More Than a Meal: Exploring the Out to Lunch Series

Earlier this year, I had the chance to explore the diverse food scene of Des Moines through the Greater Des Moines Partnership's Out to Lunch series. I attended all but one week of the series, and it quickly became a highlight of my summer. It was more than just a lunch break—it became something I looked forward to each week, a refreshing midweek tradition that brought energy and excitement to the workday.

What is the Out to Lunch Series?

The Out to Lunch series is a multi-week event held every Wednesday starting in May and running through the end of June, featuring a rotating lineup of local food vendors at different Downtown Des Moines (DSM) locations. Each week, a new section of downtown hosts a variety of food options and live entertainment, offering downtown employees and residents a convenient way to enjoy great food and music—just steps from where they work or live.

The food options are impressively diverse, including BBQ, burgers, Mexican, Greek, Indian, African cuisine, and even desserts like ice cream. Whether you're craving something savory, spicy or sweet, there's something for everyone. The event is produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership and made possible through the support of multiple series, site and host sponsors. The Partnership also maintains a webpage with up-to-date information that includes event dates, locations and the food vendors featured each week, making it easy to plan your visit. 

 

A Weekly Tradition

Each Out to Lunch visit brought something new to the table. What made the experience even more enjoyable was sharing it with coworkers and friends. The variety of food options made it easy to satisfy everyone’s cravings, making it a perfect outing for teams or groups.

On the first day, a few team members and I brought our interns to the event, which happened to be just down the street from our office. With so many food trucks and tents to choose from, we didn’t have to agree on one place—everyone picked what they liked. Although it was unusually cold that day and outdoor seating wasn’t ideal, the vendors were quick and efficient, so we brought our meals back to our cafeteria to enjoy.

In the following weeks, the event became a great way to break up the workday and reconnect with colleagues in a more relaxed setting. It was also a fun way to explore different parts of Downtown DSM that I don’t usually visit during the week.

Thankfully, the weather improved in the following weeks. I was able to sit outside, enjoy my lunch and take in the live entertainment. Each week featured a different local musical artist, adding a fun and festive element to the lunch hour. The music created an atmosphere that made the experience feel livelier than a typical lunch break.

Exploring New Flavors

The Out to Lunch series also provides the opportunity to discover new food trucks and try new foods. I took advantage of this and made an effort to eat at a new food truck or try a new type of food every week I went. It was through this event that I was able to try chicken shawarma for the very first time. I had no idea how much I was missing out by not trying Lebanese food before. I also discovered a few local vendors I plan to visit again outside of the event.

 

Although the Out to Lunch series has wrapped up for the year, I highly recommend checking it out next time. Whether you go by yourself, with coworkers or with friends, it’s a great way to enjoy local food, support small businesses and make the most of your lunch break in Downtown DSM. It's more than just a meal—it's a community experience that brings people together through food, music and shared moments.