Wow, I have never been more unhappy at a food establishment. Unfriendly staff. I am glad they closed.

doesnt even deserve my one star.

Terrible food and service. This place has really gone down hill and it shows by all the empty tables in the restaurant.

This was our 2nd visit and LAST (we forgot after our 1st time we said we would never return)... My pulled pork and cole slaw were the same temperature ! The butter would not even melt on the texas toast. Doubt if any Texans would consider this anything like true Texas BBQ. DSM has several BBQ eaterys that are so much better. Portions were good, too bad the food isn't.

Well I have been eating here several times in the last month. And what I have found is surprising... For 1, Consistancy is NON-EXISTANT.. Portions one day are reasonable. But then today, they were 50% as much. Try 3 meats, and get about 1.5 times the meat you would with a single meat... Yes the portions are smaller, but the price delta seems to imply something else.... Ham and Turkey are good. Brisket can get a little over done in the warming pan. The baked potatos are brown from over cooking. Tonight I got a dribble of mac and cheese... I was so disappointed, I have been here 5 times, and tonight was the worst... But of course the owner was there tonight... On the better days, he wasn't... Interesting thought...

I used to be in the restaurant biz and unfortunately Michelle is typical of a lot of people out there. They get something they don't care for, don't say a word to anyone, then go bad mouth the place. This place serves hundreds of meals a week, every place puts out a few meals that don't satisfy the patron for whatever reason occasionally! I've visited Kin Folks dozens of times and have never been anything but pleased! The brisket is fantastic, and the potato salad goes with me to every event I attend! Yes, sometimes I take credit for it. A little known fact is they have a 1/2 # pound burger thats the best in Des Moines! Just a note to the guy that said Attica is better, the Altoona owner is the guy from Attica!

I dont know what Michelle is complaining about. If she had cold food did she bother to tell anyone? Those things happen in the restaurant biz. Hopefully not a lot but it does happen. The only way to fix it- is to say something and give them a chance to make it right. I have eaten @ Kin Folks for years and they are always accomidating and friendly. Ask for someone in charge if your needs are not being met. I have never left dissatisfied at Kin Folks. Food is great. Nothing like it around!!

My husband and I took our 2 boys to dinner a week ago. We have lived in altoona for over 10 years and had not tried it as of yet and thought we should give it a try. It was about 6 pm on a weekday night and for a fist time visit, we had no idea if you sat first or what, after a patron pointed us to the front the staff was not friendly and they food was cold and horrible. I ordered ribs and my husband order a turkey leg of some sort.. it was really pink, the kids got chicken strips, the corn, was flavorless, I tried it..yuk. My ribs were lacking..well... meat and the barbeque sauce was watered down, very runny. We eat out all the time and have no desire to visit this place again. Not sure how it go so many reviews, I guess things have changed since 2006. Needles to say we were for the first time hungry after this meal. I'm not one to waste my time writing reviews but I don't want anyone else to waste $40 on a terrible meal like we did.

All their food is really good. I have never been dissatisfied with the food and i have eaten there too many times to count!

The original owner of the Kin Folks in Attica is the current owner of the Kin Folks in Altoona, IA. None of the recipes have changes, it is ALL of the meet is smoked, not thrown in the oven. The Beef Brisket is slow smoked anywhere from 14-20 hours. The portions are each one scoop. It is reasonably priced, the food is great. The owners take a lot of pride and it shows in the products. They do not settle for crap products. The owners are very friendly and there everyday. They talk to the customers and appreciate that even in this economy, they continue to have loyal and new customers.

I have always had good food at Kin Folks and the staff has been very friendly. It's more like a lunch line with the trays sliding down the counter where you place your order. Not really the dine out experience for someone who likes to be waited on, but that is just fine by me. The staff always comes around to offer drink refills, and that is more than I can say for some of the places I go with a full wait staff.

This place is great. I don't know what "Brent" is saying. If you thought that they gave you too much fat on your brisket... ask for some that has more fat trimmed off! Some of us love the way they trim it right in front of you. They were very accomidating to us. If ever I have had something I didn't like...they fixed pronto. You have to ask thought!!! keep up the good work Kin Folks- its the best bbq in town.

Kin Folks use to be great in Attica, but under new ownership it went down hill. Altoona is better but is still not half as good as the old one under original ownership small portions and too much lowery's rub. Miss the old BBQ sauce's it was just cheap sauce smoked but they got it right.One time you go in and it O.K The next time you swear someone didn't want to light up the smoker and threw it in the oven. No smoke flavor what so ever. The last time i went they served me the fat part of the brisket yes i paid to throw away fat. . If you go hope you hit a good night.

Kin Folks has real BBQ, their slow cooked meats are out of this world. I cannot wait for them to come to the Westside. Then we will not have to drive 30 minutes for the wonderful food and great atmosphere that this restaurant provides.

O.k. here's the deal. Every time (8-10) that I've eaten here before has been marginal. People we know rave about the potato salad but it's not close to moms. Tastes to me like ps from Hyvee or Dahl's. Last week I was drug there by family and the brisket was awsome, cut with a fork tender. Green beans and a baked potato rounded out a much improved experience. Still don't get the p-salad thing but you could hear others rave about it and the brisket across the other tables. I'm going to give them a couple more tries and hope the experience keeps improving. Worth a try. (3 Stars)

The atmosphere at Kin Folks transports you out of Altoona and down to Houston. The food is always consistent and very reasonably priced. Mike, the owner, is a great guy and the service is attentive and friendly. I hope they send Claxon's packing!!

Real Texas Barbeque doesn't need any sauce. It is cooked over a wood fire. So I tried it here. All I got was Roast Beef! This is the worst Barbeque I have ever tasted! I can do better on my own grill. I'll never go back.

Wow! I found this place and it is the best BBQ I have had outside of Texas. Its like the place was picked up and dropped down in the Midwest from the Lone star state. I know good BBQ and this is the real deal! Tell all y'all-

This place rocks. It is my new fav place in Des Moines for good downhome food. Forget those national chains, and see what a locally owned and operated restaurant can provide. Make sure to try the brisket, onions strings, ribs, burgers and the large cookie topped with homemade ice cream...Yum!!!

A great place to eat if you are looking for a home cooked hearty meal.

Really, really good barbeque - their brisket is great. Not a fancy place - you walk through a line with a cafeteria tray. But if you are in the mood for a great hunk of meat, this is the place.