Under-the-radar food joints in Eastern Iowa (particularly the I-380 Corridor). Suggestions wanted.

[Menace Sockeyes]

Cedar Rapids - Just had Happy Dogs in Cedar Rapids for lunch on the SW side. The old place (Big Daddy's Dogs) was okay, but the new place is much better so far. Female owned and operated. Interesting backstory from the Gazette article I read on the wall while waiting for food. Got a 1/4 pound Nathan's hot dog, Chicago style, and quite possibly the best onion rings in CR.

Iowa City - Crepes de Luxe Cafe I stumbled across by accident looking for places to eat. Never heard of it but it was absolutely solid. My son's favorite place in IC now.

Waterloo-Cedar Falls - Need suggestions here. We are going to scratch the live sports itch with either a Waterloo Blackhawks or UNI wrestling meet up there in the coming weeks. I heard there's a good BBQ place up there, but this person could not remember the name.

 

[sober_teacher]

Highly recommend Zoey's in Marion, excellent thin crust and deep dish options.

Rudy's Tacos is a nice Mexican option off Ansborough.

 

[anon_01irjibf16qqj]

Waterloo-Cedar Falls - Need suggestions here. We are going to scratch the live sports itch with either a Waterloo Blackhawks or UNI wrestling meet up there in the coming weeks. I heard there's a good BBQ place up there, but this person could not remember the name.

Wilbos Burgers & Brats
Whiskey Road
Morgs Diner
Starbecks Smokehouse

 

[hawkmart]

Gianna's Italian beef in downtown CR

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Going up in just over a week. Keep the suggestions coming.

 

[ConvenientParking]

RIP Al & Irenes.

Sorry I'm no help OP, for all the time I spent growing up in the corridor, I'm firmly entrenched in the capital city now.

 

[DrVenkman]

Wilbos Burgers & Brats
Whiskey Road
Morgs Diner
Starbecks Smokehouse

Are Morgs pancakes very good ?
i have heard of that place. I think.

 

[IAHawk2011]

Is The Lost Cuban still open in downtown Cedar Rapids? I remember that place being good, but can’t remember if it was Cedar Rapids good, or good good.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Is The Lost Cuban still open in downtown Cedar Rapids? I remember that place being good, but can’t remember if it was Cedar Rapids good, or good good.

Nope. Gone for at least a year. RIP

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

RIP Al & Irenes.

Sorry I'm no help OP, for all the time I spent growing up in the corridor, I'm firmly entrenched in the capital city now.

Loved A&I

 

[ICHawk-I]

You can get pizza at Casey's off the 33rd Ave exit in Cedar Rapids.

 

[ConvenientParking]

Loved A&I

Stopped there with my folks before we moved me into dorms for my freshman year at Iowa. Several times b4 and after. I never strayed from ribs but everything I saw looked pretty good there

 

[dirtypool]

haven’t been, but want to try

 

[ConvenientParking]

haven’t been, but want to try

Ditto

 

[jaxhawk06]

Has anyone been to Sugarfire? I've been to the original in St. Louis and thought it was awesome

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Has anyone been to Sugarfire? I've been to the original in St. Louis and thought it was awesome

Yes. Two or three times. Excellent. Especially the ribs.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Like I said: AMAZING onion rings at Happy Dogs. Do yourself a favor if you like good ones, and get over there.

 

[B1GDeal]

Sugarfire is ok, but like QDoggs better and heard Willie Rays is also better. That said it was solid.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Sugarfire is ok, but like QDoggs better and heard Willie Rays is also better. That said it was solid.

What did you get? Qdoggs has superior pulled pork to Sugarfire, but I prefer Sugarfire ribs.

 

[comp_sci_hawk]

QDogs also has solid Taps, several local microbrews including TG Rotation. One of the better places in cedar rapids.

 

[comp_sci_hawk]

Other solid places in cedar rapids:

The Maproom
Emil's hideaway
Third base
Chromehorse
Butcher block
Taste of India
El super burrito
Starlight
Burgerfiend

 

[B1GDeal]

What did you get? Qdoggs has superior pulled pork to Sugarfire, but I prefer Sugarfire ribs.

I tried just about everything they have in the few times I’ve gone. The sides at QDoggs better as well. Again, Sugarfire is solid but there’s better options in the area. Moseleys in IC or NL and Jimmy Jacks I also would rate higher than Sugarfire.

 

[Wendy79]

Nope. Gone for at least a year. RIP

Dang. I really liked The Lost Cuban.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

I tried just about everything they have in the few times I’ve gone. The sides at QDoggs better as well. Again, Sugarfire is solid but there’s better options in the area. Moseleys in IC or NL and Jimmy Jacks I also would rate higher than Sugarfire.

Agree on that. The BBQ Sundae and QDogg Sammich are fantastic.

 

[lonestar50]

Dang. I really liked The Lost Cuban.

I did too. I heard the parents left it to a son who drove it into the ground

 

[lonestar50]

Rodina in Czech Village is really good.

rodina - midwest comfort food

Rodina offers family-style Iowa comfort food to the people of the local community and beyond. Everything served is offered with love from the farmer, the chef, and every industry professional whose hands it passes through. "Rodina" means "family" in Czech, and that is what Rodina

www.rodinaiowa.com

 

[CJBauer]

Blind Pig in Cedar Rapids

Tenderloins and garlic cheese curds...

https://blindpigcr.com/

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

I did too. I heard the parents left it to a son who drove it into the ground

How old was the son? I think the guy that ran it wasn’t old, like 40s. Pretty sure he just moved back to Tampa area in Florida. I know someone who knows the family and will get the scoop.

 

[Wendy79]

Blind Pig in Cedar Rapids

Tenderloins and garlic cheese curds...

https://blindpigcr.com/

THEY HAVE A FRENCH TOAST BREAKFAST SANDIWCH SERVED WITH TOTS

 

[lonestar50]

How old was the son? I think the guy that ran it wasn’t old, like 40s. Pretty sure he just moved back to Tampa area in Florida. I know someone who knows the family and will get the scoop.

Could've been just a rumor. I don't claim to have any inside info. Don't even remember where I heard it

 

[Eburghawk]

I had a damn good tenderloin at a place called Gwen's on main st. in Lisbon recently.
Rest of the menu looked like good home-made comfort food.

 

[Chuck C]

Foxhole Charlie’s

 

[Hawki97]

CR - El Super Burrito
IC - Her Soup Kitchen, La Regia, Dandy Lion (breakfast)

 

[GarryO37]

Has no one else on this board been the to Local Craft in CR?

If you drink craft beer, then you should be going there. They also have good food. Best cheese curds in the area.

 

[lucas80]

RIP Al & Irenes.

Sorry I'm no help OP, for all the time I spent growing up in the corridor, I'm firmly entrenched in the capital city now.

Loved Al & Irene’s. Ages ago a buddy and I were there having dinner and a guy asked how the burnt end bits were. The waitress said, “If you like burnt end bits”.
That was it. A rude, non response. The food was so damn good the staff could be rude AF and you’d keep going back. .

 

[JJ13579]

Other solid places in cedar rapids:

The Maproom
Emil's hideaway
Third base
Chromehorse
Butcher block
Taste of India
El super burrito
Starlight
Burgerfiend

Third Base got significant water damage during the storm and water damage many times since due to incompetent roofers. I hope they are able to reopen eventually, but it will be a long time.

 

[CLUB215]

Goosetown Cafe North Linn St Iowa City IA

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

Other solid places in cedar rapids:

The Maproom
Emil's hideaway
Third base
Chromehorse
Butcher block
Taste of India
El super burrito
Starlight
Burgerfiend

CR - El Super Burrito
IC - Her Soup Kitchen, La Regia, Dandy Lion (breakfast)

El Super Burrito is probably my favorite Mexican food I’ve ever had, along with maybe Taquiera Los Magueyes and Zacatacos (both Chicago). So different. Mexican diner food. Best chicken burrito anywhere on Earth. Hands down.

 

[Wendy79]

Pita'z in Hiawatha is good.

 

[lonestar50]

Pita'z in Hiawatha is good.

Their hummus and pita chips are the best!