If someone is looking for great Italian food in Iowa, it’s not hard to find a candidate! The land of pasta, tiramisu, and parmigiana has definitely exported many of its classics over to the U.S., and we’ve embraced it! But with so many options, it can be hard to find the right one – but going to a long-time family-owned joint rarely steers us wrong! That’s definitely the case for Tumea & Sons Restaurant, which has been holding court in Des Moines since 1998. This family-owned Italian restaurant in Iowa was founded by Joe and Lucretia Tumea, both of whom immigrated from Italy as teenagers before meeting, marrying, and raising a family. The Tumeas would eventually team up with their four sons to open Tumea & Sons, which the family still operates today – and you can taste the difference in every recipe!
An old-school joint inside and out, Tumea & Sons is still doing the things that put it on the map when it opened.
There’s a reason for that – the original owners are still in charge, and the “sons” of the title all play a key role in the business now.
This is a humble joint that’s usually crowded with locals eating their fill of hearty Italian classics.
Lunch is a popular time here, with smaller portions and traditional sandwiches being on offer.
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At dinner, the focus shifts to heaping plates of pasta, chicken parm, and other classics.
The menu here does have a few authentic Iowa touches, though – the Steak De Burgo is an affordable take on the local classic.
For dessert, the house special is the tiramisu – every bit as strongly flavored and indulgent as you’d expect.
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A full bar provides the perfect nightcap to a meal at one of Iowa’s best family-owned and family-run Italian restaurants.
Have you visited Tumea & Sons in Des Moines? Tell us about your visit, and let us know your favorite family-owned Italian restaurant in Iowa in the comments section! You can see the full menu on the Tumea & Sons website, and keep an eye on the Tumea & Sons Facebook page for the latest specials. The restaurant is located in the middle of Des Moines’ Little Italy, which also includes Iowa’s most famous Italian butcher, Graziano Brothers. If you need a place to sleep off all that food, check into the nearby Holiday Inn Express and Suites Des Moines Downtown.
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