Jethro's BBQ
Iowa's BBQ institution — pit-smoked and made from scratch
(515) 630-6374Last verified Apr 1, 2026
About Jethro's BBQ
Jethro's BBQ was founded in 2008 by Bruce Gerleman, a lifelong Iowa native and president of Gerleman Management since 1980. Drawing inspiration from a tour of famous BBQ spots around Austin, Texas, Gerleman opened the first Jethro's near Drake University where all recipes were made from scratch.
Jethro's soon gained national attention when it was featured on "Man vs Food" and was named the "Manliest Restaurant in the Midwest" by Men's Health Magazine and the Discovery Channel. The restaurant became known for its massive portions and authentic pit-smoked barbecue.
Today, Jethro's BBQ operates eight restaurants across Iowa, employing over 800 people and serving a combined 30,000 customers every week. Bruce Gerleman also distinguished himself as a historic preservationist, restoring some of Des Moines' most historic buildings.
- Owner
- Bruce Gerleman
- Founded
- Est. 2008
What they offer
Services
- Dine-In
- Takeout
- Barbecue
- Catering
- Banquets
- Full Bar
- Breakfast (select locations)
Web Presence
We track 10 web pages that reference Jethro's BBQ.
- Directory Listings: 10
Contact
4337 Park Ave
Des Moines, Iowa 50321
Mon-Sun 11:00am-9:00pm
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Community Involvement
- Featured on Man vs Food
- Manliest Restaurant in the Midwest — Men's Health Magazine
- Gerleman Management, Inc.
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Data Sources & Freshness
Last enriched on April 1, 2026
Sources: public web data + Iowa public records. This listing is not an endorsement. If you see an error, let us know.
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