It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Pleasantville, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Pleasantville, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Pleasantville, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Pleasantville, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
AMES, Iowa—On the square in Pleasantville, Iowa, family, community, and Iowa’s best burger intersect at Halftime Bar & Grill. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are proud to name Halftime Bar & Grill—and its owners, the DeHeer family—the home of Iowa’s Best Burger for 2025.COMMUNITY AND FAMILYIn rural Iowa, community and family are often synonymous. That can be said for the DeHeers, owners of Halftime Bar & Grill (107 N Jefferson St, Pleasantville, IA)...
AMES, Iowa—On the square in Pleasantville, Iowa, family, community, and Iowa’s best burger intersect at Halftime Bar & Grill. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are proud to name Halftime Bar & Grill—and its owners, the DeHeer family—the home of Iowa’s Best Burger for 2025.
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY
In rural Iowa, community and family are often synonymous. That can be said for the DeHeers, owners of Halftime Bar & Grill (107 N Jefferson St, Pleasantville, IA). As we sat down to talk with them about their restaurant, their experience in the contest, and what winning Iowa’s Best Burger means, themes of family and community rang through their responses.
As long-time residents of Pleasantville, Kevin and Kathy DeHeer, along with their children, Amanda and Tyler DeHeer, have owned and operated Halftime Bar & Grill for just over two years.
Kathy was the one to steer the family down the path of restaurant ownership and going into business as a family. She has worked for Frosty’s, the restaurant, which is where Halftime Bar & Grill is now. The owners were looking to retire and approached Kathy to see if she was interested in buying them out.
“I had always wanted to run a café,” said Kathy. “I talked with Amanda, who also worked part-time for Frosty’s, to see if she wanted to be a part of it too. We both kind of had this restaurant dream, so we thought, why not?”
Pleasantville is known for its school sports, and the community had expressed the need for a local sports bar. As the DeHeers made the restaurant their own, they went with it. TVs are spread throughout the restaurant and tuned to major sporting events, and the décor definitely gives a fun sports bar vibe.
Some might wonder if a sports “bar” is for kids. Halftime Bar & Grill is family-friendly, and kids are always welcome. In fact, Kathy said that they have been known to turn a TV or two to cartoons when kids are in. There are coloring books and crayons available, plus a menu just for the kids. And yes, there is a burger option for them too!
At this family-owned business, the staff feel like family, too. The DeHeers invited all three of their cooks to join us for the interview and brought in the serving staff for pictures. Andy Moen, one of the cooks, said that the restaurant can be hectic, but everyone in the family throws their backs into the restaurant’s success. They are quick to help and treat the team well, like family.
Amanda commented that taking over the restaurant has been life-changing and that it is a lot harder than they thought it would be, but she said it is rewarding.
“I remember thinking one of the most rewarding times was when we first opened and I was in the kitchen working,” Kathy echoed. “There was a game going on and a bunch of people in here. Everybody was laughing and having a good time, and I could hear it in the kitchen. That moment—hearing laughter fill the restaurant—was when I knew we had created something special.”
When people come to Halftime Bar & Grill, the DeHeers want it to be memorable. They want guests to think of their delicious food (burgers, of course!), and a place to laugh and have fun, with a comfortable atmosphere.
About the Beef
Halftime Bar & Grill has nine unique burger offerings on their menu featuring delectable combinations of toppings for every palate. From their classic Bacon Cheeseburger to their Sriracha Bourbon Burger and the Over-The-Top Beer Cheese Burger to the Barnyard Argument Burger, the DeHeers have amped up the tasting experience, providing patrons with a variety of options to choose from.
After several years of the trendy smash burger claiming the Iowa Best Burger crown, Halftime Bar & Grill returns us to an original grilled patty. Sourced from a local meat locker, their all-beef patties are 8 ounces of fresh, never frozen beef. You can decide if you want one or two patties (a whole pound of beef) for each burger selection. That is a lot of beef!
When we asked the DeHeer family and some of their cooking staff to pick their favorite burger to highlight, the responses were all over their menu, highlighting that there is something for everyone.
However, a fan favorite and one that the Iowa Best Burger judges mentioned was the Humpback Burger, which features an 8-ounce all-beef patty topped with ham, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and sautéed onions drizzled with Halftime’s smoky house sauce. Burgers are served with your choice of fries or a premium side for an upcharge.
This contest has already made a difference in sales. Before Halftime Bar & Grill was announced as one of the Top 10, they were selling approximately 170 burgers in a week. Following the announcement, burger sales increased to 392 burgers at their peak. That is a 131% increase in just a few weeks.
Amanda also shared that they’ve seen increases among all sales within the restaurant, not just the burgers. Halftime Bar & Grill offers a complete food and beverage menu featuring a variety of items beyond their solid selection of burgers.
The purpose of Iowa’s Best Burger contest, simply put, is to promote beef and the producers who raise it. The DeHeers had several examples of guests who came in, not knowing that Halftime Bar & Grill existed, but had heard radio advertisements about the contest and stopped in for a burger.
The Road to One
Each year, there can be only one winner of Iowa’s Best Burger contest. Kathy and Amanda watched the contest unfold last year and dabbled with getting Halftime Bar & Grill into the contest, but fell short of the Top 10. This year, Amanda said that they focused more on the promotion and concerted effort to see what they could do.
“We got on and printed materials provided for the contest,” said Amanda. “And we told our staff if someone is eating a burger and enjoying it, ask them to vote. We used the QR codes provided and even showed some of our older guests how to use the code to vote.”
Another area of focus for the DeHeers, not only during the contest but all of the time, is quality and consistency. Tyler said that they care about the quality of their food because if they serve bad food, people won’t come back. He expressed that repeat business in a smaller community is crucial. If they are busy, it isn’t just about getting the food out, they are honed in on quality, he said.
We encourage patrons who visit Halftime Bar & Grill to have patience, as winners of this contest see an increased influx of patrons following the contest announcement. Also, remember that a traditional burger patty, such as those served at Halftime Bar & Grill, takes a little longer than the trendy smash burger — but it will be well worth the wait.
“People kept telling us that we should enter the contest and that our burgers are the best thing ever,” said Kathy. “When the contest started, we had regulars say that we were going to be number one. Making the Top 10 was our goal, and winning was just icing on the cake.”
Both Amanda and Kathy said there were happy tears when they found out that they had made the Top 10, and then even more when they found out they’d won.
Tyler pointed out that in a small town, people can only come in so many times a week to eat. The family agreed and appreciates the outpouring of local support and will always be grateful to the community regulars. But winning this contest and the exposure it generates to a larger audience will help their restaurant thrive.
“Getting the word out is what we need,” said Amanda. “This contest has helped us make Pleasantville and Halftime Bar & Grill a destination; a place on the map.”
Thanks to the community, quality beef, and one unforgettable burger, Halftime Bar & Grill isn’t just serving food—it’s earned a permanent place on Iowa’s culinary map.
Halftime Bar & Grill’s kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. You can learn more about Halftime Bar & Grill and get updates on specials by following them on Facebook.
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Voters with the Iowa Beef Industry Council have spoken and declared Pleasantville, Iowa, southeast of Des Moines home to the best burger in the state.
The annual contest, now in its 16th year, is sponsored by the he Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. More than 6,000 fans of Iowa burgers submitted nominations for more than 400 restaurants. A group of secret judges reviewed the top 10 vote-getters and determines a final winner.
So who won the title of best burger in Iowa?
The organization named the hamburger at Halftime Bar & Grill in Pleasantville the best in Iowa.
Kevin and Kathy DeHeer, along with their children, Amanda and Tyler DeHeer, have owned and operated Halftime Bar & Grill for more than two years after buying the restaurant in 2023.
The sports bar offers nine burgers, including a classic bacon cheeseburger, a sriracha bourbon burger, over-the-top beer cheeseburger, and the Humpback Burger with an 8-ounce all-beef patty topped with ham, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and saute?ed onions that is then drizzled with Halftime’s smoky house sauce.
Unlike recent years, Halftime’s burger is a grilled patty instead of a smash burger. Each patty is 8 ounces of fresh beef, sourced from a local meat locker.
Since being named a finalist in March, the owners of Halftime Bar & Grill have increased their burger sales 131%, from 170 burgers a week to 392, according to the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
Location: 107 N. Jefferson St., Pleasantville
Contact: 515-481-9053 or facebook.com
Here's a look at the finalists from 2025:
More: The best burger in Iowa is found at The Flight Bar + Grille in Huxley
Burgers must be made with a 100% real beef patty served on a bun or bread product. The combination of condiments, cheeses, toppings and sauces does not matter.
JJ's Tavern and Grill in Ankeny was awarded the best burger restaurant in Iowa in 2024.
More: Love a good burger? Here's where to find some of the best in the Des Moines metro
(This article was updated to add a gallery.)
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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 [email protected].
A Marion County establishment is the winner of the Iowa’s Best Burger contest for this year. The Iowa Beef Industry Council made the announcement Thursday of the honor for the Halftime Bar and Grill in Pleasantville.Co-owner Tyler Deheer is excited to win the award. “I would say it’s it’s a great feeling, really, honestly just, you know, being a small town, being in a small town like Pleasantville. and just being a family owned restaurant to receive an honor and bring recognition to the town and to the restaura...
A Marion County establishment is the winner of the Iowa’s Best Burger contest for this year. The Iowa Beef Industry Council made the announcement Thursday of the honor for the Halftime Bar and Grill in Pleasantville.
Co-owner Tyler Deheer is excited to win the award. “I would say it’s it’s a great feeling, really, honestly just, you know, being a small town, being in a small town like Pleasantville. and just being a family owned restaurant to receive an honor and bring recognition to the town and to the restaurants is pretty awesome,” he says. DeHeer, his wife Amanda, dad Kevin, and mom Kathy have owned and operated Halftime Bar & Grill for just more than two years. Kathy worked in the same building when it was called Frosty’s, and they decided to adopt the sports theme to take advantage of Pleasantville’s interest in high school sports.
Their burgers include the classic bacon cheeseburger, a sriracha bourbon burger, and the beer cheese burger. DeHeer says the ingredients make their burger special. “Well, they’re. They’re fresh and they come from a local meat locker in Melcher, Iowa, and they’re they’re never frozen. So everything’s fresh. So you’re getting the best, the best tasting burger you can get,” DeHeer says.
Past winners of the best burger contest say their business picked up quite a bit. DeHeer says being a finalist has already helped. “Even in the top ten, it’s been pretty busy and this should definitely be even busier. Other nominees were in Polk City, Waterloo, Spirit Lake. Cresco, Oskaloosa, Cedar Rapids, Knoxville, Sac City, and Iowa City. The award to the Halftime Bar and Grill coincides with the start of Iowa Beef Month.
(Pat Powers of KQWC contributed to this story)
Des Moines RegisterAddress: 108 E. Monroe St., PleasantvillePhone: (515) 848-3742Website: checkerboardrestaurant.netWhat started out as a joke between friends about starting a pizza restaurant has become an anchor in Pleasantville for more than four decades.After the laughs subsided, Ron and Karen Fee decided that maybe opening a pizza place in their small town of Pleasantville wasn’t as crazy as it sounded. With the help of friends and...
Des Moines Register
Address: 108 E. Monroe St., Pleasantville
Phone: (515) 848-3742
Website: checkerboardrestaurant.net
What started out as a joke between friends about starting a pizza restaurant has become an anchor in Pleasantville for more than four decades.
After the laughs subsided, Ron and Karen Fee decided that maybe opening a pizza place in their small town of Pleasantville wasn’t as crazy as it sounded. With the help of friends and family, including their daughter Rhonda (who was 12 years old at the time), the Fees opened the Checkerboard Pizza Shack in 1975.
“The name came about from the red-and-white checkered tablecloths and curtains,” said Rhonda, who is now Rhonda Zimmerman after getting married and is also the current owner of the restaurant since 2010.
In the beginning, the Fee family operated the business in a rented building and focused on pizza and arcade games. (It was, after all, the 1970s.) At first, Ron tried working his day job and then working the restaurant at night, but it wasn’t long before he had to run the business full-time as it quickly took off.
“We relied on family and friends in the beginning because we couldn’t afford to hire people,” said Zimmerman. “We were fortunate that our family and friends worked for food.”
A year after opening, the family had the opportunity to purchase two buildings across the street from their current location. They shut down operations for six weeks, and Ron remodeled the old building into the current restaurant.
“As our business grew, we expanded the menu and decided that we were going to change our name to Checkerboard Restaurant,” said Zimmerman.
The Western theme can be seen everywhere from the decor, including wagon-wheel lights and Karen’s antiques like Roy Rogers memorabilia, to the names of the food they now serve, from the “Trail Starters,” which include their famous homemade onion rings, to Ronnie’s Wild West Dinners to their pizzas, which have been rebranded as “Corral Pies.”
To say the Checkerboard is a family affair is putting it mildly. Even though Zimmerman purchased the business, her parents still continue to work there. You can usually find Ron in the back making pizzas and Karen at the cash register.
“This is a business that wouldn’t have been successful without the help of family,” said Zimmerman.
Ron and Karen’s parents, siblings, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have all helped out at the restaurant at some point. And Rhonda actually met her husband Marty Zimmerman at the restaurant, which also provided the perfect venue to exchange vows. Yes, they got married in the restaurant.
Zimmerman admits that things haven’t been easy the past few years. Like many small businesses, they are struggling with supply shortages, rising costs and keeping staff. However, she remains optimistic. “We hope to make it to our 50th (anniversary), which will be in July of 2025.”
Distance from Downtown Des Moines: 27 miles
Hours: 4-9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
Kids: Look for the “For the Little Cowpokes” section on the menu. Grandson Noah recommends the chicken fingers, while Ethan suggests the mini corn dogs.
Stoplight: The Fees like to brag that the very first stoplight in Pleasantville was installed outside the Checkerboard on Oct. 27, 1984. The light is actually used to show whether or not there is a wait to be seated, although the menu admits, “So far no tickets have been issued for walking thru a red light.”
Memories: Mike Fee, Ron and Karen's son, was a part of the restaurant until his death at age 27 in a car accident. The family continues to keep his memory alive with his photo and memorabilia at the restaurant.
While You’re There: You may not realize that the very first Smokey Row Coffee Co. was in Pleasantville – and it’s still there. Head downtown and you can’t miss it. Grab your favorite coffee drink or lunch and a treat at the old-fashioned soda fountain before heading to the Checkerboard for dinner. You could also visit the Grape Escape Vineyard & Winery for a tasting in their tank room or under the gazebo.
Rating Index 0 5 Stars 0 4 Stars 0 3 Stars 0 2 Stars 0 1 Stars 0 Conditions 0 Value 0 Layout 0 Friendliness 0 Pace 0 Amenities 00%Recommend this course Read Reviews...
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Recommend this course
Holes 9
Type Semi-Private
Par 35
Length 2962 yards
Slope N/A
Rating N/A
Year Built 1968
Golf Season Open: 3/01 Closed: 11/30
Carts Yes
Clubs No
Driving Range No
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Bar, Grill
Swimming
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