Facebook News

Our Reviews

Datebook Diner: PerKup serves best biscuits and gravy in town     June 13, 2012

Fresh biscuits and gravy can make me smile like nothing else, so it came as no surprise when I started grinning like a Wonderland cat during a recent rendezvous at the PerKup Café. The charming Urbandale nook just happens to have the best biscuits and gravy in town.

Nestled in a bland shopping plaza, the café is bright inside with a 40-seat dining room full of warm colors and casual country décor.

The PerKup serves breakfast and lunch. Morning bites include a variety of smoothies, omelets, breakfast sandwiches and hearty breakfast platters. Noticeably absent are pancakes, although the kitchen compensates with cornflake-crusted French toast that’s crafted with apple-cinnamon bread from Big Sky Bread Company, a local bakery situated around the corner.

The star of the menu is a hefty biscuits-and-gravy platter for $5.75, available Friday through Sunday. If you’re interested, get there early. It often sells out by 10 a.m., which I learned the hard way when, on my first visit, an apologetic waitress broke the news that they were sold out.

I returned the next day earlier, hungrier and ready to riot if they were out again. Fortunately, there was plenty and soon my breakfast appeared: a pair of flaky, split biscuits drowned in generous ladles of peppery sausage gravy. For an extra $2, mine came topped with two eggs sunny side up. Paula Deen would have been so jealous.

My companion ordered a hefty wheat tortilla breakfast wrap. The filling had obviously been cooked to order as the scrambled eggs were light and fluffy and the bacon crispy. A piquant “revenge” sauce, served on the side, added extra zing to the tasty wrap.

Another pleasant discovery was the fine-tasting homemade jam: peach, plum, strawberry and raspberry were on hand during my visits. The café also serves a decent brew, thanks their custom of using freshly ground coffee. I appreciated being able to order a cup while waiting for a table to open and that I could get my refill to go when it was time to leave.

 

Google Reviews:
  • Love this place, best strawberry jelly ever! Great people...great coffee!
  • Highly recommend the Chicken Bacon Chipotle sandwich and the Biscuits and Gravy. Can't wait to stop again next time I'm in Des Moines to try another menu item.
  • Cool little place. Great food, great drinks. : )
  • Excellent coffee, delicious breakfast, and great sandwiches... Free wifi is handy. 
  • Great, fast service. Breakfast croissant sandwich was delicious. Highly recommend! 
  • Friendly service and clean. Child friendly.
    Liked: Great breakfast wrap and iced coffee! I will go back often
Urban Spoon Reviews:    93% LIKE IT
  • This place was great! The food tasted great and the prices are even better! The coffee was delicious as well as the HOMEMADE mango jam. My 3 yr old even cleaned her plate and she's a tough one to impress. 
  • If you are looking for a breakfast sandwich with a kick, order the breakfast revenge sandwich. Scrambled eggs with grilled onions and peppers, topped with melted chesse, yum! The chipolte sauce if fabulous. 
  • We were pleasantly surprised to discover PerKup Cafe the other weekend. We've had breakfast there twice and it has been fantastic each time. I love the breakfast wrap (healthy way of saying burrito) and the french toast is amazing! It's so great to have a cute and quality little breakfast/lunch spot in the downtown Urbandale neighborhood. Thank you PerKup Cafe!

 

Groupon Coupon Reviews:  93% Referral Rate

 

  • It was delicious and everyone was very friendly.
    June 24, 2012
  • I enjoyed my first experience at Perkup Cafe and have already recommended it to a co-worker. The food was delicious, the homemade jam was yummy, and the staff was very friendly and pleasant. I will return soon.
    June 16, 2012
  • Just a fantastic place for a great cup of coffee, full breakfast or lunch!! LOVE PerKup!!!!
    June 13, 2012
  • You are doing everything right!  The service was great, and someone was always watching over the staff so they gave good service.  You can tell the owners were vested into this business.  Keep up the good work.  FYI..on those really hot days, kick up the AC.  The front windows tables get pretty hot.
    June 12, 2012
  • Very nice little restaurant.  Pleasant atmosphere, people and excellent food.
    June 03, 2012
  • Outstanding french toast~
    May 13, 2012
  • You will definately see our faces again.  Loved the food, service and decor.  We didn't know that we had such a jem so close to home.
    May 05, 2012
  • This is my new favorite breakfast spot.  I love the colorful decor and the staff was very friendly.  Also, the food was delicious.  Thanks for participating in Groupon--I might not have found this place on my own!!
    April 29, 2012
  • Great small restaurant - friendly staff - good service. Busy on Sunday so get there early.
    April 22, 2012
  • We had never been to PerKup Cafe until last weekend and we use our Groupon coupon, I would have to say we had a very wonderful experience with the staff, food, service and prices.  We have told many friends and family about our wonderful experience and have recommended PerKup Cafe to all.
    April 18, 2012
  • Need more tables.  Very, very busy.
    April 15, 2012
  • Great experience.  Good food and attentive staff.
    April 15, 2012
  • Very glad I bought the Groupon. Will definitely be back to try something else. Nice ambience. Didn't feel like I was in a strip mall. 
    April 15, 2012
  • Love the bread pudding! Service with a smile! Thanks for the great experience. Brought a friend to take advantage of the Groupon. She loved it also!
    April 04, 2012
     
     
     





Print Print | Sitemap
© PerKup Cafe
Login

Web ViewMobile View

Logout | Edit page

Contact Us

PerKup Cafe

2700 University Ave

West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

 

Phone
515-270-1466

 

 

Business Hours

Tue-Sat: 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sun: 8:00 am - 2:00 pm 

Monday - Closed