months of operation. It was rumored that Formaro wanted zombie food ingredients, like brains on the menu during the developmental stages of the restaurant. Back in December, BreadGuy let out THIS TWEET to his legions of followers, and I had to go check it out when the new menu was rolled out.

Location: 300 E Grand Ave. in East Village Des Moines. Its the corner of the new e300 Building

Directions: Its at the corner of E. 4th St and Grand Ave., its harder to find a parking place than it is to find Zombie Burger.

Online at: Website with flash menu is HERE.

The Plan 12 From Space Tenderloin: The name comes from the 12 oz of loin meat used and an old movie. The interior meat had little orange dots of seasoning which I assume would be the bacon salt made in-house. It tastes significantly different to how most other tenderloins are seasoned. I have never understood the choice of bun, the sesame seed on this tenderloin just wasn't as good as some of the flour or cornmeal dusted buns found at small town places. The seven slices of pickles just added more mass to the giant sandwich. Each table does have a Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce bottle, or you can take some spicy mustard from a fixins bar if you think the loin needs some spice. Overall 8.5 out of ten.

Price: $9,99 a la carte.
Also on the menu: Over twenty burgers with toppings like fried chili or a bun made of fried mac 'n cheese. Hot dogs in top-loading buns, milkshakes with alcohol mixed in, chili-cheese fries or poutine, and Formaro never forgets to include vegetarian options.

The Zombie Nachos: The only menu item with Adobe Shredded Pork, and I can't pass up Pork Nachos anywhere. These didn't have melted cheese, and the tortilla chips felt like they had been made a day before. The pork was seasoned well and soft, but the salsa was extra tasty. A good portion size for $8.49:
Service: One section is fast casual with a counter and waiting for you number to be read aloud when food is ready. The other area is table service with a full bar.
Ambiance: This is a new restaurant in a newly constructed building. Walls are decorated with Zombie scenes and artwork inspired by Zombie movies:
Final Thoughts: The Plan 12 From Outer Space Tenderloin takes its name from an infamous B Movie but the sandwich is a blockbuster in size and quality. I'm not sure if the fashionable crowd of the East Village will be buying enough of this thing to keep it on the menu. During my visit another patron was staring at the sandwich like they had never seen a pork tenderloin sandwich before. There isn't another place in this neighborhood selling a good tenderloin right now.