Restaurants in Ames.

[CRCy17]

I’ve got nothing but fond memories of closing down the bar and getting chicken fried steak from that place. It was great.

Can’t go wrong with truck stop gravy

In our first installment of “Eat-N-Write,” we decided to take a trip to the Cyclone Truck Stop on the outskirts of town. Located at 1811 S. Dayton, this is the place to go for affordable, home-style cooking in Ames, although it’s quite a ride to get there. After bumping along on rocky, gravel...

iowastatedaily.com

Everything was a greasy smokey to die for food. Chicken fried steak was great. Lol that article sums it up.

I remember when we would load the back of a pickup truck with guys to go out there at 3am and all order the Cyclone Slam Dunk (12 eggs, 12 pieces of bacon, 12 pieces of toast, + hash browns) and race to the end. My metabolism was much friendlier to me 18 years ago

 

[4cy16]

I remember when we would load the back of a pickup truck with guys to go out there at 3am and all order the Cyclone Slam Dunk (12 eggs, 12 pieces of bacon, 12 pieces of toast, + hash browns) and race to the end. My metabolism was much friendlier to me 18 years ago

Did you use all of those egg yokes to wash down all of that food?

 

[cyIclSoneU]

Any Greek restaurants opening up?

There's a fast casual spot called Garbanzo on Duff that's kind of like a Mediterranean Chipotle - but it's not as good as Chipotle or Pancheros or other similar places not in Iowa like Cava or Roti, and I think it's very expensive for what you get.

 

[JP4CY]

There's a fast casual spot called Garbanzo on Duff that's kind of like a Mediterranean Chipotle - but it's not as good as Chipotle or Pancheros or other similar places not in Iowa like Cava or Roti, and I think it's very expensive for what you get.

Not far from Taza. Interesting.

(I like Taza)

 

[Cycsk]

Went to the new Wasabi in Somerset last night. Big place. Really nice looking. Waitstaff was very attentive. Very long bar. Seems like a really good addition to the neighborhood, though a little out of the way. Food was very good.

 

[AuH2O]

Not far from Taza. Interesting.

(I like Taza)

I need someone to give me a comp between the two. My family likes Garbanzo, not that it's a great deal or anything, but it's a good change of pace.

 

[Cycsk]

Oh, and Wasabi had a sign at the entrance that said that they were "Forever True" and serving "Ames Lager."

 

[awd4cy]

Not a huge fan, sometimes its great and the next time it sucks.

It’s getting worse every time I go back.

 

[Agclone91]

Not far from Taza. Interesting.

(I like Taza)

Haven't tried Taza but we weren't big fans of Garbanzo. Felt that the food was very bland compared to some other Mediterranean food we've experienced.

 

[cytor]

I don't think Texas Roadhouse is terrible.. That being said it is crazy how many people frequent it. Average food but their restaurants are always busy.

It's because they are cheaper. You get what you pay for.

 

[cytor]

If you go to a chain restaurant for a good steak dinner, you are doing it wrong.

 

[Clone1992]

My wife and I never go out to eat at a really good steak and seafood restaurant on a date night without spending over $200 with tip included, which is fine, but a place like Texas Roadhouse is totally acceptable if we take one if our kids and their spouse out to dinner and would like to keep the bill way under the $300+ that it would cost us at the "fancy" restaurant. Both kinds of restaurants have their purpose.

 

[Cycsk]

My wife and I never go out to eat at a really good steak and seafood restaurant on a date night without spending over $200 with tip included, which is fine, but a place like Texas Roadhouse is totally acceptable if we take one if our kids and their spouse out to dinner and would like to keep the bill way under the $300+ that it would cost us at the "fancy" restaurant. Both kinds of restaurants have their purpose.

Well said. "Good" is determined by the standards of the diner. Surprised to find so many steak snobs denigrating the good times of so many others. Maybe they own "really good steakhouses."

 

[cyfantastic]

Very well put, @Cycsk. Different restaurants suit different needs and budgets. As long as people enjoy their meals, that's really what matters most. Variety is a good thing too - sometimes you want to splurge on a nice cut of meat at a fancy place, other times a chain gets the job done when looking for an affordable family-friendly dinner out.

 

[3TrueFans]

Sometimes I need a really fancy spot for me and the girlfriend, other times the wife and I just need a cheap place to take the kids.

 

[Mr Janny]

Haven't tried Taza but we weren't big fans of Garbanzo. Felt that the food was very bland compared to some other Mediterranean food we've experienced.

I've had one so-so experience at Garbanzo and one really good one. I've never had a bad experience at Taza, but I've never seen a reason to order anything but their chicken signature shawarma.

 

[ricochet]

If you go to a chain restaurant for a good steak dinner, you are doing it wrong.

I disagree. My top choice in Des Moines is Ruth's Chris which is a chain. My 2nd choice is 801 Chophouse which isn't but I'd rate both as someplace to get a good steak dinner. Although there isn't one in Des Moines, Smith and Wollensky is another really good chain steakhouse I've been to a few times.

For the record I also have no problem going to Texas Roadhouse which does have the benefit of saving a couple hundred dollars.

 

[CyPhallus]

I disagree. My top choice in Des Moines is Ruth's Chris which is a chain. My 2nd choice is 801 Chophouse which isn't but I'd rate both as someplace to get a good steak dinner. Although there isn't one in Des Moines, Smith and Wollensky is another really good chain steakhouse I've been to a few times.

For the record I also have no problem going to Texas Roadhouse which does have the benefit of saving a couple hundred dollars.

801 has like a dozen locations iirc.

 

[cycloneG]

I don't like Texas Roadhouse but I'm not putting down anyone that likes it. People are way too touchy in this thread.

 

[RagingCloner]

People are way too touchy on this site

FIFY