| Restaurant Name | City |
Rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Carlos O'Kelly's | Iowa City, IA | |
|
The service is generally good. It used to be all non smoking, but
they changed back to 1/2 & 1/2 around May of 2003. The only
complaint I have about that is that for part of their non-smoking
area you have to go smack dab through the bar (smoking area). But
if you say something they'll take you the other way and you
won't have to fool with it. As for the food I think it's
quite good. Much better than fast food dining.
|
||
| Village Inn | Iowa City, IA | |
|
In general it's good sit-down eating. Typical menu including
ranges of American entres, and plenty of breakfast items. Late
night service can be hit and miss, but doesn't take away from
the overall eating experience.
|
||
| Airliner Pizza & Restaurant | Iowa City, IA | |
|
I've gotten delivery frequently from Airliner (thanks
to my wife) and personally I think it's hit and miss. When
we get pizza I usually think it's quite good. However, when
we get entres it is typically cold by the time it gets to us, and
we only live about 1.5 miles from the restaurant. I don't
suggest it as a first choice delivery, but their eat in would be
right around average.
|
||
| Pancheros | Iowa City, IA | |
|
Their burritos are inded huge, and they make their tortillas
fresh. Their overall menu is limited, but they are very good at
what they do - Burritos, Burritos, Burritos.
|
||
| La Casa Ltd | Iowa City, IA | |
|
Quality of food is a step above Carlos O'Kelly's but
it's location makes it less of an impulse choice. Their service
has always been professional and prompt.
|
||
| Mondo's Sports Cafe | Iowa City, IA | |
|
Very good pasta. In fact, top notch. Their bread is always incredibly
fresh, and makes for a unique (free) appetizer when used with
oil, pepper, and parmesan.
|
||
| Highlander Prime Grille | Iowa City, IA | |
|
We found this restaurant to be surprisingly poor. I had always
heard very good reviews among friends, and we chose to eat there
after an inlaw's wake (not close family, so grief wasn't
a factor with this review). Just to set one thing straight before
I rant, our waitress was VERY professional, and very appologetic
about our experience. However, we had a part of approximately
12 people. The restaurant was relatively empty with only 2 other
people there when we arrived. Our initial drink order was taken
immediately by the pleasant waitress. However, after our drink
order a group of approximately 8 people arrived. Subsequently
our service response time took a nose dive. Now remember, there
are at this point approximately 22 to 24 people in the entire restaurant
at 7:30pm on a Wednesday. Service calls to our table now stretched
to 20 to 25 minutes between each one, and by the time our food arrived
it was VERY cold - much of it undercooked. I spoke with the assistant
manager, as a full manager was not on site, and he was entirely
clueless as to what to do. He continually walked back to the bar
to call someone (presumably the full manager) to confir about
each segment of our conversation. Needless to say the entire
meal ended up being comped. But considering that the best thing
about the meal was the water, that doesn't say much. I would
be very cautious about patroning this Hotel Restaurant.
|
||
| Sams Pizza | Iowa City, IA | |
|
Above average - off the beaten path pizza place. But considering
this is a college town that isn't surprizing. Their prices
are good for what you get, and I've never had a bad pizza.
|
||
| Charlie's Bar & Grill | Coralville, IA | |
|
Very average food for a bar & grill. I agree that as a bar the
atmosphere is actually very fun. Good music and plenty of games
to play with a group of friends. But their food beyond appetizers
is hit and miss at best.
|
||
| Chili's Bar & Grill | Coralville, IA | |
|
It's location is great - next to the mall. Their sandwiches
are very good in both taste and size - combining with very reasonable
cost to make for a good value. Their appetizers range from the
economical, but very tasty, bottomless bowl of tortilla chips
(salsa is free, but I recommend spending the 2 bucks to get the
queso dip MMMMMMM good), to quesadias and egg rolls. They also
have boneless buffalo chicken, which is superb.
|
||
| Hunan Restaurant | Coralville, IA | |
|
I'm not typically a Chinese food eater, but I have to admit
that the range of choices (and their preparation / flavor) is
very good. Their spices typically do not hit the top of the fire
scale (which I personally would change) but they have very good
flavor throughout. Their service is always very friendly, and
professional, although if you have specific requests (or are
just looking for your party that has arrived already) please
be patient as they are indeed "authentic" Chinese
servers. (Kudos to that!)
|
||
| Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon | Coralville, IA | |
|
I'll start with my one and only complaint about it - their
idea of a barrier between smoking and non is a 4 foot high partition.
And all I'll say about that is DUH (well maybe also if you get
a non smoking booth next to it ask politely to be moved). Now as
for the food, I think it's about 2 steps above average. I'm
a farmer who is very familiar with home grown beef, and for a chain
location theirs is well above average. It is also prepared to
your specifications almost flawlessly. I tend to like the decor
(wood floors and Western theme), but I was very glad when they
did away with the line-dancing for their servers. Way too corny.
Their appetisers are good, but if you don't like greasy,
I'd stay away from them. Personally I gobble them up. Usually
a line to get in at the typical times of week, but it always moves
relatively fast.
|
||
| Mondo's | Coralville, IA | |
|
Their pasta dishes rival anything in town (even Olive Garden),
and their bread is to die for. Their service is typically above
average, and they are 100% non smoking (at least they were as of
July 2003 - my last visit). My only regret is that I don't think
of eating there as often as I'd like.
|
||
| Panera Bread | Coralville, IA | |
|
You won't expect such good bread / bagels in a mall restaurant.
Their bagels are outstanding, if not typically overpriced.
But after a day of fighting idiot shoppers it provides a welcome
respit.
|
||
| Perkins Restaurant | Coralville, IA | |
|
Overall a C- or even a D+ for a Perkins. I usually love to eat at this
chain, but this particular one does indeed have it's problems.
The portions are typically smaller than the average Perkins,
and their food preparation can be hit and miss. It is OK if you aren't
expecting too much, but don't be prepared to be blown away.
|
||
| Iowa River Power Co | Coralville, IA | |
|
The food can range from Outstanding to Average. The service has
always been above average, and their prices are in line with a
slightly above scale restaurant. My parents tend to choose it
as their first choice when in town, and we have a special occasion.
It has a nice atmosphere, with a good view of the river. I've
never walked away dissapointed (although frequently over-full).
|
||
| Sluggers Neighborhood Grill | Coralville, IA | |
|
Good to great sandwiches, and their onion ring appetiser plate
is always very hot (which is surprising considering it is out
to you almost as fast as you can order it). If you want their food
during a sporting event, however, I'd recommend ordering
takeout - it is packed. Otherwise it has average attendance,
with zero to average wait during peak times.
|
||
| Pines Steak House | Atlantic, IA | |
|
This restaurant used to be an awesome small town (moderate scale)
steak house with a wait on weekends that could be upwards of 2 hours.
HOWEVER, since a change of ownership in the late 80's or early
90's it has become average at best. It is still a good place
to get a decent steak, seafood, or chicken - and is above average
for the location - but it won't blow your mind. If you want
a similar menu, but much better preparation, atmosphere, and
overall experience travel the 20 miles east to The Redwood in
Anita.
|
||
| La Casa Grande | Atlantic, IA | |
|
A surprisingly good Mexican themed restaurant for this size
town (7 to 8 thousand residents). Their food is always fresh,
and very reasonably priced.
|
||
| Subway | Atlantic, IA | |
|
Typical Subway chain fair. They have limited eat-in space however,
so plan on getting it to go. Their service is friendly an above
average amount of the time.
|
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