Most burger joints avoid Elvis combinations, but this East Village destination stacks peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, and egg creating Undead Elvis magic since 2011.
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab specializes in GoreMet Bashed Burgers where horror movie-themed names meet creative combinations throughout apocalyptic menu.
The hipster casual trendy atmosphere with moderate noise and happy hour specials creates downtown Des Moines spots where kids eat free Tuesdays throughout family-friendly dining.
What Makes Zombie Burger Special
The restaurant operates #35 on Yelp’s 2023 Top 100 Burger Spots where horror-themed creativity meets quality burgers throughout national recognition.
Undead Elvis Burger with peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, American cheese, egg, and mayo creates the phenomenon that proves Elvis lives through burgers.
Every Tuesday Kids Eat FREE with purchase of adult burgers for ages 12 and under proves family commitment throughout weekly promotions.
The Story Behind the Elvis
Zombie Burger opened in 2011 bringing horror movie-themed burgers to Des Moines where Walking Dead meets creative cuisine throughout the East Village location.
The concept combines pop culture references like “They’re Coming to Get You Barbara” with actual flavor innovation throughout menu that delivers on bold promises.
The Orchestrate Management company operation shows professional restaurant groups backing creative concepts throughout sustainable growth since opening.
Des Moines’s Favorite Menu Items
Food Highlights
- Undead Elvis: Peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, American cheese, egg, and mayo at $9.25 single creates the King’s legacy throughout an impossible-sounding burger that works. The sweet-savory-umami combination proves Elvis deserves zombie resurrection throughout menu innovation. 👑
- Trailer Trash Zombie: American cheese, fried pickle, chicken fried bacon, cheese curds, and ranch at $10.25 brings unapologetic indulgence throughout over-the-top offerings. The deep-fried everything approach shows this spot doesn’t apologize for excess throughout bold creations. 🥓
- The Walking Ched: Breaded deep-fried mac and cheese bun with bacon, cheddar, caramelized and red onion, mac and cheese, and mayo at $8.25 creates carb-on-carb perfection. The mac and cheese bun proves this burger lab experiments fearlessly throughout the boundary-pushing menu. 🧀
- Juan of the Dead: Green chile and cheese croquette with Monterey Jack, caramelized onion, and chipotle mayo at $9.25 brings Southwestern flavors throughout horror movie puns. The croquette addition shows creative toppings throughout complete menu offerings. 🌶️
- They’re Coming to Get You Barbara: Two grilled-cheese-sandwich buns with American cheese, caramelized onion, bacon, and Zombie sauce at $9.25 creates a triple cheese experience. The grilled cheese bun proves this lab pushes boundaries throughout bread innovation. 🧀
- The Cremator: Ghost pepper cheese, onion rings, fried jalapeño, chipotle mayo, and house hot sauce at $10.25 brings serious heat throughout spicy burger challenges. The multi-layered spice approach proves this spot understands heat lovers throughout burn offerings. 🔥
- Undead Glenn: Beyond Meat patty with vegan bun, vegan Zombie sauce, shredded lettuce, and pickle at $9.99 creates plant-based zombie throughout inclusive options. The vegan naming shows this horror-themed spot welcomes all diets throughout the complete menu. 🌱
- Dawn of the Dead: Bacon, egg, American cheese, red onion, and mayo at $12.99 brings breakfast to burger throughout all-day morning flavors. The egg addition creates runny yolk sauce throughout proper breakfast burger execution. 🍳
- Raygun Burger: Monterey Jack, fried jalapeño, caramelized onion, bacon, guacamole, and chipotle mayo at $8.25 proves Southwestern combinations throughout creative offerings. The local business name reference shows Des Moines pride throughout menu identity. 🥑
- Project Nemesis: Breaded portobello with lettuce, tomato, red onion, American cheese, mayo, and cheddar cheese sauce creates un-burger sandwich throughout vegetarian options. The double cheese approach shows this spot doesn’t skimp on vegetarian offerings throughout the complete menu. 🍄
Atmosphere
The East Village location sits at 300 E Grand Ave with hipster casual trendy vibes creating downtown Des Moines burger destinations throughout service.
Inside, horror movie décor with zombie themes create Instagram-worthy dining where waitlist for dine-in proves popularity throughout busy service.
The extended Friday-Saturday hours until 10 PM with online ordering for carryout and delivery accommodate all dining preferences throughout complete service.
Bottom Line
Visit Zombie Burger + Drink Lab for Des Moines’s Undead Elvis, Walking Ched, and horror-themed burgers earning Yelp Top 100 recognition worth an East Village trip.
The GoreMet Bashed Burgers with creative toppings like fried mac and cheese buns prove burger lab experiments throughout innovative menu since 2011.
Kids eat free Tuesdays with online ordering available make this downtown destination accessible throughout family-friendly service. 🌟
Address: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309 (Downtown/East Village)
🕐 Sun-Thu: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Fri-Sat: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Online ordering | Kids eat free Tuesdays | Join waitlist | Yelp Top 100 | Gift cards