Tuesday 14th of August 2007 11:45:28 AM

link
This place is kitschy-cool. It might not be for everyone, but if you show up with your sense of humor intact, you should be set for a good time. The walls are a bomb-blast of ecclecticism: mounted fish, pro wrestlers, beer signage and bright colors. Add to that a barber's chair, a working shower and over a hundred taps on the wall (and lots more bottles).

The taps are all American micros, with some measure of local emphasis. For the record, a dozen of the taps were clearly marked, "sold out." Several seasonals and a few specials ranging from $2 to $3 per pint. This place should probably be called Rogue Bait Shop, as I counted 20 (!) Rogue taps on the wall.

Our beers tasted excellent, and our bartender was friendly and informative. The kitchen is closed on Sundays, but he still set us up with chips and salsa. I didn't think to eye the menu, but if I remember correctly, they do Mexican, hence the "El" in El Bait Shop.

If you're in Des Moines, I'd definitely give this one a go. If I lived closer, I'm pretty sure my wife would hear a lot of, "Honey, I'm going fishing."