Jethro's is Des Moines' best-known barbecue chain — a half-dozen locations across the metro, the original on Beaver Avenue in Beaverdale. The smoker runs ribs, brisket, and pulled pork in roughly equal volume; the Adam Emmenecker challenge sandwich (an entire menu's worth of food, free if you finish it in fifteen minutes) is one of the country's better-known competitive-eating set pieces.
For a normal appetite, the burnt ends and the half rack of ribs are the right order, with corn casserole on the side. The atmosphere is sports-bar by way of Midwest roadhouse; reservations are not taken and the wait on a Friday evening can run an hour. Family-friendly the rest of the time.