The Food and Drink Guy

Tag: American

  • Pepperjax Grill (Clive, IA) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 3*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 3*

    Have wanted to stop to eat here for some time and finally took the opportunity.  I went with the server’s recommendation and ordered the Signature Steak Philly (see pictures) and oh, was it delicious!  Although it is essentially a fast food setup…go through the line, order and wait for your food at a table – the food was delicious.  If you like Philly sandwiches, you will definitely want to stop here.

    The only thing I was a little disappointed with was the cleanliness of the floor in the dining area.  The grease film on the floor near the beverage area left it feeling slippery and a cause for caution.  I did ask a lady who appeared to be a shift leader about it and she said that they were busy and hadn’t had a chance to clean the floor yet.

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  • The Walnut (Des Moines, IA) Review

    The Walnut (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 3*

    07/15/2022 The Walnut

    Had read about this place and drove by it several times before getting the opportunity to eat there this past Summer.

    My wife and I decided to order several appetizers so that we could experience more on the menu. We ordered the Loco Moco (see picture) on the waiter’s recommendation and really enjoyed it! The hamburger, gravy and egg combination were great together. We also ordered the Chipotle Chicken Tacos (see picture) – which we thoroughly enjoyed and would also recommend.

    If you are in the area, I highly recommend this place for their unique menu items. You won’t regret stopping by to give it a try.

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    Loco Moco
    Chipotle Chicken Tacos

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  • Cheese Bar (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Cheese Bar (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    3.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 3*

    Service: 4*

    06/24/2022 Cheese Bar

    Our friends invited us to a group outing here and we really enjoyed the experience. We started with drinks, including a Lost in the Woods (see picture) – which my wife loved.

    For dinner, we ordered a Cheese Meat Board (see picture) and the Fondue (see pictures) along with Loaded Fries (see picture) and Cheese Curds (see picture). All of them were fantastic – I can’t think of one to call out in particular, so would recommend them all! The Loaded Fries were creamy and cheesy while the Cheese Curds were rich yet light at the same time.

    This is truly a tasty experience that you will want to enjoy with someone special – I recommend it.

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    Loaded Fries
    Cheese Curds
    Fondue
    Fondue
    Cheese Meat Board
    Lost in the Woods

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  • Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery (Peoria, IL) Review

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    Stopped here for lunch on our way out of town following a business trip visit and enjoyed the experience.  The atmosphere in a remodeled Church is definitely unique.

    I ordered the Walleye Dinner special (see picture) and thought it was delicious – a lot of food and all of it was high quality.

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  • Milton’s (Crystal, MN) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    Our son suggested that we stop here for dinner and we really enjoyed the stop.  We arrived just before closing time, so were warned that they would be starting to clean up but it wasn’t an issue at all.

    The decor was a little tongue in cheek and self-depricating – and the service was great.  We ordered the Jerk Mac & Cheese with chicken (see picture) and it was delicious.  A son ordered the Russian Rye and another ordered the cheese burger – both really like the sandwiches and the fries were tasty and crispy.

    And we ended up with a carrot cake to go for our Easter dinner – gluten free deliciousness!

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  • Rookies Sports Bar & Grill (Clive) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    I’ve driven by here many times and haven’t stopped because it didn’t look like much from the outside.  However, I walked here during an oil change and am glad I did.

    I wasn’t even sure that it was open, as the dark tint on the exterior windows blocked out any activity or even beer lights from inside.  However, upon entering I was pleasantly surprised by the decor, friendly service, tap beer selection and food (french fries is all I had, but they had a larger menu).

    Update: My wife and I stopped here for lunch yesterday.  We ordered the blackened chicken quesadillas (see pictures) and really liked them.  They were fresh and tasty and the blackened chicken had just the right level of spiciness.

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  • Bierstube (Moline, IL) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    3.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 3*

    Stopped here for dinner while staying in downtown Moline and enjoyed the German food.  I really like red cabbage and hot German potato salad is also very good.  The red cabbage was delicious – you definitely want to order it.

    I ordered the Leberkäse Dinner lightly beer battered per the waitress’ suggestion.  It was good and I would recommend it.

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  • 701 Eateries (Fargo, ND) Review

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 3*

    Service: 4*

    We made reservations and met friends here while visiting in Fargo.  Reservations are right as it is a busy place and parking can bea but if a challenge (we had to park 3 blocks away).

    The decor is modern and chic and the servers were friendly.  My wife started with a Lingonberry Sour (see picture) and really liked it – tart and tasty.

    We started our meal with the Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates – delicious and highly recommended!  For our meals, my son ordered the Butcher Block Burger (see picture), my wife ordered the Prime Rib Sandwich (see picture) and I had the Nordic Salmon with Dill Sauce (see picture).  All tasted very good, but delivery took a long time and they were all barely warm when delivered.  I’m not sure if they were left on the counter accidentally or if they intentionally waited for something that took longer to prepare.

    Overall, the atmosphere was great, but the prices were a little high and the food and service were only a little above average.

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  • Say Cheese Mac & Melt (West Fargo, ND) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 3*

    Service: 4*

    After seeing a Facebook post of a morning TV live cooking event from my 1st cousin which featured her son cooking for the hosts, I had to try this place.  Anything that combines bbq meat and cheese has got to be good…

    The building and atmosphere were great…modern, clean, vibrant – with a little country music playing in the background.  You order at the counter, then take a number and they deliver it to your table.  I loved the presentation – a heavy cast iron skillet preloaded with a real metal fork…ready to be enjoyed.

    Per Parker’s recommendation, I ordered the BBQ Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese with Carolina Reaper cheese added – the ‘Parker Special’.  Boy was it delicious – moist, flavorful pulled pork, tangy bbq sauce, creamy cheese…and a little bite from the Carolina Reaper cheese!  I highly recommend this restaurant and this dish and can’t wait to return to try some other options.

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  • Porter Creek Hardwood Grill (Fargo, ND) Review

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    4.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    One of the best restaurants in Fargo.  This place is top-notch, with great food, service, place settings and cloth napkins.  Tonight I enjoyed Salmon along with Cream Caramel Cheesecake.

    Update following another visit…still great food and service.  There was a mixup on assigning a waitress to our table, initially causing a delay.  However, after they discovered the system error, they apologized and comped our appetizer.  I ordered the chicken and brie sandwich and my wife ordered the hanger steak.  I thought the chicken sandwich was very good…but the hanger steak was fantastic – extremely tender and full of flavor, as were the potatoes with horseradish sauce.  I highly recommend both meals.

    Update from March 2022:
    Once again, we left impressed after another great visit.  This time we enjoyed the great value of the late night 1/2 price drinks and apps Happy Hour.  We ordered Walleye Fingers and Seared Ahi and both were absolutely delicious and highly recommended.

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  • Clear Sky on Cleveland (Clearwater, FL) Review

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    4.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    Our son picked this place for a late lunch on the way to the aquarium and boy, did we enjoy our meal!

    The exterior was beautiful (see front and back entrance pictures) and the Corazón Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Reposado tequila drinks sign immediately captured my attention.  The bar was will stocked, the atmosphere was festive and the decor was modern and well lit.

    We first shared Pork Dumplings, then my wife ordered the Fort Harrison Steak and I opted for the Half Buffalo Chicken Salad.  All of the food was every bit as good as it looks in the pictures and then some…I highly recommend all of them.

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  • Yucatan Beach Stand Bar (Fort Myers Beach, FL) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    Stopped here for brunch before the beach and loved the atmosphere and food.  On the way in, we saw a friendly artist touching up the store sign (see picture) – who was more than happy to be a part of my review.

    We started with drinks and chips, guacamole and salsa (see picture).  The guacamole was great, but the chips seemed a little over cooked.  For lunch, I had the Shrimp Ceviche and my wife had the Blackened Shrimp Quesadillas (see pictures).  We really enjoyed both dishes – the ceviche was served with what seemed like a balsamic vinaigrette that tasted great as an add on, even though I hadn’t ever had it before.

    With the good selection of tap beers, tasty food and reasonable prices, I recommend it for a stop to eat.

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  • The Hall (West Des Moines, IA) Review

    Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

    3.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 3*

    Value: 3*

    Service: 3*

    We have been wanting to stop here for months following several recommendations and finally got our chance last night.  First off, you have to be ok with the open table seating common in many German bier halls and restaurants (long tables with benches that multiple parties share).  Secondly you order food from the QR code that is stamped on your table and then go up to the counter to pick it up once it’s ready.  Lastly and even though the bartender didn’t suggest this, rather than wait for all the beers to scroll through on the monitors above the bar you can log into Untappd and locate The Hall under venues to see the full list.

    We started with several beers (great selection, but pricey given that many come in 10oz glasses) and an order of Fried Brussel Sprouts.  The Brussel Sprouts and the aeoli we’re delicious and I highly recommend them when you go.

    For my meal, I ordered the Red Lager Brat with pretzel bun and a separate side order of sauer kraut.  As my last name would indicate I have a lot of German heritage and I loved both the sausage and the sauerkraut.  My wife ordered the Chicken Schnitzel with Curry Fries and we both really enjoyed them also.  The chicken was very moist and the curry ketchup on the fries wasn’t overpowering.

    The only real negative that we experienced was when we ordered a mixed drink before leaving.  My wife wanted a Paloma and while they couldn’t make that they said they could make a margarita.  The margarita came in a standard 16 oz beer glass, had a mushy brown and yellow lime wedge on the edge and my wife really disliked the flavor…thinking that something was missing.  Needless to say I would not recommend ordering a margarita here – go for the beer selection and German food.

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  • Wahlburgers @ HyVee (Waukee) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    Stopped for a beer before picking up my groceries.  Service was good and the beer was delicious.

    Update: Stopped for Happy Hour beer and appetizers tonight and were impressed with the quality of the food and the value.

    We ordered traditional Buffalo Wings and Our Burger Nachos and thought they were both very good.  The chips were thin and light with just enough toppings and the wings were meaty, moist and delicious.  Given the half price values it is definitely worth a stop during Happy Hour!

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  • Saints Pub & Patio (Waukee, IA) Review

    Saints Pub & Patio (Waukee, IA) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    09/04/2021

    We stopped here for an early dinner after golfing and both enjoyed our meals (see pictures).  The Saturday college football games were on the multiple TVs and we enjoyed sitting at an outside table.

    I ordered the Blackened Salmon and my wife ordered the Shrimp Tacos – the salmon was moist and tasty and the shrimp tacos were spicy and delicious.  Although the salmon was cooked to near perfection, I especially enjoyed the rice…not sure if it was a special variety or just cooked to the shorter end of the range, but it was plump and also firm.

    This place is definitely worth a stop to give it a try.

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  • The Boiler Room (Fargo, ND) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.5* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 5*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    8/14/2021

    Shout out to Megan and crew!  We were celebrating my friends Birthday and came into Boiler Room, not knowing they were closing in 15 minutes; Megan was so gracious and made us feel so welcome!  Service and hospitality was stellar!!  We highly recommend making the Boiler Room a must do when you are in Downtown Fargo!

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  • Lucky’s 13 Pub (Fargo, ND) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    8/14/2021

    We met or son here for breakfast Saturday morning primarily due to its proximity to his work location and all enjoyed our selections (see pictures).

    For starters, they bring you a bowl of popcorn (which was very good and not overly salty).  On the waitress’ recommendation, I ordered the Hangover Quesadilla (very good and fresh – see picture).  My wife ordered the Eggs Benedict (see picture) and my son ordered the Breakfast Burrito (see picture).  All were on the waitress’ recommendation list and all tasted great!

    You won’t regret stopping here for breakfast…lots of good options.

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  • Rock Elm at the Grove (Maple Grove, MN) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    4.0* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: n/a

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    8/8/2021

    Stopped to take advantage of the CraftApp special and enjoyed the atmosphere and tap beer selection (see pictures).  The service was good and the beer was cold.  They have $5 beers for Happy Hour every day from 3-6 and after 9.

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  • Lava Burgers and Wings (Owatonna, MN) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    3.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 3*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    8/6/2021

    Stopped here while driving through to Minneapolis and we’re impressed with the Volcano Burger.  The burger was large as was the helping of french fries.  I didn’t plan to eat but ended up eating half of it to help my wife.  Both the burger and the fries (crispy, seasoned crust and soft inside) were delicious.

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  • The Grumpy Goat Tavern (West Des Moines, IA) Review

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    3.75* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 3*

    8/1/2021

    Didn’t know this place was even here, but stopped here to pick up my wife after a work party and really liked the atmosphere.  Ideally I like to see more tap options with a greater variety (and they were sold out of my first 2 choices), but still liked the stop.

    We ordered blackened chicken quesadillas and smoked chicken wings appetizers and enjoyed both of them.

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