Uptown Bar & Grill (Grimes, IA) Review

4.0* (out of 5)

Food: 5*

Atmosphere: 3*

Value: 4*

Service: 4*

05/12/2024 Uptown Bar & Grill

Yet another solid experience at the Uptown Bar & Grill – nothing stands out for atmosphere, but the Value & Service are above average and the Food is great! I couldn’t pass up the $2 beer special and today we went with the Breakfast Burger (see picture), Tater Tots (see picture) and Frisco Burger (see picture). We ordered the burgers medium rare and unlike other restaurants who deliver them well done anyway – they were actually served medium rare and were delicious!!

04/30/2023

We have been back a time or 2 since my first post in 2021, but didn’t eat a meal again until today. My wife was hungry for a hamburger and thought they looked good the last time that we were there with our neighbors, so that was our dinner destination. During our meal, we also got to participate in song BINGO, which was an enjoyable sidelight to our meal.

Tonight I ordered the Hot Sausage (see picture) per our waitress’ recommendation and my wife ordered the Jalapeno Blue Burger (see picture). As per our typical, we each shared our meals and both of us really enjoyed both sandwiches. Both had a bit of a nice spicy bite to them and both of them were a bit messy.

The Hot Sausage in particular was a 2 napkin meal at a minimum…very greasy and juicy from the sausage, melted cheese and marinara sauce – and OH so delicious! I thought the Hot Sausage tasted a bit like a grownup version of the pizza burgers I used to enjoy in small town diners as a teenager. The meat quality is much better though and the ciabatta bun is delicious. Keep in mind that neither come with a side, so the side salad shown with the Jalapeno Blue Burger was extra. I didn’t order a side and didn’t need it, as the Hot Sausage was more than enough to eat.

The food is above average for bar food and the service is quite good, so if you’re in the area I recommend that you stop in for a drink and some food.

09/2021

We stopped here after a search for a restaurant on our way home from golfing. We weren’t sure what to expect given that it was a smaller town bar, but left impressed and would definitely go back.

They had a better than average tap and canned beer selection and we caught the end of Sunday song BINGO – an interesting spin on an old classic game.

The food and service turned out to be the best parts though. Yes, it was bar food, but on the higher end of the scale – very fresh, tasty and prepared well. The waiter recommended a brand new special (Boursin Pesto Burger with a side – see picture), so I tried it. It was a 1/2 pound patty on a fresh light bun…and just might have been the best cheeseburger I’ve ever had! Messy, yes, but oh so delicious!

Also on the waiter’s recommendation, my wife ordered the Reuben (see picture) and she really enjoyed it (so did I…). For a smaller town Iowa bar, these folks take great care of you and the food is great!

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