Ben and I could NOT agree on how to spend this rainy day!
I wanted to see The Hangover 2, while he was leaning towards an afternoon of brewing and drinking beer. Both got a resounding boo from the other. Then I suggested we go fishing, but he said he won’t go anymore until we get a license, and the place to get them is closed on Sundays. Really?
Ugh.
One thing we could agree on? Lunch at Smokey D’s BBQ!
(Because clearly we didn’t get enough BBQ – or SAUCE – at last night’s festival.
These 10lb 6oz jugs of Big Daddy’s BBQ Sauce the boys bought were heavier than a newborn baby!)
Anyways, Smokey D’s has several locations in Des Moines, but the only one that’s open on the weekend is about 20 minutes away.
We’ve heard some amazing things about their ‘Q, and clearly had no other plans, so we said what the heck and headed over!
The collection of trophies we ran into right inside the front door, including this 6 foot 2010 TLC BBQ Pittmaster Champion one, made us realize real quick that we were in for a treat.
The inside of Smokey D’s is no frills and after ordering from a pretty simple menu, diners are free to snag a booth or table wherever they please.
We barely had time to start taking in the zillions of winning plaques, ribbons and trophies covering the walls before our food was brought out to us.
One Burnt Ends BBQ Lunch Platter with Baked Beans, Cottage Cheese & Garlic Bread ($7.95), coooomin’ right up! 
The lunch platter comes with your choice of 1 meat and 2 sides. I chose lighter cottage cheese to sit on the good side of the platter,
and rich baked beans to sit on the evil side. Muwahaha! They were insanely sweet and tasted just like Judy’s Baked Beans – my favorite summer treat!
The garlic bread that also came with the meal was just "ok". If I hadn’t just had Cossetta’s garlic bread – aka garlic bread nirvana – then I probably would have liked it better.
The burnt ends blew my MIND though! I didn’t even know what burnt ends were when I ordered them – I just knew they sounded to delish to miss!
I later learned via Google that burnt ends are the ends of a smoked brisket that are cut off and smoked even further to get extra juicy and tender. Apparently they’re considered a "delicacy" in BBQ cooking because of their high fat content. (I could have gone without knowing that last part…)
Anyways, I chose the mild and sassy BBQ sauces, that come in the sauce caddy at each table, to taste test for smothering my burnt ends in.
Sweet, tangy and slightly spicy Sassy won!
OMG. Burnt ends literally melt in your mouth. They’re fall apart tender and have this awesome crust on the outside. Even though they’re beef, they actually taste just like pork ribs – without the messy fingers and face. Lip-smacking good!
Speaking of ribs, Ben got messy with a half rack, 2 sides and a slice of garlic bread ($10.95).
The ribs were hot pink from smoke penetration. Perfection. We both agreed that Smokey D’s does some REAL good ‘Q!
After I hosed Ben off we both agreed that we weren’t ready to go home quite yet, so we stopped by Homemakers to test drive some new living room furniture.
We’re still using the same couches and table set that I had in my first apartment after college. Our living room is practically on its knees begging for a makeover.
Unlike clothes shopping, husbands LOVE couch shopping! 
Ok, wives too. "Ahhhh, so comfy, so full, I just need to rest my eyes for a bit…zzzz…"
We didn’t find the perfect set just yet, but I’m obsessed with these oversized, not-quite-a-chair-but-not-quite-a-love-seat pieces. So comfy!
Oh, right, the fact that Homemakers gives out free warm cookies and lemonade may have played a small part in our decision to stop by.
Well despite the ominous forecast, the weather did indeed clear up a bit this evening, so Ben is getting his wish and organizing the ingredients for a good ol’ beer brew. His buddies are coming over in a bit so I think I’ll go join them outside for some chit chat and a drink!
Have a great night!
I can’t believe a furniture store gives out cookies and lemonade! That is a sweet deal!
I love Smokey D’s, my fave BBQ place ever! I work right next door to their downtown location and the line is always out the door! Sometimes I walk by just to smell it
were visiting our friends in kansas this weekend, but we had identical days complete with spending 2.5 hours at nebraska furniture mart and eating ribs and burnt ends at fiorella bbq in kc!
I love Smokey D’s!! Especially their ribs and potato casserole!!
Yummm!
Def get the fishing license. This state needs money and fines are how they’re going to get it!
Yeah – apparently it’s like $500!!!
Yikes – it’s also a felony!!
I’ve had too many customer service nightmares to order from Homemakers ever again! I decided to give them another chance, and am still waiting on the correct dining room set to be delievered from January.. we’re on the 3rd try.
We’ve had great success at Redeker’s in Boone. Cute things and great service!
I have also heard great things about Smokey D’s, and our whole family room is from Homemaker’s…we had a great experience with them! On a random side note, your bob is so cute and I have not had the best luck with hairdressers in DSM, would you mind sharing the place you get your hair cut? Have a great rest of your weekend!
Yes! Carrie at Shear Madness in Windsor Heights – she is amazing!!
I think Wal-Mart gives out licenses on the weekend. Also, was that a bouch??? Those things are AWESOME.
You can buy fishing licenses any time at Wal-Mart. Or at Scheels. Or Bass Pro. Or a bait shop. I take it you guys aren’t outdoors types
Oh god that bbq looks so much better than Famous Daves, which is all we have in wisco
Oh my goodness I LOVE Cosetta’s! So delicious!
that bbq looks sweet!!
I have one of those chairs, they are called a chair and a half. I love mine!!!!
I love love LOVE my chair & a half (that’s what I call it). I bought it on Craigslist a few years ago when I bought my house and it is, to this day, my favorite seat in the house. You won’t regret buying one!
Those beans look to die for, that is always my weakness at places that serves them! Smokey D’s BBQ reminds me of Famous Dave’s! Do you guys have Famous Dave’s in Iowa?
Burnt ends are my absolute favorite!
I think you can also get a fishing license online. At least in Nebraska becuase i had to get one this weekend too!