The first bite of a great Reuben can turn a quiet neighborhood bar into the place everyone suddenly wants to talk about. At Francies in Des Moines, the conversation often circles back to that familiar combination of toasted bread, tender corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, melted cheese, and dressing.
Located at 2100 Wakonda View Dr, Francies has the comfortable feel of a Southside neighborhood spot where regulars settle in, conversations carry across the room, and the food does not need much introduction. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than polished, making it easy to understand why people return for a sandwich and stay for another round of conversation.
There is something appealing about finding a restaurant that feels rooted in its neighborhood while earning a reputation far beyond it. Here is what makes Francies and its much-talked-about Reuben worth seeking out in Des Moines.
A Reuben With a Real Local Following
The first bite has a way of quieting the table for a second. Warm rye, tangy kraut, melted cheese, and tender meat come together in the kind of Reuben people remember after the plate is gone.
At Francies, 2100 Wakonda View Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321, the Reuben has become part of the bar’s bigger story. Some regulars remember earlier versions, while newer fans still call it one of the best in town.
That mix of old memories and fresh praise gives the sandwich a little local legend energy.
Order it when you want something filling but not fussy. Pair it with cottage cheese if you like a cool side, or go straight for fries if you want the full pub meal.
The best time to try it may be lunch, when the kitchen moves fast and the room buzzes with regulars.
A sandwich feels more special when people argue kindly over whether it is number one. Here, that talk is part of the fun.
The Cozy Wood Room Feels Like a Southside Secret
A room does not need to be fancy to feel full of life. Sometimes all it takes is wood paneling, close tables, game noise, and people who sound like they have known each other for years.
That is the feel inside Francies on Wakonda View Drive. The place is small, and yes, it can get loud.
But the noise is not cold or chaotic. It is the sound of lunch orders, friendly teasing, sports talk, and servers weaving through the room like they know every inch of the floor.
For a first visit, expect a true neighborhood bar instead of a polished chain restaurant. Arrive with a little patience if the crowd is thick, especially around peak lunch or game time.
The reward is a seat in a room that feels real, lived-in, and deeply Des Moines.
Many travelers look for hidden gems because they want a place with a pulse. Francies gives you that without trying too hard.
It feels local from the moment the door opens.
Crinkle Cut Fries That Steal Attention
Plenty of people say they came for a sandwich and ended up talking about the fries. That is not a small thing in a city with plenty of bar food choices.
Francies has earned praise for crinkle cut fries that land crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. One reviewer even said they eat the fries first here, which tells you plenty.
The ridges hold salt well, catch dips nicely, and make each bite feel a little more fun than plain shoestring fries.
If you order the Reuben, steak sandwich, burger, or patty melt, the fries make the plate feel complete. Ask for ranch if you like dipping, since guests often rave about it too.
On a busy day, a basket of hot fries can also turn waiting into part of the meal.
Good fries matter because they show the kitchen is paying attention to simple things. At Francies, that small detail helps explain why locals keep coming back for lunch, dinner, and game-day meals.
Lunch Has a Fast, Friendly Rhythm
There is a certain thrill in walking into a lunch spot right when it opens and seeing the room fill almost at once. It tells you the locals already know the schedule.
At Francies, guests mention fast and friendly lunch service, especially around the 11 AM opening. A line can form soon after, which says a lot about the pull of the kitchen.
Servers are often described as attentive and team-minded, moving quickly without making the meal feel rushed.
For travelers, the smart move is simple. Come early if you want the smoothest visit, or plan for a lively wait if you arrive during the lunch rush.
The menu is built for comfort, with choices like the Reuben, French dip, burgers, tuna melt, and Italian sausage sandwich.
A good lunch stop should leave you full but still ready for the day. Francies does that well.
It gives you flavor, movement, and enough local character to make a regular weekday meal feel like a small Des Moines discovery.
The Menu Goes Far Beyond One Famous Sandwich
The Reuben may start the conversation, but it does not have to end there. One look around the tables and you will see plenty of other plates making strong cases for attention.
Francies is known as a low-key bar with American eats, and the menu backs that up. Guests often mention the French dip, Italian sausage sandwich, Cuban, tuna melt, patty melt, pork tenderloin, burgers, and chicken Philly.
That range makes the place easy for groups because everyone can find a comfort-food lane.
If it is your first visit, order the Reuben and let someone else at the table try the French dip or Cuban. Sharing a few bites is the best way to understand why regulars say it is hard to go wrong.
Add fries, queso, or nachos if the table is hungry.
Menus like this work because they do not chase trends. Francies leans into familiar food cooked with care, served in a setting where a sandwich still feels like an event.
Nachos Big Enough to Become a Table Event
Every bar has that one plate that makes nearby tables glance over. At Francies, the nachos can fill that role with very little effort.
Guests describe the nachos as huge and very good, the kind of order that works best when everyone reaches in. They fit the atmosphere perfectly, especially when the room is loud with sports on TV and friends are trading stories between bites.
The queso dip with grinder meat also gets love from regulars, so cheese fans have more than one path to happiness.
For a casual visit, nachos are a smart starter before sandwiches arrive. They are also a good choice if you are stopping by for drinks and want something more fun than a small snack.
Just be honest about your appetite, because this is not a tiny plate meant for one shy nibble.
Part of the charm at Francies is how food turns into shared time. A mountain of nachos does exactly that, making the table feel warmer before the main meal even begins.
Drinks Match the Easygoing Mood
A good neighborhood bar knows the drink should fit the room. It should be relaxed, steady, and maybe a little stronger than expected after a long day.
Francies serves cocktails and beer in an easygoing setting, and regulars mention stiff drinks, nice drinks, mules, and one of the best Bloody Marys in town. The drink list is part of the reason people settle in instead of rushing out.
A sandwich and a cold drink feel right in a room filled with game chatter and familiar faces.
If you are pairing with the Reuben, choose something crisp to balance the rich sandwich. A beer works well, while a Bloody Mary turns a weekend lunch into something more memorable.
If you prefer cocktails, past guests have enjoyed refreshing mule flavors like watermelon or cucumber mint.
The point is not a fancy lounge experience. Francies offers the kind of bar visit where the food is strong, the pour is friendly, and the atmosphere makes one drink feel like a small break from the week.
The Covered Patio Adds Breathing Room
When a small bar gets busy, a patio can feel like a tiny vacation. A little air, a little space, and the same kitchen turning out hot plates can change the whole visit.
Francies includes a covered patio, which gives guests another way to enjoy the place at 2100 Wakonda View Dr. It is especially useful when the inside gets loud, as small rooms often do during lunch, dinner, or game time. The patio keeps the mood casual while offering a bit more room to talk.
Ask about patio seating if you are visiting with someone who prefers a calmer meal. It can be a good pick for nachos, burgers, a Reuben, or drinks when the weather cooperates.
Since the patio may draw attention during busy hours, it helps to arrive a little before the rush.
Not every hole-in-the-wall spot gives you indoor comfort and outdoor ease. Francies manages both, which makes it useful for quick lunches, relaxed dinners, and meetups that stretch longer than planned.
Regulars Give the Place Its Personality
You can taste good food anywhere, but you can only feel a regulars’ room in certain places. Francies has that lived-in energy that cannot be bought or staged.
Visitors often notice locals relaxing, joking, and trading friendly banter across the room. One first-time guest described being impressed by the aura, especially because people seemed comfortable letting their guard down.
That feeling matters. It turns a meal into a small look at the Southside Des Moines community.
Newcomers should not worry about feeling left out. The service is often praised as welcoming, and the room has a way of pulling people into its rhythm.
Sit at the bar for coffee or lunch, grab a table with friends, or watch how the servers seem to know exactly where they are needed.
A place becomes beloved when people feel at home there. Francies has sandwiches, fries, drinks, and TVs, but the regulars add the spark.
That is why a first visit can make you wonder how quickly you might become a familiar face.
A Southside Stop Worth Planning Around
Some food stops become part of a trip because they feel honest. No big performance, no glossy theme, just a busy room and plates people keep recommending.
Francies sits at 2100 Wakonda View Dr in Des Moines, IA 50321, with a strong 4.7-star rating from more than 1,200 Google reviews. It is open Monday through Saturday, with later hours on Wednesday through Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
Those details make it easy to fit into a weekday lunch, a Friday night bite, or a Saturday game-day plan.
Call ahead if your group is large, since the space is known to be small and lively. Expect American bar food, quick-moving staff, wood-paneled warmth, and a menu that can please sandwich fans, burger lovers, fry people, and nacho sharers alike.
The Reuben may be the headline, but the bigger reason to visit is the full Francies feeling. It is a Des Moines neighborhood spot where comfort food, local noise, and simple hospitality come together without much fuss.