In Memoriam: Ames Business/Restaurants

Ms3r4ISU

Me: Mea culpa. Also me: Sine cura sis.
Staff member
Bookie
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
May 7, 2008
12,834
8,409
113
Ames
IIRC, Minskis moved from campustown to at one point the old car dealership on West Lincoln (current business is Szechuan House).

I feel like it was the Jim Wagner Nissan or Wilson Toyota?
A “long” time ago Shakey’s Pizza was west on Lincoln Way on the north side. Also, see @theshadow post #834.
 

alarson

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 15, 2006
59,367
73,845
113
Ankeny
IIRC, Minskis moved from campustown to at one point the old car dealership on West Lincoln (current business is Szechuan House).

I feel like it was the Jim Wagner Nissan or Wilson Toyota?

That is correct

tT2vOBO.jpeg


They weren't there very long though.
 

theshadow

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2006
19,934
19,579
113
A “long” time ago Shakey’s Pizza was west on Lincoln Way on the north side. Also, see @theshadow post #834.

Minsky's did have a Campustown location in the late '90s, and moved out on west Lincoln Way in the early '00s (opened in '02 or '03).

The west Lincoln Way site was previously Toyota/Mazda of Ames, and later hosted Cazador and Szechuan House.

4
 

Ms3r4ISU

Me: Mea culpa. Also me: Sine cura sis.
Staff member
Bookie
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
May 7, 2008
12,834
8,409
113
Ames
Minsky's did have a Campustown location in the late '90s, and moved out on west Lincoln Way in the early '00s (opened in '02 or '03).

The west Lincoln Way site was previously Toyota/Mazda of Ames, and later hosted Cazador and Szechuan House.

4
Wasn’t in or near Ames then - early 90s - probably why I didn’t know that. Minskys was in campustown at least late 70s-early 80s.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: cyputz

JP4CY

Lord, beer me strength.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2008
74,184
94,930
113
Testifying
Probably already posted (even by me) but wasn't Minskis and Pancheros where Mickeys is at?
 

JP4CY

Lord, beer me strength.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2008
74,184
94,930
113
Testifying
All I know is someone needs to find the recipe for the old Georges Pizza that used to be on South Duff by the mini golf course and resurrect that masterpiece. Still the best sausage pizza I've ever had.
I actually liked the gyros the most.
 

Mr Janny

Welcome to the Office of Secret Intelligence
Staff member
Bookie
SuperFanatic
Mar 27, 2006
42,687
33,620
113
All I know is someone needs to find the recipe for the old Georges Pizza that used to be on South Duff by the mini golf course and resurrect that masterpiece. Still the best sausage pizza I've ever had.
Truth. Fantastic, thin crust pizza. The south Duff spot was actually their second location. They moved from Main street, and then moved again over by West Towne Pub before they went out of business. Ames has nothing like their pizza anymore.
 

theshadow

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2006
19,934
19,579
113
A “long” time ago Shakey’s Pizza was west on Lincoln Way on the north side.

Shakey's (1967-77, 3615 LW) was in a building later occupied by:
a bank (1978-85/86)
a telemarketing company (1987)
a video rental store (Movies To Go, 1988-97?; Video Update, 1997?-2002)
Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits (2002-12)
and now Alpha Copies (2013-present)
 

Cyforce

Well-Known Member
Nov 24, 2009
17,161
13,033
113
Des Moines
All I know is someone needs to find the recipe for the old Georges Pizza that used to be on South Duff by the mini golf course and resurrect that masterpiece. Still the best sausage pizza I've ever had.
George's on Lincoln way in Nevada re opened a few years back. Thin crust a bit on the greasy side but in a good way.
 

exCYtable

Well-Known Member
Apr 15, 2010
4,751
8,409
113
George's on Lincoln way in Nevada re opened a few years back. Thin crust a bit on the greasy side but in a good way.

The Georges in Nevada is separate from the one that used to be in Ames. Different owners, different style. It's still around (moved to Main Street) and is a longtime classic as well. Original husband/wife owners used to chainsmoke and fight like cats and dogs while making pizzas in the 80s and 90s.
 

BCClone

Well Seen Member.
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Sep 4, 2011
67,495
63,509
113
Not exactly sure.
The Georges in Nevada is separate from the one that used to be in Ames. Different owners, different style. It's still around (moved to Main Street) and is a longtime classic as well. Original husband/wife owners used to chainsmoke and fight like cats and dogs while making pizzas in the 80s and 90s.
Do you pronounce the “s” or is it like georges N?
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Angie

CycloneBob

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2010
846
343
63
Ames
Does anyone else remember a King's Food Host. You had a telephone at your booth and called back to the kitchen area with your order. I think it was at the corner of Lincolnway and 69.

Yes, they had great onion rings.

Also, a Charco's on S. Duff, west side.
 

CycloneBob

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2010
846
343
63
Ames
Ok my bad if that disco lounge was brought earlier. What again was the name of that place pretty close to where Grandon Funeral home is now. So dark in there and had a pretty good dance floor in the 70's. Thanks. Spent some crazy times in there!

Was it the Red Ram?
 

KidSilverhair

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2010
10,832
21,320
113
Rapids of the Cedar
www.kegofglory.blogspot.com
The Georges in Nevada is separate from the one that used to be in Ames. Different owners, different style. It's still around (moved to Main Street) and is a longtime classic as well. Original husband/wife owners used to chainsmoke and fight like cats and dogs while making pizzas in the 80s and 90s.

Seems like nearly every town of a certain size has a George’s Pizza, often run by a Greek family, with greasy, delicious pizza. When I went to school at Central College, Pella had one like that.
 

Winchester

Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
May 27, 2020
40
14
8
Does anyone else remember a King's Food Host. You had a telephone at your booth and called back to the kitchen area with your order. I think it was at the corner of Lincolnway and 69.
Current credit union building.