Kelly’s Little Nipper

My mother-​in-​law was a severe diabetic who was on a very strict diet as she was on dialysis. When the dr. Came in & told her there was nothing more they could do for her & she was going to die within a week. She asked what could she eat & the doc said go for it, whatever you want! She had me go to Kelly’s & get her a guinea Grinder & a tenderloin sandwich with fries! So, if it’s good enough for her last meal when she could have had anything she wanted, that should indicate just how good their food really is!

When we arrived we were excited to try the food. It was a bar atmosphere which is fine. While waiting for food other patrons were being really loud for quite a while. Screaming and hollering. We asked nicely for them to quiet down a little as we were getting headaches. They were nothing but rude and staff did nothing to help. If anything after we said something staff became rude to us siding with their regulars. Food was very greasy mediocre to average at best. Not a family friendly atmosphere and horrible service. They care more about regulars than wanting to get new customers.

Kelly’s Little Nipper is a total dive, and an amazing find. From what I understand this place has been around since the ’40’s and is housed in a former grocery store. It was started by a guy called Nipper, and bought by a guy called Kelly. The new owners haven’t added their name, and they haven’t changed the menu. If anything, it sounds like the food has gotten even better. This is a local bar through and through – a juke box, a pool table in the center, regulars on the stools and lots of beer being drunk. But here’s the thing: Kelly’s Little Nipper is one of the best kept food secrets in Des Moines.
The sausage sandwich with provolone and hot peppers is served on a fresh Italian-​style roll and is hands down one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a a long time. A fresh, locally made sausage pressed between a hot, fresh bread and spiced up with sauce and peppers. Amazing. $ 6.00 will get you a ½ lb. sandwich and $ 8.00 will get you a full 1 lb. version. The pork tenderloin is so freshly fried that it is not greasy at all – instead somehow this sandwich is a delectable handful of hot, steaming tenderloin that will have you dreaming of it for days. Not thin, like I’m told some places can be in Des Moines, but thick enough to bite into and crunchy enough to leave you salivating. $ 8.00 and you’ll be eating it for two days. The sandwich was twice the size of my head.
The onion rings are out of this world, sliced thin and fried to order. A chat with your bartender, or maybe even the chef/​owner who might stop by your table, will reveal that they’re making these with a new recipe. You ready? The recipe is two shots of vodka, a tall boy of Keystone, some paprika, salt, pepper and flour. A recipe any bar lover can get on board with.
A recent visit on Saturday afternoon was a hugely entertaining mix of serious drinkers, two guys playing pool, and casual stops in for a beer or a tenderloin. This is the kind of place where the waitress might yell at a regular: «Bernie, what are you leaving for, you’ve got a grinder coming out, do you want it or not?!»
Don’t be alarmed by the sign that says: «No Weapons» on the door. Inside this is a linoleum covered hole in the wall with some of the best home cooking you’re likely to find under $ 10. Easy to get to from the highway.
Note:
Food here isn’t fast – there’s one waitress and one cook doing everything. Come with half an hour to spare, and get to know the place. It’s worth it.