Posted June 17, 2014
A rapidly expanding Des Moines area restaurant chain announced plans today to open its second pork-focused establishment of the year in September.
The new Jethro’s BBQ n’ Bacon Bacon restaurant will be a first in the state, according to owner Bruce Gerleman. The new eatery will be located in West Des Moines in the former Hooters building on 22nd street. A large variety of specialty bacon entrees and Jethro’s popular BBQ will be the featured fare. A breakfast menu also will be offered.
“We’ve been working on this bacon concept for several years. This location in the heart of West Des Moines and the Metro area is perfect,” Gerleman said. “Our patrons love our bacon and have been asking to extend our weekend brunch hours. Jethro’s Bacon Bacon with ‘Breakfast Always’ is Jethro’s answer. See you in September!”
The menu, created by Chef Dom Iannarelli, will include the bacon-wrapped rib along with bacon steaks. A 900-pound smoker will slow smoke the bacon and all of the “Amazing slow smoked meats” that have made Jethro’s the largest independent purchaser of pork in Iowa.
Jethro’s also will be serving and selling it’s own branded, thick-cut hickory and oak-smoked bacon from a small retail area within the new restaurant that will feature everything “bacony.”
The bacon wrapped rib has been nominated by the Iowa Restaurant Association as the food representing Iowa in the “Roll Call Taste of America.” Currently, it’s in a national online voting competition as the favorite food in America competing against Kentucky’s fried chicken, Maine’s crab cakes, North Carolina’s BBQ and Oregon’s blackberry pie. You can “Vote for Jethro” until June 20.
Jethro’s BBQ n’ Bacon Bacon will be the 6th metro location for the locally-owned restaurant group created by Gerleman. Each has it’s own unique name and menu. Jethro’s has built a national reputation with it’s slow smoked meats and last year was featured on the Discovery Channel’s “United States of Bacon.”
Jethro’s BBQ n’ Pork Chop Grill opened in Johnston earlier this year.