Dining-Marshalltown

**MeanDean** · 10-17-2011, 09:26 AM

Coming back from Ames Sat evening and would like to stop around Marshalltown or possibly Tama/Toledo for dinner on the way home. Something not too bar-ish. Ethnic restaurants are fine but probably not Mexican. Not looking for a "fine" dining experience, just a decent meal in a decent place. There'll be 3 of us so it doesn't have to be big or anything.

I know I can count on Cyclone Nation to give me a couple good choices.

TIA

**Haverhill** · 10-17-2011, 09:38 AM

Meskwaki Buffet is good. Then there is always Taylor's Maid Rite, Tremont Grille (italian), Ocean City Chinese Restaurant and Zenos Pizza. Of those, the Marshalltown 'originals' are Zenos Pizza and Taylor's Maid Rite.

**cybsball20** · 10-17-2011, 09:40 AM

Zeno's... End of thread

**NATEizKING** · 10-17-2011, 09:40 AM

Joe's Italian on Lincoln Way or Mama Digrado's in the mall would be my suggestions if you don't want mexican.

**NATEizKING** · 10-17-2011, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Zeno's... End of thread

Oops, forgot Zeno's!

**Al_4_State** · 10-17-2011, 09:43 AM

I've never met someone from Marshalltown that wouldn't shut up about the Taco John's there. Not joking.

**NATEizKING** · 10-17-2011, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

I've never met someone from Marshalltown that wouldn't shut up about the Taco John's there. Not joking.

Best in the chain!

**jtdoyle1** · 10-17-2011, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Zeno's... End of thread

Except Zeno's is called Mike's now...

Same owner, pizza, and location (near the Intersection of Hwys 30 and 63) but just changed the name. The original Zeno's is in Marshalltown and they franchised the name to the one in Toledo and just recently decided they didn't want to franchise the name anymore.

El Campasino Mexican Restaurant is also good, authentic mexican food in Toledo.

**clone319** · 10-17-2011, 09:50 AM

Rube's steakhouse in montour is good, it's about halfway between marshalltown and tama/toledo

**Al_4_State** · 10-17-2011, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by NATEizKING

Best in the chain!

Where does this come from?!?!?! Seriously. A good buddy of mine lived in Marshalltown for about a year, loves Taco John's, and has said that while it's good, it's no better than any other one.

Every Marshalltown native claims it is the best in the chain. Did they win some award or something?

**agrabes** · 10-17-2011, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by NATEizKING

Best in the chain!

I disagree, it was mediocre at best when I stopped in there last month. Better than both CR locations, but not as good as Ames I'd say.

**clone319** · 10-17-2011, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

Where does this come from?!?!?! Seriously. A good buddy of mine lived in Marshalltown for about a year, loves Taco John's, and has said that while it's good, it's no better than any other one.

Every Marshalltown native claims it is the best in the chain. Did they win some award or something?

Literally the first thing someone told me when I moved to marshalltown was I had to eat at Taco Johns. While it does have a bigger menu, I was unable to tell the food apart from any other taco johns I've ever been too.

**jtdoyle1** · 10-17-2011, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by NATEizKING

Best in the chain!

That's like claiming to have the best port-o-potty in all of the tailgating lots. It's still a port-o-potty.

**Al_4_State** · 10-17-2011, 09:54 AM

I've just never noticed much difference in food quality among any chain of a certain size. Which makes sense because chains are generally based on the idea of producing a consistent product anywhere.