Restaurants in Ames.

[Dirtguy4CY]

I've been to Cornbred a couple of times in the last few months. Love the mustard sauce they make!! I had like the half rack dinner for like $15. I just can't get into being a big Wallaby's fan for some reason. Seems like their food is hit or miss every time we go. Had wings from Flame and Skewer for the first time the other night. We eat there but always I always forget about there wings. I know where I'm going for a wing fix next time. Nice living about 4 blocks from there to.

Cornbred is pretty good but I feel it is a little overrated. I've only been there twice though.

 

[Farnsworth]

My wife and I liked the original location out by the interstate. My wife says the new one seems a little too corporate and commercial. But, it's always good food and in and out quickly. It's like our favorite BBQ place in KC is in an old gas station. We had BBQ at a place in Country Club Plaza and it just wasn't the same.

I feel that way about Aberlardos. Their 2 original Omaha locations are so bomb, the others both in Omaha and Des Moines are just men.

I do like the El Azteca in Ankeny though. Fajita Quesadilla with Carnitas is awesome.

 

[Farnsworth]

Jersey Mikes is elite!

For sure! Them, potbelly. And Quiznos are so damn good! I just don't eat out much anymore. And if I do it's usually sit down and not fast casual.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Black Market was good. They would have been successful had they opened in a place like Johnston or Waukee instead.

 

[BACyclone]

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.

In my experience, if I drive up to a restaurant during a normal dinner hour and it's easy to find a parking spot, alarm bells are already going off.

 

[2speedy1]

I did West Town Pub twice during BB season once was between a Men's Women's double header service was a little slow but tolerable, food was ok fries were way above average. the 2nd time women's game only all was well both time-wise and food quality wise.

Haven't been to cornbred or Wallaby's for a long time. Brick City service and food were both pretty good I thought the times I went there this yr.

Did something change with West Town Pub? Seems a few years ago it was all the rage, they sponsored and advertised everywhere. Had advertisements at games etc. Everyone talked about that being the hot spot, now I do not see much about it?

Have they just settled in to word of mouth and their current customer base, or did they change owners? or maybe they still do advertise and sponsor in other areas I just don't see?

 

[fcclone]

My wife and I liked the original location out by the interstate. My wife says the new one seems a little too corporate and commercial. But, it's always good food and in and out quickly. It's like our favorite BBQ place in KC is in an old gas station. We had BBQ at a place in Country Club Plaza and it just wasn't the same.

Sounds like Joe’s.

 

[Cyclone06]

Sounds like Joe’s.

Screw Joes (gas station)! 2 out of 3 times I went, they were sold out of burnt ends.

And the one time I was lucky enough to get burnt ends, the heavens opened and I saw the Lord. I will go back.

 

[SolarGarlic]

Did something change with West Town Pub? Seems a few years ago it was all the rage, they sponsored and advertised everywhere. Had advertisements at games etc. Everyone talked about that being the hot spot, now I do not see much about it?

Have they just settled in to word of mouth and their current customer base, or did they change owners? or maybe they still do advertise and sponsor in other areas I just don't see?

I never got the sense they were "all the rage" or a "hot spot" as much as it was a solid place on that part of town where you could go to watch a game, get a beer and passable bar food.

 

[TitanClone]

Sounds like Joe’s.

Yep the original Joe's is on 47th ST in a gas station, the one in the Plaza is likely Jack Stack. Q39 and LC;s are the 2 best in KC IMO.

 

[2speedy1]

I never got the sense they were "all the rage" or a "hot spot" as much as it was a solid place on that part of town where you could go to watch a game, get a beer and passable bar food.

True, it's more like they were promoting and sponsoring a lot, not so much a "hot spot". And seemed like a lot of people went to game watches there for a while. Not saying it was a spectacular place overall, just seemed like the place had more exposure a few years ago. And now not so much.

Food is decent enough, but I would overall say its similar to other sports bars around. Just seems to be falling off the map a bit.

 

[Cyrealist]

And the one time I was lucky enough to get burnt ends, the heavens opened and I saw the Lord. I will go back.

Best BBQ in KC, Joe's Kansas City Barbecue for those not yet blessed. For whatever reason, I'd swear it's better at the gas station than the other locations. The first time we went, I drove past three times thinking it was just a gas station.

 

[NWICY]

Best BBQ in KC, Joe's Kansas City Barbecue for those not yet blessed. For whatever reason, I'd swear it's better at the gas station than the other locations. The first time we went, I drove past three times thinking it was just a gas station.

Yeah my wife was skeptical when I took her there. LC's is the one that makes you wonder when finding it. Damn I love their beans though. Wings are good also. It's my personal favorite in KC. Haven't been to some of the newer ones like Q39 though.

 

[carvers4math]

West End Pub and Brick City are both standard bar and grills. Haven’t been to either in a while but preferred Brick City of the two. At least when we have gone it was faster and there just seems to be more light coming in. I like to see my food.

 

[Pat]

West End Pub and Brick City are both standard bar and grills. Haven’t been to either in a while but preferred Brick City of the two. At least when we have gone it was faster and there just seems to be more light coming in. I like to see my food.

We tried Brick City for the first time the year they won the “Best Burger in Iowa” award. Burger was fine; award lost all credibility.

 

[dafarmer]

Haven't been to Gates in K.C. lately, change in ownership or what. Always liked the old BBQ places.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Haven't been to Gates in K.C. lately, change in ownership or what. Always liked the old BBQ places.

I wasn't impressed with Gates. Better BBQ places in central Iowa, in my opinion. Joe's is hard to beat.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

In my experience, if I drive up to a restaurant during a normal dinner hour and it's easy to find a parking spot, alarm bells are already going off.

I’m not talking empty but give me Chick-fil-a levels of efficiency and service. You can move people through quickly (and also plan ahead to not run out of food).

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Brother in law just moved to St Louis. Hit me up with some good bbq spots there while we're at this please.

 

[Cyrealist]

We tried Brick City for the first time the year they won the “Best Burger in Iowa” award. Burger was fine; award lost all credibility.

What constitutes the Best Burger is obviously subjective.
"I like mine with lettuce and tomato
Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes
Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer"