
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab
Dive into a world of "gore-met" burgers, creative spiked shakes, and a wild zombie-themed atmosphere for a truly unique dining adventure.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dive into a world of "gore-met" burgers, creative spiked shakes, and a wild zombie-themed atmosphere for a truly unique dining adventure.
"It's a quirky and fun dining establishment with spectacular burgers that aren't novelties."
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits, as the restaurant can get quite busy.
Share Generous Portions
The portions are quite large, so consider sharing dishes to maximize your dining experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Walking Ched Burger
A legendary burger featuring a bun made of deep-fried mac and cheese, piled high with bacon and cheese.

Creative Spiked Shakes
Indulge in unique spiked shakes with fun flavors like carrot cake or Fruity Pebbles for an adult treat.

Zombie-Themed Atmosphere
Immerse yourself in a fun and quirky horror-themed environment with zombie decor and creative menu names.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits, as the restaurant can get quite busy.
Share Generous Portions
The portions are quite large, so consider sharing dishes to maximize your dining experience.
Explore Vegan Options
The menu offers a good selection of vegan choices for those looking for plant-based meals.
Order & Seat Yourself
You can choose between counter service or traditional table service for your convenience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Avoid Peak Times
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits, as the restaurant can get quite busy.
Share Generous Portions
The portions are quite large, so consider sharing dishes to maximize your dining experience.
Explore Vegan Options
The menu offers a good selection of vegan choices for those looking for plant-based meals.
Order & Seat Yourself
You can choose between counter service or traditional table service for your convenience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise Zombie Burger for its incredibly creative and delicious gourmet burgers, unique spiked shakes, and fun, spooky atmosphere. While the novelty and flavors are big hits, some find the prices a bit steep and portions very generous. Despite the occasional concern about cost, the overall experience is highly recommended for its inventive cuisine and lively ambiance.
"This is probably my all-time favorite restaurant due to the fantastic food, creativity of the menu and the atmosphere. I am a huge fan of Zombie movies and shows. I love all the decor throughout the restaurant, and the Zombie news on the back of the menu is a nice touch.
Anytime we are in Des Moines we stop here for dinner. Tonight was our 4th time eating dinner here. The food and service is always fantastic. The prices are reasonable.
My only complaint is they are always sold out of merchandise. So far we have only been able to buy a couple koozies. They have some really cool T-shirts and I would love to own one someday."
Will Gausman
"Overall this is a pretty yummy little burger joint, with friendly staff and big portions. We didn’t totally dig the zombie vibe, but if that’s your thing or you’ve got littles that are into it this is your place. We had the Helldorado chicken sandwich which was delicious, the East village of the damned burger that was also yum, and the sweet potato fries and cheese curds were also a big hit. There’s order and seat yourself or a traditional restaurant option if you prefer. Portions are large so consider sharing and price was a bit steep. But all in all, good experience."
Theresa Harrison
"Unique place with great food! It was relatively busy when we arrived with a 25 minute wait to dine inside Zombie Burger. They also had patio seating for a slightly shorter wait. While waiting we took the opportunity to do some of the photo ops and noticed a Ramen place attached. Turns out, it's all the same place with the same menu and this side could serve us immediately. The lady was super welcoming and friendly. We ordered fried pickles, a cheeseburger, Dawn of the Dead, Walking Ched, & T-Virus all with fries. Everything was made to order and delicious. Fries were perfect.... perfect batter, perfect flavor, perfect crunch. It was a little on the pricey side, coming in at over $86 without tip. Overall, it was family friendly and a good experience."
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What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Zombie Burger is famous for its gourmet burgers with creative, zombie-themed names and toppings, especially "The Walking Ched" with a mac and cheese bun. They also offer unique spiked shakes.
Yes, Zombie Burger offers several vegan options, including vegan burger patties and other plant-based choices on the menu.
The spiked shakes are a popular item, featuring creative flavor combinations like carrot cake or Fruity Pebbles, perfect for an adult treat.
Many diners find the unique food and atmosphere worth the wait, but visiting during off-peak hours is recommended to minimize wait times.
Yes, the fun zombie theme and creative menu make it a family-friendly spot, though some might find the theme a bit intense for very young children.
Yes, reviews often mention that the portions at Zombie Burger are generous, so consider sharing to enjoy a variety of items.
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Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, $ A quirky and fun dining establishment, Zombie Burger is the creation of chef and restaurateur George Formaro. Opened in 2011, this restaurant features a delectable array of gourmet burgers, tasty cocktails, and spiked shakes — try the carrot cake shake with vanilla ice cream, carrot cake mix, and cake vodka. The restaurant features a colourful modern retro interior with zombies being prominent decorations.
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The fun Zombie Burger & Drink Lab has a vaguely horror-related theme, but the spectacular burgers served here certainly aren't novelties. There are more than 20 different burgers on offer, with cheeky names including Dead Moines (smoked Gouda, prosciutto, ham, and truffle mayo), The Walking Ched (a breaded and fried mac and cheese bun, bacon, Cheddar, onion, cheese, and mayo), Undead Elvis (peanut butter, fried bananas, bacon, American cheese, a fried egg, and mayo), and Juan of the Dead (green chile and cheese croquette, Monterey Jack, caramelized onion, and chipotle mayo). There are also several vegan options (including one made with a Beyond Meat patty), and a stellar pork tenderloin sandwich, because this is Iowa, after all.
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Zombie Burger became all the rage a few years ago when zombies invaded the pop culture consciousness and have remained popular, because you can’t kill something this good, even if you aim for the brain. With around 25 different “gore-met” burger options (The Raygun is our personal fave), the one that made them famous is the Walking Ched, with its deep-fried macaroni and cheese bun. For those who prefer sweet to scary, they also have cereal milkshakes with fan favorites like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Crunchberry.
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When it comes to both ambiance and its unique menu, it’s hard to find a quirkier restaurant than Zombie Burger. With a dining room inspired by some of Hollywood’s classic monster movies, Zombie Burger has the perfect spooky setting to enjoy a meal at its burger and drink lab. Burgers like the Walking Ched — with a breaded and deep fried macaroni and cheese bun—and Undead Elvis—complete with peanut butter, fried bananas and bacon — are fan favorites for their unique take on the classic dish.
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When it comes to both ambiance and its unique menu, it’s hard to find a quirkier restaurant than Zombie Burger. With a dining room inspired by some of Hollywood’s classic monster movies, Zombie Burger has the perfect spooky setting to enjoy a meal at its burger and drink lab. Burgers like the Walking Ched—with a breaded and deep fried macaroni and cheese bun—and Undead Elvis—complete with peanut butter, fried bananas and bacon—are fan favorites for their unique take on the classic dish.
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Irreverent yet delicious would be the best way to describe Fong’s Pizza and Zombie Burger. Fong’s is a tiki bar with Asian-inspired pizza whose famous Crab Rangoon pizza earned coveted praise by Alton Brown on Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate.” Zombie Burger serves up inspired creations like the Walking Ched (burger between fried mac and cheese patties) and spiked milkshakes in a post-apocalyptic setting. It’s the perfect date night for horror-movie aficionados.
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Zombie Burger is a “post-apocalyptic chic” restaurant in downtown Des Moines’ East Village that offers intriguing combinations of burgers, including vegan options; and hand-mixed shakes (spiked or not!). Try out The Walking Ched, which includes a bun made of fried mac & cheese or They’re Coming To Get You Barbara, which has a bun made with grilled cheese sandwiches. Location: 300 E Grand Ave, Des MoinesHours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-12am, Friday & Saturday: 11am-2am
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Gaining national attention for its wildly popular burgers with zombie references, Zombie Burger offers a wide selection of ingredients for burger personalization. Customers can choose a specialty such as the Dawn of the Dead with bacon, egg, American cheese, red onion and mayo or the vegetarian Mushroom Apocalypse with a breaded mushroom cheese croquette, and order a cocktail or a thick, rich milkshake with a basket of chili cheese fries.
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Zombie Burger + Drink Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, is a feast for both the palate and the eyes, offering an eccentric take on the classic American burger joint. Known for its creatively themed burgers, like “The Walking Ched” and “Dawn of the Dead,” the restaurant pairs culinary creativity with a zombie apocalypse-inspired ambiance. The “Drink Lab” ups the ante with outlandish milkshake concoctions and a variety of craft beers and cocktails.
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Known for its horror theme and Human Centipeach shake, the Zombie Burger + Drink Lab is a post-apocalyptic-chic restaurant in Downtown Des Moines. Though the joint is most known for its eccentric theme, the outdoor patio is a hidden gem among the zombie chaos with exposed red brick, shaded seating and a wood barricade to keep you safe from what lurks inside. To learn more, visit zombieburgershakelab.com/des-moines-downtown/.
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Zombie Burger + Drink Lab in Des Moines offers a unique dining experience with its 'post apocalyptic chic' atmosphere and inventive burger and shake combinations. Enjoy custom three-cut beef burgers, artisan buns, and hand-mixed shakes, along with salads and other options. The restaurant features both quick-service and full-service dining, a full bar, and popular spiked milkshakes, all in a fun and affordable package.
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With two locations — in the East Village and Jordan Creek Mall food court — there’s no excuse not to try this central Iowa staple. If you’ve ever craved a burger topped with deep fried macaroni, bananas or a cheese croquette, look no further than the joint’s towering “Goremet Bashed Burgers” that might require you to dislocate your jaw. Their shakes are to die for — pun intended — and always hit with the kids.
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Admit it: You can't help but be curious about a place named Zombie Burger & Drink Lab, where half the fun is reading the menu. Spooky sandwich names include Undead Elvis (peanut butter and fried bananas) and The Walking Ched (fried macaroni and cheese, cheddar, caramelized onions). Shakes and floats continue the theme, with flavors like Zombie Unicorn (vanilla ice cream, marshmallow and Fruity Pebbles).
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With a post-apocalyptic chic setting and food to die for, Zombie Burger is famous for its gourmet burgers in fast-food style. Once named the best burger in all of Iowa by MSN, visitors should always expect a wait time when coming for a quick bite. Use your time waiting to appreciate the true dedication to the zombie theme: the entire menu and restaurant are decked out in true Zombie fashion.
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Located in the East Village of Des Moines, IA, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab serves an assortment of gourmet bashed burgers, salads, shakes, and drinks. The venue features Zombie-themed decor, creating a spooky but fun atmosphere. There’s plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, with the patio serving as a great dining space for patrons visiting with their dogs.
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I’m a sucker for a theme which is why I had to visit Zombie Burger once I found out about it. Known for their gourmet burgers and hand-mixed shakes, Zombie Burger stays true to the Zombie theme throughout the restaurant. The themed menu items with the ambiance of zombie movies playing in the background really set the tone for your post-apocalyptic meal.
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Zombies, burgers and shakes….not shocking that this is my kids’ favorite place to eat in Des Moines. And, it’s a bonus that Zombie Burger has an inexpensive Kid’s Menu, leaving room in your wallet to order a shake. My daughter typically orders a hot dog and my son ditches the Kid’s Menu to order the Raygun, one of their Goremet Bashed Burgers.
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When it comes to unique things to do in Des Moines, it doesn’t get much quirkier (or tastier) than a visit to Zombie Burger. Located in the hip East Village neighborhood, this cult favorite is all about catering to the horror geek in all of us. But even if you’re not a huge horror fan, their burgers and shakes are nothing short of delicious.
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Novelty burgers and shakes can be found at this popular horror movie-themed East Village joint with a "post-apocalyptic chic” vibe. Burgers come with your choice of one, two or three patties. Try a Walking Ched burger on a breaded and deep-fried mac and cheese bun with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, more mac and cheese and mayo.
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Zombie Burger describes themselves as “post-apocalyptic chic” with fun décor and gourmet zombie burgers. With names like Zombie Burger, Flamethrower, and Dead Moines their burgers have a unique twist than your classic cheeseburger. Not only do they serve gourmet burgers they also have a drink lab that includes shakes and floats.
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Definitely the most unique place to grab a burger is Zombie Burger + Drink Lab. At this zombie-themed burger joint, treat yourself to some humour from the burger names on the menu (i.e. Dead Moines Burger) and a surprisingly fantastic-tasting burger. If you prefer a classic American burger, try their Zombie Burger!
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If you’re a big burger fan, enjoy a unique experience, and maybe love a good zombie fandom or two, this is your spot. Famous for its inventive flavor combos in a “post-apocalyptic chic” setting, this restaurant serves gourmet bashed burgers, shakes, and more. See what’s available by clicking the button below:
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Known for its creative burger combinations, Zombie Burger and Drink Lab is a Des Moines restaurant that offers a unique and fun dining experience. They are famous for getting inventive and combining flavors to create unique combinations. The zombie-themed décor adds a quirky touch to your dining experience.
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You cannot go wrong with Zombie Burger located in downtown Des Moines in the East Village. They have a fun ambiance with zombies everywhere, over-the-top shakes such as the Cinnamon Toast Crunch shake, and burgers of course. This is our kid’s favorite spot when we explore downtown as a whole family.
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- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (1,614 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.0/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Bar- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 300 E Grand Ave 2nd location at Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines, Des Moines, IA 50309-1816- Read more on Tripadvisor
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There is nothing on earth quite like the Walking Ched; a delicious monstrosity that tops one of their epic burgers with a heap of creamy mac and cheese. Zombie Burger managed to Frankenstein two of our favorite foods into one glorious dish… and we love it. It’s a true no-brainer for this list.
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Zombie Burger is a Des Moines favorite amongst vegans & non-vegans alike. They have locations in the East Village of downtown Des Moines and Jordan Creek. For vegans at the downtown location, they have three burger options – a veggie nut patty, Beyond Meat patty, or a portobello mushroom.
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A horror-themed restaurant, the Zombie Burger and Drink Lab serves burgers that are famous among locals and anyone lucky enough to try it. There are 20 different burgers. The “Juan of the Dead” features green chile and cheese croquette, Monterey Jack, caramelized onion, and chipotle mayo.
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Zombie Burger might be know for their crazy, delicious burgers, but their rich, creative ice cream shakes deserve just as much credit. We loved the chocolate cake shake and the peanut butter banana shake when we visited. Next time we want to try the s'more and crunch berry shakes.
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SundayFacebookZombie Burger and Drink LabAddress: 300 E Grand Ave., Des MoinesHours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-SaturdayWebsite» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI
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This unique " Goremet" burger joint offers more than just your standard burger. With names like " Undead Elvis" and " The Walking Ched," the menu will keep you entertained. Prices range from $10-$15, and the restaurant is located in Downtown Des Moines.
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If you’ve managed to work up an appetite, take a quick walk over to Zombie Burger + Drink Lab for a truly unique lunch experience. The post-apocalyptic eatery offers up “gore-met” burgers in a wildly decorated location.
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It’s a restaurant that prides itself in crazy burgers, crazy cooking techniques, and crazy good food. The burger selection is insane. There is one…The Walking Ched that has a mac and cheese bun that has been deep fried.
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300 E Grand AveDes Moines, IA 50309(515) 244-9292 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. The Zombie Burger + Drink Lab is a hip American hamburger joint and cocktail bar in the downtown district.
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Few children leap at the chance to broaden their views on cultural aspects unless they're having fun at the same time. These local kid-friendly spots will keep the youngsters amused and entertained:
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A post shared by Zombie Burger and Drink Lab (@zombieburgerdm). Kids can get hungry just like little zombies. So, why not take them to the hip Zombie Burger + Drink Lab located downtown?
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One of my most favorite things that Zombie Burger does is their #ZBoftheweek. I basically freak out every time I see one. They’re creative and out of this world delicious.
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Zombie Burger - Really cool atmosphere and cook up some awesome burgers and spiked alcoholic milkshakes. For instance, here is their 'burger of the week' for this week
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300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309Phone: 515-244-9292 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Zombie Burger and Drink Lab (@zombieburgerdm)
Zombie Burger + Drink Lab (300 E Grand Ave), lunch, dinner, late-night dining; cocktails, spiked milk shakes; poutines, burger of the week, shake of the day.
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A quirky and creative burger joint that serves up gourmet burgers with unique and inventive toppings, alongside a selection of craft beers and cocktails.
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Zombie Burger: With three locations in the Des Moines area, this restaurant is a favorite among locals looking for a good burger and a fresh pint.
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Zombie Burger + Drink Lab: Sink your teeth into a juicy burger (vegan options too!) and sip on a crazy-cool milkshake at this horror-themed joint.
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Known for its inventive flavor profiles and smashed Burgers in a post-apocalyptic setting, Zombie Burger + Drink Lab is both delicious and fun.
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Finally, if an eclectic mix of zombie art, mannequins, and veggie burgers sound like a fun time, visit Zombie Burger for a scary good time.
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Best cheap interesting places to eat in Des Moines? We are visiting from Raleigh, NC and love local dive type places. Does not need to be "American" food. Thanks in advance : desmoines
Krunkwich, Fuzzies Taco Shop, zombie Burger, Jethros, El Bait Shop, bbops, Malo(Not so much cheaper as it is really tasty.)
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit