Great Places to Eat? (Cedar Rapids, Iowa City: theater, price, shops)

[metro223]

OHH also Bourbon Street in the same neighborhood of CF is really good cajun food with a great atmosphere, nice lounge upstairs too i believe.

[WoodwardGirl]

Gotta put in a plug for Zindrick's in the Czech Village in Cedar Rapids. Authentic Czech food -- not something you'll find in a lot of places! What they do with pork and sauces is probably illegal in many places -- it's that good! Cute little place, too!

[El Rhino]

A Dong is one of my favorite restaurants. The food is real good, the prices are very agreeable and they've got a very extensive menu. It's probably the best vegetarian/vegan restaurant around here too. Their egg rolls and the sauce are great and I recommend the bun dishes (rice noodles, vegetables and either meat or tofu). The food is real light and flavorful. The food is Vietnamese, which a lot of us are unfamiliar with, so it can be difficult to order the first time because you won't see dishes you recognize. Everything is ordered by number, which is helpful instead of trying to fumble through the pronounciation. Since the prices are low, it's also a good time to try different things like bubble tea (I don't like it so much), the spring rolls and so on with your meal.

Java Joe's is cool too. When I was younger, that was a cool place to hang out at when it was nice out and stand around outside. I stop there every now and then for coffee when I get a chance.

Buzzard Billy's has really good food, but it seems like the service really, really sucks. I've been there several times when I was one of the only people in there and waiting on service for almost an hour while the staff stands around and plays grab-ass. Undercooked rice sometimes too. I really wish that place had it's act together because the food is really good. I know other people have said the same thing about the service.

I'd like to try the Czech place sometime if I'm ever in Cedar Rapids.

[pepe1]

I have always thought Latin King in Des Moines was just average. It is always busy though so maybe I've just never ordered the right stuff there.

Personally, my favorite restaruants in Des Moines are Baratta's and Court Avenue Brewing Company.

[Luke9686]

Latin King sucks. Overpriced, mediocre food with small portions.

Gotta get some Tasty Tacos. Also Iowa Beef Steakhouse is great. Felix and Oscars has the best Chicago style pizza. Chicago Speakeasy is ok. And theres this little place in Beaverdale that is pretty good. It's a ma and pop type place. Don't remember the name though.

[WoodwardGirl]

Pizza! Oh, Zoeys in Marion! Their New York style is great, but their Chicago style is truly spectaculatar. Makes me not miss Giordanos quite as much!

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Luke9686

Latin King sucks. Overpriced, mediocre food with small portions.
.

I'll say I do like Baratta's, Gino's and Tumea's better, but I like the small portions. Most Italian places around here give you way too much pasta. I guess it's nice to be able to take it home and all though.

[Stevie]

I must also add that I love Ohana Steakhouse in West Des Moines. I believe it's a Japanese restaurant but I'm not exactly sure. It's one of those restaurants where you sit at a table and they cook the food right in front of you and do all that chopping, juggling, etc. I've only eaten there a couple times actually, but I really liked it.

[El Rhino]

Yes, Ohana is Japanese. If you like that, you might want to check out Taki. It's pretty much the same thing. A lot of my friends like to go there for their sushi menu, but I really, really hate sushi (and pretty much all seafood).

The Machine Shed, now that's good, classic Iowa food.

[Stevie]

Thanks El. I'll check that out.

Another place I really like to eat at is Cazador in Ames. It's a great Mexican restaurant on the west side of town.