Some regional dishes are famous across the country. Steak de Burgo is different: it is closely associated with Des Moines, yet many visitors arrive without ever having heard of it.
What should you expect?
There is no single version served everywhere, but the dish generally combines a beef steak with a rich garlic-and-herb sauce or butter. Basil and other herbs commonly appear, and individual restaurants put their own stamp on the preparation.
It is richer and more restaurant-oriented than Iowa’s casual pork tenderloin sandwich, which makes the two a good pair if you want to sample different sides of local food culture.
A dish worth seeking out
I would not suggest eating only traditional Iowa dishes during a Des Moines trip—the city has too broad a food scene for that. But Steak de Burgo is worth looking for precisely because its connection to Des Moines is so specific. Check current restaurant menus rather than assuming it is served everywhere, and if you find two different versions, you may discover just how flexible this local classic can be.