Your Destination for Great Food, Drinks & Fun
ShortE’s BBQ is a family-friendly restaurant in Johnston serving great food and drinks in a fun atmosphere. With casual lunch service, sit-down dinner service, freshly smoked barbecue and other delicious menu items, we offer something for everyone. We hope to become your go-to destination for great food and drinks not only in Johnston, but the rest of the Des Moines metro. Whether you join us for lunch, dinner, to watch a game or for happy hour, we look forward to serving you!
Lunch Specials
Happy Customers
Today was our first time here and it won't be the last. The wings were fabulous! I had the Cuban and loaded potatoes and both were amazing. Everyone was friendly and the restaurant was clean. Can't wait to come back!read more
GerriLynn
17:18 16 Sep 22
Great food! This is a hidden gem. Portions are big and good is full of flavor. I really enjoy the wings. This time I ordered the Mac and cheese with pulled pork and it was FILLING! I had to take half home. The creamed corn it really good but I’d order the mild next time, I really enjoy spicy but this was a bit much.read more
Amber Nelson
13:26 09 Aug 22
ShortE's deserves more praise as it could easily rank among the top BBQ joints in the country. Their brisket definitely is tied for 1st as the best I've had, it has a rich savory peppery smokey bark that I loved. Their selection of sauces was great but Texas was best on brisket! Their colossal sandwiches are massive, come hungry or be prepared to not finish it. I've tried other local BBQ joints in Des Moines but ShortE's definitely takes the top spot!read more
Alexander Proper
03:44 19 Jun 22
We decided to try ShortE’s on a whim and it was wonderful from start to finish! Our waitress was thoughtful and attentive. She asked if she could put the kid’s orders in right away - ummm yes! Parents you know how much this means! Our food came out super fast and was followed by little talking and lots of “yumm this is good!” The meat was so tender and flavorful - it’s obvious it’s cooked fresh everyday. Best BBQ and dining experience I’ve had in a long time! Support local and get to ShortE’s! You won’t be disappointed!!read more
Kimberly Schmidt
02:17 15 May 22
Food and Staff were amazing. Best Bbq we have had in a while. A big thanks to the bartender ( didn't catch here name) for the pen. ❤️❤️read more
Julie McAvoy
01:00 03 Apr 22
Not sure how I have never been to this place, but it was fabulous!! Best BBQ in the Des Moines hands down. Brisket was absolutely delicious!! Staff is great and super friendly! Highly recommend the loaded baked potato!! Would give this place 10 Stars if possible.read more
Rich Stricklett
16:58 31 Mar 22
Tried this place for the first time last week. Everything we tried tasted great. All very flavorful. Make sure to try all the sauces. We'll be back to try some of the other stuff on the menu we didn't get to.read more
Joshua Tilton
02:06 29 Mar 22
Wow oh wow The Brisket was amazing so tender and tasty. The burnt ends were also highly recommended and I would agree. The seasoned fries and the Spicy Cheesy Corn so good. The hidden little gem was the corn bread, if I drizzled some honey on it oh wow!! I would highly recommend you stop by when your in town. My buddy had the brisket and smoked turkey. Wow nothing is wrong here!read more
Kevin Herndon
01:03 25 Mar 22
Best ribs, best wings, best brisket, best turkey, great sides, great beer selection.
Try the Texas Club. New item. It's to DIE FOR.read more
Chris Topolinski
23:12 18 Feb 22
Short E's is a very small place in a strip mall. Staff was great. Food is good. It is a bit different, with cheese corn on everything. I had the mild tater tots, and the pitboss. But he were good. The cornbread is northern.read more
Pat Bertroche
01:43 19 Dec 21
ShortE's deserves more praise as it could easily rank among the top BBQ joints in the country. Their brisket definitely is tied for 1st as the best I've had, it has a rich savory pepper smoke bark that I loved. Their selection of sauces was great but Texas was best on brisket! Their colossal sandwiches are massive, come hungry or be prepared to not finish it. I've tried other local BBQ joints in Des Moines but ShortE's definitely takes the top spot!read more
Alexander Proper
22:20 05 Nov 21
Being from Texas this was an unexpected find. Service was awesome, drinks great, and food was amazing. Portion size was exceptional. Marked this as one of our favs. Try it out you will not be disappointed. Thanks for bringing a little bit of home to Iowa.read more
Shannan Garza
13:26 16 Oct 21
Delicious food,the sampler meat platter is excellent! Good drinks & great service
Sherri Strable
21:39 19 Sep 21
I am a BBQ junky and this is the best BBQ in the Midwest, maybe even nation wide. BBQ taste different when there is passion behind it. We had them cater our wedding too and it was a fantastic experience. All of our guests were more concerned on where they could get more food than beer, that's how good it is.read more
Connor Scholl
23:32 16 Aug 21
Brisket & pulled pork was amazing!
I really enjoyed the spicy bbq sauce and the cheese corn was an awesome side.
Ben Le
21:00 30 Jul 21
I've lived in the Johnston - Des Moines my whole life. I've had BBQ from many places in the area and this is the best I ever had. I've been going to ShortE's for a while now and for whatever reason after the pandemic they have only gotten better. It's always been good but now it's a must try if you're in the area.read more
Ted Buckley
04:40 24 Jul 21
Friendly staff and good food.
The waitstaff was attentitve and friendly.
Food came out immediately AND was hot. The pork sandwich was juicy and paired well with the selection of BBQ sauces. The sausage was well seasoned with a faint beer flavor- surprising, but welcome. The brisket was well marbled and well cooked, not dry or chewy. The broccoli/bacon salad was Bomb. The Mac and cheese was ok- needed a little something: brisket chunks, bacon, etc. but it wasn't bad.
Will drive across town again to get this.read more
Josh Leutscher
13:50 06 Jun 21
Randomly picked this for dinner. We live about an hour away. Amazing good! They will be on the favorite list for BBQ. Keep up the great work.
PS try the burnt ends.read more
Cody Brink
00:21 06 Jun 21
This place has great barbecue. Good portions. Great service.
Dustin Shingledecker
18:26 22 May 21
Awesome. First time. We are from cedar rapids and wanted to try it while in town.
Ron Mulnix
23:25 06 Mar 21
Great food, great service, the best tasting bloody Mary I have ever had. Will return again
Kevin Clemen
02:42 06 Feb 21
Love this place. They have so many unique options for a bbq restaurant. Lots of different sandwiches, tacos, wraps, salads...My go to place for BBQ in Des Moines.read more
Stephanie Nauman
03:52 20 Oct 20
Hi,
On your facebook page it states that you open @ 11 on Fridays but your google account states 4 p.m fro Fridays? it is very confusing and I had to call to check for hours! With that being said i now know that you are closed until 4 today and I would like to request you guys open back up for lunch because all I want is a buffalo Chicken quesadillahhhhhh!!!!! I promise to purchase lunch every Friyay--- as well as i know other people missing the tasty food 🙂
Thank You
Favorite Customerread more
Timmery Diller
16:39 11 Sep 20
Tried for the first time tonight, food was top notch. So much better than other BBQ restaurants in town. Brisket was moist, tender, and on the leaner side...and thicker slices than some other restaurants serve. Colossal sandwiches and no joke and live up to their name. Impressed by their covid response for take out service. I will certainly be back.
Update:
2nd visit and was just as impressed, stellar service over the phone and delivery right to the car! Other restaurants should be following ShortE’s lead...they are doing it right! Burnt ends were excellent as was a salad. I already have plans for my next take out order!read more
Kevin Harris
23:44 17 Aug 20
If you are tired of settling for the mediocre BBQ, (ie: jethros, Smokey D's, Woody's and so on) then I strongly recommend ShortE's BBQ in Johnston. Ever since my first experience with ShortE's Ive been hooked. I love BBQ and was always disappointed with what was offered in the Des Moines area. I've been a solid patron for over a year now and I've never had anything that did not satisfy. All I can say is if you are in the mood for BBQ, dont mess around... Go to ShortE's!read more
Carrie Scott
22:31 18 Jul 20
Fantastic food, very welcoming employees, always great mood. They charge convenient pricing and the food quality is good. Fantastic work.read more
Abbe Prentice
14:14 30 Jun 20
Excellent quality meat. Large portions. Nice outdoor seating. Fast service.
Kati Anderson
20:37 18 Nov 18
Enjoyed this place. Good ribs and sausage. Would recommend cooking burnt ends a little longer to break down that fat, but not so long that they dry out. Nachos are great!read more
Jack Carraher
16:49 17 Nov 18
This our new Friday lunch spot and after the first trip there it will be your next place that you always want to go.
Food it hot, fresh and delicious. Order at the counter and even on busy days wait time for your food averages less than 3 minutes. most times it is ready by the time you get ready to pay.
I honestly don't think i have one complaint after going here dozens of times in the last 2 months, maybe only that i wish i could eat more!read more
Matt Lenaghan
15:05 08 Nov 18
So delicious! I loved their ribs and their sides are phenomenal. Definitely go there for some good BBQ.
Kari Shadley
01:47 04 Oct 18
Delicious! Didn't know about this place that long ago, but now I do and we keep going back weekly. Their ribs are really good and so are their sides. Reasonable prices and the staff is friendly and professional. Would def recommend.read more
Rich Thorpe
16:36 13 Sep 18
