Flying Mango on Hickman Road in Des Moines has been one of the city’s most celebrated Southern, BBQ, and Cajun-Creole restaurants since it opened, building a menu around the slow-smoked meats, gumbo, and the Southern comfort food traditions that earn a Midwest restaurant its destination reputation in a market where this cooking quality is genuinely rare. It appeared in Season 22, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fish, Fries and Feet,” which aired January 16, 2015. Guy Fieri found a Des Moines kitchen doing Southern, BBQ, and Cajun cooking from scratch with the authenticity and depth of flavor that earns a landlocked Midwest restaurant its loyal following.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Flying Mango
City: Des Moines, Iowa
Cuisine: Southern / BBQ / Cajun-Creole
DDD Season: 22
DDD Episode: 1
Episode Title: Fish, Fries and Feet
Original Air Date: January 16, 2015
Address: 4345 Hickman Rd., Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: 515-255-4111
Website: https://www.flyingmango.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Seafood Gumbo with a dark roux, Gulf shrimp, andouille, and the Cajun spice profile that the dish demands is the Louisiana classic that earns Flying Mango its Des Moines reputation. The Smoked Brisket with proper bark and smoke ring is the BBQ centerpiece that brings the pit crowd in alongside the Cajun food crowd. The Fried Chicken — brined, seasoned, and fried to a proper crisp — is the Southern comfort centerpiece that earns its own devoted following. The Jambalaya with chicken, andouille, and shrimp is the one-pot Cajun dish most regulars return to between gumbo visits. Find a Des Moines hotel on Trivago.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours.
Address: 4345 Hickman Rd., Des Moines, IA 50310
Phone: 515-255-4111
Website: https://www.flyingmango.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Fish, Fries and Feet episode on Amazon and bring Southern cooking home with Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Cluckin’ Chicken Dry Rub.
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Flying Mango appeared in Season 22, Episode 1 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fish, Fries and Feet,” originally aired January 16, 2015.