Inside the Breakfast Club’s wild brunch empire as it turns five
When The Breakfast Club opened its first retro-inspired brunch spot in Des Moines’ East Village back in February 2021, the odds were stacked against it. Launching a new restaurant concept in the middle of the COVID-19 shutdowns required boldness, creativity, and a willingness to lean fully into fun.
Five years later, that gamble has paid off — big time.
The Breakfast Club has evolved into one of the metro’s most playful, celebratory and indulgent brunch destinations. Known for its neon‑bright ’80s vibe, cheeky energy and wildly imaginative takes on classic breakfast dishes, the homegrown brand has expanded across the metro with locations in West Des Moines and Ankeny, plus out-of-state growth in Minneapolis. A Waukee restaurant is slated to open this year, and the original East Village location will soon move to a larger space within the neighborhood.
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A retro brunch wonderland
Part diner throwback, part brunch party, The Breakfast Club is built around a simple promise: big flavors, bold presentations and a don’t-take-life-too-seriously atmosphere. The menu reads like a greatest hits list of comfort food and culinary chaos — pancakes overloaded with toppings, savory dishes stacked a foot high and pastries engineered more like desserts than breakfast.
And the cocktails? Let’s just say brunch here is not a dry affair.
The over-the-top stars of the menu
Brunch at The Breakfast Club is known for going bigger, brighter and sweeter than anywhere else in the metro. Five standout showstoppers:
Bananas Foster French toast: Thick-cut French toast loaded with fried bananas, whipped cream, walnuts and a rich bourbon caramel drizzle. It’s basically dessert disguised as breakfast, and one of the menu’s most photographed plates.
Breakfast egg rolls: Think of this as an omelet inside an egg roll. Bacon, cheddar cheese, scrambled eggs, sweet Thai chili sauce and sriracha mayo come inside these novelty egg rolls.
Breakfast corn dogs: Yes, the Iowa State Fair favorite takes over breakfast, but instead of a hot dog inside, it’s a breakfast sausage wrapped in a maple butter batter that’s deep-fried and comes with maple syrup and strawberry glaze.
Strawberry shortcake waffles: A sky‑high waffle stack topped with lemon mousse, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and a sprig of mint. It eats like a brunch‑friendly version of the classic summer dessert.
S’mores pancakes: Homemade pancakes smothered in toasted marshmallows, marshmallow cream, chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumbles, complete with torched marshmallows skewered on top. Too much? Make it s’mores doughnut holes with marshmallow cream, a chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumbs.
Breakfast egg rolls at The Breakfast Club are like an omelet inside an egg roll.
Eggs Benedicts: An entire section of eggs Benedicts are on the menu, but look for super novelty versions such as the biscuit Benny with fried chicken and country gravy or the Rangoon Benny with shrimp and crab Rangoon.
Cowboy Killer: A legendary, everything‑but‑the‑kitchen‑sink plate stacked with four sausage links, four strips of bacon, ham, queso, jalapeños, spicy barbecue sauce and a fried egg, all drenched in “ultimate gravy.” It’s one of the most outrageous savory items on the menu.
Seoul food loaded hashbrowns: This taste of Korea combines bacon and kimchi with a fried egg and sriracha mayo. It’s savory, tangy, a little fiery and fully in line with the brand’s love of bold flavors.
Breakfast nachos: A skillet piled with house-fried chips, scrambled eggs, bacon, queso, pico and crema. Perfect for sharing.
The Mega Mosa at The Breakfast Club.
Boozy breakfasts, elevated
The Breakfast Club’s cocktail list is as playful as the menu. Expect colorful mimosas, spiked coffee drinks, themed holiday cocktails and oversized brunch sippers. The craft mimosa lineup rotates with seasonal flavors. Diners can order a mimosa flight of four or a Mega Mosa with 25 ounces of one of the eight mimosa flavors that comes garnished with cotton candy, a sugar rim, glitter and fruit.
The restaurant has five versions of bloody Marys that include a dirty version, a Michelada with Modelo or Corona, a spicy Maria with tequila and a loaded bloody with bacon, shrimp, cheese cubes, olives, pickles, lemon and lime.
The back bar at The Breakfast Club in West Des Moines features old lunch boxes and Thermoses.
Design notes: Inside the Breakfast Club’s playful retro aesthetic, neon‑bright color pops
From electric pinks to teal blues, the brand’s signature ’80s-inspired palette sets the tone the moment you walk in. The bold hues reflect the restaurant’s personality — fun, energetic and just a little outrageous.
Flashback wall art surrounds the space, from graphic murals and cassette‑tape motifs to pop‑culture callbacks that double as décor and photo ops. Every wall feels intentionally curated for nostalgia seekers and Instagram scrollers alike.
Chrome accents, diner-style booths and open counter seating provide classic comfort, while updated finishes keep the look fresh and contemporary. It’s retro without feeling dated.
Expansive windows and bright interior lighting in West Des Moines and Ankeny make every pancake stack, mimosa flight and neon cocktail picture perfect. The thoughtful layout invites guests to linger and photograph.
Whimsical garnishes, oversized plates and exaggerated dish presentations turn breakfast into a performance. Here, the food isn’t just eaten — it’s experienced.
A five-year celebration
On Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all three Des Moines metro locations will celebrate the restaurant’s fifth anniversary with $5 craft mimosas and Valentine’s cocktails along with gift card and merchandise giveaways.
The restaurant also debuts new menu items, including the cannoli cronuts, blazin’ biscuit and berry electric pancakes
Cannoli cronuts: A flaky, deep-fried croissant-doughnut hybrid piped full of sweet cannoli cream, topped with chocolate drizzle and powdered sugar. Dessert for breakfast, unapologetically.
Berry electric pancakes: Vibrant, berry-packed pancakes crackling with popping candy and garnished with whipped cream and electric‑blue syrup. They’re as loud as the playlist.
Blazin’ biscuit: A towering biscuit smothered in spicy sausage gravy, layered with crispy chicken and finished with a drizzle of hot honey. Comfort food with heat.
“This weekend is about celebrating our guests and the communities that helped us grow,” said managing partner Tom Baldwin Jr. in a news release.
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" holds a stack of pancakes at the entrance to the new The Breakfast Club in West Des Moines.
Where to find The Breakfast Club
- East Village, 407 E. Fifth St., Des Moines, 515-850‑6311 — Moving within the East Village in 2026.
- West Glen Town Center, 5465 Mills Civic Pkwy. #235, West Des Moines, 515-259‑6066
- The District at Prairie Trail, 1910 S.W. Plaza Pkwy., Ankeny, 515-964‑2500
- Contact: https://www.thebreakfastclubusa.com
- Coming soon: Waukee at Kettlestone Central
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
