Birthday & Anniversary Club Signup Close

Maxie's Restaurant and Lounge

  • The Maxieburger

    This famous, half-pound burger has been a Maxie’s favorite for over 50 years.

  • Happy Hour Specials

    Join us in the lounge for two for one well drinks, house wines and domestic beers every Monday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Classic Prime Rib Friday and Saturday Nights

    Succulent prime rib, slow roasted to juicy perfection accompanied by au jus and creamy horseradish. Served with crisp salad, dinner roll, choice of potato and our award winning onion rings (while it lasts!) 24.95

Relax. Unwind. Enjoy.

Maxie’s serves mouthwatering dishes, including sandwiches, pasta, chicken, steaks, seafood and more. Since 1967, we’ve taken a simple approach to dining by offering great food, great service and great value. We invite you to #MeetAtMaxies Monday through Saturday for lunch, dinner and drinks.

Located in West Des Moines, Maxie’s Restaurant and Lounge has been a family favorite for more than 50 years. With a comfortable atmosphere and expansive selection of entrees, Maxie’s is the perfect place to dine with family, friends, clients or business associates.

Maxie's Restaurant + Lounge

1311 Grand Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265

Open Monday - Saturday

Lunch: 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Dinner: 4:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Happy Hour has been extended to include Saturday!  Join us Monday through Saturday in the lounge from 4:30 to 6:30 for two for one well drinks, house wines, and domestic beers!

(515) 223-1463// Contact Us
Close

(515) 223-1463
Lunch · Dinner

Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Appetizers

  • Maxie’s “Best of Des Moines” Onion Rings

    • Side $3.95
    • Medium $6.95
    • Large $7.95

  • Spinach-Artichoke Dip $9.95

    Tender artichoke hearts sumptuously melded between spinach and parmesan cheese. Served with crispy pita points.

  • Spicy Buffalo Wings $8.95

    Crispy fried wings with your choice of Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing.

  • Breaded Mushrooms $8.95

    Crispy crunchy!

  • Rib Bites $9.95

    Tasty bites with sweet and tangy BBQ sauce.

  • Breaded Cheddar Cauliflower $8.95

    Deep fried bites loaded with cheddar cheese.

  • Mozzarella Cheese Sticks $8.95

    Gooey melted mozzarella fried to a crispy golden brown.

Sandwiches

Served with French fries and our award winning onion rings or a crisp dinner salad.

  • Fantastic ½ lb. Maxieburger* $10.95

    Enjoy that backyard grilled flavor with every bite of our thick and juicy ½ lb burger. Served on a toasted bun topped with lettuce, tomato, a fresh slice of onion and dill pickle.  erved with french fries and our ward Winning Hand Made Onion Rings.

    • American, Swiss, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack $0.75
    • Bacon & American Cheese $1.75
    • Mushroom & Swiss Cheese $1.55

  • Mini Maxie* $9.75

    Our 1/3 lb Maxieburger grilled to order served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle along with fries and onion rings.

  • BBQ Maxie* $11.95

    Thick and juicy 1/2 lb beef patty with BBQ sauce, American cheese & bacon topped with our famous onion rings.  Served with fries & rings.

  • Maxie Pattymelt* $10.95

    Juicy 1/3 lb patty on grilled marble rye bread topped with melted Swiss cheese with sautéed onions.  Served with fries and rings.

  • Rarebit Burger* $12.45

    Our full ½ lb Maxieburger grilled to order, served open faced and smothered in our homemade rarebit sauce. Served along with french fries & onion rings.

    • Add grilled onions $0.55
    • Add bacon $0.95

  • Maxie’s Sirloin Steak Sandwich* $15.95

    Our tender and juicy 7 oz top sirloin steak hand rubbed with our private blend seasoning served open faced on toast with your choice of potato and onion rings and a crisp salad.

    • Top with seasoned onion and sweet peppers $1.45

  • Classic Reuben $11.45

    A timeless favorite for over 50 years!  Layers of shaved corned beef stacked on rye with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese grilled to perfection.  Served with fries and onion rings.

  • Midwest Breaded Pork Tenderloin $10.75

    Pork loin, hand cut & hand breaded on a toasted bun fried to a golden brown.  Served with french fries and onion rings.  So big it doesn’t fit the bun!

  • All American BLT $9.75

    Toasted bread loaded with bacon, crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes. Served with fries and onion rings.

  • Clubhouse $10.75

    Triple decker loaded with layers of ham and turkey and cheese along with bacon, lettuce & tomato. Served with fries and rings.

  • Maxie’s Grinder $11.45

    Toasted hoagie roll loaded with Italian sausage and bubbly melted mozzarella in our homemade marinara sauce.  Served with fries and onion rings.

  • Philly Cheesesteak $11.45

    Layers of tender slices of roast beef topped with melted Swiss, sautéed onions and peppers.  Served with fries & rings.

  • French Dip $11.25

    Layers of tender sliced roast beef piled on a toasted hoagie roll served with au jus for dipping along with french fries and onion rings.

    • Add cheese $0.75

  • Grilled Cheese

    Classic grilled cheese, can’t go wrong favorite!

    • The American Classic $6.45
    • Cheese and Ham melted together $7.45
    • Triple cheese, 3 cheeses served on marble rye is triple good! $8.75
    • Add Tomato Bisque! Cup $4.45
    • Bowl $5.45

Char-Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

All Maxie’s chicken sandwiches feature a char-grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast on a toasted wheat bun. Served with fries and onion rings or a dinner salad.

  • Char-Chicken Deluxe $10.75

    Tender and juicy boneless chicken breast, served on a toasted wheat bun with green leaf lettuce and tomato.  Served with french fries and onion rings.

  • Char-Chicken Club $11.25

    Bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato.

  • Char-Chicken Alpine $11.25

    Smothered with sautéed muchrooms, Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato.

  • Char-Jack Chicken $11.25

    Pepper Jack cheese, lettuce and tomato.

Pasta

  • Spaghetti and Meatballs $11.75

    Seasoned to perfection meatballs atop a bed of pasta covered in our rich marinara sauce.  Served with a fresh crisp salad and garlic bread.

    • With sauce only $9.95

  • Cavatelli $13.45

    Pasta shells baked in our rich homemade marinara sauce along with Italian sausage then topped with loads of bubbly melted mozzarella cheese.  Served with garlic toast and a fresh crisp dinner salad.

  • Spaghetti Side

    A la Carte.

    • Side $2.95
    • Large $3.95

Specialties

  • Home Style Hot Roast Beef Sandwich $12.45

    Start with a mound of tender roast beef on two slices of fresh bread accompanied by creamy home style mashed potatoes topped off with loads of gravy.

  • Maxie's Classic Hamburger Steak* Dinner $12.45

    Our full ½ lb burger without the bun, grilled to your taste, served with french fries, onion rings and crisp salad.

    • Add a bun $0.75
    • Top with seasoned onions and sweet peppers $1.45

  • Chicken Strips $12.45

    Golden fried strips are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. These all white meat strips are packed with flavor. Served with choice of potato and onion rings.

    Ranch • Honey Mustard • BBQ

Salads

  • Shrimp Salad $13.45

    Tender shrimp served on a bed of fresh crisp lettuce greens topped with egg, tomato, carrots, shredded cheddar jack cheese, lemon, garlic croutons and your choice of dressing.

  • Char-Grilled Chicken Breast Salad $12.75

    Our flame broiled tender and juicy chicken breast atop a mound of fresh lettuce greens along with tomato & sliced egg.

  • Crispy Chicken Strip Salad $13.45

    Our succulent golden fried chicken strips, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Served on a bed of fresh lettuce greens along with tomato, egg, cheddar jack cheese and garlic croutons.

  • Dinner Salad $3.95

    • Blue cheese crumbles $0.75
    • Extra dressing $0.75
    • Diced egg $0.95
    • Chopped bacon $0.95

  • Cottage Cheese $3.45

    • With fruit $3.95

  • Dressings

    House specialty Italian, creamy parmesan, French, 1000 Island, Hidden Valley Ranch, honey mustard, creamy Italian, bleu cheese (add .75). Ask about our fat-free dressings. Extra dressing .75.

Soups

  • Soup of the Day

    • Cup $4.45
    • Bowl $5.45

Desserts

  • Coconut Cake $5.95

    Moist white cake with buttercream icing topped with tender coconut flakes.

  • Chocolate Thunder Cake $6.95

    Three layers of luscious chocolate cake with creamy fudge frosting.

  • Carrot Cake $6.95

    A moist and spicy carrot cake topped with luscious cream cheese icing.

  • Homemade Strawberry Shortcake $5.95

    Old fashioned shortcake topped with loads of strawberries and whipped cream.

  • Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding $5.95

    Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel and whipped cream.

  • Raspberry Cheesecake $6.95

    Rich cheesecake with a raspberry swirl.

Monday

Kids eat for $1.00 on Mondays!  12 and under, one per adult entree.

  • Hot Roast Beef Sandwich $9.95

    Start with a mound of tender roast beef on two slices of fresh bread accompanied by creamy home style mashed potatoes topped off with loads of gravy.

Tuesday

  • Maxieburger $9.95

    Enjoy that backyard grilled flavor with every bite of our thick and juicy ½ lb burger. Served on a toasted bun topped with lettuce, tomato, slice of onion and dill pickle. Served with french fries and our award winning hand made onion rings.

  • BBQ Maxie* $9.95

    Thick and juicy ½ lb Maxieburger topped with sweet & tangy BBQ sauce, American cheese, bacon & onion rings.

  • MaxieMia $9.95

    Our ½ lb Maxieburger topped with rich homemade spaghetti sauce, Italian sausage and bubbly melted mozzarella.  Served with french fries & rings.

Wednesday

  • Big Boy Tenderloin $9.95

    Our pork loin, hand cut & hand breaded then fried to a golden brown sits on a toasted bun topped with a slice of ham, melted cheddar jack cheese, lettuce & tomato. Served with french fries & onion rings So big it overlaps the bun!

Thursday

  • Chicken Parmesan Sandwich $9.95

    Herb crusted tender chicken breast covered with our homemade marinara and Alfredo sauce with loads of melted mozzarella on toasted focaccia bread. Served with fries and onion rings or salad

  • Cavatelli $9.95

    Pasta shells baked in our rich homemade marinara sauce along with Italian sausage and topped with loads of melted bubbly mozzarella cheese. Served with garlic toast & crisp dinner salad.

Friday

  • Meatball Sandwich $9.95

    Our perfectly seasoned meatballs top a toasted hoagie roll with our homemade marinara sauce and bubbly melted mozzarella cheese.  Served with french fries & onion rings.

Saturday

  • Diner’s Choice $9.95

    Choose any of our daily specials.

Dinner is served from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Appetizers

  • Maxie’s “Best of Des Moines” Onion Rings

    • Side $3.99
    • Medium $6.99
    • Large $7.99

  • Spinach-Artichoke Dip $9.95

    Tender artichoke hearts sumptuously melded between spinach and parmesan cheese.  Served with crispy pita points.

  • Rib Bites $9.95

    Tasty bites with sweet & tangy BBQ sauce.

  • Spicy Buffalo Wings $8.95

    Crispy fried wings & legs with your choice of Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing.

  • Mozzarella Cheese Sticks $8.95

    Gooey melted mozzarella fried to a crispy golden brown.

  • Breaded Mushrooms $8.95

    Crispy crunchy! 

  • Breaded Cheddar Cauliflower $8.95

    Deep fried bites loaded with cheddar cheese.

  • Combination Breaded Veggies $9.95

    Onion Rings with choice of 3:
    Cheese Sticks,
    Breaded Mushrooms,
    Breaded Cauliflower,
    Breaded Pickle Fries,
    Breaded Green Beans

Sandwiches

  • Open Face Steak Sandwich* $18.95

    Our tender and juicy 7oz top sirloin steak hand rubbed with our private blend seasoning served open faced on toast with your choice of potato and onion rings and a crisp salad.

    • Top with seasoned onions and sweet peppers $1.45

  • Char-Chicken Deluxe $11.95

    Tender and juicy grilled boneless chicken breast served on a toasted wheat bun with green leaf lettuce and tomato. Served with choice of potato, onion rings and a crisp dinner salad.

    • Char-Chicken Club: Bacon, Swiss, Lettuce and Tomato $12.45
    • Char-Chicken Alpine: Sauteed Mushrooms, Swiss, Lettuce and Tomato $12.45
    • Char Jack Chicken: Pepper Jack, Lettuce and Tomato $12.45

  • Midwest Breaded Pork Tenderloin $11.75

    Pork loin hand cut & hand breaded then fried to a golden brown. Served with choice of potato and onion rings So big it doesn’t fit the bun!

  • French Dip $11.75

    Layers of tender sliced roast beef piled on a toasted hoagie roll served with au jus for dipping with your choice of potato and onion rings.

    • Add cheese $0.75

  • Rarebit Burger* $13.45

    Our ½ lb Maxieburger grilled to order, served open faced and smothered in our homemade rarebit sauce. Served along with your choice of potato & onion rings.

    • Grilled Onions $0.55
    • or Bacon $0.95

  • Classic Reuben $12.45

    A timeless favorite for over 50 years!

    Layers of shaved corned beef stacked on rye with sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese grilled to perfection. Served with your choice of potato along with onion rings.

  • Fantastic ½ lb. Maxieburger* $11.95

    Enjoy that backyard grilled flavor with every bite of our thick and juicy 1/2lb burger topped with lettuce, tomato, slice of onion and dill pickle. Served with choice of potato and our Award Winning Onion Rings

    • American cheese, Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack $0.75
    • Bacon and American Cheese $1.75
    • Mushrooms and Swiss Cheese $1.55

Broiler

Served with salad, warm roll & butter, potato (French fried, cottage fried or baked) and onion rings.

  • The “Maxie” Special* $22.95

    Voted the best dinner value in the area!
    Every restaurant has their special, we are especially proud of ours!  Look at what you get:

    Maxie’s juicy and flavorful 7oz Top Sirloin hand rubbed with our private blend seasoning, grilled to your taste and served with two golden fried breaded butterflied shrimp, choice of potato, Maxie’s award winning onion rings, a crisp salad and dinner roll.

  • Maxie’s Top Sirloin* $25.75

    Anything but average, our 12oz sirloin is expertly broiled over open flame. Flavored with our private blend seasoning. 

    • Top with seasoned onions and sweet peppers $1.45

  • Center Cut Filet* $32.95

    Maxie’s 8oz ultimate tender filet enhanced with our private blend seasoning. Broiled expertly to melt in your mouth.

    Medium well and well done filets will be butterflied.

    • Top with seasoned onions and sweet peppers $1.45

  • New York Strip* $28.95

    Steak lovers choice, our 12oz strip is full of flavor. Hand rubbed with our private blend seasoning and grilled to perfection

    • Top with seasoned onions and sweet peppers $1.45

  • Ribeye*

    Our tender steak is well marbled for peak flavor and deliciously juicy. Our private blend seasoning brings out the flavor beautifully!

    • 8 oz. $19.45
    • 12 oz. $27.95
    • Top with seasoned onions and sweet peppers $1.45

  • Maxie Dinner* $15.75

    Our flavorful thick ½ lb burger without the bun, grilled your taste.

    • Top with seasoned onions and sweet peppers $1.45

Salads

  • Crispy Chicken Strip Salad $13.95

    Our succulent golden fried chicken strips, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, served on a bed of crisp lettuce along with tomato, egg, cheddar jack cheese and garlic croutons.

  • Shrimp Salad $13.95

    Tender shrimp served on a bed of fresh crisp lettuce greens topped with egg, tomato, carrots, shredded cheddar jack cheese, lemon, garlic croutons and your choice of dressing 

  • Char-Grilled Chicken Breast Salad $13.45

    Our flame broiled tender and juicy chicken breast atop  a mound of fresh lettuce greens, carrots, tomato & egg.

  • Dinner Salad $3.95

    • Bleu Cheese Crumbles $0.75
    • Extra Dressing $0.75
    • Diced Egg $0.95
    • Chopped Bacon $0.95

  • Cottage Cheese $3.45

    • with fruit $3.95

  • Dressings

    House specialty Italian, creamy parmesan, French, 1000 Island, Ranch, honey mustard, creamy Italian, bleu cheese (add .75). Ask about our fat-free dressings. Extra dressing .75.

Barbeque

Served with salad, warm roll & butter, potato (French fried, cottage fried or baked) and onion rings 

  • Chef Bob’s Ribs $19.75

    Slow roasted, fall off the bone, rack of pork loin back ribs basted with sweet and tangy BBQ sauce.  It’s melt in your mouth perfection!

Chops

Served with salad, warm roll & butter, potato (French fried, cottage fried or baked) and onion rings 

  • Pork Chops $17.75

    Tender and juicy honey and apple marinated boneless chops broiled over open flame to sear in the flavor.

Chicken

Served with salad & warm roll.

  • California Chicken $15.95

    Juicy chicken breast flavored with our homemade Italian dressing baked to perfection with fresh tomato, onion, guacamole and melted mozzarella. Served with rice pilaf and steamed vegetables 

  • Chicken Strip Dinner $15.45

    Golden fried strips are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. These all white meat strips are packed with flavor

    Choose: ranch, honey mustard, BBQ

  • Teriyaki Char-Broiled Chicken $15.95

    Rice pilaf with teriyaki-glazed breast, steamed vegetables and egg roll.

Seafood

Served with salad, warm roll & butter, potato (French fried, cottage fried or baked) and onion rings (except where noted).

  • Fish & Chips $15.95

    Two beer battered Alaskan cod filets fried to golden perfection.

  • Lemon Pepper Cod $21.45

    Delicate filets of oven baked cod with light lemon pepper crumb coating (Please allow 20 minutes for preparation)

  • French Fried Shrimp $22.45

    Tender butterflied shrimp in our special batter fried until golden and crisp

  • Char-Broiled Salmon $21.45

    Salmon filet broiled to perfection.  Choose either hot steamed vegetables and rice pilaf or choice of potato & onion rings

  • Seafood Platter $22.45

    A flavorful medley of fried shrimp, scallops and clams .

Pasta

Served with a crisp dinner salad and toasted garlic bread.

  • Spaghetti and Meatballs $13.45

    Seasoned to perfection meatballs atop a bed of pasta covered in our rich marinara sauce.

    • With sauce only $12.45

  • Maxie’s Lasagna $15.75

    Layers of pasta, cheese and Italian sausage covered in our homemade rich marinara sauce topped off with loads of bubbly mozzarella.

  • Fettuccini Alfredo $15.45

    A bed of Fettuccini noodles tossed in our rich and creamy homemade alfredo sauce.

    • 1/2 order $10.75
    • Add Chicken $4.95
    • Add Shrimp $4.95
    • Add Bacon and Mushroom $1.95

  • Cavatelli $15.45

    Pasta shells baked in our rich homemade marinara sauce along with Italian sausage topped with loads of bubbly melted mozzarella cheese.

Desserts

Go ahead and indulge yourself!

  • Coconut Cake $5.95

    Moist white cake with buttercream icing topped with tender coconut flakes

  • Carrot Cake $6.95

    A moist and spicy carrot cake topped luscious cream cheese icing

  • Chocolate Thunder Cake $5.95

    Three layers of luscious dark chocolate cake with creamy fudge frosting

  • Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding $5.95

    Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel and whipped cream.

  • Homemade Strawberry Shortcake $5.95

    Old fashioned shortcake topped with loads of strawberries and whipped cream

  • Raspberry Cheesecake $6.95

    Rich cheesecake with a raspberry swirl.

Monday

Kids eat for $1.00 on Mondays!  12 and under, one per adult entree.

  • Steak Night $13.95

    Tender and juicy Sirloin (7oz) hand rubbed with our private blend seasoning. Served with your choice of potato and our award winning hand made onion rings.

    • Add a dinner salad $1.95

Tuesday

  • All You Can Eat Spaghetti $9.95

     

    Generous bed of pasta covered in our rich homemade marinara sauce with Italian sausage.  Served with garlic toast.

    • Add a dinner salad $1.95

  • Ribeye* 12 oz. $23.75

    Our tender and juicy ribeye steak marbled for peak flavor hand rubbed with our private blend seasoning.  Served with a crisp dinner salad, warm dinner roll, choice of potato and onion rings.

Wednesday

  • Cavatelli $13.45

    Pasta shells baked in our rich homemade marinara sauce along with Italian sausage then topped with loads of bubbly melted mozzarella cheese.  Served with dinner salad and garlic bread.

  • Chicken Parmesan $15.45

    Tender chicken cutlet, breaded and fried, served on a bed of spaghetti, smothered with our homemade tomato sauce, covered with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, and baked until the cheese is bubbly and melts into every nook and cranny. Served with dinner salad and toasted garlic bread.

Thursday

  • Steak de Burgo $28.95

    It steals the show!  Our two 4oz melt in your mouth filet medallions are sautéed in garlic butter to seal in the flavor.  Served with crisp dinner salad, warm roll, potato and our award winning onion rings.

Friday and Saturday

  • Pasta Alexander $14.95

    Capellini noodles with prosciutto, chicken, mushrooms and peas in a delicious cream sauce served with garlic toast and a dinner salad.

Kids Menu

Kids eat for $1.00 on Mondays!  12 and under, one per adult entree.

Served with choice of one:  Natural Applesauce, Fresh Baby Carrots with Ranch Dipping Sauce, String Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Green Beans, Fries & Onion Rings

  • Peanut Butter & Jelly $5.95

  • Grilled Cheese $5.95

  • Chicken Strips $5.95

  • Corn Dog $5.95

  • Kraft Macaroni & Cheese $5.95

  • Kiddie Shrimp Basket $5.95

  • Spaghetti & Meatball $5.95

  • Kid's Burger $5.95

Proprietor Selections

  • Sycamore Lane $6.25

    Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.

    • Glass $6.25
    • Bottle $20.00

By The Glass & Bottle

  • Red Wine

    • Mark West Pinot Noir, California $7.00
    • DaVinci Chianti, Italy $7.00
    • Trapiche Malbec, Argentina $7.00
    • Dark Horse Red Blend $7.50
    • Oxford Landing Shiraz $6.25
    • Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon California $7.75
    • Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon, California $6.75

  • White Wine

    • Bex Riesling, Germany $7.00
    • Mirassou Sauvignon Blanc, California $7.00
    • Clos du Bois Chardonnay, California $6.75
    • Apothic White Blend, California $6.75
    • Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, California $7.25
    • Ruffino Pinot Grigio, Italy $7.50
    • Luccio Moscato, Italy $6.75

  • Champagne $6.25

    Zonin Brut, Italy

Beer

  • Domestic Beer

    Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Select 55, Coors Light, Michelob Light, Michelob Ultra, Michelob Amberbock, MGD, Miller High Life, Kaliber NA, Miller Lite, O’Douls

  • Import/Specialty

    Angry Orchard, Corona, Guinness, Heineken, New Castle, Stella Artois, Sam Adams Boston Lager, Black Butte Porter, Two Hearted Ale, Pine Drops IPA

  • Draft

    Boulevard Wheat, Blue Moon, Bud Light, Sam Adams Seasonal, Leinenkugel’s Seasonal

After Dinner Ice Cream Drinks

  • Silver Cloud $8.00

    Amaretto & Kahlua

  • Grasshopper $8.00

    Crème de menthe & white crème de cacao

  • Pink Squirrel $8.00

    Crème de almond & white crème de cacao

  • Brandy Alexander $8.00

    Brandy & crème de cacao

* May be ordered undercooked. Thoroughly cooking foods of animal origin such as beef, eggs, fish, lamb, pork, poultry or shellfish, reduces the risk of food-borne illness. Individuals with certain health conditions may be at higher risk if these foods are consumed raw or undercooked. Consult your physician or public health official for further information