DON'T Judge a steak by its building!! It looks cozy and old-school on the outside, but the food inside is straight-up legendary! The steaks are ridiculously tender, juicy and seasoned so simply that the flavor of the meat does all the talking. You can even cut it with plastic silverware if you need too! Like.. melt-in-your-mouth, cancel all your plans after, think about it for days...kind of good!!!!! Do NOT forget about the Greek spaghetti...the perfect combination of butter, cheese and whatever secret ingredient they use, is the best sidekick to the steak! I normally choose the filet. The Bread: just get it. Used best as a juice cleaner upper when you are saddened by the steak already being digested and all you have left is the liquid reminder that you just housed as steak faster than an Indy Car. Get there early. This is not a suggestion, this is a warning. They are always packed. Just remember, if you find yourself near a baseball complex....you are surely close to one of the best restaurants in the MIDWEST! Enjoy! read more

One of the best steaks I've ever had and their spaghetti noodles with steak juice on it is exceptional. Service was wonderful and made fabulous martinis Definitely will go back when I'm in town. read more

Northwestern Steakhouse - Menu - Steakhouses Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

I guarantee that this steak house is the best of the best when it comes to steaks. This is what you get with your steak - get the pasta. The pasta is the bomb. The service is top notch. Very helpful. And the ambiance is very comfy. Crowded but comfy. read more

See all

Very good steakhouse. Lots of selections, home style and delicious food. Service was good and the place was nice!

We were able to get a same-day reservation at 8:30 PM, which is what we wanted because we got into town late. Northwestern Steakhouse was full of customers when we arrived. We seated promptly even though we were a few minutes early. And our server, Heidi, took great care of us. You should ask for her if possible. Although everyone there was super helpful and attentive. Courtney also helped us. We had a couple of cocktails, which were delicious and affordable. They brought us a pitcher of water so we could refill our own water glasses, which was lovely because of the heat. They also kept my Coke glass refilled. We each had the Greek salad, which was fantastic! Great feta cheese, a little egg and pickle with a wonderful dressing. My wife had the petite fillet and a baked potato and she loved it! Her steak was cooked, perfectly, medium rare as she asked. I had the top sirloin and spaghetti. Mine was cooked perfectly medium as I requested and the spaghetti was something truly special. It looks so simple, but it is unique and amazing. You definitely need to try it. Look forward to returning to this restaurant tomorrow for prime rib. read more

See all

We were driving through the area again. Called and got a reservation for the same evening. Steaks were cooked perfectly and our server was fantastic! This is one our favorite restaurants to visit in the U.S. read more

Had a great experience start to finish. Staff was super accommodating and was given an option for 2 to be seated within 10 minutes. Fillet was juuuicy. I already want the spaghetti again!! read more

See all

Holy Cow this place is amazing!! Lisa, was so sweet we arrived without reservations, don't do that, call ahead! They are packed!! She squeezed us in at the waitress table :) thank you Lisa. Everything was delicious! We had the RibEye, tender and cooked perfectly, I had the Roasted Chicken...best I've ever had and I've had some fancy chicken before.. far better than the over priced places. Don't miss the Greek spaghetti, I know, sounds crazy, it's a must!! Chef Bill knows what he's doing and Mary our server was a doll! Can't say enough about how delicious everything was! Sorry about the lack of photos, it was too yum to stop and take some. read more

Northwestern Steakhouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

The most tender meat of your life and who knew the Greeks had their own spaghetti??? Warm ambience, friendly service. I love it here. read more

Northwestern Steakhouse - AMAZING. Filet, Greek spaghetti, I travel for work and have eaten across the world...never had anything like this meal! - Steakhouses Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

If you wanna talk the best steak in the U.S.? This is your #1. It's a tradition to go to Northwestern. The servers and workers are so welcoming and friendly. A great spot for date night or just a simple family gathering. You are served great portions so you never leave hungry. I've had many steaks and yet have not found another that compares read more

A Mason City institution! The steaks never disappoint - melt in your mouth. The ambiance is perfect for a small town steakhouse. Comfortable and not pretentious- the focus is on the food and the service. My husband grew up in Mason City and we don't get back often. But the Northwestern is always a required stop. Honestly - I'd much rather eat here than at one of those upscale trendy steakhouses. A hidden gem. (Service was excellent when we were last there. ) read more

Great food! Great service! Great ambiance! Highly recommend! We had perfectly cooked filets and delicious Greek spaghetti. read more

Called restaurant a few days ahead of time. Was told they don't take reservations until 4:30 day of. Told them we were coming a long way just to eat there. The woman told me to show up at 4 and we could go up to the bar and at 4:30 come down and make our reservation. All that is WRONG. We had to wait in line,outside, til 4:30 and by the time we made it to the door the earliest we could dine was 8:15. We went up to, what they call the bar,....pretty boring...and waited.....after two bottles of wine...for our table. Food and service after that was very good and staff actually gave us a ride back to our hotel. If you go I'd suggest getting there by 3pm to wait. read more

What can I say about this place after so many years coming here when I visit my family or relatives! Can't leave town without the taste from this place. Come and see for yourself! Good Food Takes Time (GFTT) read more

Northwestern Steakhouse - Info: - Steakhouses Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

See all

Incredible meal, the service was exceptional, the atmosphere was warm and fun. We're from out of state and will come back again when we visit Iowa! 5 stars! read more

This is truly a destination if you want to be treated with amazing food and terrific service in a cozy atmosphere! You will not be disappointed in the tender steak, Greek salad and the side of Parmesan spaghetti!!! We were staying at the very nice Camp at the Woods RV Park and the fun and friendly owner highly recommended this place!! I also have a friend who drives from the MN Twin Cities periodically for these fantastic meals!!! Wish we lived closer, we'd be there there a lot more often!!!! read more

The filet was cut with a fork tender and cooked to perfection. We always enjoy eating here.

Can't go wrong with steak! Medium rare just like I like it. Hard to eat a perfect steak when my table mate has to eat hers well done (burnt, dry, and tough) but that's how she eats it. Service went well and ambiance was fine. read more

Solid restaurant. Great experience give it a try! Service, food, location. All is perfect!!

The best place in Iowa. If not best place in the region. If you have a large group try family style.

Very good food, their steaks are fabulously prepared. You can't make a reservations for groups under 5, so plan ahead, and the seating is very cozy. Very..... cozy... like you'll be sitting in your neighbor's lap if you're not careful. The place is an iconic landmark and well worth the dine in. Service is always great. Plan to dine at 5:00 when they first open, if you don't have a reservation, though, because the line starts to form at 4:30'sh. Or be prepared to dine after 8:00. Highly recommend! read more

Always a good experience and the best steak you will ever eat. I can't believe I grew up in this town and never went there. We take all our friends there when we are in the area. The prices are high but well worth it. read more

Open in 1920 family owned. A road-trip destination place. A one page menu USDA choice Iowa beef, Lamb Chops ( my reason for driving 2 hours). Make sure to fry the side of Greek spaghetti. The restaurant is very small. Get there early Reservations only for parties larger than 6. read more

The best steaks anywhere. Wait staff attentive and conversational. Thankfully we were a party of 6 so we could make reservations- but we hit it right during the middle of the week for a birthday celebration and several open tables, not busy like it usually is on the weekends. Our filets were done perfectly, others at our table had the lamb chops and he said they were perfect. Others had the special and it filled the plate. Large portion for sure. This is a must place but closed on Sundays. read more

These people got it nailed down. We got there at 4:10. They open at 4:30. Got in line about 4:15. The parking lot is already packed. They have limited tables so once they fill up the next round is 5:30. We sat next to the welcoming table and the lady was answering the phone nonstop. By the time we were leaving they were booked until 8:45. I got the NY strip steak. Of course it was amazing. Greek spaghetti=wonderful. Baked potato was a baked potato. GF had fries. Reservations are available for parties over 6 I think. The servers knew what they were doing and did it well. Cute place. read more

The spaghetti!!! The Greek salad!! The prime rib!! The bread!! It's absolutely delicious!! It's been here family owned for over 100 years!!! Very quaint! Make reservations!!! It's a smaller venue and it's very popular!! A definite must when in Mason City!!! read more

Absolutely fantastic. The perfect place to stop on our drive north. We were well taken care of & felt like a local. The steaks were perfect & the bread was heavenly. read more

Uh, no. Interesting and old School-cool, but no. GTFOOH. Best steak where? Please enjoy the experience for sure but this is not a contender for best anything. read more

Freaking awesome!! I'm dreaming about the steak now - absolutely melt in your mouth tender and seasoned perfectly so you still taste the steak. If you want THE BEST service ever, ask for Luann. Of course you're going to order a steak and be full, too full to eat the shockingly delicious plate of spaghetti soooo order a tub to go. Holy cow you're going to be so happy the next day when you heat it up for lunch. Trust, you're going to go through a withdrawal phase after the first night, the spaghetti will help ease the pain - especially if you save some steak to add with it. Enjoy!! read more

Great steak & Noodles love it. Good service. Definitely go back again! Good food yummy!!

A group of four of us made it to Mason City. Not to see the Music Man Square but to eat a fricken steak. And the drive was worth it. Get the greek spaghetti as your side. You'll want it for dessert too. Prime Rib was delicious I ate until I could eat no more. Make the drive even if it's a couple states away. It's well worth it. read more

See all

This place is an icon in Mason city. If you're ever here, traveling, you have to try their steaks. Some of the best you can ever find! And make sure they have the spaghetti as that is incredible as well. read more

Was there last night....Greek salad was superior, small filet was wonderful and perfectly done and Greek spaghetti was the perfect side. It just doesn't get better than this place. I hope they last another hundred years. Definitely worth a road trip form anywhere. Just be sure to call at 4:30 for your rez... read more

Very expensive but very very good food. Steak is amazing and spaghetti as a side is even more amazing. Eat there every chance I get.

Great Ribeye, salads, drinks and very friendly service. Always time our trips to the Northwoods so we can have dinner here on the way!

This review is specifically for travelers. Although the restaurant is very casual in terms of dress and kid friendliness. There is nothing casual about coming here, you need to make a plan if you are just stopping through. The restaurant opened at 5pm, we arrived at 4:25, the parking lot was already half full with people waiting in their cars. There is a park across the driveway where we took the kids, as soon as the line started forming around 4:45 we left the park and waited in line. By than we were tenth in line. Seating is very small inside, maybe 20 to 30? In talking with the locals they said this is how it is 7 days a week, we came on a Wednesday. Around 5:15 as we were waiting for food other patrons arrived and were told all seating was full until 7:30, so that gives you an idea of how fast they fill up. They do have an up stairs lobby where you can wait and have drinks. Also you can only make reservations ahead of time with six or more people, if less you have to wait until they open at 5pm, but just from over hearing the calls they were being booked for 7pm. On the weekends, I heard it is even crazier people tell me they arrive before 4 since on the weekend they allow you to reserves at 4. However the restaurant still opens at 5pm. For our entrees we ordered the hamburger platter for my kid, lamb chops for myself and my wife got the special of the day a NY strip for $17.99. I got to say for their food the prices and portions are a tremendous value. The lamb chops were fantastic and the oil and steak au jus it is served with is so flavorful. The lamb chops were medium away from the bone and medium rare toward the bone, very tender. It is served with a mint jelly that goes pretty well with the lamb, but honestly their sauce is all you need. The NY strip was cooked perfectly very fresh and tender. The meal also comes with bread and a side salad, both of which were good. Our kids favorite was the side spaghetti, very rich butter and Parmesan flavor served over top their steak jus, a definite winner. They do not offer any desserts, but after eating all of their delicious meat we had no room for dessert. The only negative, I can say about this place is the inconvenience due to the small inside and the overwhelming popularity. Definitely glad, I stopped here. read more

See all

I grew up in Mason City. I later lived in Los Angeles and had the opportunity to eat at some of, if not the best, steakhouses in the nation. My wife and I were out so often we were on a first name basis with Wolfgang Puck. That all being said, Northwestern has the best steaks I have ever tasted period! It is 100% mandatory when I come to Mason City, or within two hours of Mason City that I eat there at least once! Yeah, it's that unique and amazing! Staff is always wonderful as well which is always a perk! I have introduced at least 20 friends and family to Northwestern, all but a few say it's the best steak they have ever tasted! The ones who said it was not are probably idiots. read more

Amazing! Best steak for hundreds of miles! We live in CO and try to eat here every time we're back in the Mason City area. We're long time customers, it remains great quality every time! Get the filet and spaghetti, you can't go wrong! read more

Came in from far out of town earlier this summer. One of the members of our party was signing the praises of this place based on reviews we had seen online, and we completely trusted his judgement. And we were wholeheartedly impressed with what we experienced. The tiny and unique architecture aesthetic has an intangible charm to it, not unlike many buildings you can find in the Midwest region. I had the burger steak with butter spaghetti and I still think about this meal often. Complete game changer. Admittedly I did not try any of the fancier steaks, but what we did receive was special. Although given that it is a small restaurant, be sure to get in early. We were lucky to snag a table for eight on a busy weekday night. The staff were also friendly for what I remember. If I ever pass through town again, I would be sure to stop by and try another steak. read more

Boy what can you say about this place that someone hasn't already. It is worth the wait if you don't get there early enough to snag a table. Have been going here probably at least 20 years. read more