Great Places to Eat? (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: live, mall, train)

[El Rhino]

Stella's is kind of cool, another place with the 50's vibe. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's way out there (for me).

Last time I went there, I was in the mood for something ice cream/desert related and honestly their shake menu didn't do much for me at all. Potato chip and peanut butter shake? No thanks. It didn't seem like they had much that was intentionally good.

Now Drake Diner's chocolate cake shake.... Oh man, that's good.

I'd like to check out the 5 & Diner for lunch as I only had breakfast there.

[Tek_Freek]

Big fan of The Tavern pizza. F&O's for deep dish. Lacona's, yes! Loved Southtown Pizza when Mop and Pop ran it (Was that really 35 years ago?). Really miss them, and the Hawaiian pizza they made for me.

Went to Court Avenue Brewery last week. Hadn't been there for quite a while (don't go downtown anymore). Had pork tenderloin medallions, mashed taters and a red cabbage concoction that could have passed for a dessert. Man that was good! Guess I'll be going downtown more often. Oh, yeah and a really, really good stout. Wife had fish and raved over it. Yep, goin' back.

Last time I was at Latin King? 1966. If it's anywhere near as good now I'll go back, no doubt. Think I need to get over there.

Tasty Tacos! Now that one has my mouth watering. Went there all the time when I worked close. Quite a hike now. Fried pepper rings! Aw, man those are heaven!

[Stevie]

Latin King has been around since 1966? Wow.

[disneyrecords]

Remember Orlondo's on University in the Drake neighborhood? I somehow remeber getting cheap t-bone steaks there with my college buds. I think Orlondo's moved somewhere else in DSM.

[WoodwardGirl]

I miss Johnny's Vet's Club, out by the DSM airport! Those steaks... that atmosphere! Always the vague aura of dangerous excitement, like Sinatra or someone was about to walk in...

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by WoodwardGirl

I miss Johnny's Vet's Club, out by the DSM airport! Those steaks... that atmosphere! Always the vague aura of dangerous excitement, like Sinatra or someone was about to walk in...

I remember eating there as a kid. Didn't it get destroyed in the flood?

[WoodwardGirl]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

I remember eating there as a kid. Didn't it get destroyed in the flood?

I think that was the final straw, but it was on its way out... belonged to a different time.

I'd never heard of Breitbach's, the oldest restaurant in the state, in Balltown, until it burned down on Christmas Eve. Sounded like quite a place. The Broom Factory in Cedar Falls is missed, also.

[rsruss6399]

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City offer some great eating establishments that aren't your typical chain restaurants with the same old boring menu's.

CEDAR RAPID'S
1) The Lighthouse Inn- Awseome Supper Club setting, live jazz on the weekends in the lounge, food is outstanding, and the service is great.
2) Tic Toc- Great hole in the wall restaurant/bar that offers great food. Must try their app's. Affordable for the whole family. Tenderlioins are awseome and they have great burgers. This place has been a Cedar Rapids legend for decades.
3) Tomaso's- Best Pizza in Cedar Rapids!
4) Zoey's Pizza- Second best pizza in the area.
5) Marion Maid-Rite- If you are truly looking for an Iowa eating experince, I would recommend this place. Very casual, a lot of locals, and Iowa maid-rites. It's and old school cafe.
6) Vino's Italian- Some of the best Italian in the corridor. Very good food, a bit pricey but worth it.
7) Leonardo's Pizza- This place is a blast from the past. Pleather walls, a shrine to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Great pizza and sandwiches.
8) Granite City- Place is always packed and long waits to get in but worth it. Very good!
9) Hacienda- Great Mexican food.
10) There are many bars in Cedar Rapids. Most offer a great menu with "tavern classics". Burger's, app's etc.

IOWA CITY-
1) Iowa River Power Company- Awseome setting (ask for a window seat on the river). Food is very good and service rocks.
2) The Vine- Although I have never been there, everyone tells me that they have the best wings.
3) Brown Bottle- Have to go to the one Downtown Iowa City.

Wow looking back on my reply it must look like I eat out a lot . My family/friends go out about 2/3 times a month for dinner. When we do we like to dine at places that are locally owned and have a presence in the local economy. I am a very big supporter of small business and one of the easiest way's to support small businesses is when you dine out. I have also found that many of the local dining establishments offer a better product and they care about their quality. If you have a problem with your meal or want to make a comment, often it's the owner coming over to talk to you not some assistant manager that's just collecting a pay check. I hope my suggestions help you out!

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by rsruss6399

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City offer some great eating establishments that aren't your typical chain restaurants with the same old boring menu's.

CEDAR RAPID'S
5) Marion Maid-Rite- If you are truly looking for an Iowa eating experince, I would recommend this place. Very casual, a lot of locals, and Iowa maid-rites. It's and old school cafe.
8) Granite City- Place is always packed and long waits to get in but worth it. Very good!


!

These are both chain restaurants.

[cevec]

Iowa City:
1. Hamburg Inn is one of a kind. Try getting a malt with an omelet Saturday AM....mmmm.....
2. Linn Street Cafe and Taste on Melrose are great fine dining. Motley Cow feels less formal but just as delicious.
3. Red Avocado is unique and tasty but requires a full evening to experience (slow).
4. The Atlas has great molten chocolate cake.
5. The Bread Garden has great soups and is good for our family because it only takes a few minutes to get your food -- totally required with little kids. Not so good just before closing because they've run out of several dishes.
6. Can't remember the name of the Indian place next to El Dorado on the coralville strip -- great lunch buffet (my favorite way to eat Indian).

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I wish more (or any) Iowa City restaurants catered to families (as in, play areas with trains set up or something entertaining). Instead, we just have to bring iPods and books and hope people think their running around is cute instead of annoying.