Press

Jethro's named 2025 Top 3 Finalist for Best BBQ in Des Moines Metro

- The Des Moines Register

Owner Bruce Gerleman pictured with former Iowa State and current NBA stars Georges Niang and Tyrese Haliburton at the 2025 Georges Niang Golf Charity Outing. Jethro's donated meals to participants throughout the week of charity events in Ames, Iowa.

Jethro's BBQ Supports Local Youth Empowerment with $1,000 Donation to Pollinate Ritual

At Jethro's BBQ, we believe in more than just serving up great food—we believe in feeding the community with care, connection, and support. This July, our owner Bruce Gerleman had the honor of presenting a $1,000 donation to Pollinate Ritual, a local healing collective based in Windsor Heights, Iowa.

Pollinate Ritual is a community-rooted organization offering mentorship and guidance to young girls through its Maidens Retreat program, which supports girls ages 11 to 18. Led by Suzanne Pulcher, Shannissy Catron, and Kathryn Dickel, the retreat focuses on building a nurturing and empowering environment where girls are encouraged to explore self-worth, emotional expression, and leadership.

More than a one-time retreat, the program offers ongoing events and mentorship throughout the year. With a focus on sisterhood, emotional well-being, and practical life skills, Pollinate Ritual creates safe spaces for these girls to grow in confidence, communication, and personal health awareness. Each event is carefully designed to help people feel seen, heard, and protected—something that can make a lifelong difference.

The $1,000 contribution from Jethro's will go directly toward funding 2 girls to attend the Maiden's Retreat, ensuring more girls have access to these life-changing experiences.

At Jethro's, giving back is part of who we are—especially when it comes to investing in the future of our community's youth. We're proud to stand behind Pollinate Ritual and encourage others to learn more about their work at pollinateritual.com or by visiting their space in Windsor Heights.

Together, we can continue to create stronger, more connected communities—one meal, one girl, and one act of kindness at a time.

Pictured: Bruce Gerleman of Jethro's BBQ presenting the donation to Suzanne Pulcher, Shannissy Catron, and Kathryn Dickel of Pollinate Ritual.

15. Iowa: Jethro's BBQ (Des Moines)

Jethro's BBQ in Des Moines is one of seven locations frequented by BBQ lovers for its intensely flavored menu of good food cooked from scratch. 

The menu is huge, but some favorites include slow-smoked wings and the slow-smoked baby back pork ribs. Other options, like the Red Beans and Nice Rice and Smokehouse Jambalaya, are the filling meals you need after a long day.

-FinanceBuzz

In recognition of company demonstration of excellence in business, the competitive advantage of business, and your commitment to customer service, as well as your commitment to the well-being of the communities you serve.

— Altoona Chamber of Commerce

Move over Dos Equis guy, Bruce Gerleman may very well be the most interesting man in Iowa. As the founder of Jethro's BBQ, he reacts to news of the original Drake-neighborhood location burning to the ground—a property he sold years ago. He also discusses his background in Iowa, how he paid for a Des Moines building by selling the inventory inside it, why he coached Superman and Aquaman, and the origin story of the Adam Emmenecker challenge.

— The Iowa Podcast

Bruce Gerleman shares his story on 'CAVUTO Live.'

-Fox News

Jethro's BBQ Bacon Bacon is ready for business and will open up on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at their new West Des Moines location.

— Mary Willie

A longtime Drake neighborhood restaurant is planning to pull up its roots and move. The original Jethro's BBQ on Forest Avenue has been closed for months with owner Bruce Gerleman saying he planned to renovate and re-open. But now, the decision has been made to move to a new location near the Iowa Events Center at the northeast corner of Park Street and 3rd Street. The new location is expected to be open by next spring. Jethro's six other restaurants in the Des Moines metro and one restaurant in Ames.

— Who 13 Des Moines

A well-known barbecue restaurant is expanding into the heart of downtown Des Moines. Jethro's BBQ is opening a new location at 221 Park St., right next to the Iowa Events Center. 'We've been looking at downtown forever, trying to find the right location,' said owner Bruce Gerleman. 'When this location became available, we jumped on it just like that.' The downtown restaurant will be the eighth Jethro's BBQ in the metro. The chain is best known for its over-the-top entrees, including the Adam Emmenecker sandwich. It gained a substantial following from foodies across the world after being featured on more than a dozen national and international TV shows., including 'Man vs. Food'. The new restaurant will seat about 350 people and feature two floors: one for dining and one for socializing.

— Emma Brustkern

Changes are coming for a popular barbecue chain here in the Des Moines area. The owner of Jethro's has announced a new downtown location a block south of Wells Fargo Arena. That also means the Jethro's location near Drake University will not reopen. It has been closed since December. The owner hopes to open the new downtown restaurant before next year's high school basketball tournaments.

— KCCI team

Jethro's BBQ is a regular on 'best of' lists, was featured on Man v. Food, and even catered a backyard barbecue for former President Barack Obama. Slow-smoked wings get doused in handmade sauces, from Georgia mustard to garlic parm to buffalo sauce. Regulars will appreciate that Jethro's has a 'sauce of the month,' too.

— Brittany Anas