Looking for great downtown Des Moines food without burning your whole lunch break? Smokey D's BBQ has a location built for exactly that — right inside the Skywalk at 601 Locust St, serving award-winning, slow-smoked barbecue to the downtown lunch crowd every weekday.
The Downtown Lunch Problem (And How to Solve It)
If you work downtown, you know the drill: a 30-to-60-minute window, unpredictable Iowa weather, and a parking situation that eats into your break before you've even ordered. Grabbing decent downtown Des Moines food usually means choosing between fast-but-forgettable and good-but-too-far-to-walk.
Smokey D's splits the difference. The Skywalk location puts real, competition-style barbecue inside the climate-controlled walkway system, so there's no coat, no car, and no wasted minutes — just a quick trip through the skywalk and back to your desk with lunch in hand.
One of the Best Skywalk Restaurants in Des Moines
Smokey D's has built its reputation on the smoker, not the shortcuts. This isn't a chain sandwich counter — it's the same pitmaster-driven barbecue that's earned the brand more than 40 state championships, brought to a format built for downtown workers who still want the real thing.
As one of the more established restaurants in the Des Moines skywalk, the Skywalk location is set up for speed without cutting corners: order ahead, walk over on the skywalk, and you're back at your desk with a hot plate of barbecue instead of another sad desk salad.
What to Order for a Fast Downtown Lunch
The Skywalk location menu is built around the same slow-smoked meats that made Smokey D's a household name in Central Iowa, portioned for a quick, satisfying weekday lunch:
- Chopped or sliced brisket — smoked low and slow, no shortcuts
- Pulled pork sandwiches — a downtown lunch staple for a reason
- BBQ ribs — available by the portion for a faster sit-down or takeout option
- Smoked chicken and turkey — a lighter option that's still full of smoke flavor
- Classic sides — mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread round out the plate
Everything is available for dine-in, takeout, or delivery, so whether you've got ten minutes or an hour, there's a way to make it work.
Catering Downtown Offices and Events
Downtown Des Moines food isn't just about solo lunch runs — it's also about keeping a whole office fed for a meeting, a client visit, or a Friday team lunch. Smokey D's catering menu is built for exactly that, with tray and buffet options that scale from a small conference room to a full office floor, all sourced from the same smokers as the restaurant.
Downtown teams can order online ahead of time and skip the line entirely — food's ready and waiting when you are.
Getting There: The Skywalk Advantage
Des Moines is home to one of the largest enclosed pedestrian networks in the country — four miles of climate-controlled skywalks connecting more than 50 downtown buildings and a dozen parking ramps. That means no matter where you're starting from downtown, there's a good chance you can reach Smokey D's without ever stepping outside, rain, snow, or Iowa summer humidity included.
FAQ: Downtown Des Moines Food
What restaurants are in the Des Moines skywalk? The Des Moines skywalk system connects a mix of quick-service and sit-down restaurants across downtown, including Smokey D's BBQ at 601 Locust St, which serves smoked meats, sandwiches, and classic BBQ sides for lunch.
Is Smokey D's downtown location good for a quick lunch? Yes. The Skywalk location is built around fast, weekday lunch service — order ahead online or walk up for smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and sides without leaving the skywalk system.
Does Smokey D's cater to downtown Des Moines offices? Yes. Smokey D's offers full catering for downtown offices, meetings, and events, with buffet and tray options that can be ordered online in advance for pickup or delivery.
Where is the Smokey D's Skywalk location? Smokey D's Skywalk location is at 601 Locust St in downtown Des Moines, accessible directly from the skywalk system.
Ready for Real BBQ, Downtown?
Skip the same three lunch spots on rotation. Head into the skywalk, grab a plate of slow-smoked brisket or pulled pork from Smokey D's, and get back to your day — no coat required.
