Around Ames/ISU

[musicboy]

As a 19 year resident of Ames here are some of my restaurant recommendations:

Chinese - CoCost or House of Chen
Thai - The Spice
BBQ - Battles
Pizza - Great Plains
Mexican - La Fuente

The Cafe is great and they have a varied menu. Hickory Park is probably the best value. Cafe Shi also has dishes that you won't find at an Applebees or Chiles.

If you are looking for something even more unique, Ames has many ethnic restaurants including The Scallion (Korean), an Indian place and even a Vietnamese restaurant.

 

[Angie]

Where are they moving to on West Lincoln Way? Any idea?

I think it has to be later this fall?? They're going to tear down the old Sears area and make a ped mall, from what I understand (I used to work in the mgmt office). I have to think that they're going to break ground soon?? I'll check the dates next time I'm up there!!

Cafe Shi has awesome curry, too.

 

[chuckd4735]

I've never made it for the buffet, but I'll do my best to try!! Usually end up going at night when it's all closed. I wonder if they do the buffet on the weekend??



The pad thai is all noodle-y, so it could be that! I was nervous about Thai, too - my only exposure had been Thai Kitchen, which had not been the greatest experience for me. Try their desserts - they are all gourmet!!

I want some CHC...!

I have an older menu here in my office from when they first opened, so it might not be accurate, but it says their buffet is Monday-Saturday 11- 4. The menu I have also says it includes a free soda, and I know that is no longer included.

 

[hoocher]

Anyone can go in there...You can even go into the University Bookstore and buy yourself some nice ISU garb and you'll officially be a fan!

ummm...that won't happen. My wife is an ISU grad and I like to tailgate at Trice and take in a game once in a while.

 

[ornryactor]

How in blazes have you people just spent three pages talking about Chinese food in Ames, and not mentioned Little Taipei? You're insane. Little Taipei is the best in Ames, period. If you don't believe me, then ask the Chinese nationals, because that's where they go. I tried Chinese Homestyle once and threw it in the garbage; it was horrible. Cocost and May House are (literally) exactly the same- same family, same menu, same food. It's not bad, but it's not great. I'll go there if I'm eating with friends who insist on it. I've never had New China out next to West Cyde Wings, and I've never had House of Chen. Are either of those places casual (like take-out) or are they sit-down restaurants?

I've had a solid vendetta against Golden Wok ever since high school thanks to their chain-wide horrible food, but it sure looks like the owners of Little Taipei recently bought it out and are now operating both restaurants. Anybody know anything about this? I keep seeing the GW cars in the LT parking lot, and I got a flyer shoved under my door that has the LT menu on one side and the GW menu on the other, with the same phone number for each.

As for Thai, both places are great. The Spice is wonderful, but it's a sit-down place and it's also kinda pricey. Thai Kitchen (on Chamberlain in Campustown) is a casual place and much cheaper. Their pad key mao is amazing... aaaand now I'm hungry.

 

[cyrevkah]

Great, I'm going grocery shopping soon, and now I'm really hungry

Well, I spent $20 more than I ment to.

Thanks for all of the good Chinese food ideas!

 

[hoocher]

Unless you happen to be a hawkeye like hooch.

In that case, there's always stuff floating on the top of Lake Latrine :wink:

I'll save that for you bader...after all Lake Latrine is on YOUR campus!

 

[cyrevkah]

 

[cyrevkah]

Soon, we'll be hearing about the food in the parkinglot!

 

[Palmer]

wonder when they will remove the 'whirley butts' from the top deck?

 

[d4nim4l]

Soon. I seem to think they were adding the new logos here in the next week. Should be done for the home opener.

 

[aeroclone]

wonder when they will remove the 'whirley butts' from the top deck?

The better question is, what are they going to do with them? I could think of a few ways to use one.... anybody got the hookup on that?

 

[bmuff]

Little bit of trivia for you - the bookstore makes almost nothing on books. Their revenue is mostly driven by people buying clothes and stuff like that. That's why it was a big benefit to expand.

OK, I have a hard time believing that. Maybe on NEW books, but when you buy a book for $75 and sell it back for $15, I'd think that there is a nice profit margin there.

 

[bmuff]

The HUB right outside of the library usually grills burgers, brats, chicken...at least they did before they renovated it. I believe they even have like coleslaw and macaroni salad type deals. I don't know if they are open this summer at all as I haven't been around that area but when they were open I'd go there 3-4 times a week and have a delicious lunch!

Now the grill is inside. They have the same menu, but there's a condiment bar and they also sell cold sandwiches. Caribou Coffee is right beside the ISU Dining grill. Not tons of room in there, but it looks like a bunch of seating is going to be opening up soon.

 

[Psyclone]

Flying Burrito

I was referring to Home Style Chinese (It's an actual restaurant) It's in the same parking lot as Flying Burrito, just down that hill.

Either there or Cocost on Welch.....mmmmmmm

Where is the Flying Burrito? Describe it relative to the Home Town Pub or if it is in another area of town, what is it close to using references that have been there for a while for an out-of-towner?

 

[IcSyU]

wonder when they will remove the 'whirley butts' from the top deck?

The better question is, what are they going to do with them? I could think of a few ways to use one.... anybody got the hookup on that?

One of those would look great in the ol' front yard :yes::biglaugh:

Seriously though, that'd be awesome.

 

[BryceC]

OK, I have a hard time believing that. Maybe on NEW books, but when you buy a book for $75 and sell it back for $15, I'd think that there is a nice profit margin there.

I know, it's a common misconception. The Bookstore is also not the one that purchases most of the old books. Some outside vendor does that, at least that's how it was when my wife worked in their accounting department.

On new books especially, if a book cost 75 bucks, the bookstore would make literally about 2 dollars.

 

[theshadow]

Re: Flying Burrito

Where is the Flying Burrito? Describe it relative to the Home Town Pub or if it is in another area of town, what is it close to using references that have been there for a while for an out-of-towner?

FB is on Lincoln Way, just west of the gas station at LW and Sheldon (opposite corner of Clyde Williams Field).

Taco Bell
Sheldon Ave.
gas station
Chinese place
Flying Burrito
house
Hyland Ave.

 

[ketelmeister]

We bought the last ISU rug at Lowes in Ames. The HOK stuff is all they have left, the isu stuff is gone!!!

 

[Aclone]

I've never had New China out next to West Cyde Wings, and I've never had House of Chen. Are either of those places casual (like take-out) or are they sit-down restaurants?

Chen is sit down--and I'd agree it was the best in Ames for ages I moved four years ago).

I was back in Ames a couple of weeks ago, and was astounded at all the changes. Did O'Malley and McGee's really close? I saw lights on when i went past.