Texas Roadhouse coming to Ames!!!

[Frak]

Agreed.

I think ames has been hurt by its govt fighting a lot of these options over the years. Yeah, once youve lived there long enough you know some of the local establishments, but for someone coming into town, maybe on a campus visit or for other business, it creates a really bad first impression when there are very few of these known-quantity options available. Creates the potential for people to think 'wow, this place is so middle of nowhere it has jack for national chains'.

And even then, while there are some good local options, its not like most of them are out of this world stellar either.

Absolutely agree...as in "this backwater town didn't even get a BWW until 2011!". Once you are in Ames awhile, you get to find these local places like Great Plains, The Cafe, Wallabys, Dublin Bay, HP and THEY'RE the places that you look forward to hitting up when you've been out of Ames for awhile. But for the people visiting or passing through, they're usually going to form an impression by what kind of selection of chains the town has.

[CyBroncos]

Absolutely agree...as in "this backwater town didn't even get a BWW until 2011!". Once you are in Ames awhile, you get to find these local places like Great Plains, The Cafe, Wallabys, Dublin Bay, HP and THEY'RE the places that you look forward to hitting up when you've been out of Ames for awhile. But for the people visiting or passing through, they're usually going to form an impression by what kind of selection of chains the town has.

I would add GeAngelos to that list. I loved that place and definitely do miss their ravioli

[Frak]

I think it's good overall to have these types of places move into Ames a little more. More food options will make for nicer trips for me(selfish). My family, who live in Mason City, and my wife's family, who live in Algona, make several trips to ISU events to meet us when we come from Omaha. We have been forced on several occasions to go eat in DSM due to the total **** show in all Ames restaurants following anything ISU.

I agree though, I wouldn't pick one of these over Wallaby's or the like but it provide for more options. And I agree, an Olive Garden would slay in Ames, how has no one figured that out yet?

P.S. Battle's absolutely does cut it for barbeque, at least for what passes as BBQ in ames, ia. At least the last time I was there it did.

Hickory Parks blows, clones_jer, you're not the only one!

Kind of a tough dilema...gameday basically doubles the population of Ames. It's hard to have enough restaurants for that many people when the town is usually not nearly as crowded. Not to mention in the summertime, 3/4 of the students are out of town and things get really slow. To make it work, restaurants have to depend on people coming from Gilbert, Nevada, Boone, Story City.

As far as BBQ, I don't think that Battles cuts it. I'm just not buying a BBQ place without ribs on the menu. Get me a Jethros or even a Bandanas and I'd be happy. As far as HP, I've voiced my opinion on it before. It's NOT a BBQ joint. The ribs at HP aren't special, the sauce isn't great, the smoked meat is good, but not outstanding. Why HP is so good is that it has a big selection and small prices. Everyone leaves there full and very few are disappointed. It's a place you can bring your kids even if they are loud. And, their ice cream selection is good. For a family, you can get out of HP for half the cost of most (non-fast food) restaurants in town. And I'd put HP's burgers up against pretty much anyone's in Ames and probably win.

Think about this...we ordered two 1/4 lb burgers with fries (except I substituted cheese balls), one kids meal, which comes with ice cream and a drink, one extra side, two adult drinks and a malt to go and the price was $23. Where else are you gonna get that?

[Haverhill]

Kind of a tough dilema...gameday basically doubles the population of Ames. It's hard to have enough restaurants for that many people when the town is usually not nearly as crowded. Not to mention in the summertime, 3/4 of the students are out of town and things get really slow. To make it work, restaurants have to depend on people coming from Gilbert, Nevada, Boone, Story City.

As far as BBQ, I don't think that Battles cuts it. I'm just not buying a BBQ place without ribs on the menu. Get me a Jethros or even a Bandanas and I'd be happy. As far as HP, I've voiced my opinion on it before. It's NOT a BBQ joint. The ribs at HP aren't special, the sauce isn't great, the smoked meat is good, but not outstanding. Why HP is so good is that it has a big selection and small prices. Everyone leaves there full and very few are disappointed. It's a place you can bring your kids even if they are loud. And, their ice cream selection is good. For a family, you can get out of HP for half the cost of most (non-fast food) restaurants in town. And I'd put HP's burgers up against pretty much anyone's in Ames and probably win.

Think about this...we ordered two 1/4 lb burgers with fries (except I substituted cheese balls), one kids meal, which comes with ice cream and a drink, one extra side, two adult drinks and a malt to go and the price was $23. Where else are you gonna get that?

Your description of Hickory Park is right on the money.

[CycloneErik]

HP IS overrated, but with how cheap it is, and the generally good service, its hard to complain.

BWW love makes more sense because you don't see a lot of wing-specializing sports bars. It offers a unique product. TR, not so much. There are steak houses everywhere. Hell, most of us probably cook a better steak on our own grills (I don't generally eat steak at restaurants, period).

Other chains ARE busy, no doubt, but often times you can still get a seat very quickly. Texas Roadhouse isn't that way in my experience (just Cedar Falls and Johnston locations).

It's a good thing for Ames though. More business = good. People eat this **** up (literally and figuratively) so it certainly can't hurt anything.

I've been to the DSM one twice. Once was an eternal wait that wasn't worth it. The other one, we got right in, had really good service, and it was fantastic.

I agree about the wait. It's not worth that, but it's good overall.

[Al_4_State]

the theme here is that Al hates over-priced places ... yet you still don't like Taco Bell - you can feed a family of 8 for a month with a $20 bill at that place.

My favorite places in Ames are definately Dublin Bay & Great Plaines - now that I only get back for football games those are the only ones I've been to in a few years.

But Hickory Park has been over-rated for a long time ... for some reason it reminds me of Bonanza. It is cheap though, I'll give you that. And as a larger individual they do have an excellent selection of ice cream.

I hate Taco Bell because it makes me feel like I'm going to die every time I eat there. It's a damn good value if you can take it.

[MNCyGuy]

Absolutely agree...as in "this backwater town didn't even get a BWW until 2011!". Once you are in Ames awhile, you get to find these local places like Great Plains, The Cafe, Wallabys, Dublin Bay, HP and THEY'RE the places that you look forward to hitting up when you've been out of Ames for awhile. But for the people visiting or passing through, they're usually going to form an impression by what kind of selection of chains the town has.

There's some truth to that, but I will say that the some of the most fun I've had at a restaurant in the past year was waiting out a tornado warning at the "Truman Cafe" in some podunk southern MN town. Being more open to checking out the shady looking local place is definitely a risk when you are just passing through, but it can be a lot of fun.

[ripvdub]

If you are gonna go, Plan ahead and go at 5. No wait at all. The chicken critters and chili cheese fries are to die for. The beer is always ice cold. Its by far my favorite restaurant in dsm. Also gotta love the murals of isu/iowa(ok, maybe not iowa) on the wall. Hiawatha on the goal post brings a smile to my face everytime

[akellar]

If it's anything like the one in Des Moines, no thanks. We showed up at 415 on a Saturday afternoon and there was already a 1 1/2 hour wait. We haven't been back and I doubt we will. There's no way I'm waiting that long for any place at 415 for dinner.

[sunnysideup]

Call ahead seating is the way to go for TR. I've never went there and actually waited, I always use the call ahead option, get my name on the list, and then go about my business. Get there about 15 before your time and at the most you will wait about 20 minutes. Find a spot at the bar and have a beer.

[Broodwich]

I am glad that Ames has BW3. I would be pleased that Ames gets a Texas Road House.

Not entirely sure I would do a lot of business there, but I am glad to see that Ames is generally perceived as a place that will support businesses like these at last.

I love to bag on Ames. Out side of the positive experiences I had as a student at ISU and gamedays it's the most stifling, stubborn, 'old man shaking his fist at a skateboarder' of a community I've ever been in. It needs a lot of work and this is part of it.

I have to give credit where it's due, and Ames has phenomenal restaurants for a town its size. The food options in Ames are perhaps it's greatest strength. They are just not easy to find. There's not necessarily a big lit-up sign on Duff Avenue easing your fears by providing you with safe, nationally marketed franchised foods

You need to do some research and talk to people but they are there.

[Frak]

I am glad that Ames has BW3. I would be pleased that Ames gets a Texas Road House.

Not entirely sure I would do a lot of business there, but I am glad to see that Ames is generally perceived as a place that will support businesses like these at last.

I love to bag on Ames. Out side of the positive experiences I had as a student at ISU and gamedays it's the most stifling, stubborn, 'old man shaking his fist at a skateboarder' of a community I've ever been in. It needs a lot of work and this is part of it.

I have to give credit where it's due, and Ames has phenomenal restaurants for a town its size. The food options in Ames are perhaps it's greatest strength. They are just not easy to find. There's not necessarily a big lit-up sign on Duff Avenue easing your fears by providing you with safe, nationally marketed franchised foods

You need to do some research and talk to people but they are there.

I agree with you there. Ames has a lot of work yet to do, but they ARE making progress finally. People who haven't been in town in 5 years wouldn't recognize Duff Ave. A lot of the crappy eyesores are gone and have been replaced by new commercial/retail businesses. It's surprising to me that even after last summer's floods, right now, Duff looks about as good as I've ever seen it. There's basically one large lot open and that's the bowling alley lot. There's a couple of smaller lots (by Jiffy-Lube, the Happy Joes building and the O'Malley McGee's/Ames Rental lot), but that's pretty much it. Main St looks the same, although they've spruced it up some with new facades and decorative lighting. The next step is Campustown and I believe that one to be VERY important in the grand scheme of things for both the city and the university.

I also agree about the local restaurant scene. Outsiders, newcomers and visitors know about HP and what's on Duff...that's it. The problem is that everything else is spaced throughout town. Great Plains may have the best pizza in the state, but I hardly even knew where Main St was as a student. How would visitors know? The Cafe is out in Sommerset which is not only hard to find, but hard to get to. Maybe the best Italian in town is the new chophouse WAY out west on LW. Aunt Maudes is hard to find. Wallaby's is somewhat out of the way. Most people who live in town don't even know where Cafe Shi is.

[FarminCy]

I am glad that Ames has BW3. I would be pleased that Ames gets a Texas Road House.

Not entirely sure I would do a lot of business there, but I am glad to see that Ames is generally perceived as a place that will support businesses like these at last.

I love to bag on Ames. Out side of the positive experiences I had as a student at ISU and gamedays it's the most stifling, stubborn, 'old man shaking his fist at a skateboarder' of a community I've ever been in. It needs a lot of work and this is part of it.

I have to give credit where it's due, and Ames has phenomenal restaurants for a town its size. The food options in Ames are perhaps it's greatest strength. They are just not easy to find. There's not necessarily a big lit-up sign on Duff Avenue easing your fears by providing you with safe, nationally marketed franchised foods

You need to do some research and talk to people but they are there.

Could not agree more.

Living 8 miles away I can't say I will eat there much but it will be another option when friends and family come into town for football and bball games.

And you are spot on, Ames has awesome food choices, you just need to know where to look. But this place will appeal more to the game day fans and the fans of visiting teams. If I'm after a steak i'm still going to be heading to Gilbert.

[LonoClone]

If you are gonna go, Plan ahead and go at 5. No wait at all. The chicken critters and chili cheese fries are to die for. The beer is always ice cold. Its by far my favorite restaurant in dsm. Also gotta love the murals of isu/iowa(ok, maybe not iowa) on the wall. Hiawatha on the goal post brings a smile to my face everytime

I don't trust any man who, non-ironically, uses the phrase "to die for" in reference to food.

...unless he's actively involved in the hunting of an animal that could actually kill him, like a lion or gorilla or something. Then it's ok. Chicken critters do not qualify.

[Al_4_State]

I don't trust any man who, non-ironically, uses the phrase "to die for" in reference to food.

...unless he's actively involved in the hunting of an animal that could actually kill him, like a lion or gorilla or something. Then it's ok. Chicken critters do not qualify.

I agree, and I'll raise you this: I don't trust any man that calls Texas Roadhouse the best restaurant in Des Moines. If I had to pick one great thing about Des Moines, its the diversity and quality of the local restaurants for a city its size. I've been here for 3 years and haven't even begun to scratch the surface.