jwagnerdsm's Profile
Mason City- steaks
I hear positive comments about Northwestern Steakhouse in Mason City. Never been there myself. But some associates claim they are the best steaks in the world. Lemme know what you think.
Springfield to KC to STL to Chicago - roadtrip recs please !
"Korma Sutra - Great Indiana Buffet Lunch"
Dying to know what is featured in an Indiana Buffet lunch. Breaded Pork Tenderloins? :)
[MSP] Trip Report: State Fair, Superamerica, Family Lao Thai Restaurant, and Everest on Grand
nice report. Thanks for sharing.
Sioux City-Suggestions??
Try Miles' Inn for a Charlie Boy, a kind of loose meat. The beer there isn't local but they serve it in big icy schooners. It's a legendary locale.
Iowa State Fair Food
The Iowa State Fair started yesterday. Last year, I got some good feedback from 'hounds regarding a food finder I put together for the fair. This year, as part of a citizens' journalism project, I built an interactive map of the fairgrounds. Click on the silverware icons to see my impressions of various food stands around the grounds. http://www.iowastatefair.me/map
Hope you enjoy it. I'll continue to update it and answer food-related questions about the fair here.
Decorah IA
Gunder is a pretty 15 minute drive and the Irish Shanti has good sandwiches including the biggest cheeseburger you'll ever encounter. Splitting one might be romantic.
Ruby's has great breakfasts.
Good place for lunch in Moline, IL or Davenport, IA?
Can go wrong with the Faithful Pilot or Sneaky Pete's.
Dos Rios in Des Moines
I am so glad to hear you say that, Bob. If you are skeptical of it then I don't feel so out-of-step. I am going to west-central Iowa tomorrow and hope to try a good ol' fashioned breaded pork tenderloin and a Milwaukee's Best at one of the fine establishments in the Manning / Manilla / Audubon area.
Dos Rios in Des Moines
The honeymoon for this overhyped Mexican joint on Court Avenue is over. I can't believe the number of people who are complaining about the awful service at Dos Rios. I went in twice hoping to try a spot of food and a Negro Modelo and left both times without getting served. The bartender at Dos Rios is indifferent to anyone but a few regulars. I suppose it's just as well since the tableside guacamole for $14 seemed a little much for me and paying more than $10 for a cocktail seems excessive to me when there is good, affordable food available elsewhere in town. The space is gorgeous and I like the buzz it adds, but I hate the pretentiousness of the place.
Festa Italia in DSM
Great warm-up for the Iowa State Fair, I am guessing. What's good to eat there?
Springfield to KC to STL to Chicago - roadtrip recs please !
And adjacent to the baseball museum is an equally outstanding jazz museum.
Springfield to KC to STL to Chicago - roadtrip recs please !
I hate to say this but I ate at Cozy Dog last summer and we underwhelmed. And I an far from a snob when it we're talking diner food. It's fun in a Stuckey's meets Applebee's (cover the walls with memorabilia) but the food was nothing special the day we were there and I remember being surprised by the price.
I do remember a decent Italian restaurant downtown that was open on the night we were there.
Best Chinese in Des Moines
jaminksi,
I haven't tried Saigon Cafe but I always assumed it wasn't Chinese since, well, Saigon isn't in China. Silly reason to steer clear of it because I do like Chinese but I've always gone to A Dong when that's what I wanted.
first sonic in minnesota, what the..?
Bob,
We occasionally eat at the one on Merle Hay, which technically is the suburbs but barely. I like their chili dogs and malts / slushes and think their rings are pretty good. I also like some of their burgers on toast. Except for Hardees, I guess it's my favorite fast food burger joint in town. Except for Be-Bops. And Culvers. Ah, heck, maybe it isn't that great. But it is cheap.
Best Chinese in Des Moines
We're blessed with a lot of good Asian joints in town, particularly Thai and Vietnamese. The only decent Chinese I've found in town is the Mandarin for sit-down and Taste of China for takeout. We tried Hunan Palace and were disgusted and don't think much of the all-you-can -eat buffets in terms of quality. What am I missing?
dsm - Gateway Market on Bon Apetit top 10 list
Sarcasm? The best thing about the original is that you don't have to dodge a parade of mini-van drivers with cell phones to their ears to get to the store.
Have you ever successfully recreated a fast food or chain food item at home?
Than you aren't replicating it, you are improving it. I'm not suggesting that's a bad thing, I was just curious.
What is minneapolis's signature dish?
Bob,
Whenever someone mentions the Salted Nut Roll I think about the bizarre conversation I once had with our junior senator from our state who talked for 20 minutes about his love of it.
Have you ever successfully recreated a fast food or chain food item at home?
I like recreating a lot of this stuff and even trying to improve on it, a bit. I always wondered what the point of making salad dressing is, though, since I don't think you can make it for less money? Just curious.
dsm - Gateway Market on Bon Apetit top 10 list
I like the big italian roast beef sandwich that they have there. But I can't think of too many sandwich that I wouldn't eat there. And, of course, the bread is a great reason why. The soups are also very good. Looking forward to the completion of the sculpture garden because it will be a great spring or early fall lunch spot.
dsm - Gateway Market on Bon Apetit top 10 list
I am thinking about South Union, which is next door to Centro. Sorry to talk in code, Bob. The Hot Italian Sub sound like a winner and the bread at Gateway can't be beat.
dsm - Gateway Market on Bon Apetit top 10 list
http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2008/08/hot_ten_sandwich_shops
Gateway was named to Bon appetit list of best sandwich shops in the U.S. I have to say I am a little surprised, although I think it's a fine place for lunch. I like George's shop next door to Centro better for sandwiches. And, I would rather eat a Bread Pork Tenderloin or a Gunder Burger. Other Iowa places that were overlooked?
Decorah IA recs?
Gunder for the Irish Shanti world famous Gunder burger, it's a bit of a drive but worth it. Or, you can go to St. Olaf for what is arguably the best tenderloin in the state. And, you can't go wrong fwith ruby's for a grand breakfast.
Black Hills dining
Alpine Inn, Hill City. But all they serve is filet and they don't take reservation so get their early or prepare to wait
Good eats in South Dakota?
As I've mentioned before, the filet at the Alpine Inn at Hill City in the Black Hill is legendary.
Quick Iowa Question for Jwag
Bob,
Just saw this post. Did you save the dog and did you try the Waverly Sale Barn?
