In Memoriam: Ames Business/Restaurants

[usedcarguy]

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.

IIRC, (it's been more than a few years and happened before my time) the Old George's clan waaaay back in the day had a restaurant in Ames...like maybe in the 60s? Anyway, the story I was told was that Bill George (from Nevada and no relation) had worked for them for a bit back in day before opening in Nevada. I can't remember who told me, but I think it was one of the Old George's family members. It would explain the similarities in style.

Bill passed away in 2009 and Sharyl in 2013. Sharyl worked at Kum & Go for several years in "retirement." She was a hard worker.

 

[Crookedhatkid]

Both Georges locations used grind their own sausage in house. I think that is why it was always so good.

 

[BCClone]

Both Georges locations used grind their own sausage in house. I think that is why it was always so good.

I Don’t mind getting my sausage ground in house.

 

[Crookedhatkid]

I Don’t mind getting my sausage ground in house.

I knew how it sounded. I just couldn’t think of a better way to word it lol

 

[NickTheGreat]

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.

I remember that Minsky's in the early oughts. MY parents took me there because they loved it when they were at ISU in the late 70's. I don't remember much about it, but I don't think I ever went back.

 

[Cyforce]

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.

Was in their one night and kid asked the dad about some mold on the cheese. Dad freaked out.

 

[casey1973]

Was it the Red Ram?

It was Reflections. Dance floor was right in the middle. Wild times in there! For me anyway!

 

[casey1973]

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.

LOL That was Biill George and I'm pretty sure some of those long ashes from his cigarettes dropped in the crusts he was flipping around! And selling chicken gizzards was not one of my favorites there but they seemed to be popular.

 

[t-noah]

LOL. Anybody mention Bee Vee's yet???

 

[exCYtable]

I remember that Minsky's in the early oughts. MY parents took me there because they loved it when they were at ISU in the late 70's. I don't remember much about it, but I don't think I ever went back.

Was this Minsky's the same chain that is fairly popular in the Kansas City area today? I've always wondered.

 

[usedcarguy]

Was this Minsky's the same chain that is fairly popular in the Kansas City area today? I've always wondered.

Yes, it is. Can't believe they have 18 locations now.

 

[ISU22CY]

I'm sure this has been discussed in this thread but I'm too lazy to go back through 44 pages worth. Where the current CVS is on the corner of Welch and Lincoln what has all been there over the years? Sort of looking for what was there prior to 2011. Headliners?

 

[JP4CY]

I'm sure this has been discussed in this thread but I'm too lazy to go back through 44 pages worth. Where the current CVS is on the corner of Welch and Lincoln what has all been there over the years? Sort of looking for what was there prior to 2011. Headliners?

Charlie Yokes?
People's bar and grill for a long time with a high class basement cocktail bar named Lumpys.
Was a drug store before all of that.

 

[clonefreek]

No idea if its been mentioned but I am sure it has but The Fox Lounge (or bar?) dont remember its been so long but that place use to be awesome.

 

[mapnerd]

No idea if its been mentioned but I am sure it has but The Fox Lounge (or bar?) dont remember its been so long but that place use to be awesome.

Wasn't it technically The Fox Lounge 1 (but there was no Fox Lounge 2)? Also, they were famous for karaoke right? And like a weird salsa or taco bar or something. It was kind of where Aldi's is now if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Angie]

Wasn't it technically The Fox Lounge 1 (but there was no Fox Lounge 2)? Also, they were famous for karaoke right? And like a weird salsa or taco bar or something. It was kind of where Aldi's is now if I'm not mistaken.

Run by the guy who looked remarkably by Alan Jackson.

 

[Entropy]

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.

When I found that place that became a go to pizza spot (over Great Plains) downtown. Classic hole in the wall atmosphere.

 

[TXCyclones]

I'm sure this has been discussed in this thread but I'm too lazy to go back through 44 pages worth. Where the current CVS is on the corner of Welch and Lincoln what has all been there over the years? Sort of looking for what was there prior to 2011. Headliners?

People's Bar, and before that it was People's Drug.

 

[Crookedhatkid]

Wasn't it technically The Fox Lounge 1 (but there was no Fox Lounge 2)? Also, they were famous for karaoke right? And like a weird salsa or taco bar or something. It was kind of where Aldi's is now if I'm not mistaken.

There used to be a bar across the street from where the Chick-Fil-A is called The Fox. But it was famous for All You Can Drink Wednesday and the worlds smallest patio.

 

[theshadow]

Wasn't it technically The Fox Lounge 1 (but there was no Fox Lounge 2)? Also, they were famous for karaoke right? And like a weird salsa or taco bar or something. It was kind of where Aldi's is now if I'm not mistaken.

Fox I was in Ames. There was a Fox II in Marshalltown (in the late 70s, anyway).

The Ames location is now a parking lot behind Chipotle.