Southern Woods is primarily a quiet residential neighborhood, but that is part of its appeal: some of the best food destinations are only a short drive away. The neighborhood sits near a particularly useful stretch of south Des Moines, where Fleur Drive, Park Avenue, Army Post Road, and the Southridge area come together. You will not find a dense restaurant row inside Southern Woods itself, but you will find a satisfying mix of old-school Iowa comfort food, international flavors, barbecue, coffee, bakeries, and seasonal food-truck fare nearby.
If you are hungry after a walk around the neighborhood or heading home from Blank Park Zoo, start with these local favorites.
Jethro’s BBQ Southside: The Big, Smoky Dinner
At 4337 Park Avenue, Jethro’s BBQ Southside is one of the closest full-service destinations to Southern Woods and an easy choice when you want a hearty meal. The menu leans into classic American barbecue: ribs, smoked wings, brisket, pulled pork, burgers, sandwiches, and generous side dishes. Prices generally fall in the $12–$30 range, depending on whether you order a sandwich, platter, or shareable family meal.
What makes this location especially useful is its broad menu. One person can order ribs, another can choose wings, and someone else can go for a burger or barbecue sandwich without anyone feeling shortchanged. The smoked wings are a standout, particularly if you like crisp edges and a choice of bold sauces. For a group, split a rack of ribs or one of the larger combo platters with sides such as mac and cheese, baked beans, green beans, or jalapeño cream corn.
This is not a quiet café stop. Jethro’s is better for a casual dinner, game-day meal, or family gathering when you want big portions and a lively atmosphere.
Smitty’s Tenderloin Shop: A Southside Tradition
For a true Des Moines food tradition, drive east on Army Post Road to Smitty’s Tenderloin Shop at 1401 Army Post Road. This family-run diner has served the Southside since 1966, and its signature King Tenderloin is exactly the sort of oversized, hand-breaded pork sandwich that makes Iowa dining memorable.
Expect a casual counter-service experience with burgers, fries, onion rings, shakes, malts, and fountain drinks alongside the famous tenderloin. Budget roughly $8–$18 per person, depending on whether you order the sandwich alone or add sides and a shake.
The tenderloin is intentionally larger than the bun, crisp around the edges, and best enjoyed with traditional toppings. This is one of those places where the food is only half the experience. The other half is the old-fashioned diner atmosphere, familiar faces, and sense that generations of Southside residents have made the same stop. If you are introducing an out-of-town guest to Iowa comfort food, Smitty’s is a strong place to begin.
Mayalu Coffee: Coffee, Chiya, and Nepali Bites
At 4226 Fleur Drive, Mayalu Coffee is a welcome change of pace from the burger-and-barbecue options around Southern Woods. This small café serves espresso drinks, Nepali chiya, pastries, breakfast items, momos, and curry puffs. Its coffee program includes drinks made with Windmill Roasters beans, while the food menu brings something distinctive to the neighborhood’s dining scene.
Plan on $4–$14, depending on whether you are stopping for coffee and a pastry or sitting down for momos and a more substantial breakfast. The steamed momos are the must-try order: tender dumplings with savory filling that pair especially well with a hot cup of chiya. Curry puffs and flaky pastries are excellent for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.
Mayalu also helps connect the Southside food community through coffee events, tea festivals, and the Southside Sunday Market. It feels less like a generic coffee counter and more like a neighborhood gathering place.
The Green Olive: Mediterranean Comfort on Fleur Drive
At 4221 Fleur Drive, The Green Olive offers one of the best nearby options for a lighter but still satisfying meal. The menu centers on Mediterranean dishes such as gyros, falafel, hummus, grilled meats, rice plates, salads, and pita-based meals. Most meals land in the $10–$20 range, making it practical for lunch, takeout, or a casual dinner.
The restaurant is particularly handy when your group wants variety. A falafel plate works for vegetarians, while chicken or beef dishes appeal to heartier appetites. Add hummus, baba ghanoush, or a Greek-style salad for a meal that feels fresh without being skimpy. The Fleur Drive location offers dine-in, pickup, and delivery, which makes it a reliable weeknight option near Southern Woods.
Primos Tex Mex: Enchiladas, Burritos, and Family Dinner
Across from Southridge Mall on Army Post Road, Primos Tex Mex is a go-to for familiar Mexican-American favorites. The menu includes enchiladas, burritos, taco salads, rice, beans, and other Tex-Mex staples, with most entrées in the $12–$22 range.
Primos is a good choice when you want a sit-down meal rather than a quick counter stop. The portions are generous, the menu is approachable, and the location makes it easy to combine dinner with shopping at Southridge. For a low-stress family outing, order a combination platter and let everyone sample a little of everything.
Southridge and SE 14th Street: The Practical Food Cluster
The area around Southridge Mall and the intersection of Army Post Road and SE 14th Street is the most convenient cluster for everyday dining. The mall’s food options cover categories including Asian food, Mexican food, pizza, sandwiches, coffee, desserts, and fast food.
A little farther east on SE 14th Street, you will find additional familiar stops such as Tasty Tacos, Culver’s, Raising Cane’s, and Applebee’s. Tasty Tacos is particularly tied to Des Moines food culture, known for its crisp flour tacos and simple, filling menu. Most quick meals in this corridor cost $8–$18 per person.
This is not the most destination-worthy dining stretch in the city, but it is dependable. It is where Southern Woods residents go for a quick lunch, an easy takeout order, or a meal that works for a group with different tastes.
Southside Sunday Market: Seasonal Food Trucks and Bakers
For the most interesting local-food experience, visit the Southside Sunday Market at the Southridge parking area near 1111 East Army Post Road. The seasonal market features produce, prepared foods, bakers, tacos, and food trucks, with prices typically ranging from $5–$20 per item or meal.
The market is where you may discover the neighborhood’s hidden gems: sourdough loaves, cinnamon rolls, tres leches, homemade cakes, rotating taco vendors, and small food businesses that do not maintain a permanent storefront. It also reflects an important Southside tradition: food is not just about restaurants but about neighbors gathering, sharing specialties, and supporting local makers.
The Southern Woods Food Strategy
The best way to eat around Southern Woods is to think in short drives rather than one walkable restaurant district. Choose Jethro’s for barbecue, Smitty’s for a classic tenderloin, Mayalu for coffee and momos, The Green Olive for Mediterranean plates, and Primos for Tex-Mex. Then keep Sundays open during market season for food trucks and local baked goods.
Southern Woods may be quiet, but its surrounding food scene is anything but limited. The neighborhood gives you easy access to some of Des Moines’ most recognizable Southside traditions, along with newer cafés and international flavors that make this corner of the city increasingly worth exploring.