The Food and Drink Guy

Category: Iowa_Outside DSM metro

  • Maid-Rite (Lamoni, IA) Review

    Maid-Rite (Lamoni, IA) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 5*

    Service: 4*

    06/09/2023 Maid-Rite (Lamoni, IA)

    Believe it or not, we’ve lived in Iowa for a year and a half now and this was our first stop at a Maid-Rite! We were traveling with friends to the Luke Combs concert in Kansas City and looking for a place to stop along the interstate. They recommended it based on their experiences with one in Illinois many years ago and we are so glad that we stopped.

    Although it is a technically a fast food restaurant where you order at the counter and they deliver your food to the table, the food was very good and the service was above average.

    Our group ordered a Tenderloin sandwich (see picture), several MEGA sandwiches (see picture), Sweet Potato Fries (see picture) and Fried Okra (see picture). Of course you have to have a MEGA when you stop, as it is what built the restaurant, but the Tenderloin and sweet potato fries as well as the okra were all very good. If you follow my posts, my sweet tooth is well documented…so I couldn’t leave this place without sampling a caramel shake – it was delicious and I highly recommend you finish your meal with one on your way out to the car.

    Yes, it is fast food, but this place is quite unique, is an Iowa institution and has a very nice attached Amish country store. Definitely worth a stop for lunch, dinner or one of their multiple sweets options!

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    MEGA
    Tenderloin
    Sweet Potato Fries
    Fried Okra

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  • Brazen Open Kitchen Bar (Dubuque, IA) Review

    Brazen Open Kitchen Bar (Dubuque, IA) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    06/06/2023 Brazen Open Kitchen Bar

    We were determined to have a steak tonight while in town on business travel and several other places that we checked weren’t open on a Tuesday night. This place is quite an impressive venue – wide open atmosphere that highlights the chefs in the kitchen and their work. The only thing holding this place back from a full 5* in my book is the value…as the pricing was quite high – but when you come here, it is probably for a special occasion!

    Due to the fact that we had already stopped at another venue for appetizers, I ended up going light and splitting the Ribeye (see picture) with a fellow employee. As you might expect in a restaurant of this quality, it was fantastic and one of the better ribeyes that I’ve had.

    As long as you come prepared for your meal being quite expensive, you definitely will be happy with the food, atmosphere and service. I would highly recommend a stop here for your next special occasion – just don’t forget to make reservations, as they are VERY busy.

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    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

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  • 7 Hills Brewing Company Review (Dubuque, IA)

    7 Hills Brewing Company Review (Dubuque, IA)

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    3.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 3*

    06/05/2023 7 Hills Brewing Company

    I’ve been here a few times on business trips but just finally posting some pictures along with my review. I’ve enjoyed sampling different beers on each visit and have also had food on at least one other occasion.

    Our table started with Hangry Sprouts, Curb Your Enthusiasm cheese curds and Zeit Bites (pretzel bread bites) – all of which were above average bar food (sorry, no pictures of them). For my meal, I ordered the Carolina Burger (see picture) with Sweet Potato Fries. While it was above average overall (especially the fries), I found the pulled pork on the burger to be quite dry. Another person at the table ordered the Lobster Mac & Cheese (see picture) and thought it tasted good – had just hoped there would be more lobster in it.

    If you are stopping by to try their beers, this is definitely a great stop and if you decide to add food to your stop, you can expect better than average appetizers and entrees.

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    Carolina Burger w/ Sweet Potato Fries
    Lobster Mac & Cheese

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  • Cafe Beaudelaire (Ames, IA) Review

    Cafe Beaudelaire (Ames, IA) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.5* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 5*

    Service: 5*

    05/25/2023 Cafe Beaudelaire

    This place was recommended by some locals while we were working at the Special Olympics in Ames, so stopped by to check it out at the end of the day before heading home. It is a very unique Brazilian-themed restaurant just across the street from the Iowa State campus with a good selection of beers and Brazilian-themed foods and mixed drinks.

    We started with drinks – a Pisco Sour and a Caipirinha (see picture). The locals highly recommended the Beaudelaire Bauru sandwich and while it looked delicious, we had already made plans with our wives after returning home, so weren’t able to sample it. The other item that was recommended though was the Brazilian Fries w/ mayo (see picture) and we were able to sample them. They were very good – crispy on the outside and warm and soft inside – with the mayo making a great dip pair.

    I can’t wait to return with my wife sometime and give the Beaudelaire Bauru a try. You definitely won’t regret stopping here for a bite to eat or a drink – good food, value, selection and service.

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    Brazilian Fries w/ Mayo
    Caipirinha
    Caipirinha

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  • Monarch Kitchen & Bar (Davenport, IA) Review

    Monarch Kitchen & Bar (Davenport, IA) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 3*

    Service: 4*

    04/20/2023 Monarch Kitchen & Bar

    We were looking for a place to stop for lunch before leaving the area and found this place. This appears to be a relatively new restaurant and I really liked the atmosphere inside and out (modern, clean and open) – and the food quality was excellent!

    For my main course, I ordered the Power Bowl with Grilled Chicken (see picture) and my wife ordered the Beef & Broccoli (see picture). As we always do, we shared tastes of each others dishes and found both of them to be quite delicious – so I’d highly recommend either if you are visiting. The quinoa was so tasty and the grilled chicken was done well – with a good amount of moisture intact. The Beef & Broccoli was a bit salty to our tastes (probably from the soy sauce), but still very tasty.

    I would highly recommend this place – while the value is a bit on the pricey side, if you can get past that – you will thoroughly enjoy a stop here.

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    Beef & Broccoli
    Power Bowl w/ Grilled Chicken

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  • Waveland Cafe West Booneville Bar (Booneville, IA) Review

    Waveland Cafe West Booneville Bar (Booneville, IA) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    3.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 3*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    01/04/2023 Waveland Cafe West Booneville Bar

    A great little ‘dive bar’ just southwest of the Des Moines metro. We rode here with friends who have eaten here before and were impressed with the food. They specialize in breakfast, advertise 1/2 pound hamburgers and have adjoined cafe and bar areas so you can enjoy a burger in the bar or a drink in the cafe.

    We were there for dinner and decided to go with their 1/2 pound burgers. Our neighbors said that was the only way to go, as they had ordered the smaller one once and were disappointed. Specifically, I ordered the big Hot Pepper Cheeseburger (see picture) and my wife ordered the big Wavelands Breakfast Burger (see picture). We shared and both enjoyed both burgers…so would highly recommend both of them based on your tastes. The buns were lightly toasted on the grill, the fries were crispy and there was plenty to eat.

    If you’d like to get out of the hustle of the big city and enjoy a tasty burger in a relaxed environment, give this place a try.

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    Hot Pepper Cheeseburger
    Wavelands Breakfast Burger
    Menu

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  • 7 Stars Family Restaurant (Clear Lake, IA) Review

    Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

    3.5* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 3*

    Atmosphere: 3*

    Value: 5*

    Service: 3*

    Stopped here for lunch during our drive home. It is a good, clean and modern restaurant with a small town cafe feel. The food was good as well as the value.

    My wife ordered the Mushroom Burger while I had the Chicken Noodle Soup.  We thought that both tasted very good – the soup was not watered down and actually was fairly thick.

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    For the best Happy Hours and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com

    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

  • Outskirtz Bar (Cumming, IA) Review

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 3*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 5*

    Service: 4*

    We stopped here for a diaper party this weekend and were impressed with the modern building and friendly service.  We enjoyed our stay and the nachos from The Chicken across the street were also good.  We would definitely go back again.

    If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. To receive Tweets of the latest Reviews, follow on Twitter: @TheFaDGuy

    For the best Happy Hours and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com

    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

  • Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor (Le Mars, IA) Review

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    4.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    Being a huge ice cream fan (have some almost every night before bed), I couldn’t wait to visit this place after hearing it was the Ice Cream Capital of the World.  We finally had a chance during a recent trip home when we had a little extra time to spare.

    The building was modern, clean and full of energetic employees and the ice cream was delicious.  There was a great gift store to complement the ice cream counter as well as a small media center / showhall that shows a history of the family and company.

    If you have the opportunity to swing a little out of the way on your trip up I-29, I highly recommend a quick stop in this quaint little town.

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    For the best Happy Hours and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com

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  • Wise I Brewing (Le Mars, IA) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.33* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: n/a

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    We stopped in LeMars for the Blue Bunny ice cream visitor center, then learned of Wise I as the location for Theology on Tap during Mass.  We couldn’t leave town without sampling another of my favorite things on my Birthday…

    There was nothing spectacular about the exterior, but the selection of beer was great as was the service.

    If you are in town for the ice cream, be sure to stop for some great beer also!

    If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. To receive Tweets of the latest Reviews, follow on Twitter: @TheFaDGuy

    For the best Happy Hours and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com

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  • Siamville Thai Cuisine (Cedar Rapids, IA) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.5* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    6/1/2012

    Food was great and the service was even better!

    If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. To receive Tweets of the latest Reviews, follow on Twitter: @TheFaDGuy

    For the best Happy Hours and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com

    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com