This image is the cover for the book Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes, American Palate

Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes, American Palate

With Italian steakhouses, the Younkers Tea Room and Stella's Blue Sky Diner, Des Moines's culinary history is tantalizingly diverse. It is filled with colorful characters like bootlegger/"millionaire bus boy" Babe Bisignano, a buxom bar owner named Ruthie and future president of the United States Ronald Reagan. The savory details reveal deeper stories of race relations, women's rights, Iowa caucus politics, the arts, immigration and assimilation. Don't be surprised if you experience sudden cravings for Steak de Burgo, fried pork tenderloin sandwiches and chocolate ambrosia pie, à la Bishop's Buffet. Author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby serves up a feast of Des Moines classics mixed with Iowa history, complete with iconic recipes.

Darcy Dougherty Maulsby

Darcy Maulsby is a past president and current director with the Calhoun County Farm Bureau, president of the Calhoun County Corn Growers and District Advisory Committee member for the Iowa Soybean Association. She also serves on the Calhoun County Historic Preservation Commission and is the president of the board of Central School Preservation in Lake City. She enjoys reading, cooking, going for Sunday drives in the country, helping her family on the farm and laughing at the antics of her beloved pets, including Maggie the Red Heeler and Lieutenant Dan the Cat. Visit her online at www.darcymaulsby.com.

The History Press