What Des Moines loves about Target (4,519 reviews say it's the staff)
We pulled every Google review across all 8 metro Des Moines Target locations. Drive-up is praised. Self-checkout is hated. But the #1 thing in 4,519 reviews? Specific employees, by name.
Google reviews analyzed
4,519
Metro Des Moines · 8 Target locations · pulled June 5, 2026
The 8 metro Targets, ranked
| Store | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Ankeny | ★ 4.2 | 796 |
| Mills Civic (WDM SW) | ★ 4.2 | 750 |
| Urbandale | ★ 4.1 | 739 |
| Altoona | ★ 4.1 | 598 |
| South Des Moines | ★ 4.1 | 347 |
| Valley West (WDM) | ★ 4.0 | 644 |
| Des Moines North | ★ 4.0 | 460 |
| Waukee | ★ 3.9 | 185 |
Ankeny and Mills Civic (WDM SW) tie at the top (★ 4.2). Waukee, the newest store, sits last at ★ 3.9.
What Des Moines actually loves (in order)
- 1
Specific employees, by name
In 8/8 stores
Almost every store has reviews naming individual cashiers and team leads. People review Targets like small businesses.
“Arla is the GOAT. It was always a pleasure with her as our cashier.” · Altoona
- 2
Drive-up pickup that actually works
In 7/8 stores
The drive-up obsession is real, the second-most-common praise theme overall, and the speed gets specifically called out.
“I love our Target and even more with the option to stay in our car!!” · Altoona
- 3
Stocked, clean, even late at night
In 6/8 stores
The Urbandale Super Target gets the most consistent 'always stocked' love; Waukee gets the opposite.
“Stopped in at 9pm and the place was spotless, somehow always stocked.” · Urbandale
- 4
Better selection than Walmart
In 5/8 stores
Walmart shows up as the reference point in praise reviews more than any other competitor.
“Way better than Walmart. Nice remodel. Bring back the chocolatey Cap'n Crunch.” · Ankeny
The one complaint in 8 of 8 stores
Self-checkout's 10-item limit with one register open
Appears in every single store. Multiple reviewers mention abandoning carts over it.
“We actually left our cart and just left. I've never done that before. Well done, Target.” · Urbandale
One weird local thing
Pokemon scalpers, but only at Ankeny
Ankeny has its own unique complaint pattern, multiple reviewers furious that management lets scalpers clear card stock the second it hits the shelf. Two reviews used the exact phrase 'scummy management.'
Anyone who's lived in metro Des Moines knows the Target ritual. We pulled all 4,519 Google reviews across the 8 locations and read the 160 most-relevant in detail.
The drive-up obsession is real, it's the second-most-common praise theme. But #1 is something else: specific employees called out by name. Arla at Altoona (a regular literally called her "the GOAT"). Bon at South Des Moines. Hoa at Waukee. Wai, Latoya, and Ethan at Mills Civic. Suada at Des Moines North. Almost every store has glowing reviews naming individual cashiers and team leads. People review these Targets like they're small businesses.
The one complaint that shows up in 8 out of 8 stores: the self-checkout 10-item limit when only one regular register is open. Multiple reviewers mention abandoning full carts and walking out. The Ankeny store has its own bonus: a recurring complaint about Pokemon scalpers (two separate reviews called the management "scummy" for letting them buy out the card stock).
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