OT: Favorite Ames Restaurants

jdoggivjc

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Sep 27, 2006
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Since this will be one of the last days any of us really cares about OT subjects, I figured I'd post this now. So - what's everyone's favorite Ames restaurant? I guess I could go with the popular answers of Hickory Park, Wallaby's, Great Plains, or the assortment of Chinese restaurants around Ames, and as much as I really liked each and every one of those places, I'm probably going to have to pick the place that I've missed going to ever since I graduated from ISU. That place would be Dublin Bay. To this day I miss the Shepherd's Pie and Guinness. And, as far as I can tell, there's nothing here in the Quad Cities that replicates it - we have Irish-themed American restaurants, but nothing Irish.

So - what are your thoughts?
 

brianhos

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The best place in Ames by far is Omalley & McGee's. No doubt about it. Their margaritas are some of the best I have ever had, and I drink a lot of margs. The only thing I don't like about them, is they dropped pork fajitas from the menu about a year ago, the steak ones are great, but the pork ones were out of this world!
 

Cyclonesrule91

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Hands down daVinci's Pizza. That place had the best pizza I have ever eaten. I was about to tears when they shut down, and then ticked off that it was replaced with a Chinese joint. We even drove to Lincoln this Summer when we were vacationing in Omaha just so we could eat at daVincis. Then I filled out a comment card to open one back up in WDM so I could quit holding this grudge.
 

cytech

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I am not sure if it is still there but DeSalvo's made the best Philly Cheese Stakes I have ever had. And I really like the Bali Stay House too.
 

brianhos

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Hands down daVinci's Pizza. That place had the best pizza I have ever eaten. I was about to tears when they shut down, and then ticked off that it was replaced with a Chinese joint. We even drove to Lincoln this Summer when we were vacationing in Omaha just so we could eat at daVincis. Then I filled out a comment card to open one back up in WDM so I could quit holding this grudge.

I was never a big fan of their pizza, but their pizza hogies were great.
 

bos

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RIP Davinci's I miss you. I love La Fuente and there was a asian restaraunt down by Hyvee and Wallabys that had great noodle bowls. Great Plains and the italian place downtown ames...um Lucalans? sp Cant beat ISU food service and Foxs lounge. ha ha just kidding,.


Side note: Davincis was best fresh from the oven and after I made it =) Delivered Davinch was not so good.
 

mj4cy

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Here are MY opinions
Best BBQ - Hickory Park
Best Pizza - Great Plains
Best Chinese - House of Chin
Best Mexican - O'Mally's
Best Buffet - Valentinos
 

clones_jer

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Cocost Chinese - back in the day when the food came out basically on fire - sizzling and popping, since somewhere around 2001-02 they've gotten rid of the "skillets" or whatever the were and really ruined the whole experiance. :sad:

Great Plains: The best cometh ... eventually.

I used to deliver for DaVincis, I guessing they still have 5 or 6 locations in Nebraska, as far as I know the Ames location was the only Iowa version. Pizza was ok, but the baked mostacholli (sp?) was the way to go.
 

cyadict

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Man...I loved eating at Little Taipei while I was at school. I tried it again a while ago when I was in Ames for a game...not so good anymore.
 
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bos

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Anyone remember Sukotai? Loved that place on welch behind McDonalds. Then it change names 100 times and the food started to suck.
 

mramseyISU

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Before the old man died battles was my favorite place to eat in ames now I'd have to go with Flying Burruito.

Great Plains kicks *** too.
 

brianhos

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Man...I loved eating at Little Taipei while I was at school. I still think its pretty good food for the price.


That place was NASTY. I do remember after about 5 min of sitting, the little old lady would come and chase you out. You go now!
 

bos

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FYI, there is a place in Des Moines (name escapes me) that has the best Angry Chicken. And they mean it. It burns you on both ends, but it tastes great.
 

brianhos

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Ok this will show my age, but does anyone remember when there was a poncharos on welch? They had the 2lb El Gordo burrito, what a great post drinking snack. 2 lbs of meat and beans in your belly made you sleep off any hangover.
It is not the same poncharos as you can now find over by best buy and a few of them in dsm. It was much better.
 

isuarch80

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Tip Top Chili? what is that? I love chili.

Please tell me you've had Tip Top Chili?!?! If you haven't, it's not the best, but you go for the atmosphere. Only the diehards are there at 530-6 am before heading out tailgating an hour later.

As for me, Battles BBQ is WAAAAAAAYYYY better than Hickory Park (obviously they're different types, but still). I'm a big fan of The Cafe up in Summerset (the newer development in north ames). When i come back for games, I also have to stop by West Street Deli for some Wisconsin CHeese soup and a sandwich! Some of the best toasted creations around! I loved George's Pizza (Main St), and Wallaby's Hawkeye wings (because they're boneless=no backbone!!! :biglaugh:)

Plenty of good eats in Ames!!!
 

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