Written by Giovanna Zavell, DSMG Contributor
Running a restaurant wasn’t always the plan for Cory Wendel. But it was always a dream. And those dreams became a reality during a time when opening a new business was not for the faint of heart. Now, over a year later, we can’t imagine Ingersoll Avenue without Lachele’s Fine Foods.
Cory grew up in Northeast Iowa and didn’t move to Des Moines until 12 years ago, after he and his wife spent a year in China. Once back in good old Iowa, Cory finished school at Iowa State and graduated with a degree in Community and Regional Planning. His dream was to open a restaurant, and he talked about it for many years before actually taking the leap. “If you ask any of my friends, they would say ‘yeah, he hasn’t shut up about that thing until he did it,’” Cory says.
Let’s be real, opening a restaurant in the middle of a pandemic is crazy, right? The stress of finding a space, renovating it, then figuring out how to safely serve customers sounds like a headache. But it’s not impossible, and Cory Wendel, now owner of Lachele’s Fine Foods, is proof that with determination, and a supportive team, anything is possible.
“A lot of people said I was an idiot for opening when I did,” Cory says. “But I figured it was a good time to find a location that I liked, that would fit what we were looking for.” It just so happens, Uncle Wendell’s BBQ (who you can find at the Farmer’s Market!) was closing their brick and mortar to focus more on catering. Cory lives in the neighborhood, saw the storefront for sale and knew it had to be his.
Lachele and Cory Wendel
“The restaurant is named after my wife,” Cory says. “And the joke is, when I told her I was going to open a restaurant during the pandemic, I guess when I asked her, she said ‘no, you’re insane.’ I said what if I name it after you? She gave it the thumbs up.” With the go-ahead from the namesake, and months of renovations, Lachele’s Fine Foods opened its doors–or really, take-out window–to the public on February 20, 2021.
Because of the ongoing pandemic, Cory and the team didn’t have many tables open for indoor seating when Lachele’s first opened. But that didn’t stop burger enthusiasts from getting their fix. Carry out was the biggest success in the first months of business, and the demand for Lachele’s burgers continued. “We sold out on our first day, and consistently after that,” Cory says. “If I could go back to that first day, I would definitely have ordered more food.”
Fitting in and Standing Out
Lachele’s was set to have a diner feel with daily specials and old school smash burgers. The inside walls are painted a bright pinkish orange, and the tables and chairs are detailed in blue. The bar runs the whole length of the space, with all the cooking equipment behind it. To add to the sense of belonging, all the pictures on the wall were all taken by Lachele’s uncle. And the names featured on the menu? Those are all named after family and friends of Cory and Lachele.
“The goal, since day one has been to do something for the community to enjoy,” Cory says. “We wanted to be a neighborhood hangout, so we centered our theme around family and friends.”
On opening day, it quickly became clear what the menu would feature moving forward. “Originally we were going to be more of a diner concept, a sit down environment and do specials,” Cory says. “Then we opened the door and day one we turned into a cheeseburger joint. That’s what we are and we love it.” We think anyone who has visited Lachele’s can agree.
For Lachele’s, it’s all about quality and making what the staff likes. Cory spent a significant amount of time finding just the right ingredients and vendors. Burger grind comes from Old Station Craft Meats in Waukee, hot dogs are from Iowa favorite, Berkwood Farms, and holding everything together are Big Marty’s buns. There’s also a lot of toppings and creations whipped up by the staff to compliment each burger, dog or sandwich.
“We know where everything comes from and try to use products from Iowa and the Midwest,” Cory says. “It took a lot of work to find exactly what we wanted, and we are excited that people like what we like.”
Cory says he is biased and thinks Lachele’s sits in the coolest building Des Moines has to offer, and it’s all because of the neighboring businesses. Wild Flower, Alpine Taproom, Tandem Brick Gallery and Harbinger all share the same corner of Ingersoll Avenue, and the support for one another is unmatched.
“We kind of landed in a pretty cool spot and we are just going to try and stay here as long as we can,” Cory says. “Everyone in the area has been absolutely excellent to us. I notice a number of other restaurant staff in the area stopping in here to eat, which is awesome. It’s really neat to feel like there isn’t any competition here in Des Moines. We are all out here doing our thing and supporting each other.”
More Than Just a Good Burger
When you walk in the door, you’re greeted by the sizzle of burgers on the grill, the smell of freshly cooked fries and tots, and a smile from everyone behind the counter. You know instantly that whatever you order off the menu is going to be fresh and tasty.
“The biggest key to what we have going now isn’t even the food, it’s the people working here,” Cory says. “They are the best and I can’t give them enough love.” Talking with Cory, it’s pretty obvious how much he cares for his team. Whether it’s busy or slow, you can usually find the team laughing with one another, cracking jokes and making goofy noises. “It’s their way of passing the time, to joke and have fun with each other,” Cory says. “It’s infectious.”
The Lachele team is made up of old friends and newcomers. Cory used to work in food sales, where he met current head chef, Jake Cole. Between the two of them, they brought on peers from other kitchens they have worked in and friends who said they would “fill in the gaps” and have never left. “This team is so great and so strong, and I will say it over and over again.” Cory says.
At the end of the day, Cory’s favorite part of owning a restaurant is watching how one burger, one hot dog, can change a person’s day. “If you sit here long enough, you can see someone take a bite of something as simple as a cheeseburger and you can see it change their day,” Cory says. “That’s the best part, seeing how something so simple can be so overwhelming for someone.”
Expanding the Lachele’s Brand
“Being a small business, I didn’t know this beforehand, but the more that you embrace what you are, like the whole thing about well now we are just a cheeseburger joint, the community is going to embrace you back,” Cory says. Being his first ownership, Cory knew there would be a lot of learning curves. Especially during a pandemic. And it wasn’t easy. But all the hard work, and love from the community, paid off. Now, Cory is looking to expand.
As Lachele’s works on opening new spaces in the future, there is one thing that will stay consistent. The name. What is on the menu may change from place to place (with potential for milkshakes and sliders!), but the atmosphere and service will always remain the same.
“Obviously I want to open more restaurants, and make money, and all the things a business owner wants,” Cory says. “But I always remind myself why I did it in the first place. For the community. To share good food with good people.”
Order Up!
These crowd favorites are sure to satisfy your tastebuds. And if you’re looking for something different, that you can’t get everyday, be sure to follow Lachele’s Instagram (@lachelesfinefoods) for specials.
- The Lachele: It’s the flagship, named after Corey’s wife. Served as a single or double patty, pickles, onion, tomato American cheese and Lachele’s sauce on a sesame bun.
- The Big Gym: Like a little spice in your life? Bacon, giardiniera, Duke’s mayo, arugula, and provolone on a potato bun.
Next time you go out for a bite to eat or a coffee, please remember to be patient with your restaurant favorites. With the ongoing pandemic, inflation and labor shortages, your favorites are working incredibly hard to keep bringing you their product. Keep supporting them and other local businesses we love here in Des Moines.
Lachele’s Fine Foods
Tuesday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wednesday- Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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