Best kept secret restaurants in Iowa
- Thread starter SCyclone
- Start date
Janny was from up in the northern part of the state, and is very familiar with MC - but didn't know about the magic that was The Tico. I was born and went to elementary in FD, and introduced him to it a few years ago. He was not as impressed.
Grassroots Gallery Gift & Cafe, Humeston
Williamson Tavern
Canteen Lunch in the Alley, Ottumwa
ILA, Fairfield
Just a Small Town Grill, Montezuma
Istanbul Grill, Fairfield
Crouse Cafe, Indianola
Shady Lane Amish Country Store with restaurant occasionally open, somewhere around Derby
Cafe Dodici, Washington
Williamson Tavern
Canteen Lunch in the Alley, Ottumwa
ILA, Fairfield
Just a Small Town Grill, Montezuma
Istanbul Grill, Fairfield
Crouse Cafe, Indianola
Shady Lane Amish Country Store with restaurant occasionally open, somewhere around Derby
Cafe Dodici, Washington
I'm from Remsen and only return to see my parents. I don't mind the old town, but the classmates that never left contribute to my lack of desire to go back.
Somewhat odd note: a co-worker of mine is related to Miles Kass.
In small town SW Iowa the Classic Cafe in Malvern is good. And also Whip's Steakhouse in Sidney.
I thought about putting the Place on the list. It's nicer than probably any other sports bar type of place in Northeast Iowa, and I'm not sure it's even close. The idea that it's in a town of 300 people is crazy, but they draw a lot of folks from Cresco, Decorah, New Hampton, Calmar, etc.
The "Zookie" at Zoey's in Marion is worth a 30 minute wait.. IF you want to be a hero to your significant other, you order her a Zookie.. Period..
I saw Northwest Steakhouse in Mason City mentioned. I don't know if it's a secret, but to be able to get a steak, greek spaghetti, bread and a salad for $30 that tastes incredible AND is in a building as old, small and crummy as that qualifies for me.
Elm's Club in Creston has a top notch tenderloin.
Williamson Tap in Williamson for burgers, although Paul's in Dubuque has good burgers.
Williamson Tap in Williamson for burgers, although Paul's in Dubuque has good burgers.
Up In Smoke - Afton, IA
Pulled pork and burnt ends were on par with Smokey D's IMO. Wish I was down in that area more often.
Pulled pork and burnt ends were on par with Smokey D's IMO. Wish I was down in that area more often.
I don't know if this is off the radar but something I forget about is how great Noah's Ark pizza is. I just don't think "pizza" when I think Noah's.
That's it, give him the boot. If you don't like Taco Tico (Taco Burgers for the win!) there is something fundamentally wrong with you.
Right? A little piece of me died that day. I mean, we'd also just been at my grandma's funeral, so that didn't help. But who the hell doesn't get giddy for Taco Tico?!
Worth the drive. My mom graduated with the owner when they won the award and they haven't changed the recipe on the tenderloin since then. It's huge!!!