Urban Vibe

Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Student Life

Media Credit: Ephraim Cooper Chips and salsa are just the beginning at Rancho Alegre.

Media Credit: Ephraim Cooper Pho Hadao offers a menu to suit a variety of tastes.

Bob Dylan once said, "These times they are a-changing." The fact is that it is not so uncommon to see a family roll through a fast-food restaurant or pick up the phone and order a pizza. It's sad to say that in this fast-paced, modern world that we live in, it is a rare thing to sit down and have a decent meal now and again. Being a full time college student, I must say that I, too, have been guilty, on more than one occasion, of substituting my health and dining experience for speed and convenience by just grabbing a greasy burger at a fast food restaurant.
And although I can understand the need to grab something on the go, from time to time it is necessary to sit down and have a decent meal that is not full of preservatives and other artificial chemicals.
The solution most people find is a sit-down restaurant. This eliminates the hassles of cooking while retaining the dining experience and a higher quality meal. The problem is that most people, when they venture out to a restaurant, often go for some fancy chain that doesn't offer any flavor or rich heritage.
Personally, I much prefer local dinning. I feel that you get a much more flavorful meal, a more welcoming atmosphere, and better service in a local joint. The other benefit to eating locally is that the dollars spent support the local community. The only problem with eating locally is that many people don't exactly know where to find a good local restaurant. Well, after reading this you won't have much of an excuse not to try something new.
The first local establishment I ventured to is called Pho Hadao. It is located at 1521 2nd Ave. in Des Moines and I must say it is delicious. Pho Hadao is a small Asian establishment with a large variety of food choices on the menu ranging from traditional Tai to Americanized Chinese and anything you can imagine in between. If you are looking for a restaurant with a wide selection to choose from and food that is out of this world, then this is the place for you. If you are willing to expand your taste and be a little bit adventurous with your palate, I believe you will fully enjoy your dining experience there and get all you can out of it. The food is fresh and the atmosphere is friendly. My only critique is that it is a smoking establishment and can get a bit musky. Aside from that it is a must eat.
My next endeavor into local dining took me to a small Mexican restaurant called Rancho Alegre, located at 3310 Indianola Ave. on the south side of Des Moines. Walking in, I was immediately immersed in the atmosphere. Within moments of arriving I was greeted and seated by the friendly and hospitable staff, with fresh hot chips and three varieties of salsa. That's correct folks, I said three varieties.
The ambiance is very warm and inviting at Rancho Alegre. It is great for a business lunch or a relaxing dinner. While looking over your menu you can partake in some pleasant conversation or watch some entertaining Hispanic soap operas or other Hispanic shows on one of several televisions located throughout the restaurant. The prices are more than reasonable and the food is full of flavor. What is even more remarkable is the incredible turn around time for your order. It seems as if you hand your server the menus and in the blink of an eye your food is in front of you.
Oh, and while savoring the meal, don't be alarmed if you hear a sudden outburst of Mariachi music. It has occasionally been known to happen at Rancho Alegre. Or if mariachi music is not your scene, they have a jukebox full of selections that may be a little more to your liking. I personally enjoy listening to Boston's "More Than a Feeling" while eating my steak fajitas.

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