Iowa City Eateries

[McLovin32]

In the last 15ish years I haven't been to Iowa City for anything other than visiting someone in the hospital and some athletic events. I'm heading there on Saturday for a concert. Staying downtown. For anyone that spends time in that area, are there any good restaurants that have opened up? Trying to figure out my pre-concert meal spot. Currently leaning towards just hitting up Sports Column for their garlic jalapeno wings, because way back when ol McLovin was in college, they were phenomenal.

Anyways, any recommendations would be appreciated. I'll also take any T's and P's that anyone wants to offer me, because Iowa City is super scary now I've heard

 

[AFM22]

Is Pullman and Masala still around?

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Downtown I have enjoyed my food at donnelly’s.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

Is Pullman and Masala still around?

We went to Pullman based on HORT threads. Wasn’t as good I thought it would be and I felt claustrophobic the entire time.

 

[McLovin32]

Is Pullman and Masala still around?

A quick search shows that both appear to still be around. Indian food seems like it may be risky before a concert

 

[AFM22]

A quick search shows that both appear to still be around. Indian food seems like it may be risky before a concert

Ummmm Masala you'll prob be fine. India Cafe you'll blow shid everywhere.

 

[McLovin32]

Ummmm Masala you'll prob be fine. India Cafe you'll blow shid everywhere.

On the other hand....everyone at the concert will immediately know how the TOP HOSS is if I do that

 

[AFM22]

On the other hand....everyone at the concert will immediately know how the TOP HOSS is if I do that

It's at gabe's so no one will prob even notice.

 

[Torbee]

I always think to myself, Iowa City has so many interesting and excellent places to eat - I really should go somewhere different this time.

And then I go and get a cheeseburger at George's.

Every. Damn. Time.

 

[AFM22]

I always think to myself, Iowa City has so many interesting and excellent places to eat - I really should go somewhere different this time.

And then I go and get a cheeseburger at George's.

Every. Damn. Time.

That's because that place feels like home.

 

[cheeselog8]

I've never had a bad meal at St Burch Tavern. Their menu changes frequently but they always have oysters.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

I've never had a bad meal at St Burch Tavern. Their menu changes frequently but they always have oysters.

I’ve wanted to try that place and have heard nothing but good things. Was that building GA Malones in the 90s?

 

[cheeselog8]

@Tenacious E_rivals41982 It was Atlas when I was there in the early 00's.

I think Malones was where Basta is now. The first time I was served underage was at Malones. CSB.

 

[McLovin32]

@Tenacious E_rivals41982 It was Atlas when I was there in the early 00's.

I think Malones was where Basta is now. The first time I was served underage was at Malones. CSB.

Oh shid, okay. I remember Atlas. I'll have to take a peek at the menu.

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

I’ve wanted to try that place and have heard nothing but good things. Was that building GA Malones in the 90s?

In the early 90’s it was the Pizza Hut.

I’m old.

 

[F14AvioncsTech]

In the last 15ish years I haven't been to Iowa City for anything other than visiting someone in the hospital and some athletic events. I'm heading there on Saturday for a concert. Staying downtown. For anyone that spends time in that area, are there any good restaurants that have opened up? Trying to figure out my pre-concert meal spot. Currently leaning towards just hitting up Sports Column for their garlic jalapeno wings, because way back when ol McLovin was in college, they were phenomenal.

Anyways, any recommendations would be appreciated. I'll also take any T's and P's that anyone wants to offer me, because Iowa City is super scary now I've heard

You stick to the floor at Sports Column. This weekend could be tricky as it’s arts fest. That being said 2 spots that are top notch: Pullman and St Burch. After that Mickey’s is solid. And Nodo is simple and really good. Basta is OK, and so is Baranchini for Italian options. Down Iowa ave there is black angel which is solid. I either haven’t been to other places down town to make recent recommendations or it’s not very good recently like Iowa Chophouse. There are higher end places like Joseph’s, Orchard Green, or Webster but you’ll need reservations.

Also outside of downtown there are good places like Hudson’s, Stella’s, Shakespeares, 2 Dogs for bar food.

 

[McLovin32]

You stick to the floor at Sports Column. This weekend could be tricky as it’s arts fest. That being said 2 spots that are top notch: Pullman and St Burch. After that Mickey’s is solid. And Nodo is simple and really good. Basta is OK, and so is Baranchini for Italian options. Down Iowa ave there is black angel which is solid. I either haven’t been to other places down town to make recent recommendations or it’s not very good recently like Iowa Chophouse. There are higher end places like Joseph’s, Orchard Green, or Webster but you’ll need reservations.

Also outside of downtown there are good places like Hudson’s, Stella’s, Shakespeares, 2 Dogs for bar food.

Solid post, I appreciate it.

I also for whatever reason, always found that part about Sports Column charming lol

 

[Torbee]

I’ve wanted to try that place and have heard nothing but good things. Was that building GA Malones in the 90s?

It's excellent - and the downstairs bar is a cool vibe.

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

In the early 90’s it was the Pizza Hut.

I’m old.

Weirdest thing was going upstairs to eat your ‘za. Felt like a totally different restaurant up there. Like a conference room with cheap restaurant furniture. And it was a long walk back down to the buffet.

 

[DBQStarhawk]

Bluebird dinner for breakfast / brunch (the Brands bros. are there many mornings)
Iowa Athletic Club has excellent food and happy hour deals.

 

[Torbee]

Bluebird dinner for breakfast / brunch (the Brands bros. are there many mornings)
Iowa Athletic Club has excellent food and happy hour deals.

Bluebird is very good - but damn is it waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too popular. It's good - but not "stand waiting outside for an hour then be crammed in a very loud and crowded dining room" good, IMO.

 

[Tom Paris]

@Tenacious E_rivals41982 It was Atlas when I was there in the early 00's.

I think Malones was where Basta is now. The first time I was served underage was at Malones. CSB.

It was a Pizza Hut when I first moved to Iowa City. Lol.

 

[DBQStarhawk]

Bluebird is very good - but damn is it waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too popular. It's good - but not "stand waiting outside for an hour then be crammed in a very loud and crowded dining room" good, IMO.

100% agree. We hit the sister one in Solon a great deal for that reason.

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

It was a Pizza Hut when I first moved to Iowa City. Lol.

Apparently you are old like me too.

 

[PW Herman]

Blackstone, St Birch or Stella's. If not those Tribute in Coralville

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

It was a Pizza Hut when I first moved to Iowa City. Lol.

Godfather’s at the corner of Washington and Dubuque St. was where it’s at for lunch buffet back then!

 

[Jonathan Assbutt Jr.]

We went to Pullman based on HORT threads. Wasn’t as good I thought it would be and I felt claustrophobic the entire time.

Have a handful of times and have always been underwhelmed, especially at their price point. Don't bother anymore.

I think Mickey's next door is much better for the price.

And George's Gyros are always good.

 

[Jonathan Assbutt Jr.]

I always think to myself, Iowa City has so many interesting and excellent places to eat - I really should go somewhere different this time.

And then I go and get a cheeseburger at George's.

Every. Damn. Time.

It's been a while, but best fast-food styled cheeseburger I've enjoyed.

I think Iowa City's food scene could be better. Bunch of solid to good stuff, but not much I can point to that's anywhere towards must try.

I think food stuff like George's cheeseburger represents some of the best the town has to offer. (even if a humble bar cheese burger)

 

[Jonathan Assbutt Jr.]

Godfather’s at the corner of Washington and Dubuque St. was where it’s at for lunch buffet back then!

Early 2000s it was consistently the worst pizza I have had.

 

[CaptainObvious]

In the early 90’s it was the Pizza Hut.

I’m old.

Do you remember God Fathers all you can eat on Sunday nights? In the 80s there use to be The Dill Pickle on Iowa Ave. Downtown blows now there is no Hardee's, BK or Arbys at the Old Capitol Mall.

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

Early 2000s it was consistently the worst pizza I have had.

Like everything in the 2000’s, things just weren’t as good as the 90’s!

 

[HoggI74]

It's been a while, but best fast-food styled cheeseburger I've enjoyed.

I think Iowa City's food scene could be better. Bunch of solid to good stuff, but not much I can point to that's anywhere towards must try.

I think food stuff like George's cheeseburger represents some of the best the town has to offer. (even if a humble bar cheese burger)

As long as you realize they only have cheeseburgers. No fries, no salads, no onion rings, just a kind of greasy burger wrapped up in wax paper and a bag of chips off the rack. NTTAWWT...

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

As long as you realize they only have cheeseburgers. No fries, no salads, no onion rings, just a kind of greasy burger wrapped up in wax paper and a bag of chips off the rack. NTTAWWT...

Greasy burger. Plastic bag of pork rinds. Cold beer. Perfect. Did you get all fancy while I’ve been gone or somethin’?!




(Yes, I saw NTTAWWT - just ribbing)

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

Do you remember God Fathers all you can eat on Sunday nights? In the 80s there use to be The Dill Pickle on Iowa Ave. Downtown blows now there is no Hardee's, BK or Arbys at the Old Capitol Mall.

I dont recall that - on sunday nights when I was a freshman on our dorm floor (back in the era when they didn't serve dinner on Sunday's) we would usually order Paul Revere's wedgies. I seem to recall someone knew one of the delivery drivers or something so we seemed to get pretty good pricing. My favorite go-to pizza place in the ped mall area was Rocky Rococo's.

As for Hardy's...that was mandatory eating after a night out at the bars.

My older self actually likes many of the IC establishments downtown now.

 

[CaptainObvious]

I dont recall that - on sunday nights when I was a freshman on our dorm floor (back in the era when they didn't serve dinner on Sunday's) we would usually order Paul Revere's wedgies. I seem to recall someone knew one of the delivery drivers or something so we seemed to get pretty good pricing. My favorite go-to pizza place in the ped mall area was Rocky Rococo's.

As for Hardy's...that was mandatory eating after a night out at the bars.

My older self actually likes many of the IC establishments downtown now.

I think it was Home Team pizza that had a large 1 topping for 4 bucks back in the day. You didn't even need an Ad Sheet coupon to get that deal.

I make it down to Pullmans or the crepe place once or twice a year. Taste of Iowa City is usually a must for me too.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

I dont recall that - on sunday nights when I was a freshman on our dorm floor (back in the era when they didn't serve dinner on Sunday's) we would usually order Paul Revere's wedgies. I seem to recall someone knew one of the delivery drivers or something so we seemed to get pretty good pricing. My favorite go-to pizza place in the ped mall area was Rocky Rococo's.

As for Hardy's...that was mandatory eating after a night out at the bars.

My older self actually likes many of the IC establishments downtown now.

Our Sunday hangover lunch was Paul revere’s pizza with the garlic bread in foil. If wanted your farts to stink more, pizza pit. Best pizza and wings in the 90s were at fitzy’s.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

As for Hardy's...that was mandatory eating after a night out at the bars.

2 cheese burgers and 2 fries for 2.22.

 

[Torbee]

I think food stuff like George's cheeseburger represents some of the best the town has to offer. (even if a humble bar cheese burger)

The humbleness is what makes it great. It isn't trying to be anything more than a perfect bar cheeseburger.

And it suceeds because it hits every note perfectly.

 

[BlIIlken2]

Buffalo chicken burrito from Atlas

 

[AFM22]

Buffalo chicken burrito from Atlas

Better than anything from Zio Johno's.