Beloved Iowa Seafood Restaurant Features Full Oyster, Sushi Bar

Last week, Yelp published a list designating the best, most acclaimed seafood restaurant in all of the 50 states. Yesterday, I wrote about Lowcountry Lakeview in Illinois, the website/reviewers' choice for the Land of Lincoln.

Lowcountry Lakeview earned praise from reviewers on Yelp as a restaurant with a "fun experience," "various options," and maybe most notably, a "messy" seafood boil. Their boils appear to be for what they're best known. They are packed with shrimp, snow crab legs, lobster tails, and mussels, along with potatoes and corn on the cob.

This West Des Moines Spot Can't Be Beat for Seafood:

The curiosity in me definitely peaked, as I am an avid seafood lover, and always enjoy experiencing new restaurants. As it turns out, the restaurant Yelp pegged as Iowa's "Best Seafood" establishment is a little bit of everything. It's a full oyster bar, sushi bar, restaurant, and market where you can take home the taste of the ocean.

Described as a "legendary place" by reviewers, Waterfront Seafood Market in West Des Moines, IA was pegged by Yelp as worthy of the title. The restaurant has been owned and operated by the Hanke family for over 40 years. Their team of "fish-cutters" are tasked with stocking and presenting the daily catch that's flown in from all around the country.

With a super-sized menu, Waterfront has something for everyone. Favorites that Yelp reviewers highlight include the Potato-Encrusted Halibut, Rock Shrimp Basket with sweet-potato fries, and the New England Clam Chowder.

Waterfront Earns High Marks:

A visit to their website reminds people that it is indeed Alaskan Halibut season, so you can bet Waterfront has a healthy supply. Tina G., a "Yelp Elite" member, remarked about how it's one of the best spots in all of Des Moines:

This restaurant is a must-visit in Des Moines — the seafood was fresh, reasonably priced, and there were so many options! We ordered sushi and the most amazing clam chowder. Everything was exquisite. We [even] ordered food to take home for later! - Tina G's review, per Yelp

The only thing more romantic than Waterfront's delicious offerings is its origins story. "Waterfront started on the streets of Des Moines out of the back of a pickup truck," the "About" section on their website lovingly recalls. The goal was to bring fresh shrimp and other seafood to a landlocked state/region of the country that doesn't always experience such culinary delights.

Waterfront's Origins Story:

Waterfront's first restaurant/seafood market opened all the way back in 1984, and since then, they've expanded to offer oysters, sushi (including sushi classes in one location), and more. To this day, they continue to source offerings from all different corners of the world:

Once it reaches the dock, we fly our seafood whole and uncut to our locations where we process everything to the highest standards of quality - per Waterfront Seafood Market's website