Smokey Row Coffee

Reviews

• Caroline O.

  star star star star star_border 16 June 2026

  Smokey Row in Oskaloosa is one of my favorite spots so I was excited to try the Des Moines location. However, the Oskaloosa location will stay my favorite.
  
  This Smokey Row is always very busy- which is not bad for the business, just tough when you want a nice lunch. It's easier at the quieter locations to pick your food options and decide without a rush. There's so many delicious options so it is a big choice.
  
  I always love their Cheeseburger Chowder soup and a tuna sandwich on a croissant. The ingredients always taste fresh and options are full of flavor. Food comes out within a good amount of time but sometimes you can sit and wait a bit. I also recommend any of their bakery items- delicious! Their muffins are my favorite, also highly recommend! I always get a Cherry Coke and the cherry flavor is perfect. Little things

• Bill H.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 7 June 2026

  I've been served lukewarm coffee one too many times here. If you have low standards and expectations then this is the place for you. Otherwise choose on of the several other better choices in town that put way more care into their coffee.
  
  The space is nice. But the decor feels kitschy and inauthentic. I do not recommend this place despite the cool neighborhood it's in. Next time I want a college student behind the counter handing me a bland lukewarm coffee with a blank face I'll be sure and come back.

• Casey G.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 6 June 2026

  Coffee: good but expensive
  Atmosphere: nice but seats are uncomfortable
  WiFi: garbage
  
  Conclusion: dont expect to stay long. Get your coffee and bounce.

• Art J.

  star star star star star 30 May 2026

  One of my favorite study places! There's always a spot to sit, the atmosphere is lively and comfortable, and their coffee is delicious. Ask the barista for their recommendation, they won't do you wrong!
  Smokey Row also has food and ice cream, so it's a fantastic place to meet friends and catch up, or to go for meetings. There's something for everyone, and I have yet to have a bad experience. My only criticism is that their whipped cream tastes like cool-whip, but if you either avoid whipped cream or like cool-whip, you'll be good to go!

• Karin L.

  star star star star star_border 25 May 2026

  Smokey Row is the cool people coffee shop -- right!?! I just always feel when I walk into Smokey Row that it has that vibe. Smokey Row is my favorite coffee shop to stop by at night for an after dinner drink, or for a casual meet up with a friend for some good conversation.
  
  There's a good crowd any time of the day, but I especially appreciate that this coffee shop is pretty busy in the evenings. Going to an empty coffee shop at night just makes me want to grab my coffee and go -- this coffee shop has a great vibe and atmosphere that makes me want to stay awhile.
  
  Smokey Row is on my way to work and I will stop in the morning to grab a coffee on the way to work, but only if I am not in a hurry. The drive through is packed in the mornings, so usually if the drive through is full I keep driving to somewhere else. I definitely prefer Smokey Row to other coffee shops in the area, and once I get my life in order and leave for work more than 10 min before the time I'm supposed to be there I promise I will stop more often!!