Gastro Grub & Pub

Gastro Grub & Pub: Waukee's Beloved Neighborhood Bar and Grill

Tucked along East Hickman Road in Waukee, just a short drive from downtown Des Moines, Gastro Grub & Pub has earned its reputation as one of the Des Moines metro area's most authentic and soul-driven dining destinations. Founded in 2018 by Sean and Andrea Gleason, this neighborhood bar and grill carries a story as rich as the food on its menu. Sean trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Los Angeles and honed his craft at celebrated gastropubs on the West Coast, while Andrea refined her hospitality instincts working high-profile events like the Oscars and Golden Globes for SBE Restaurants. Together, they brought over thirty years of combined industry experience back home to Iowa, and the Des Moines dining scene is better for it.

What began as a celebrated Des Moines food truck — recognized by the Des Moines Register and voted runner-up Best Food Truck by CITYVIEW in 2016 — evolved into a full brick-and-mortar experience that loyal fans had been waiting for. The kitchen crafts made-from-scratch dishes with rotating weekly specials that keep regulars coming back to discover something new every visit. Happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 PM, making it a go-to spot for after-work drinks and bites in the western suburbs. With kitchen hours running Tuesday through Saturday and ample parking in a convenient Waukee location, Gastro Grub & Pub is as accessible as it is impressive. Whether you're a longtime Des Moines foodie or a Waukee local searching for your next favorite neighborhood hangout, this is a table worth booking.