Restaurants in Ames.

SCNCY

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Sep 11, 2009
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La Fox, IL
Speaking of Old Main. What ever happened to the guy that owned it? Last I remember was people on here saying he was running away from law enforcement because he never paid his tax and electric bills.
 

CyCrazy

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Dec 17, 2008
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Ames
Speaking of Old Main. What ever happened to the guy that owned it? Last I remember was people on here saying he was running away from law enforcement because he never paid his tax and electric bills.

Didnt pay employees or taxes, dont remember what happened to him.
 

ISUAgronomist

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Nov 5, 2009
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On the farm, IA
Speaking of Old Main. What ever happened to the guy that owned it? Last I remember was people on here saying he was running away from law enforcement because he never paid his tax and electric bills.

Scott Griffen was sentenced to four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, his attorney, Holly Logan, said. He must also pay restitution, the amount of which was not immediately available.
Story County District Court sentenced Griffen to three years probation in May for multiple state offenses, including making false or fraudulent tax deposit forms and willfully failing to pay at least 90% of his taxes. He was also ordered to pay $162,628.55 in restitution to the State of Iowa.

 
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baller21

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Mar 15, 2009
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He also owned Corner Pocket and DG’s. Anyone heard what’s going on with that building?
 

cyclone87

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Apr 6, 2011
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Ames, IA
Wife and I are craving Chinese tonight and are new to the area—-suggestions?
1+1, Szechuan House, and Taste Place are generally pretty consistent. Honestly the last time I got 888’s it was pretty good too (they seemed to have improved recently). Pho and Tea has some solid Vietnamese stuff as well
 
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CyPhallus

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Oct 19, 2021
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Wife and I are craving Chinese tonight and are new to the area—-suggestions?
The best possible answer would be Chinese Homestyle, but since that is no more I'd say change your tastes just a bit and go with Thai Kitchen. Won't be disappointed.
 

Pat

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Oct 20, 2011
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He also owned Corner Pocket and DG’s. Anyone heard what’s going on with that building?

He sold/transferred to his daughter. She was going to re-open with a couple of his former cronies as managers, but the building now has a “business for sale” sign. Complete speculation: they were told they would absolutely not get a liquor license.
 

cyfan4St8

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Talking about Pokey Stix...last week I was in another town where there is still a Gumby's. I had been craving Pokey Stix for 20 years, since I last had them in Ames.

But this time it was just meh...

The taste hadn't changed. But I had built it up a bit too much in memory. I am now done with the legend of Pokey Stix.
So Jeff’s pizza now is like what Gumby’s was and they have something like pokey sticks called smotherella sticks and they also have the good pepperoni rolls too with garlic butter to dip in.
 
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2speedy1

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Jan 4, 2014
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The BK in Grimes closed too, it is being converted to a Slim Chickens. A new chicken restaurant. I have heard quite a few BKs have closed in the area. Not sure if they all are because of the same owner dying or not. That was the rumor, but no idea if that is true for all of them.

Here is the new restaurant. https://slimchickens.com/

This will also be adding to all the other new additions to the area plus a couple that have been there.
Here is a list of all the new/coming and existing restaurants coming to the area 1st St exit off 141 in Grimes where they are putting in the new turf sports complex.

Hyvee/food etc. Open recently
Wahlburgers Open recently
Starbucks x 2 both open recently
Freddys ground broken
Panera ground broken
DQ site plan and ground purchased
Arbys recently opened
McDonalds established
Culvers recently opened
BBops in construction
Asian Cuisine established
Slim Chickens purchased/currently remodelling BK
Memas italian Grinders open recently
Pancheros established
Taco Johns established
Pizza Hut takeout currently remodelling
Destination Grille recently open
Hacienda Vieja established

Also will build/built 3 car washes within a block on either side of that exit in 1 year. Plus another just opened at next corner.

Keep in mind no place can get enough help. And this is only a list of one type of the explosion of businesses in this area.

It is crazy how much construction is still happening, especially in the restaurant industry even when others are closing due to the current struggles and staffing issues and the overall price of construction right now.
 
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