"Hidden gem" restaurants

[DSM4Cy]

I know there have been threads on here before about great Iowa eats - but here's my question for you guys. I'm looking for some great places to eat in north central IA. I'm from DSM but my girlfriend is from up there, and I don't know the area that well.

On another note, if you have any other "must go to" places anywhere in Iowa, please throw them out there! I'm on the road a lot around the state and am always looking for that new great place to stop. I found an awesome little diner on the square in Mt. Ayr a couple of years ago and had maybe the best grinder ever there - can't remember the name, though!

 

[capitalcityguy]

Sure. I used to live in Mason City and in-laws are in Clear Lake, so we're up there a lot.

Best place to eat in Mason City (best steak...ANYWHERE IMO) is Northwestern Steakhouse. I don't even open the menu when I go. Filet, side greek spagetti, and greek salad. A member of the same family owns Cafe Nortwest in Ames, but the Steakhouse is the original and better IMO.

 

[CLONECONES]

Taco House - Boji

epic

 

[brother bob]

There is a new one in Lake Mills, but is originally from Osage called 'Telluwat' which is AWESOME!

 

[CyCrazy]

Suburban Cafe in Gilbert

Pammel Grocery in Ames

Downtown Deli in Ames

Taco House is way over rated imho.

 

[JohnnyAppleseed]

Always a great meal at Rusty Duck in Dexter.

 

[JP4CY]

Get a tenderloin at Goldies in Prairie City

 

[CyCrazy]

Snack Time in Nevada has an awesome Chicken Fried Steak breakfast meal.

 

[baller21]

I found a hidden gem inside a whopper once. Actually it was just a shiny pen cap. Does that count?


Country House on HWY 30 by Colo has a good tenderloin.

 

[CycloneNorth]

Suburban Cafe in Gilbert

Pammel Grocery in Ames

Downtown Deli in Ames

Taco House is way over rated imho.

I've never been to Pammel Grocery. What makes it good?

 

[00clone]

I found a hidden gem inside a whopper once. Actually it was just a shiny pen cap. Does that count?


Country House on HWY 30 by Colo has a good tenderloin.

I had a pellet sized pearl in an oyster I ate in California once. True story.

 

[CysRage]

Pasquale's Pizza in Humboldt. Best thin crust pizza I've ever had

 

[CyCrazy]

I've never been to Pammel Grocery. What makes it good?

The Gyros.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

Taco House - Boji

epic

Mrs. Lady's > Taco House. That's a little rivalry from the lakes area...and for us.

La Juanita's in Storm Lake and Sioux City has some great Mexican food. Sioux City also has a surprising number of good Vietnamese places.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

Red Oak's Mcdonalds is the best I've ever had.

 

[cyhawkdmb]

Always a great meal at Rusty Duck in Dexter.

my dad and I tried to stop here after a couple of isu games this year and they weren't open yet...I think it was all the 11 games... Didn't serve food till 5 o'clock.. Which we thought was weird.

 

[CyCrazy]

Mrs. Lady's > Taco House. That's a little rivalry from the lakes area...and for us.

La Juanita's in Storm Lake and Sioux City has some great Mexican food. Sioux City also has a surprising number of good Vietnamese places.

Agree with that.

 

[cyhawkdmb]

Agree with that.

I don't get the food in boji.. So many Mexican restaurants. I always make it a point to eat at maxwells. Also I really miss woodies pizza. I don't get how they couldn't make it work.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

I don't get the food in boji.. So many Mexican restaurants. I always make it a point to eat at maxwells. Also I really miss woodies pizza. I don't get how they couldn't make it work.

There's still a Woody's in Estherville, I believe. There's some pretty good places in the lakes area if you're willing to venture beyond north of the bridge between east and west lake.

 

[CyCrazy]

I don't get the food in boji.. So many Mexican restaurants. I always make it a point to eat at maxwells. Also I really miss woodies pizza. I don't get how they couldn't make it work.

Maxwells is good, Woodies was good but I also like eating pizza at the Ritz. I used to go to the resturaunt that burned down last summer quite often(Can't think of the name but it was close to 316 steakhouse)?