Downtown Ames

[BCClone]

I went there once after a football game mid/late afternoon. Was told they were only serving "bar snacks" when I tried to order actual food. So I left and have no desire to go back.

I could see if they had certain smoked food that would only be ready at certain windows, but most places would at least have burgers, or at least pulled pork, they could throw together at whatever time. I prefer Sweet Carolines myself. I love meatloaf so I will steer the family that direction if we are downtown.

 

[theshadow]

I went there once after a football game mid/late afternoon. Was told they were only serving "bar snacks" when I tried to order actual food. So I left and have no desire to go back.

IIRC, when they first opened the brick-and-mortar, they had a lunch window (11-2) and then a dinner window (5-?). That has since gone away.

 

[1100011CS]

I went there once after a football game mid/late afternoon. Was told they were only serving "bar snacks" when I tried to order actual food. So I left and have no desire to go back.

Their tenderloin is fantastic

 

[Nor'MidWester]

see post 78

cornbred

 

[cytor]

Cedar Falls is really kickin' it with the downtown area. The one downside is they pushed out a lot of mom and pop stores, boutiques, small business offices in favor of mostly bars and restaurants.

If Ames does this, they will lose some of those as well. Maybe that is ok with the people that live there. Just simply pointing out the trade off. That being said, Ames could use a few more bars than Whiskey river. I LOVED That Place and Top of the Town.... would love to see someone bring that name back.

 

[AuH2O]

I think Ames is trending that way, but more slowly. If they could replace some of the Lincoln Way blight with dense residential aimed at young professionals, it would be a big step.

I would like to see this, provided the town could support more nice high density housing in that area. Other than the Sheldon Munn being redone, it seems like there is plenty of space in upper levels on Mainstreet that could be redone to serve that purpose, but now most of it seems like some oddball businesses and dumpy apartments.

I really don't care THAT much what goes into that Lincoln Way corridor, just make it look nice and be reasonably functional. The new aquatic center will also be over there. I get it's sort of the nature of cities, but having the main roads be appealing makes a huge difference in the impressions visitors have of a town. Lincoln Way in campus town now looks way better. E. Lincoln Way is always going to be industrial, and that's fine. But it would be great if from Grand to Duff University could look much nicer.

 

[Rabbuk]

Does parking near main suck as bad as I think it would? Wasn't a car owner during my time in Ames but it always seemed like 30 total spots for all those businesses.

 

[cycloneG]

Does parking near main suck as bad as I think it would? Wasn't a car owner during my time in Ames but it always seemed like 30 total spots for all those businesses.

There are large parking lots behind the businesses on the south side of Main from Duff to Clark.

 

[Rabbuk]

There are large parking lots behind the businesses on the south side of Main from Duff to Clark.

Aah that makes sense thanks, I must have just missed them the few times I made it over there.

 

[CyCrazy]

Main Street isn’t even a little dumpy.

Lincoln Way? Different story.

Lincoln way between Duff and Kellog is ugly as hell.

 

[cytor]

I would imagine if downtown Ames cranks up the bar scene, UBER would become much more popular... leaving the parking spot stress a little more manageable.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

As a poutine fanatic I was very disappointed in sweet Caroline's poutine. I thought their cauliflower poppers were good though.

 

[STLISU]

I think Ames is trending that way, but more slowly. If they could replace some of the Lincoln Way blight with dense residential aimed at young professionals, it would be a big step.

Agree. Redevelopment of Lincoln Way is the next step. The Linc mix development linked earlier in this thread hopefully will jumpstart that effort.

Ames has two excellent grocery stores, a brand new Fareway and Wheatsfield’s downtown which are something many downtowns lack. But are essential to encouraging residential development.

As a new Ames resident I find downtown quite appealing. Walkable, safe, easy parking. Great library, excellent independent bookstore, coffee shops, kitchen/culinary store and a variety of dining/drinking options. The farmers market has become part of my early morning Saturday routine.

 

[CyJam]

Honestly tell me more.. I’m a huge fan of Manhattan in DSM so if you have a favorite let me know and I’ll stop next time I’m in Ames.

Haven't been there in 20 years, but the Happy Cappy was my go to. And their deserts were great too.

 

[JM4CY]

As a poutine fanatic I was very disappointed in sweet Caroline's poutine. I thought their cauliflower poppers were good though.

I can't ever read the word poutine and not at first think it's a reference to something else.

 

[cytor]

I can't ever read the word poutine and not at first think it's a reference to something else.

You must be thinking of poontang.

 

[BCClone]

Does parking near main suck as bad as I think it would? Wasn't a car owner during my time in Ames but it always seemed like 30 total spots for all those businesses.

You can't just go by the parking spots by the Pleasure Palace. There are other stores with better parking around main street.

 

[BCClone]

I can't ever read the word poutine and not at first think it's a reference to something else.

Sweet Caroline's poutine. I sophomorically giggle just typing that.

 

[Pat]

I would like to see this, provided the town could support more nice high density housing in that area. Other than the Sheldon Munn being redone, it seems like there is plenty of space in upper levels on Mainstreet that could be redone to serve that purpose, but now most of it seems like some oddball businesses and dumpy apartments.

I really don't care THAT much what goes into that Lincoln Way corridor, just make it look nice and be reasonably functional. The new aquatic center will also be over there. I get it's sort of the nature of cities, but having the main roads be appealing makes a huge difference in the impressions visitors have of a town. Lincoln Way in campus town now looks way better. E. Lincoln Way is always going to be industrial, and that's fine. But it would be great if from Grand to Duff University could look much nicer.

My understanding is that the cost to bring upper levels up to current code, particularly including accessibility, is insanely prohibitive.

 

[Rabbuk]

You can't just go by the parking spots by the Pleasure Palace. There are other stores with better parking around main street.

*incognito mode* google