Spaghetti Works’ Des Moines location closed in 2023 after 45 years, which I noticed on a recent visit to the Court district.
The owners cited a perception of safety issues on Court Avenue and less downtown foot traffic due to remote work as key reasons. It’s a shame, as the food was still solid.
The area’s been leaning more into nightlife to draw younger crowds, per the Business Record, which makes sense for revenue but seems to have pushed family-oriented spots like Spaghetti Works out.
Stokes said:
“There have been enough incidents that people in Des Moines have decided that Court Avenue isn’t safe anymore. Bars can put up with that, but a family restaurant can’t.”
"The restaurant industry is facing a lot of challenges, but the company’s restaurants in Nebraska have overcome those challenges, whether it be staffing or supply issues, and are successful.
"There were potential applicants for jobs who didn’t come in because they thought Court Avenue was unsafe"
“As I look around, downtown Des Moines has changed,” she said. “The face of it changed. The security of it changed and the businesses that occupy the spaces down there have changed and they have brought in an element that has struck fear in Des Moines.”
I assume this is a locally owned (in Omaha) business? Didn't even know they had one in Des Moines. Surprised there isn't a location in Lincoln, TBH. I actually feel for the price, it's one of the better dinner options around. We would go more often if they were closer to our house... Ralston nor the Old Market are convenient (parking downtown just to eat there is a waste of time, IMO).
djc311 wrote: Thu Sep 04, 2025 9:56 am
I assume this is a locally owned (in Omaha) business? Didn't even know they had one in Des Moines. Surprised there isn't a location in Lincoln, TBH. I actually feel for the price, it's one of the better dinner options around. We would go more often if they were closer to our house... Ralston nor the Old Market are convenient (parking downtown just to eat there is a waste of time, IMO).
There was a location in downtown Lincoln for a long time that closed about ten years ago.
Spaghetti Work’s problem is that their food is awful. I am shocked that the Old Market location has survived all these years.
djc311 wrote: Thu Sep 04, 2025 9:56 am
I assume this is a locally owned (in Omaha) business? Didn't even know they had one in Des Moines. Surprised there isn't a location in Lincoln, TBH. I actually feel for the price, it's one of the better dinner options around. We would go more often if they were closer to our house... Ralston nor the Old Market are convenient (parking downtown just to eat there is a waste of time, IMO).
There was a location in downtown Lincoln for a long time that closed about ten years ago.
Spaghetti Work’s problem is that their food is awful. I am shocked that the Old Market location has survived all these years.
I personally would disagree - as well as my entire family. We'd much rather spend less money and eat Spaghetti Works' food than go to overpriced Olive Garden in a heartbeat. And OG is ALWAYS busy. I'm not sure who feels they have a top notch Italian menu... and I do not believe Spaghetti Works offers "authentic" or extremely tasty Italian. But it's good for what you're paying for, IMO.
The kids like the salad bar and the option of choosing from several different sauces at SW.
Understanding taste is completely subjective, I don't fault anyone for having a different opinion than ours. However, if it's up to us to choose, it would be Spaghetti Works every day of the week over Olive Garden.
Same here, I prefer Spaghetti Works over Olive Garden all day especially based on price. I have only been to Olive Garden once in the past 5 years and I got soup, salad and breadsticks, my wife got a dish and then we also got 3 kids meals and our total was well over $70. Spaghetti Works is almost half that price.
Plus I love the beer cheese sauce at Spaghetti Works.
skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Sep 04, 2025 3:57 pm
Same here, I prefer Spaghetti Works over Olive Garden all day especially based on price. I have only been to Olive Garden once in the past 5 years and I got soup, salad and breadsticks, my wife got a dish and then we also got 3 kids meals and our total was well over $70. Spaghetti Works is almost half that price.
Plus I love the beer cheese sauce at Spaghetti Works.
Funny you said beer cheese, because that's my wife's and kids' favorite! Personally, I like the meat sauce and the standard cheese bread they bring to the table. It's not gourmet, but for what you pay, I think it's a much better value than probably 1/2 the other restaurants you can eat at around here.
Plus, I always chow down on my first plate and order a refill, which I eat a few bites of - then take the rest home as leftovers. Basically, I can get TWO full meals for less than anything at Olive Garden or other similar place for much less money. I don't mind spending more if it's worth it - to me, Olive Garden is not great food and definitely not worth the bill.
I haven't been to Spaghetti works in years as my wife refuses to eat there. I personally don’t mind the place and always had a decent meal when I went . Spaghetti works is possibly the most iconic and famous restaurant in the Old Market, in my opinion. I knew Des Moines had one, that’s to bad it closed.
I always thought that Spaghetti works was an Omaha original until I recently ate an old spaghetti factory in Denver and realized that spaghetti works is just a copy of everything from that restaurant chain.
BIGO88 wrote: Fri Sep 05, 2025 12:18 pm
I always thought that Spaghetti works was an Omaha original until I recently ate an old spaghetti factory in Denver and realized that spaghetti works is just a copy of everything from that restaurant chain.
Based on a cursory search, it sounds like the Old Spaghetti Factory spun up a few different copy cats
skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Sep 04, 2025 3:57 pm
Plus I love the beer cheese sauce at Spaghetti Works.
Same. I hadn't been in years, but finally went a few weeks ago. Had to do the half meat sauce and half beer cheese like I always did growing up. And of course got a refill. For the price, it's a pretty good deal.
One thing I did notice is it seems like the plates are smaller now. I've always loved piling up on the salad bar but felt like I had to limit myself. Although it could be a perception thing with me being older now. But then again I'm pretty sure I've been in the last decade and shrinkflation is always destroying once great things.
