Best kept secret restaurants in Iowa

[SCyclone]

The DM Rag is fond of listing Top Ten things in Iowa like best pork tenderloin, best coffee, etc. I thought it might be interesting (and rewarding, too!) to share some places to dine out that might be under the radar. I am always up for a good meal, even if it involves a drive. If you know a place like this, tell us about it.

Mine is Unkie's in Thor - the place is packed every night. We try to get there by 5:30 - it's about a 20 minute drive from Fort Dodge - and by then, we still have to wait for a table. They're only open for dinner, so it's more like an old-fashioned supper club. The usual fare - steaks, chops, broasted chicken, some seafood. Weekends they have specials on lobster and/or prime rib. You won't go away hungry and the prices are very reasonable. Most bar drinks are $3.00. You can't beat it!

 

[Angie]

Taco Tico in Ft Dodge and Mason City is a local treasure, filled with grease and nostalgia. #crustosforever

 

[SCyclone]

Taco Tico in Ft Dodge and Mason City is a local treasure, filled with grease and nostalgia. #crustosforever

Smothered sanchos for me!!!!

 

[Angie]

Smothered sanchos for me!!!!

I always find myself going for a single, simple hard shell taco. It's the taste of my 7-year-old self.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

Zoey's in Marion has the best pizza in the state

 

[NWICY]

Pub on the Cedar in Charles City. Good food, nice beer selection. A nice outdoor patio overlooking the river. Went to it twice while on Ragbrai. It's your typical sports bar menu, and atmosphere.

 

[laminak]

Zoey's in Marion has the best pizza in the state

That's not a secret and furthermore, they're vastly overrated for all the hype they get in the area.

 

[Messi]

Zoey's in Marion has the best pizza in the state

Zoeys is good but I prefer Tomasos. Cheaper and don't have to wait on the Marion square for 30 minutes for a table.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I always find myself going for a single, simple hard shell taco. It's the taste of my 7-year-old self.

Standard hard shell tacos is the only correct answer.

 

[Al_4_State]

A few NE IA gems:

-The Old Rossville Store in Rossville. Great prime rib, friday night fish, and salad bar. Very much an old school supper club kind of place. Feels like you're walking back into the past.

-K-Town Tap in Kendallville. The place always has a crowd. The regular menu is solid bar food, and they have really good specials be it Wing Wednesday, Friday fish frys, or prime rib on Saturdays. Cheap drinks, and the owners are friendly as hell.

-St. Olaf Tap in St. Olaf. Best tenderloin in Iowa. TG on tap. What else do you need?

-Irish Shanti in Gunder. Just awesome food, in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Love the turkey tender sandwich, and of course the infamous Gunderburger is a beast.

-Safehouse Saloon in Lansing. Some of the best wings around, and an incredible selection of tap beer for a town of 1,000 people.

-The Longbranch in Florenceville. From the outside, it looks like it's halfway in disrepair, and it sits tucked away in the Upper Iowa valley literally on the Minnesota line in a town that isn't on the map. But the interior is really well done, the fish frys are top notch, and the beer is always cold.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Make a road trip to Dunlap and enjoy a pork tenderloin at the Dairy Sweet (brought home the title in the mid 2000's) and some broasted chicken at the Gold Slipper. The Gold Slipper has an old school supper club type feel to it and there just aren't that many of those places left.

 

[2forISU]

Double R-Centerville

 

[BCClone]

I prefer my tacos a little softer guys.

 

[Cyientist]

I'm on the road in rural Iowa for work, so keep in mind my comparison is often against Casey's pizza.

209 Main - Paton
Lewright's Deli - Eagle Grove
Teluwut - Osage

 

[Freebird]

Chicken George at the Candlelight Inn in Clinton. Sit outside with a view of the Mississippi. Just don't stop anywhere else in Clinton and you will be fine.
http://www.candlelightinnrestaurant.com/clinton.html

 

[WoodCy]

Zoeys is good but I prefer Tomasos. Cheaper and don't have to wait on the Marion square for 30 minutes for a table.

Agreed on the Zoey's comment. Its good but best in the state may be a reach. In CR metro I like Roscoe's on the SW side the best. It is in the strip mall behind Taco John's on Edgewood. The decor is interesting but the pizza is great.

I love Taco Tico. I always go with the Texas Burrito and a Chicken Sancho.

NW Steakhouse in Mason City is really great too.

Bob's Drive Inn in LeMars is great. Get the Cheese Tavern or the Bob Dog with meat and cheese.

 

[Trice]

I have only heard this secondhand so I cannot confirm, but I'm told the Pizza Hut in Audubon is fan-goddam-tastic.

 

[Rural]

A few NE IA gems:

-The Old Rossville Store in Rossville. Great prime rib, friday night fish, and salad bar. Very much an old school supper club kind of place. Feels like you're walking back into the past.

-K-Town Tap in Kendallville. The place always has a crowd. The regular menu is solid bar food, and they have really good specials be it Wing Wednesday, Friday fish frys, or prime rib on Saturdays. Cheap drinks, and the owners are friendly as hell.

-St. Olaf Tap in St. Olaf. Best tenderloin in Iowa. TG on tap. What else do you need?

-Irish Shanti in Gunder. Just awesome food, in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Love the turkey tender sandwich, and of course the infamous Gunderburger is a beast.

-Safehouse Saloon in Lansing. Some of the best wings around, and an incredible selection of tap beer for a town of 1,000 people.

-The Longbranch in Florenceville. From the outside, it looks like it's halfway in disrepair, and it sits tucked away in the Upper Iowa valley literally on the Minnesota line in a town that isn't on the map. But the interior is really well done, the fish frys are top notch, and the beer is always cold.

There sure are a lot of best tenderloins in Iowa, and I say that as a lifelong tenderloin fan.

 

[Rabbuk]

Zoeys is good but I prefer Tomasos. Cheaper and don't have to wait on the Marion square for 30 minutes for a table.

That's fine but you're wrong and I hate you. :O

 

[Gunnerclone]

Taco Casa in DSM