Nice Restaurants in Ames

[cyrocksmypants]

The Cafe was always where the wife and I went for a "fancy" dinner. It's nice ambiance and good food. The down side is it seems there's ALWAYS a wait and the menu is seasonal, so if you're picky, there may not be something you'd like. We always went to Lucallans for a nice, but not dress up dinner. Jeans and a nice polo or button up shirt is good enough for there. Great italian food, too.

Cafe Northwest was fantastic before it moved. I still think the food is great (best filet of my life), but the new location is kind of crap and really takes away from it.

 

[bellzisu]

Not sure if anyone mentioned the Arbys in the gas station on 13th and I35 but man that is good :wink: hahaha

NO but seriously the Cafe is good and fairly reasonably

PS I do miss the truck stop, there were plenty of nights there after a FOX 1 lounge evening :notworthy:

I thought I was the only one on this site that loved the combination of a night at Fox 1 singing kareoke and making fun of AJ. Then after getting kicked out heading to the truck stop and sobering up for the next 2 hours.

 

[cyman1189]

dublin bay's sheppards pie is da ****

 

[SwirlingFloater]

Old George's Pizza - outstanding

 

[Angie]

I thought I was the only one on this site that loved the combination of a night at Fox 1 singing kareoke and making fun of AJ. Then after getting kicked out heading to the truck stop and sobering up for the next 2 hours.

Is AJ the DJ who looks like a country singer? Alan Jackson or someone?

 

[statman]

I'll sixth The Spice. Their "Spicy Peanut Chicken" rocks.:notworthy:

 

[wiscocyclone]

I found the cuisine at Kum & Go to be exquisite.

 

[Broodwich]

This thread should be renamed "Ames Restaurants that will help you score."

 

[cdekovic]

Maude's is pricy...about $70-$90 for drinks, dinner and no dessert. But you should try the Cafe' in North Ames (Somerset) Same owners as Maude's opened the restaraunt and it has great varieties of food. You might still spend $50 for a date dinner but they have a changing menu with daily unique dinners. Great atmosphere. Food is excellent.

Where is Aunt Maude's and what kind of food do they serve? Is it pricey also?

 

[cycloner29]

El Azteca for sure. La Fuente is too greasy!! I love the hot wings at Cafe Northwest. Battle's BBQ is way better than Hickory Park.
Cafe Shi pretty nice also. I also use to go to Whiskey river for lunch. Killer nachos!!

 

[Angie]

I love the hot wings at Cafe Northwest.

You are about to get in an appetizer war, my friend!! The only acceptable answer when asked, "What's the best appetizer at Cafe Northwest?" is "fried dill pickles" - everytime!! :smile:

 

[capitalcityguy]

Old Chicago is great restaurant... as long as quality, service, and speed don't matter.

...or the fact it is a chain restaurant or that it is hardly considered a "nice restaurant" in most circles

 

[Chad]

...or the fact it is a chain restaurant or that it is hardly considered a "nice restaurant" in most circles

that's right, I wouldnt be caught dead in Ruth Chris' Steak House, food at the Cheesecake Factory is horrible....I hate it when people do things just to differentiate themselves from others and then bash those who are different- Prius owners, Mac lovers, if you like chain restaurants you have no tastes and i'm better than you, etc. If that fact you don't like chain restaurants makes it easier for me to get a place to sit in one then I'm all for it.

 

[Mr Janny]

that's right, I wouldnt be caught dead in Ruth Chris' Steak House, food at the Cheesecake Factory is horrible....I hate it when people do things just to differentiate themselves from others and then bash those who are different- Prius owners, Mac lovers, if you like chain restaurants you have no tastes and i'm better than you, etc. If that fact you don't like chain restaurants makes it easier for me to get a place to sit in one then I'm all for it.

What's your point, here?

Are you for chain restaurants or against? Not sure what you are saying here.

Personally, I don't mind chain restaurants, depending on the circumstances. I travel a lot for work, and sometimes when you are in an unfamiliar city, an Outback or Chili's is nice because you at least know what you are going to get. There is consistency, there. When you are on a plane all day, the last thing you want to do is hunt around for a good local place to eat.

On the other hand, when I am at home, or in an area that I am familiar with, I will seek out locally owned restaurants. A lot of times the food is better, the value is better, and the menu is better.

As far as Old Chicago goes, I don't dislike that restaurant because it is a chain. I dislike it because their food is not that good and their service is terrible.

 

[Chad]

sorry...forgot the pirate....

 

[Mr Janny]

sorry...forgot the pirate....

Ok that makes more sense

 

[capitalcityguy]

that's right, I wouldnt be caught dead in Ruth Chris' Steak House, food at the Cheesecake Factory is horrible....I hate it when people do things just to differentiate themselves from others and then bash those who are different- Prius owners, Mac lovers, if you like chain restaurants you have no tastes and i'm better than you, etc. If that fact you don't like chain restaurants makes it easier for me to get a place to sit in one then I'm all for it.

Whoa….whoa…whoa there big fella. Slow down there!

I eat at chain restauants too from time-to-time as well.

The point is: when someone is asking for a recommendation for a restaurant in a town, they are generally are asking for recommenatkon on the local flavor (so to speak). Most people know what chains offer (thus why they are the easy, safe pick especially if you're unfamiliar with city you are in).

 

[CarolinaCy]

El Azteca is the best Mexican food in Ames, and it isn't close.

I think you meant Cazador.

 

[Cy Heavy]

I think it is closed, my friend.

Not so fast my friend: I was there drowning my sorrows after the SDSU MBB game last month. Unless it closed in the last two weeks, she's still there...in all of her glory...

EDIT: I see someone else already replied - apologies

 

[isukendall]

El Azteca for sure. La Fuente is too greasy!! I love the hot wings at Cafe Northwest. Battle's BBQ is way better than Hickory Park.
Cafe Shi pretty nice also. I also use to go to Whiskey river for lunch. Killer nachos!!

Amen to that. Don't go around telling everyone, though. I'd hate to have to wait in line for a good BBQ place.