Restaurants in Ames.

2speedy1

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Jan 4, 2014
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The special case was they didn't make enough BBQ that day. I'm sure if it was anything more than a rare occurrence it wouldn't be so highly rated and reviewed, especially considering it's in the middle of nowhere.
Considering I have been told multiple times I didnt go early enough, "at 4:30-5pm" because "they run out" and this is what is "normal" And it is "what they tell everyone, to come EARLY". I dont believe this is an isolated occurrence. More like the norm.

My guess is they have really good food, when you can get it. And some days they run out a bit later than others. And if you go their just expect to only get what is left, not what is on the menu, unless you go for lunch not for dinner.

I also believe they probably had really great food and got a reputation for that, and as business increased they never kept up with demand so they consistently run out earlier and earlier, and those that are regulars accept that.

But for new customers, its hard to get a good feel for a place when you go their and they dont have any of their claim to fame dishes, and the say well you need to come earlier, as their excuse, when you show up at the very beginning if not before regular dinner hours.

They made it sound to us that night that this was regular for them, that if you want to eat dinner there and expect to get any BBQ you must come much earlier than 5pm. While this was my only time trying the place, this was how it was explained to me from the staff there, and I have been told by many other people that I just didnt go early enough.

So yes, when everyone has told me that my only experience is the norm for the place I expect that it will be the same if I go back. And because I had a poor experience I have not made it a priority to go back, especially on a night out with my wife, which we dont do that often, only to have another poor experience. Like I said if we decide to go for lunch or a mid day meal of some sort between lunch and dinner I might give it a shot, but otherwise its not a priority, Too many other places to try or go to that are great.

This is usually how business works, many times you dont get a second chance with customers. Especially if there is competition.
 

JP4CY

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cyfan4St8

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Ive never understood the love for Great Plains. I get that its different, but I dont find it overwhelmingly great. I never thought the dry crust with honey was great. It excessive cheese was just not great. It just wasnt that great for me.

I guess maybe I should try it again since I havent had it in 25ish years, but when I did I just was not impressed. Oversized dry powdery crust, only able to stomach if you smothered it in honey, which made it a strange mix of flavors with pizza, extra thick cheese, and not much else. Seemed kind of gimmicky.

But I know a lot of people love Great Plains, so I am not trying argue their taste preferences. I just dont know if it is because it is different or if it is really that good of a pizza.

Davinci's was the best Pizza when I was at ISU, But the cheap stuff for after drinks like Gumbys, Pizza Pit, Home Team, none winning awards were great for what they were.

Then again I am not that much of a fan of Casey's Pizza either, and for some reason people think its the best ever. Although I have found the quality and taste of Casey's depends greatly on location, there is very little consistency.

Then looking at your list not having BBops in the top 25 I would have to disagree on too. But then I have not eaten at most of those on your list.
We always get the New Orleans crust . It’s a white not dry crust. And the loads of cheese is part of what makes it great …. Sorry you didn’t like it I’m sure their is stuff you like that I think is garbage too……
 
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3TrueFans

Just a Happily Married Man
Sep 10, 2009
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Ames
Considering I have been told multiple times I didnt go early enough, "at 4:30-5pm" because "they run out" and this is what is "normal" And it is "what they tell everyone, to come EARLY". I dont believe this is an isolated occurrence. More like the norm.

My guess is they have really good food, when you can get it. And some days they run out a bit later than others. And if you go their just expect to only get what is left, not what is on the menu, unless you go for lunch not for dinner.

I also believe they probably had really great food and got a reputation for that, and as business increased they never kept up with demand so they consistently run out earlier and earlier, and those that are regulars accept that.

But for new customers, its hard to get a good feel for a place when you go their and they dont have any of their claim to fame dishes, and the say well you need to come earlier, as their excuse, when you show up at the very beginning if not before regular dinner hours.

They made it sound to us that night that this was regular for them, that if you want to eat dinner there and expect to get any BBQ you must come much earlier than 5pm. While this was my only time trying the place, this was how it was explained to me from the staff there, and I have been told by many other people that I just didnt go early enough.

So yes, when everyone has told me that my only experience is the norm for the place I expect that it will be the same if I go back. And because I had a poor experience I have not made it a priority to go back, especially on a night out with my wife, which we dont do that often, only to have another poor experience. Like I said if we decide to go for lunch or a mid day meal of some sort between lunch and dinner I might give it a shot, but otherwise its not a priority, Too many other places to try or go to that are great.

This is usually how business works, many times you dont get a second chance with customers. Especially if there is competition.
Oh
 
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Farnsworth

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Apr 11, 2006
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"Um yeah I have a coupon for a $7 huger than huge from the Daily...."

Lol. That was half the fun of calling Hometeam, trying to figure out what kind of "coupon" you could make up to satisfy the group.

And wasn't it just called the huger huge? I don't remember a 'than' in there, but i was usually very intoxicated as well.

edit: Gumby's was the same way. "ya i saw a coupon in the daily for uh.... (looks to roommate #1) 2 orders of pepperoni rolls, and uhhhh (look to roommate #2). a large pokey stix, for uhhh, $8."
 

JP4CY

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Lol. That was half the fun of calling Hometeam, trying to figure out what kind of "coupon" you could make up to satisfy the group.

And wasn't it just called the huger huge? I don't remember a 'than' in there, but i was usually very intoxicated as well.

edit: Gumby's was the same way. "ya i saw a coupon in the daily for uh.... (looks to roommate #1) 2 orders of pepperoni rolls, and uhhhh (look to roommate #2). a large pokey stix, for uhhh, $8."
We probably got dominoes the most. Seems like back in the day you could get 3 pizzas for like 8 or 9 bucks.
 

cycub51

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Considering I have been told multiple times I didnt go early enough, "at 4:30-5pm" because "they run out" and this is what is "normal" And it is "what they tell everyone, to come EARLY". I dont believe this is an isolated occurrence. More like the norm.

My guess is they have really good food, when you can get it. And some days they run out a bit later than others. And if you go their just expect to only get what is left, not what is on the menu, unless you go for lunch not for dinner.

I also believe they probably had really great food and got a reputation for that, and as business increased they never kept up with demand so they consistently run out earlier and earlier, and those that are regulars accept that.

But for new customers, its hard to get a good feel for a place when you go their and they dont have any of their claim to fame dishes, and the say well you need to come earlier, as their excuse, when you show up at the very beginning if not before regular dinner hours.

They made it sound to us that night that this was regular for them, that if you want to eat dinner there and expect to get any BBQ you must come much earlier than 5pm. While this was my only time trying the place, this was how it was explained to me from the staff there, and I have been told by many other people that I just didnt go early enough.

So yes, when everyone has told me that my only experience is the norm for the place I expect that it will be the same if I go back. And because I had a poor experience I have not made it a priority to go back, especially on a night out with my wife, which we dont do that often, only to have another poor experience. Like I said if we decide to go for lunch or a mid day meal of some sort between lunch and dinner I might give it a shot, but otherwise its not a priority, Too many other places to try or go to that are great.

This is usually how business works, many times you dont get a second chance with customers. Especially if there is competition.
And I don’t believe you have ever posted anything positive on this site so your opinion is pretty useless.
 
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CyCrazy

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Dec 17, 2008
27,073
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Ames
Considering I have been told multiple times I didnt go early enough, "at 4:30-5pm" because "they run out" and this is what is "normal" And it is "what they tell everyone, to come EARLY". I dont believe this is an isolated occurrence. More like the norm.

My guess is they have really good food, when you can get it. And some days they run out a bit later than others. And if you go their just expect to only get what is left, not what is on the menu, unless you go for lunch not for dinner.

I also believe they probably had really great food and got a reputation for that, and as business increased they never kept up with demand so they consistently run out earlier and earlier, and those that are regulars accept that.

But for new customers, its hard to get a good feel for a place when you go their and they dont have any of their claim to fame dishes, and the say well you need to come earlier, as their excuse, when you show up at the very beginning if not before regular dinner hours.

They made it sound to us that night that this was regular for them, that if you want to eat dinner there and expect to get any BBQ you must come much earlier than 5pm. While this was my only time trying the place, this was how it was explained to me from the staff there, and I have been told by many other people that I just didnt go early enough.

So yes, when everyone has told me that my only experience is the norm for the place I expect that it will be the same if I go back. And because I had a poor experience I have not made it a priority to go back, especially on a night out with my wife, which we dont do that often, only to have another poor experience. Like I said if we decide to go for lunch or a mid day meal of some sort between lunch and dinner I might give it a shot, but otherwise its not a priority, Too many other places to try or go to that are great.

This is usually how business works, many times you dont get a second chance with customers. Especially if there is competition.

Well dont go, no need to write a novel.
 
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Rabbuk

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Mar 1, 2011
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Those super popular places in tiny towns I feel like just make what they know to keep the lights on and a little extra and then are OK going home. There's a pretty famous chicken restaurant in Ladd Illinois that only actually serves chicken like 20 hours a week but the line is out the door because it's fantastic and it's the only show in town.
 
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Farnsworth

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Apr 11, 2006
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Well dont go, no need to write a novel.

I'm convinced to never go to that place now. I mean, I wasn't sure after the first 3 times he stated the same thing, each time longer than the next, but with this last one and all the evidence, **** that place.

I'd love to hear his reviews on Franklins in Austin, TX. You only have to show up like 5 hours before it opens to get a hold of brisket.
 

NWICY

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Sep 2, 2012
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Whatcha smokin' is great, buy holy **** have their prices gone through the roof on some items. I called last night to place an order for there beef rib special (usually $29 for a dinner..expensive but an occasional treat) and was told that they are now "market price" so it would be $45. Ok, cool, cancel that and I'll just get some pork ribs. $12 per quarter rack...48 freaking dollars for a full rack!

I canceled my order all together and got cornbred. Love Whatcha Smokin', but their popularity seems to be leading to some price gouging. They seem the be the only BBQ restaurant who's "market prices" have gone completely through the roof.

Thanks for the warning.
 

cyIclSoneU

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Apr 7, 2016
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Part of what makes a restaurant “good” in my eyes is how easily I can actually get the product they want to exchange for my money. If there consistently are lines, long waits, running out of stuff, the place drops in my view.
 

bozclone

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We probably got dominoes the most. Seems like back in the day you could get 3 pizzas for like 8 or 9 bucks.
My first year of college Dominoes had guaranteed delivery in 30 minutes or it’s free. After games there were many free pizzas, but they soon changed the guarantee.
 
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SEIOWA CLONE

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It’s ran by college kids that don’t care if you’re happy or not lol…. And we’ve ate there since Gumby’s closed a long time ago . Yeah once in awhile it’s not perfect but majority of the time it’s pretty good. Best pizza in town is by far Great Plains. We switch back and forth each week between those two places.

I would say our top restaurants in Ames go as this.

1. Ge-Angelo’s
2.Aunt Maude’s
3.Wallaby’s
4.Flame & Skewer ( you’ve got to support Moe)
5. Dublin Bay
6.Great Plains
7. Jeff’s Pizza
8. Jimmy’s BBQ (Boone)
9. Hickory Park
10. Sweet Caroline’s
11. Brick City Grill
12. Iowa Stater
13. El Azteca
14. Cafe
15. Provisions
16. Corn Bread
17. Jethro’s
18. Flip n jacks
19. The Grove Cafe
20. West town pub
21. 5 guys
22. Texas Roadhouse
23. Cafe Beaudelaire
24. Culver’s
25. Wing stop
Hickory Park has really dropped in quality over the past couple of years, and El Azteca is rated too low. Ate there yesterday, in and out quickly, decent food at the one by Wallaby's in North Ames.
 

shadow

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Anyone been to corn bred lately? Was curious if there prices had also doubled like Watcha smoking. Wallabys is ok but takes forever. What do people think of West town pub?