A pumpkin dessert is waiting at the end of one Thanksgiving dinner this year.
The meal comes in three courses. You start with soup or salad, move to turkey or steak with seasonal sides, and finish with that pumpkin treat.
Nobody at your table has to wash a single roasting pan.
Here’s the twist that I love. The full menu stays open on the holiday too, so steak fans can skip the bird completely.
I can’t imagine a better peace treaty for families who argue about turkey every November.
The setting adds even more charm. This Iowa steakhouse leans into old-school supper club style with Rat Pack era flair.
I believe a holiday meal tastes better with a little Sinatra energy in the room. So, turkey or steak?
Three Courses Of Thanksgiving Without Lifting A Ladle
Holiday cooking usually means a sink full of dishes by noon. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse in West Des Moines offers a much easier plan this year.
The restaurant is serving a three-course Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 26, 2026. The first course gives you a choice of soup or salad.
Next comes the star of the show, a choice of roasted turkey, a 14-ounce ribeye, or a 6-ounce filet mignon, accompanied by three sides. It’s a holiday centerpiece, minus the hours of basting at home.
Dessert closes things out with a pumpkin treat. That’s a sweet finish featuring the most famous pie flavor of the season.
I like how the meal stays simple and focused. Three clear courses mean less guessing and more time talking with the people around you.
The pricing is set per person, which makes planning easier for bigger groups. You’ll know your plan before anyone even sits down.
The whole idea feels perfect for small households too. Cooking a full turkey for two people can feel like a lot of work for one afternoon.
So think of this as the holiday meal with all the tradition and none of the cleanup. Your oven gets a day off, and honestly, it earned one.
Team Steak Gets Its Own Seat At The Table
Every family has that one person who quietly passes on turkey. On Thanksgiving at Johnny’s, that person finally wins.
The full regular menu stays available all day on the holiday. That means signature steaks, pastas, and seafood entrees are all fair game alongside the turkey plate.
Steak options on the menu include Filet Mignon and Ribeye. Both bring a very different kind of holiday energy than a drumstick does.
The famous house choice is Steak De Burgo. It’s a signature dish here, and it shows up often when people talk about Johnny’s.
I believe this setup fixes a real holiday problem. One table can hold a turkey lover, a steak fan, and a pasta person without any drama.
Kids who aren’t big on turkey also get more choices. That alone could save a parent from a long negotiation over the mashed potatoes.
Mixing traditions might feel a little rebellious at first. Then again, the Pilgrims never had a ribeye option, so who’s to say they wouldn’t have taken it?
Your Thanksgiving, your rules. A steak knife on a holiday plate looks pretty festive anyway.
Pumpkin Dessert Brings A Sweet Finish
Pumpkin pie has ruled Thanksgiving dessert for a very long time. Here, it gets some friendly competition.
The three-course holiday meal ends with a pumpkin dessert. It brings a familiar seasonal flavor to the final course.
Pumpkin fits right in at a Thanksgiving table. Adding it to the dessert makes the meal feel complete.
This dessert also shows how the restaurant approaches the holiday. It honors tradition while still keeping its own personality front and center.
Fun fact for your table talk. Pumpkin desserts can take several forms beyond traditional pie.
That sweet finish feels pretty fitting after a big turkey dinner. Everyone needs a little lift once the meal settles in.
I like that dessert is already included in the three courses. Nobody has to argue over whether to order something sweet at the end.
If your family insists on pie, maybe treat this as a fun experiment. One bite might start a brand new tradition, or at least a lively debate on the drive home.
Plan Your Holiday Around These Hours
Timing matters on Thanksgiving, and this one comes with a clear window. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse opens on the holiday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
That schedule works well for families who like an early feast. You can enjoy a long lunch or a late-afternoon dinner and still be home for football or a nap.
Reservations are highly recommended for the day. Holiday tables at a popular steakhouse are not something you want to leave to luck.
Booking ahead also helps with group planning. You can lock in a time that works for grandparents, cousins, and anyone driving in from out of town.
Remember that the restaurant closes at 5 p.m. on the holiday. Late dinner plans won’t work here, so plan for an earlier meal.
A quick tip for bigger groups is to settle your headcount early. It keeps the reservation smooth and saves you from last-minute phone calls.
Also think about who wants turkey and who wants steak before you arrive. It speeds up ordering and keeps hungry relatives happy.
A little planning now means a relaxed afternoon later. That’s the best side dish of all.
Frank Sinatra Would Feel Right At Home Here
Old Hollywood cool runs through this dining room. The restaurant aims for a classic steakhouse feel with Rat Pack era charm.
The space is described as upscale with supper club-like style. A sleek bar area adds to that polished, throwback mood.
The bar even has its own name, the Blue Bar. It gives the room a little personality before you even look at a menu.
I like how this kind of setting fits a holiday meal. Thanksgiving already feels nostalgic, and the room leans right into that feeling.
The vibe sits somewhere between dressed-up dinner and cozy family gathering. You can feel fancy without feeling stiff.
For many families, a holiday out is a chance to slow down. An elegant room makes the meal feel like an event instead of a chore.
It’s easy to see why the place works for celebrations year-round. Birthdays, date nights, and holiday dinners all seem at home here.
So dust off a nice sweater for the occasion. You don’t need a tuxedo, but a little Sinatra swagger never hurts in a room like this.
Your Dinner Comes With A Hotel Lobby Address
Hotel restaurants don’t always get the spotlight, but this one deserves it. Johnny’s sits inside The Rewind Hotel, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
You’ll find it at 6075 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266. The spot sits near the busy Jordan Creek area of the Des Moines metro.
That hotel connection is handy during the holidays. Out-of-town family can stay upstairs and stroll down to Thanksgiving dinner.
No icy drive after a big meal sounds like a gift. In Iowa in late November, that kind of convenience feels extra valuable.
Free parking is available, which helps when the whole crew shows up in separate cars. Free wireless internet is also offered.
The location makes the day easy to build around. You can pair dinner with a family visit or some nearby holiday shopping.
Staying close to the table means you can actually relax. Nobody has to worry about a long trip home on a full stomach.
Honestly, a holiday meal with an elevator ride as your commute is hard to beat. That’s travel planning at its finest.
Pasta Lovers Have Plenty To Smile About
Not everyone wants turkey or steak, and that’s totally fine here. The Italian side of the menu gives you even more holiday options.
Italian specialties include Classic Bucatini and Meatballs and Lasagna. Both feel like comfort food, which is exactly the Thanksgiving mood.
There are a few dishes with memorable names too. Johnny’s Minelli and Johnny’s Chanel No. 5 both show up on the menu.
I can’t help smiling at a pasta dish named after a famous perfume. It’s a playful touch that matches the restaurant’s classic, showbiz style.
Since the full menu runs on the holiday, these dishes are on the table too. That gives picky eaters and pasta fans their moment.
A mixed table can actually make dinner more fun. Passing bites around turns the meal into a little tasting party.
Lasagna on Thanksgiving might sound unusual at first. Plenty of families already serve pasta at holiday meals, so it fits right in.
The blend of steakhouse and Italian kitchen is what makes this place stand out. One menu, lots of moods, and zero fighting over the last roll.
Big Families Will Appreciate The Extra Room
Large family gatherings can be tricky to fit around one table. Johnny’s has spaces built for groups of many sizes.
The venue offers a Boardroom that holds up to 40 guests. For truly huge crowds, the Grand Ballroom can host up to 300 people.
There’s also pre-function space for gathering before a meal. That’s useful for mingling, hugging, and catching up on family news.
These spaces make the restaurant popular for weddings and parties. Johnny’s also handles catering for events, which shows how much it serves big crowds.
For holiday planning, this is worth keeping in mind. A company celebration or extended family reunion might fit perfectly here.
I believe big groups deserve a space that feels comfortable. Nobody wants to shout across three tables just to ask for the salt.
If your holiday crowd keeps growing every year, this could be your answer. Just plan ahead and ask about private options early.
The best part is everyone eats together without anyone stuck in the kitchen. Even the family cook gets to sit down and enjoy the meal.
The Fun Doesn’t Stop When November Ends
Thanksgiving might bring you in, but the regular schedule gives you more reasons to return. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse stays busy all year long.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily starting at 11 a.m. It runs until 10 p.m. most days and 9 p.m. on Sundays.
Breakfast is also served each morning at the hotel location. That’s handy for guests staying at The Rewind.
When the weather warms up, there’s a patio too. It seats 24 guests, so it feels cozy rather than crowded.
Patio season in Iowa is short and precious. Grabbing an outdoor table on a nice evening feels like a small victory.
Menu favorites like prime rib and Steak De Burgo show up often in conversations about the place. It’s easy to see why folks come back after the holidays.
I like a restaurant that fits many moments. A holiday feast, a lunch break, and a birthday dinner can all happen under one roof.
So try the turkey or steak this Thanksgiving. Then mark your calendar for a sunny patio dinner when spring finally shows up.