Dinner in Ames?

[peatyscotch]

For food quality meaning tasty, fresh and perfectly prepared, The Cafe is the hands down the best for dinner. We eat there frequently and have for many years, and we have NEVER had a poor quality meal. If your wife likes carrot cake, their's is awesome. The Cafe is more like bistro dining; we find it probably the best restaurant if we want to eat healthy foods.

Aunt Maude's is pretty good if you want to go a bit upscale, but in our experience, they are not as consistent as The Cafe, even though they have the same owners.

Provisions is pretty good too, but the decor leaves me cold, so I am not a fan. Food is pretty good and service is always excellent.

For something different but pretty good quality, Wasabi in Somerset is pretty good, but you need to like somewhat spicey food.

You said no BBQ. If you don't mind pub food, Wallaby's has been mentioned. I consider their Hickory bacon hamburger one of the best in the state. Fries are bit too salty for my taste so I order them without salt.

For specialty restaurants, we enjoy Mucky Duck for British pub food and Dublin Bay for a more Irish tilt. You sound like us, since we avoid chains when we can. Just not our cup of tea. Besides, it's a tough industry to survive in, so I like to spend my dollars in a Mom and Pop place.

Different strokes for different folks. Hope you enjoy the game and the dinner.

 

[casey1973]

I think all three are owned by the same people right?

Ya but I think its changed a bit atleast in % of ownership now.

 

[pourcyne]

The Iowa Stater. Always good, tasty, and classy.

Restaurants in Ames Iowa | The IowaStater Restaurant

Enjoy a relaxing dining experience at one of the most popular restaurants in Ames Iowa, the IowaStater Restaurant.

www.theiowastaterrestaurant.com

 

[AuH2O]

I’ve never understood the love for Maude’s. Pretty good but nothing amazing for the cost. I like the Cafe and Provisions, but it depends on what is on the menu. I like Dublin Bay but the menu isn’t for everyone.

 

[brianhos]

Cafe is the best in Ames.

 

[NWICY]

This Saturday night I’ll be bringing my wife to her first game in Hilton (and my first game since probably 1995) and I need some help choosing a good place to eat after the game. I’m not interested in BBQ, or chain restaurants. My short list of choices right now are: Provisions Lot F, Aunt Maude’s, The Cafe, Tosca or Great Plains.

Any other thoughts/suggestions out there would be appreciated. Thanks!

Great Plains hasn't changed since you were there, so nostalgia wise you might enjoy it. Haven't bee to the rest.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

If you go to Maudes you are going to need a reservation, place is packed. We ate again at Great Plains tonight, average pizza at best. The cafe generally has good food, but a very limited menu. Not a fan of Wallabies, ate there 3 or 4 times, never had a good meal, much prefer the Mexican place beside it, El Ateca.

 

[NWICY]

Ames Restaurant Week

Ames Restaurant Week is a new winter tradition celebrating local dining and giving our community a reason to bundle up and eat out.

discoverames.com

Just in case you are interested in the "specials" for Ames Restaurant Week...

I would suggest Dublin Bay. Keep in mind that most places will be pretty busy. Aunt Maude's won't take reservations for groups less than 4

Thank you for posting this lot of good options there.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

Wasabi and El Jefe are a couple of other options. Heading to the former on Saturday, because our youngest requested it for his birthday.

 

[Cycsk]

Wasabi and El Jefe are a couple of other options. Heading to the former on Saturday, because our youngest requested it for his birthday.

Good addition. I have gone to El Jeffe a few times prior to basketball games. I call it "upscale Mexican." Great menu with dishes prepared with more care than a traditional Mexican restaurant.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

You pretty much named them all. Are you staying in town for the night? I live here and find myself leaving town for date night dinners.

 

[Clone up North]

Thanks so much for all of the replies, you all are the best!

We’ll be eating after the game so I’m expecting places to be pretty busy and I’m okay with that. It sounds like The Cafe or Provisions suits our tastes the best so far but I’m going to look at some of the others suggested that I had not been aware of.

Mostly I’m just really excited to introduce Hilton Magic to my wife and to experience it again myself. Go Clones!

 

[cmartin713]

I did see last time I was at The Cafe you can view and join the waitlist online now.

 

[Tailg8er]

This Saturday night I’ll be bringing my wife to her first game in Hilton (and my first game since probably 1995) and I need some help choosing a good place to eat after the game. I’m not interested in BBQ, or chain restaurants. My short list of choices right now are: Provisions Lot F, Aunt Maude’s, The Cafe, Tosca or Great Plains.

Any other thoughts/suggestions out there would be appreciated. Thanks!

If you're looking for BBQ, it's Cornbred on Main St. You can't go wrong there.

Something tells me he's not looking for BBQ..

 

[MeadForMyHorses]

Something tells me he's not looking for BBQ..

Oops. Reading is not my strong suit.

 

[nfrine]

This Saturday night I’ll be bringing my wife to her first game in Hilton (and my first game since probably 1995) and I need some help choosing a good place to eat after the game. I’m not interested in BBQ, or chain restaurants. My short list of choices right now are: Provisions Lot F, Aunt Maude’s, The Cafe, Tosca or Great Plains.

Any other thoughts/suggestions out there would be appreciated. Thanks!

Just don't screw up and miss the game...1:00 pm start.

 

[baller21]

If you’re introducing the wife for the first time to Hilton magic and the ISU experience you should definitely go to Welch Avenue Station and order Pizza Pit from upstairs. Pizza, spicy wings, cheese balls, a glass of suds, a game of 8 ball and Brook Burke in the men’s room. Now that’s living.

 

[JK4ISU]

We like Wasabi in Somerset and you can (and should) make a reservation. The south Wasabi has terrible parking. Also in Somerset is El Azteca, decent Mexican with a fast turnaround.

 

[Frak]

If you are looking for a nice sit down dinner, then I think The Cafe is the choice. But, it's hard to beat Great Plains if pizza is an option.

 

[Cycsk]

Tailgate with us in C-3 before the game. Serving smoked pork loin sandwiches, Ames Lager, and more.