Friday, December 14, 2007

Field's Bar and Grill

Fields is actually divided into two restaurants. Upstairs is the steakhouse with salad bar, and downstairs it the bar and grill. The word "steakhouse" could imply a certain level of class, something I try to avoid. So let's check out the downstairs.

The Looks
This place looks pretty much like a bar. Or a wannabe Applebee's with misc. crap all over the wall. There's a spinning boat propeller thing hanging from the ceiling... weird. But the booths are comfy as can be. There's TVs all around, so you can avoid talking to whoever you brought with.

The Cost
There a sign in the windows saying the place has lunch specials as low as $4.79. There is one item on the menu at that price, and that's the plane Jane hamburger. Most everything you'd actually want is going to be around 7 to 9 dollars. Pizzas will run you $11 and up.

The Grub
What you'd expect. Burgers, fries, onion rings, chicken sandwiches, shrimp, salads, soups. I had the hot club on a tasty roll. It was pretty good. They have these things called Feild's Chips, kinda like kettle chips. Avoid them. The pizzas are damn tasty, but are probably more then a normal person could eat.

Field's Bar and Grill
2013 South Center Street, 641-753-1099
Lunch, Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)


Update (September 2009)
Sadly, Fields closed it's doors in September. Another one bites the dust.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Bonanza

Bonanza pretends to be a steakhouse, but let's be honest with ourselves. This all-you-can-eat buffet exists to see how much food one can cram down your pie hole and not hate yourself on the way out. And for me, that's quite a lot.

The Looks
The place looks so-so. Mildly appropriate non offensive decorations throughout. For some reason, old people tend to hangout here. OMG, they have one of those claw machines where you try to grab stuffed animals! I hate those things.

The Cost
The price for the lunch buffet is around 6-7 bucks. Pretty reasonable for all you can eat. I believe the price goes up a few bucks for the dinner buffet. As if the food somehow got more expensive because a couple of hours have past. A Soda will run you a pricey 2 dollars. Also, bring money for the claw machine.

The Grub
Can't comment on the steak. But the buffet is usual buffet food. Salad bar, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, soups, lasagna, ham, green beans, bad pizza, desert bar... you know the drill. In general, most items are pretty bland. But the beauty of a buffet is there's a lot of different stuff up there. So there's bound to be something you want. Find it and pig out.

Bonanza
2902 South Center Street, 641-752-3686

Update (September 2008)
Unfortunately, the Marshalltown Bonanza closed this summer.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

El Portal

Tucked in next to Kmart in a weird pseudo-mall is the Mexican restaurant El Portal. It seems this place is always busy during lunch. Let's see if the food justifies the crowds.

The Looks
Typical lame Mexican decorations. Tables and chairs are simple, and the booths are uncomfortably small. And they pack people in. Not an obese-friendly atmosphere. But the service is fast. And if they can bring me food fast, all else is forgiven.

The Cost
They have lunch specials around $5 and any possible combination of burritos, enchiladas, quesadilla, fajitas, etc. for 6 or 7 American pesos. They have some expensive items on the menu, but in general, most selections seem to be an excellent value.

The Grub
Exact same menu and food as wonderful, La Carreta, on old highway 30. That means excellent all you can eat chips and salsa. I had the lunch chalupa. What's the difference between a chalupa and a soft shell taco or an enchiladas? Don't know, Don't care. It was delicious.

El Portal
1716 South Center Street, 641-752-0011

Friday, September 28, 2007

Applebee's

Got a case of the Monday's in Marshalltown? Interested in some pizza poppers, shrimp shooters of extreme fajitas? Maybe just coffee? Applebee's on Center Street is your best bet for bar and grill food.

The Looks:

"People can get a burger anywhere. They come to Chotchkie's for the attitude and the atmosphere". The same could be said of Applebee's. Although the servers do not seems to be wearing any pieces of flair, there are posters and nick-nacks all over the walls. Bonus points to Applebee's for including several pieces of local Marshalltown memorabilia.

The Cost:
Expensive. There's little chance you're walking out of here for less then 12 bucks. Most menu items range from 7 to 10 dollars. Toss in a 2 dollar soda and a reasonable tip and you'll be hurting. It might be worth mentioning they have lunch combos, which you can get a soup and salad for $5.99 or a soup and sandwich for $6.99. But you'll leave hungry.

The Grub:
All the usual suspects on the menu. Burgers, chicken sandwiches, wraps, huge salads. Some tasty dinner options include steaks, ribs, grilled fish, shrimp and pastas. I enjoyed the roasted turkey and Bacon Ciabatta with seasoned fries. I wasn't given enough fries, but the sandwich was good. Friends have told me in general that Applebee's doesn't always give enough food for the money. The Marshalltown location seems to be better then most in this regard, I did leave mildly satisfied.

Applebee's Neighborhood Bar and Grill
3101 South Center Street, 641-753-7755

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Sub City

Sub City on main street is a Marshalltown eats at their best. Is it legal to sell this much good food for so little? I think I actually left full and satisfied.

The Looks:

Bawah! Fake wood paneling. I hate fake wood paneling. It's an older establishment with Marilyn Monroe and Sinatra posters attempting to create an atmosphere. The booths and chairs are not comfortable. But there's always a huge line at lunch. Must be the food.

The Cost:
The cost is damn cheap. $3 to $5 for a "half" sandwich, and double that for a whole. What I really like is they don't try to sell you a combo meal you don't want. I don't think they even have combo meals. So if you just want to sandwich, it's cool, that's what you get. Soda is 70 cents for a small, 90 cents for a large.

The Grub:
First let's define what a half sandwich means. This ain't your boyfriend's 6 inch subway. This is 8 to 10 inches packed with meat. They slice the meat and cheese off of blocks with a deli slicer right in front of you. And they don't skimp on it either. You then move down the line and select toppings of your choice. The bread is brought in fresh from Hy-Vee every morning. The end product is marvelous. So much better then a sandwich from Subway or Blimpies. You need to eat here.

Sub City

8 East Main Street, 641-752-1375

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Cecil's Cafe

A small cafe, located on old highway 30, Cecil's looks to be a favorite stop for truckers. The highway may have moved, but Cecil's is still there, still delivering grease and goodness. Could such a tiny roadside cafe satisfy such a hungry man?

The Looks:

Old school dinner. They even have pie under glass on the counter. The chairs and tables are small. Not made for modern obese Americans, like myself. Old newspaper articles and the like hang on the walls, giving you a feel of Marshalltown history. The clientele are, well, hopefully they have their last will and testament made up.

The Cost:
Pretty reasonable. Most sandwiches and burgers are $2 to $4. Fries and onion rings are an additional $2. Sodas are a buck.

The Grub:
I had a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and fries. The fries where made from scratch, cut from the potato and bathed in grease. The soda glass was so small, it was probably less then a can, and refills were slow. It was like I had to savor the drink, because there wasn't much of it. The sandwich was tasty, if small. Next time I go, I'll get two sandwiches.

Cecil's Café

13 Iowa Avenue East, 641-753-9796
Breakfast, Lunch
Dinner on Wed. and Fri. only

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

La Carreta

Hidden away on Iowa Ave. (old highway 30) is a gem of a Mexican restaurant known as La Carrara (or "The Cart" for you gringos). A Mexican Restaurant in Marshalltown you say? I know! I'm as surprised as you. But more hungry.

The Looks:
Holy crap, is this place a pizza hut?! It seems it used to be. They've done a good job of Mexicanizing it however. Nothing too fancy, just cheap decorations on the well. The service is fast and friendly.

The Cost:
They've got a lunch menu with several meals as low as $5. Everything else is very reasonable. There's nothing on the menu much more then $10. There are additional specials every day.

The Grub:
First the chips and salsa. Best. Chips. Ever. Same with the salsa. I had the lunch enchiladas and they were divine. I think the ranchero sauce does the trick. The beans and rice are average. And all the usual Mexican selections exist of course such as fajitas, combination platters, desserts, and margaritas.

La Carreta
308 East Iowa Avenue, 641-754-1700
Lunch, Dinner - 7 days a week

Monday, August 13, 2007

Memories

Head out of town on Lincoln Way, and you'll unknowingly pass Memories Banquet and Reception Hall. It's a nondescript white building where people apparently have wedding receptions and the like. Boo weddings. Hooray food.

The Looks:
Feels like you're eating lunch at a wedding reception. Probably because people do that here. Probably accounts for the sweet looking, well stocked bar. And the crappy folding tables.

The Cost:
The buffet will run you around $6.50 (drink not included) and most of the menu items could be had for under $7. Not a bad value.

The Grub:
Memories has a simple all you can eat lunch buffet. Or if you wish, the menu contains simple lunch items, such as burgers, chicken, soups and salad. I ordered the club sandwich with fries. The sandwich was passable, but the generic crinkle cut fries were blah. The onion rings looked to be the better choice. In general, I left somewhat unsatisfied, but will return.

Memories Banquet and Reception Hall
1010 West Lincoln Way, 641-753-4693
Lunch (Mon.-Fri. 11-2 p.m.)
Dinner (Fri. 5-10 p.m.)