Editorial summary
Walk into 801 Chophouse and the rhythm of Des Moines is immediate, the aroma of steak house cooking, a counter buzzing with regulars, and a menu board that reads like a love letter to the cuisine.
The kitchen leans into bold, layered flavors without overcomplicating the plate, sauces are made in-house, proteins are cooked to order, and there is enough variety to keep groups happy.
The room is bright and unfussy, counter ordering, a wash of casual seating, and just enough warmth in the lighting to make a solo lunch feel like a small treat rather than a transaction.
For a fast-casual spot, the value-to-quality ratio is unusually high; you can put together a satisfying meal without crossing into sit-down restaurant territory on the bill.
801 Chophouse is exactly what a strong fast-casual restaurant should be in Des Moines: focused, friendly, fairly priced, and unmistakably better than its category usually delivers in the steak house lane.
Cuisine and category
801 Chophouse is registered primarily as a Steak House fast-casual operator. The fast-casual format here means counter ordering, real cooking on the line, and a price point that respects a weekday meal, somewhere in the $$$ range depending on what you put together.
Where it is
You will find 801 Chophouse at 801 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, IA 50309. It is part of the broader Des Moines fast-casual scene, and one of 12 restaurants currently registered across Iowa.