36th Street Tavern

(78 reviews)

3.2 mi

Its brunch time here at 30hop, the menu selections all look delicious. I sadly didn't try any this…read moretime only because I was craving a burger and Brussel sprouts. Oh and my favorite soup in the area the tomatoes basil bisque. So I ordered the 30hop burger I did take off the lettuce only because of the recent situation. I did end up taking off the tomato as well it didn't hence the burger and made it taste off. Ate them on the side with the ranch. My only thing I wish they would improve on is to thicken up their ranch its so thin it drips off quickly and is all over the place. Allison K did an amazing job with answering my questions and the next time I come back in the Turkey Panini will be my next choice with the soup dipper option. Highly recommend stopping in there's a little for everyone on the menu.

My friend and I came here on a Saturday night, and although it was quite busy, we were seated right…read moreaway. The service was excellent--our waiter was kind, attentive, and made us feel well taken care of. I ordered the yakisoba bowl without any meat add-ins, and I'm so glad I did. It was easily the best yakisoba I've ever had. The sauce leans more sweet than salty, which made it really unique and flavorful. I absolutely loved it. I would definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area. I definitely think it would be a great spot to watch any sporting event. It is winter time, but looks like it would be a nice spot in the summer. I can't wait to come back and try more items on the menu!

The Korean Steak Sandwich with side of Wok Veggies $18.99

See all

Old Fashioned

Big Grove Brewery

Food is absolutely delicious. We ordered it to go. They packaged everything well when I went inside…read morethe restaurant smelled amazing. The gluten-free bun is one of the best buns my partner has had. Good job Chef Also the service was quick and friendly on fleet. Side note: the burger Pattie was little salty

Large patio area and fun atmosphere and friendly staff!…read more Was a great spot to watch some World Cup games and many options for drinks! Bloody Mary was pretty watery so wouldn't get that again but the pear seltzer was very good and the bao buns were super flavorful and fresh

Party room full of yelpers!

Fruit Crisp & Ice Cream

See all

Grilled Caesar & Asparagus Salad

Cornbred

This meal was life changing. Get the $2 bacon as a side and you…read morewill not regret a thing. The service was incredible and the food is some of the best I've had in my whole life. 10/10 will return again!!!

The food was some of the best we've had in the Midwest! The pulled pork was sinful, the smoked…read moregarlic gravy was unbelievable... the list goes on and on. Ever dish is thoughtful and executed with perfection. Our server, Tom, went above and beyond at every turn and made the experience a memorable one. He is an incredible asset to establishment. We will be back!

Pork ribs and baked beans

Make Ames Weird

See all

The Stuffed Olive

We had such a wonderful experience! The drink menu has a great variety, and everything we ordered…read morewas delicious and well-made. My friends and I spent the evening on the patio, and it was the perfect atmosphere to relax, catch up, and enjoy some amazing drinks. Even though the place was busy, the staff never missed a beat. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely kind from the moment we arrived. Our drinks came out quickly, and we never had to wait long when we needed anything. It's clear the team works hard to provide excellent service, even during their busiest times. Great drinks, great service, and a fun atmosphere make this a place I'll definitely be coming back to. Highly recommend checking it out if you're looking for a fun night out with friends!

Good was good! Service was just ok- it was a busy Saturday night though!…read more Drinks were good and so many different options to choose from! Tuna tartare was fresh and the wasabi cream was very fun!

Almond Joy martini....won't disappoint!!

Olive Sampler

See all

The Republic on Grand

Got stuck here with weather and flight issues. Food was amazing, drinks were great, service and…read moreatmosphere so nice for a bad travel day.

We love this place! Stopped here last week for date night. Had some flatbread and a few drinks…read more Food and drink was great and the staff was super friendly!

CRÈME BRÛLÉE ST~GERMAIN FLIGHT--Original elderflower liqueur, dark chocolate, raspberry

See all

North view

Barn Town Brewing

The "hottest" burger wasn't spicy at all. Like most breweries, this place drowns its food in salt…read more Am not a fan. On the upside, service was quick and friendly, and the sweet potato steak fries were excellent.

We came to watch the game during brunch but the food was not good... I think other reviews are…read morepretty misleading. Did we get them at a bad time? Maybe.. The burrito was small and cold, mimosas were mainly syrup, and the skillet had no flavor. I do not recommend this place for brunch. The starters and lunch looks okay, but portions are small considering the price. The wait staff is incredibly nice, and service is good. They also have plenty of TV's for any game you may want to watch.

See all

Firetrucker Brewery

The Firetrucker was created and raised on the shoulders of a great man, and the legend continues…read more This has become a local standout as far as breweries go! They have embraced the locals as well as the biking crowd. Being right off the high trestle trail they are perfectly located to serve the 2-wheel crowds! With occasional live music and always having a food truck roll in it is a great place to drink fantastic beers and handmade cocktails while enjoying a snack or meal from the revolving food offerings. The staff are always friendly and quick to fill your drink orders. In addition to that they have a massive selection of board and card games to help pass the time with your friends and family! Go check it out!

Great place for live music! Smaller patio but still good size. Picnic tables. Looks like you could…read moremaybe bring your own chairs. A few snacks sold inside. Huge beer menu. We had Jell-O shots on the 4th! Very friendly staff! Would definitely go back & recommend . Check it out!

Inside of Firetrucker

See all

Line

Dublin Bay Irish Pub & Grill

Dublin Bay is an Ames long time favorite. Locally owned and operated Dublin Bay has a great bar…read morearea and quieter restaurant section. I love their food including Ruben, fish and chips, shepherds pie and Club Sandwich. I highly recommend Dublin Bay.

We stopped in for dinner before an event at Stevens auditorium. We were seated right away and got…read moreour orders in. It's a very relaxing Irish pub vibe with a variety of seating options and lots of TVs. Our drinks came out quickly and the food followed shortly thereafter. I got a martini and it was very well prepared. My wife got a glass of wine from their decent wine list. For dinner, I had the lamb burger, which was quite tasty. It was a good combination of flavors and the fries were hot and crisp. My wife got a naked burger with a side salad. The creamy Parmesan was very tasty and it was a nice bed of greens. A table next to us had some sort of a problem with one of the dinners and the server tried many many times to get the customer to order a replacement, but he said he was OK with what he got. When she brought the check to them she made sure to take that off since he did not eat it and would not accept a replacement. They seem shocked at this, but I wondered why they just didn't get a replacement! Great service by that server. She was also our server and did a fantastic job with us. We had very tasty food and great drinks , so I would definitely recommend it and would go back if I was in the area.

Waiting area

See all

Cooper's on 5th

It's lunch and now you find yourself driving toward that icon spot of Cooper's on 5th in Valley…read moreJunction to savor that delicious Cajun Meatloaf Meltdown Sandwich- Simply Delicious. My only issue is food temperature---while served eye appealing it was just warm -- work on food temperature control -- the sweet potato fries were awesome and the egg rolls with barbecue sauce and sausage were solid. Jeffrey -- my wait staffer-- bar mixologist-- made me a Lavender Lemonade Mocktail and it was every bit as good as a "Mr Pibbs." The soft music cascading in the background provided the serene feeling to allow me to play message catch up by iPhone and a tab, or utilize the quiet spot to socialize with great company. This space gives you a choice for fun socialization.

We loved everything we tried! The meatloaf and the Mac and cheese were great! The Brussels sprouts…read morereally stole the show though! So good and crispy! Great service and loved the back patio!

Limited seating

See all

RoCA

Back in Des Moines after over two years (and in warmer weather!) so it was time to find some grub…read more RoCA was a gamble and I decided to chance it. When I walked in I loved how quiet and cozy the spot was so that set the dining expectation. I was attended to by Travis who is awesome and embodies hospitality and service (thank you Travis!) and decided to dive in for the Cajun Alfredo entree. I have been to New Orleans so many times and tried different variants of Cajun Alfredo pasta and I will say that this is one of the BEST I have had outside New Orleans. The pasta was perfectly cooked, flavored and balanced plus the portion was great. Travis was also very kind to knock out the sausage as I don't eat pork and substituted it with some chicken. I look forward to returning now that I have a spot to come back to!

Drinks before and after the show at RŌCA…read more The drinks were all fantastic. The Pig & Fig Manhattan was fantastic with Bacon Fat Washed Bourbon, sweet vermouth, and house bitters. Excellent start. She got the smoked margarita which was really cool and smoky. Don Julio Blanco, lime, Cointreau, Agave, and Apple-Wood Smole. Very decadent. After the show we got: The Polar Express O with Diplomatico Rum, Sweetened Condensed Milk, coffee topped with cold foam, and grated chocolate. Very boozy and strong. Didn't look very good in the glass, but tasted ok. Very strong. She choose the Cold Brew Martini and it was excellent with Ketel One Vodka, Averna Amaro, Madagascar Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup, and House Cold Brew Coffee. The service was great. Will be back for more drinks.

Wine decorative partition

Pan Seared Divers Scallops

See all

Steak nachos

Boulder Tap House

(25 reviews)

4.5 mi

We went to Boulder Tap House in Ankeny with a party of five and a half -- Kim and I, three of my…read morekids, and my one-month-old granddaughter. We sat at a high top with a bench, and it actually worked really well for having the baby with us. Drinks and waters came out efficiently, and our waitress was kind and courteous. The food did take a little while, but everything came out together, which I appreciate with a larger table. My fries were room temperature when they arrived, but they quickly replaced them with piping hot ones, so no real complaint there. Our table had a good mix: the Pulled Pork Sandwich for $12.99, Crispy Chicken Wrap for $14.99, Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos for $14.99, BTH Classic Smash Burger for $14.99, and a medium order of house-made boneless wings for $16.99. No one complained, which is usually a pretty good sign with our crew. The restaurant was clean, fairly busy, and all the staff we interacted with were friendly. Drink prices seemed reasonable too. We were also able to hang out and visit for quite a while without feeling rushed, which made it a really nice family stop. It is close to home, the food was good, and my daughter picked up the bill for Father's Day, so that made it taste even better. We will definitely be back.

Food was good, service was amazing and it was very quiet, we were there on a Tuesday…read moreafternoon...the music was great!

Toquilla Lime Chicken Tacos with Rice ($14.99)

Food - Unidentified

See all

TrailSide Tap

Stopped in for dinner and ordered the Chophouse Ribeye. Cooked to perfection and a delicious sweet…read moreglaze. We ate inside and it was very clean with lots of open seating. Service was friendly and had a great dinner overall.

It's been awhile since I've been able to Iowa and the Ankeny main Street has significantly grown!…read more Stopped into TT for lunch and it didn't disappoint! Great casual spot to grab. Drink or some great bites! Grilled cheese and a side of tomato bisque was just perfect. Great drinks, great service!

BLT

See all

Cubano with Fries

Anchors Away

4.6

(9 reviews)

2.0 mi

My wife and I stopped for dinner on a Tuesday night. We got right in and got in our drink orders…read more Full bar, with good selections. The food menu has sandwiches, Flatbreads, salads, appetizers, and entrees. I had trouble pinning down a selection, as a lot of things looked good. All food and drink is VERY reasonably priced. I got a Philly Cheesesteak and my wife got the Buffalo Burger. Both were fabulous! Fresh tasting, nicely cooked, and flavorful. The Sweet Potato fries were piping hot and delicious, and the shoestring fries were hot, fresh, and wonderful as well. There are about a dozen bar seats, outdoor patio tables, indoor booths and tables. There are 6 TVs that have a variety of shows on as well. Wish this was closer to our place, but if you're anywhere close, swing by and give it a try!

Good food at a reasonable price. Some noise from the kitchen whe you sit in back. Very friendly…read morestaff.

Kitchen and order window just to the Left of the bar.

Fried shrimp basket.

See all

Signage. East side of the building.

Uptown Food And Beverage

Since moving to the area mid-summer, we have learned that Uptown Ankeny is a fun spot, and now we…read morehave found a restaurant to pull us there even more often! Uptown Food and Beverage was a fabulous stop, combining a tremendously cozy setting (booths/tables), ease of parking, location, and remarkable historic photos lining their walls. This place works well. Luckily, we had a superb server for our maiden voyage, as Adriana rocked! She helped us with menu options and was both kind and knowledgeable. We shared a tasty Caesar salad, and I appreciated that they served the dressing on the side without requesting it. Their thinner-crust pizza is delicious! We selected two, ordering their Margherita (olive oil, fresh chopped garlic, sweet basil, and topped with aroma tomatoes) and their Spicy Italian 16" options. Wowowowowowowowow! Both pizzas were fabulous, maintaining their consistency, and simply delicious. Thanks to fellow Yelper Dan T for his Spicy Italian recommendation. Sure, we brought home a lot of pizza, but this weekend will be better because of it. I learned they have a good lunch buffet (11-130PM), and we arrived during their 5-7 PM weekday Happy Hour but did not explore it. I had heard about their onion rings and saw an order at a nearby table that had me yearning for them on our next visit.

It's been a minute since I dropped out a review on one of my favorite pizza spots in the metro…read more Uptown Food and Beverage Co. in Ankeny! Not to be confused with Uptown Garage Brewing (also in Ankeny) or Uptown Bar & Grill in Grimes... I've been ordering and eating pretty much the same thing here since it was Encore Pizza in Johnston. Lol A large Spicy Italian pizza Italian cheese sticks And a fountain drink... Dennis Gibson opened Encore Pizza in Johnston years ago. He started out as an Ankeny Hawk, went on to ISU (he's an ISU hall of famer), was drafted by the Detroit Lions and later played for the San Diego Chargers and led his team to a Super Bowl appearance. And he's a heck of a nice guy... I loved Encore Pizza, but Dennis missed his hometown I guess and wanted to be headquartered in the community he grew up in. Encore Pizza closed and he opened a larger location in Ankeny and rebranded it Uptown Food and Beverage Co. Many of the menu items carried over from Encore to UF&BC and the menu has expanded past what it was. And another carry over is the high backed booths... Which I dearly love! These booths are big enough to seat six people easily... Seating at UF&BC is a bar and bar stools, both low and high top tables and chairs, and the aforementioned high backed booths. There is street parking along Maple and SW 3rd St. and a couple small parking areas within easy walking distance. Because of the parking and adjacent businesses you can be deceived on how busy Uptown Food and Beverage Co. looks. We arrived for lunch a little before noon yesterday. That's late for a Saturday lunch for us... Parking was pretty full, but when we walked in there was only one other couple in the restaurant... More people arrived in the next hour, but it wasn't near as busy as it looked from outside. Don't let a lot of cars be your barometer. Stick your head in or give them a call. They may not be as busy as you think they are. Italian Cheese Sticks... Five sticks breaded in Italian flour, fried golden brown, served with a cup of marinara Obviously hand cut and always served hot and molten! The Spicy Italian is described as red and Alfredo sauces, hot Italian sausage, banana peppers and jalapeños. This is probably my favorite pizza in the entire metro and as close as I get to thin crust. It is a thin crust, but it's not cracker thin. Rarely do I deviate from these two items. When it comes to UF&BC I'm a creature of habit or a one trick pony if you will... But I've never ordered anything off the menu that has disappointed me. The staff here is always top notch. Quick to greet you at the hostess station just to the Right as you walk in the door. Always on top of refills. And they check on you enough to make sure you have what you need, but not too much that they are bothersome. Your order is taken at the table and that's where your bill is presented and taken at the end of your meal. Cash and cards (but not American Express). For you lunch buffet fans there is a pizza and salad buffet Monday through Friday from 1100 AM - 130 PM. You can also order off the menu during the buffet hours if buffets aren't your jam... Truly one of my favorite spots in the metro and will never drop out of my rotation! https://uptownfoodandbeverage.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063493183495

Onion rings

See all

Exterior signage

36th Street Tavern - beerbar - Updated July 2026

People who viewed 36th Street Tavern also viewed

Pally's Bar & Grille

4.7

(27 reviews)

4.2* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $36 05/16/2025 My wife and I decided to give Pally's another try, as we have been there before and enjoyed their food and live music on the weekends. This place has solid food, good service and friendly owners who interact with the patrons. Tonight my wife ordered the Cheeseburger (see picture) and I went with the Kickin chicken Sandwich (see picture). We each tried each others meals and liked both options, so would recommend them along with the delicious extra Dirty Martinis!

Great service on a quiet Sunday evening. The restaurant had 4-5 tables full was all. The bartender…read morewas very attentive to our needs and served us at our table during the entire visit. The beer selection was good and cold. We ordered two of the burgers (sriracha and Jasper). Burgers were well prepared and topped as advertised. We hope to come back to order more of the spicy cheese curds that were on the sriracha burger!

Grand Junction Bar & Grill

4.2

(36 reviews)

Nice place tucked away behind a strip mall…read more Figured it would be standard bar food....until I tried the cheeseburger pizza. Holy cow, is that good! The sauce is unique but very tasty. Going back again soon & this time ordering extras for leftovers.

Unfortunately we were not able to eat because there was only one bartender and one person working…read morein the kitchen. For obvious reasons the food was coming out very slowly. However, the bartender was busting her ass running around taking care of everybody. She was keeping up with drinks order and tabs as well as getting people their food as it came out. We will definitely give it another try on another day.

Smoking GOAT Pub

4.3

(11 reviews)

Thao and Kara welcomed us to our first visit to the Smoking Goat Pub like we were family. We…read morestumbled upon this place through a different channel, and decided to give it a try. We are so glad we did. The atmosphere is a dicey but very clean and the vibe looks like a great time. It was a quiet afternoon but the ladies went out of their way to make us feel like we belonged. This visit was only for a couple of cocktails but we saw some food come from the kitchen and it looked on point! Kara made a tasty treat and shared it with some of at the bar and that sealed the deal! We will be back in to give it a shot. I will update my review on the food after that! See you soon!

Stopped in for lunch, had the (really good) house specialty burger. The service was excellent and…read morethe staff was friendly. Didn't get to sample any of their beers but the selection was definitely appealing.

Star Bar

3.5

(130 reviews)

Sorry to see this place close. Hadn't been in a while and we have been here 2x in the last two…read moremonths. Today for brunch I had the smoked salmon eggs Benedict. I was a little skeptical at first as the toppings all came on the plate left for me put over my eggs. I had the side plate of breakfast potatoes. Amazing!

The Star Bar is my personal getaway. When I finish my work, I slide in for a glass of Pinot and…read moremaybe crab Rangoon (best in the world). Or, potstickers, edamame, or sorbet with champagne! Every single server is kind, thoughtful and has great work ethics! I love The Star Bar!

Beaver Tap

3.8

(35 reviews)

We came here on Wednesday and shown a table right away…read more Since I like to try local beers when traveling, I ordered a Pseudo Sue Pale Ale. Pale ales are usually not my choice but it was worth a try. I ended up ordering 3 before we left. For food each ordered 2 tacos each a la carte. I ordered one grilled shrimp taco and one blackened chicken taco. My friend ordered one fish taco and shrimp taco. We ordered 1/2 order of the jumbo pretzel appetizer which came with one jumbo pretzel, queso, and nacho chips. The queso had a good amount of heat. The pretzel was soft and not too much salt. Our server was professional and friendly

Breakfast at the Beaver Tap…read more Walked in for a late breakfast on Sunday. Met a girlfriend to enjoy some breakfast. Tables were almost full. Bar was busy too. We snagged a spot near the back. The waiter was quick to take our drink requests. He came back soon and I asked his recommendations. He sold me on a omelet and my girlfriend got french toast My girlfriend sold me on the Taps potatoes. I haven't had potatoes like that. Almost cut like potatoes chip but then fluffy and fried. Not over crunchy and not to heavy. The make to order omelet was good to. For some reason they left the bacon out but I just tossed it on top with the avacado I was craving. The TVs were on but not to loud yet. There was some football playing later in the afternoon but it wasn't game time yet Music played as we sat and chatted. The food was good. My friend really liked her French toast and black tea. I'm glad I made it out for breakfast. The staff was friendly the whole time. Completely affordable breakfast for us two ladies. I think I want to come back and do this again.

Brickyard Burgers & Brews

3.6

(59 reviews)

Great food, great service with a cozy vibe. Best BLT I've ever had! Will definitely be backread more

This spot was just ok for me. It's a cute place to swing by for a quick weekend drink or to catch…read moreup with friends, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come back. We went at a weird time, around 3 PM so not rush hour and the service was super slow. There was only one other group there at the time, but we waited about an hour and a half and barely saw our server. They had fun Moscow mule flights that my friend and I were excited to try, but we never got a chance to order them since no one came back to our table until the very end, which was kind of a bummer. The food was decent, nothing amazing. Overall, it feels like a chill neighborhood hangout for when you don't have anywhere to be. But if you're looking for something a little more efficient, this probably isn't your spot.

Iowa Taproom

(456 reviews)

What an amazing stop for some fantastic Iowa craft beers! The staff was extremely friendly and…read morehelpful with the beer and food selection. They were quick when we wanted to order and the food came out exactly as described. The bar and seating area was open and inviting. It was a little earlier in the midday on a Friday, but it was still pretty open for anyone to enjoy. I'd go back for another couple of different beers!

I stopped by Iowa Taproom recently and had an overall average experience. The food was okay--not…read morebad, but it didn't really stand out or leave much of an impression. The biggest disappointment was the service. After our food was brought out, the staff didn't seem very attentive. That said, Iowa Taproom has a great beer selection, especially if you're a fan of Iowa craft beers. I'd probably come back to try one of their seasonal brews, but I don't see myself returning specifically for the food or service.

Saints Pub + Patio

3.2

(58 reviews)

Ambiance. Check. Drinks. Check. Food. CHECK. What else could you need? We live 11 minutes away and…read morebypass many others for Carefree Saints. They got food. They got drinks. What else is needed? NOTHING!

This is a really great place to hang out & enjoy some fantastic food! It has a great staff &…read morecomfortable seating inside & a great patio for nice days. The prices are very reasonable & was told the drinks are great.

Barn Town Brewing

(371 reviews)