Ames, Iowa

We had two meals in Ames Iowa over the last week (our dog was at the Vet school for an experimental treatment). One was good, the other, not so.

Good -
Bali Satay House
2424 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
(515) 292-7719

Indonesian cuisine, quite tasty, and they have Mangosteen shakes, if you want one. The atmosphere is very funny - old style country music, MGD neon signs, and scattered pictures of Indonesian scenes. Their home-made hot sauce is not just hot, but has a very nice flavor. The owners were there and seemed quite nice. Our server, though nice, was very disorganized. And it was a bit unexpected to have chunks of what must have been Boca burgers in our tofu dish, though it didn't taste bad.

Not so good -
La Fuente Restaurant
217 S Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 233-6696

The salsa tastes like stewed tomatoes, and everything else was very greasy. The chips were good, I guess. We went on a recommendation from the hotel clerk who said it was GREAT.

And the iced coffee at Burgie's was tremendous. It's a coffee shop connected to a Conoco gas station. They sell their own beans, but we just got iced drinks to go. Who would think? Yet yum! They brew it really strong and refrigerate it so it doesn't melt the ice. It didn't taste like it had been sitting for ages, and this was 3 pm.

Burgie's Expresso Cafe
110 Airport Rd
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 233-9004

Glad someone added the Ames thread - it really was a missing link in the otherwise complete LTH atlas .

I have not been to Ames, but have had my share of "great" Iowa Mexican on my trips to the Quad cities, with recommendations as enthusiastic as you got, and pretty much identical results. I think that the paragon of Mexican food in Iowa is akin to the worst excesses of Tex Mex from the 50's - everything from a can, nothing too spicy (heaven forbid) or that would not fit in a Swanson Mexican TV dinner (but fresh from the can!).

This has been particularly mystifying to me in the Quad Cities, because there is a decent sized Mexican population, but apparently they either do not dine out, or they keep those places a secret from the broader populace.

A good Indonesian place is a treat. Hope the dog does well.

Maybe this is getting further from the purpose of this thread, but I just wanted it stated somewhere that the state of Iowa does have very good Mexican food: La Reyna, in Iowa City. It is an outgrowth of a small Mexican market (of the same name), near the K-Mart. I can vouch for the carne asada & the garlic shrimp, and she-- the owner/chef-- makes surprisingly rich and good salsa, which tastes fresh and involves avocados. And only two and a half hours from Ames!

Okay. Sorry. Please resume.

(La Reyna
1937 Keokuk St
Iowa City, IA 52240
319-358-8182)

I venture to Ames every year while visiting family and they strongly prefer...

Hickory Park Restaurant Co
1404 S Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 232-8940

Big place and they keep the customers moving.

While not the most awesome BBQ they do a good job and the sundae's are awesome.

Worth a visit.

Lucullan's in downtown Ames is pretty good simple Italian. They are (were) noted for their upside down crock pizzas and fish bowls full of liquor on fridays. Pasta is made fresh each day; fresh ingrediants are pretty much the rule. I worked there in college and visited about a year and a half ago on a trip back and all was pretty much the same. Ames is not the most interesting college town, and the food scene reflects it.

Just went to La Reyna in Iowa City for dinner. It's an excellent resto: the food is simple but accurate, and each dish tastes clean and distinct, no muddy flavors here at all. I persuaded the waitress to let me put a single relleno, enchilada suisse, and pork tamal together on an order, along with rice (which had been nicely fried) and beans. There was some use of cheese, but it was correct and discrete, with the relleno and the enchilada using different cheeses. I heard the owner talking about a hotter salsa with another customer, so I asked about it. He said, gesturing to the salsa verde that came with the introductory chips, "That one's for kids." The roja had a nice heat and a smoky flavor. Maybe some chipotle? After I told the waitress how much I was enjoying everything, she dropped a small bowl of a very nice guac.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Geo

Battles BBQ
218 Welch Ave
Ames, IA 50014-7177
(515) 292-1670

is always worth a visit - the BBQ sandwiches are great, especially the turkey. Get the hot sauce, not the mild, and make sure to order their hand squeezed lemonade! (and texas toast)

This might seem wierd, but one of the things I remember about visiting Ames -- and this was about 15 years ago -- was the quality of the water there. Regular tap water - tasted great. I even commented on it to my dinner hosts. It's one of the things they take pride in.

if you are looking for tasty beverages - the house drink at Welch Avenue Station

207 Welch Ave
Ames, IA
(515)292-2334

is the Pissed Off Japanese Minnow Farmer (try ordering that when you've had a few already)
the recipe is top secret, although years of experience allow me to now re-produce them when the mood hits.

Tastes like red kool-aid, but believe me, they are potent! I've never even heard of someone having more than 2.

And the iced coffee at Burgie's was tremendous. It's a coffee shop connected to a Conoco gas station. They sell their own beans, but we just got iced drinks to go. Who would think? Yet yum! They brew it really strong and refrigerate it so it doesn't melt the ice. It didn't taste like it had been sitting for ages, and this was 3 pm.

Burgie's Expresso Cafe
110 Airport Rd
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 233-9004

I grew up in Iowa and pass through Ames whenever we drive back to my hometown. Burgie's is a regular stop right before we get on/after we get off of I-35. It is an odd spot for such good coffee, but I am very glad it is there.

A five minute drive north of the dead mall on Highway 69 is the Suburban Restaurant outside Gilbert. Its at a corner with a Casey's General Store and cornfields in every direction. Its a family operation where every menu item is homemade, shortages are not uncommon in the afternoon. They won't let you buy an entire pie unless you pre-order in advance, because it wouldn't be fair to the regular customers.


This is the Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich that won an award a few years back, they really take time to get the breading to stick to the meat here.



http://www.suburbanrestaurant.com/

Nice quality on the close-up (and, evidently, on the tender, too! : )—how'd you do that, and with what?

Geo

Tyrgyzistan wrote:They won't let you buy an entire pie unless you pre-order in advance, because it wouldn't be fair to the regular customers.

I like their sense of fairness.

Loved their website:

We are located at 17029 Highway 69,

5 Miles North of Ames (Iowa) at the Gilbert Corner

1-515-232-3135

...

We have an Ames address and Ames water too!!

That "Ames water" must be something special, C2!

And you're right, that pie policy involves some true social justice: if you're a regular, and drive over expecting pie only to find out that a random traveller has bought out the place, you're justified in feeling unfairly treated.

Plus, it's good business. (Funny how often fairness and good business can intersect... )

Geo