Smokey D’s BBQ on NW 2nd Street in Des Moines has been building a reputation as one of the Midwest’s premier competition and restaurant BBQ operations since Darren Warth opened it, bringing the low-and-slow smoked meats and championship pit technique that has earned Smokey D’s a trophy case full of competition titles to a restaurant format that serves the Des Moines community the same quality that wins national BBQ competitions. It appeared in Season 21, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken,” which aired December 5, 2014. Guy Fieri found a Des Moines pit kitchen doing championship-level BBQ for the public — the kind of smoked meat that earns a Midwest restaurant its national reputation.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Smokey D’s BBQ
City: Des Moines, Iowa
Cuisine: BBQ
DDD Season: 21
DDD Episode: 12
Episode Title: Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken
Original Air Date: December 5, 2014
Address: 5055 NW 2nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: 515-243-2747
Website: https://smokeydsbbq.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Smoked Brisket with proper bark and smoke ring — the competition-level cut that earns Smokey D’s its national BBQ reputation — is the pit centerpiece and the item most first-timers order on the recommendation of anyone who has eaten there. The Pulled Pork with house-made sauce is the everyday classic that earns its own devoted following among Des Moines regulars. The Competition Ribs with the glaze and smoke commitment that wins trophies are the other item most regulars add to any brisket order. The House-Made Sides — baked beans, coleslaw, and mac and cheese — are built with the same from-scratch commitment as the meat. Find a Des Moines hotel on Trivago.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours and locations.
Address: 5055 NW 2nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313
Phone: 515-243-2747
Website: https://smokeydsbbq.com
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
Smokey D’s is one of the most decorated competition BBQ operations in the Midwest. Stream the Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken episode on Amazon and bring the pit home with Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Dry Rub Variety Pack and Guy on Fire: Adventures in Outdoor Cooking.
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Smokey D’s BBQ appeared in Season 21, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken,” originally aired December 5, 2014.