Best things we ate in Des Moines in July, from burrata to pork rolls at the Iowa State Fair

Des Moines has its share of excellent food available from fancy dishes at upscale restaurants to comfort food favorites and everything in between. While our guide to the essential restaurants can set you in the right direction, sometimes you just need to rediscover an old favorite restaurant, or try something new . Here, find out about the best dishes we ate in July at restaurants across the Des Moines metro, plus dishes you should try at the Iowa State Fair.

Burrata at Latin King

Burrata, $16: Chef Zach Boals buys his tomatoes from Blue Ribbon Gardens , which has a stand at 50th Street and Grand Avenue in West Des Moines. After all, they are the star of this dish. Grande Cheese out of Wisconsin supplies the burrata, filled with sweet cream and strands of fresh mozzarella with a touch of sea salt. Boals makes the pesto fresh. This dish will probably only be on the menu until the first week of October.

Get it: Latin King is an east side favorite, and bonus, it's off University Avenue near the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Find it at 2200 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines.

More: What to know about the Latin King, the Italian restaurant on the east side in Des Moines

Takoyaki at What Dak

Takoyaki, $7.99: I am so delighted to find so much Asian cuisine here in the metro. This Japanese street food features bite-sized balls of octopus surrounded by batter and fried. These came with some katsu sauce and mayo. So light with the batter swaddling tender octopus for a nice contrast, and it might remind you of a dish you can order at the Iowa State Fair.

Get it: Newcomer What Dak specializes in Korean fried chicken, but do order Korean corn dogs, bulgogi, kimchi, and pot stickers, as well. Find it at 9250 University Ave., Suite 113, West Des Moines. The fast-casual restaurant has computer ordering.

More: The hottest new restaurants that opened in the Des Moines metro: July 2024 version

Bacon cheeseburger egg roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen

The bacon cheeseburger egg roll, $12: One of the first things you should try if you fancy new foods at the Iowa State Fair is find this riff on a cheeseburger in egg roll form. Does it taste like a cheeseburger? Yes, with an accent on the pickles. Does it have a kick? A little bit. Can you walk around with it? Absolutely. And it's maybe not as messy as a cheeseburger. I could probably make a lunch of this daily. It is one of the three dishes vying for Best New Food at the Iowa State Fair.

Get it: While you're at the Iowa State Fair, head to Winn & Sara's Kitchen , found southwest of the Jacobson Exhibition Center. You can also find the restaurant at 122 W. Ashland Ave. in Indianola.

More: These top three dishes compete for Best New Food at the Iowa State Fair in 2024

Lobster corn dog from Destination Grille

Lobster corn dog, $20: This is one of the most decadent dishes you can order at the Iowa State Fair. The six-ounce north Atlantic lobster tail is breaded, then fried and coated with chives, fresh Parmesan and paprika. Bonus: this is a gluten-free dish.

Get it: When you get to the Fairgrounds, look for Destination Grille west of Jacobson Exhibition Center. Destination Grille's restaurant is at 2491 E. First St. in Grimes.

More: Meet the 2024 Iowa State Fair's 84 new foods, from deep-fried bubblegum to hot mess biscuits

Iowa Sm‘Oak’ed Roll from Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ

The Iowa Sm'Oak'ed Roll, $14: This is probably the most composed dish of the three trying to win Best New Food at the Iowa State Fair. It looks like sushi rolls, but it's not. The pork tenderloin is layered with jalapeno cream corn and house-made Texas taco sauce, smoked and then once it's finished, topped with poblano ranch. This is a generous portion to boot. And it's a gluten-free dish.

Get it: At the Fairgrounds, look for Whatcha Smokin' BBQ west of the Jacobson Exhibition Center. You can find the restaurant at 403 Iowa Ave., Luther.

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 sstapleton@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Best things we ate in Des Moines in July, from burrata to pork rolls at the Iowa State Fair