Always a good meal here since I was a little kid. Gotta get those tug boats, hot beers, or country friend steaks. Yummy, yummy. Staff is the same people for the past 30 years. Same atmosphere inside as well. Grab a beer at the bar or sit in a booth and enjoy good Midwest food. read more

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Greatest specials in the Cedar Valley. They cannot be beat. Also, had some of the best service I have ever had. It's a great atmosphere for any type of special occasion or just a casual night out. Signed JHans. read more

Love steamboat. Grilled chicken sandwich is delicious. Always greeted and friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Owner came outside and told me that I can leave my car overnight , Turned around and towed it same day. Then laughed about it drunk while working. Food sucks too. read more

It is a fun fine Iowa institution!! I do not understand all the bad reviews? I went on a Tuesday night there is a tugboat special more then enough food , it's a perfect fine fried pork tenderloin on a bun, very juicy. The onion rings were so delicious!!!! Flakey and fabulous. Haters need to stop hating !! read more

Seven friends had a great lunch at Steamboat Garden. The tenderloins, Reuben, Philly cheesesteaks and the wrap were all delicious. Our server was friendly and made sure we had whatever we needed. Our condo group will go again. My only regret is that I didn't do a dessert take out before we left. We were all too full!' read more

My large tenderloin was under cooked and really a mess to eat. Would not order this again, the rest of the meals were okay, nothing fabulous. Waitress was timid and not real responsive . Would not be my first pick , take your chances !! read more

My wife and I like going here but the last time we were there it was on a Thursday I ordered tacos they charge extra for tomatoes, salsa, and sour cream. I don't know if we'll be going back anytime soon nothing against the owner. But the prices are too much for the amount of food you get I wanna say for her and I the bill was like 40$ she had chicken sandwich and fries I had 2 tacos and on Thursday they are on sale I declined the tomatoes and everything else because they want more money. and we literally each had one pop. read more

Tried the regular tenderloin - is a baby size described as 2-3 oz, regular at 8 oz, large 10-12. Thicker tenderloin and a bit fatty - breading was thin and not spiced enough - overall blah flavor and needed the pickle/onion/condiments. Onion rings were an upgrade of $2 and sold on them as are sliced and breaded in-house. Breading was light and again lacked spices and overall blah flavor. read more

Steamboat Garden - Side of onion rings -2 - Bars Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

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i came to this place with my family and the experience was just so-so. my brother got a hamburger and wolfed it down before i could take a picture so i assume that it was good. i got the chicken plate which was just chicken tenders, it didn't wow me just tasted like chicken. the french fries lacked taste so there's not much to say about them. the tenderloin seemed undercooked and it didn't taste the best. the customer service was great and the food came very quickly served hot! to sum it up i think this place could be good if you ordered the right food i personally wouldn't recommend, but i might return. read more

Steamboat Garden - tenderloin - Bars Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

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I have went to steamboat Gardens for years and enjoyed everything about it. One raw chicken sandwich and that's all gone now.

Sorry that I didn't take a picture of the food. First let me say how friendly the staff was!! Which is always a PLUS in my book for starters!! Then no sooner did we place the order, which was the Little Tug Boat, Homemade Onion Rings, and French Fries. Honestly we didn't even wait ten minutes and our food was out and hot. It was DELICIOUS‼ My one regret was that I didn't get the BIG TUG BOAT‼ However when I come back to Waterloo, IA you better believe I'll be back‼ Trust me it is worth a try. Especially if you LVE pork tenderloins‼ You sure can't get those in Vegas. Well not like that. Maybe that's why this place has been around since 1933 read more

Fried food.. That's what you order here. The tugboats are awesome,only a dollar on Tuesdays. It's a family tavern if that make sense. Group of regular barflies holding court. A throwback of sorts. If grease is what you crave the Steamboat's got what you need! read more

I'm updating this review. Went back for tugboats and onion rings. It was much better this time. Restaurant was busy,. Two of us ate for $12 with tip! Can't beat that. Get 2 tugboats if you are hungry, one is great for an average appetite. Sadly we loved this place when we lived here, but today's food was not as we remembered. Tugboats for $1 are a good deal for a small appetite, but the appetizers were $$$ and the drinks were high priced as well. We had to send the onion rings back because they were cold, chicken strips, mozzarella sticks and fries appear straight from the freezer. Nothing worth coming back for. Service was ok, slow, but friendly. Will not return. read more

Today for lunch stopped in and got a Tugboat and ff I'm saying the food was hot fresh and tasted great, the staff was friendly and energetic if you are really hungry they have bigger tenderloins for lunch this fits the bill I'm stuffed. thanks for the wats guys i will be back. read more

We went to Steamboat on Sat., Aug. 24th for lunch. We were assaulted with a stink when we walked in, much like the cow barns at the Cattle Congress. Although reluctant to eat there we have had several great dining experiences here before. So, we sat down, and the waitress, although prompt, clearly had her focus elsewhere. She chatted with the regulars, but was curt and unwelcoming with us. I ordered the Reuben Wrap, which I enjoyed. My husband ordered a hamburger with lettuce. What he got was a scrawny, limp, small piece of something you could hardly recognize. He asked for different lettuce, and was met with a harrumph and a walk away waitress. I will not go back after this experience, and am so disappointed because Steamboat was the fun place to go with great delicious food. I have to give due credit to the man who greeted us and checked us out. He was very welcoming and friendly. read more

Love this place. Food was hot and came out crazy fast. All of the staff were incredibly kind and efficient. The food was phenomenal, and the environment was just as fantastic. I wanna come eat here on my birthday, honestly. Would recommend, great place. read more

I've been going to Steamboat for years, and had zero issues there. Used to be good food, great wait staff, wonderful atmosphere. Tonight, however, after a few months gone, it was the worst of the worst. Waitress: Rude, very offending to myself, my roomate's GF and his grandfather. Food: I typically order the same thing, chicken dinner and fries. Usually, this is decent, or at least edible. Tonight, couldn't even touch the fries, they were so nasty and cold. 3/4 pieces of chicken were 'alright' (not up to par), the last one was so over cooked it wasn't funny. Drinks were incredibly watered down. When water was asked for, it was (I wish I was making this up), tapwater. Beer was watered down and nasty. This place used to be great, but clearly, tonight's experience will point all of us in other directions. Nobody liked the food, it was that bad. read more

My husband has been coming to eat at this business for over 50 years, he remembers when it was in the shape of an actual boat. Since we have been married it is one of the best places for us to visit when we stop in Waterloo. The bar is the best!! The food is great and very resonalbly priced ---Try it out and check out the daily specials. We now live in Florida and have wonderful memories of this great comfort food place...It belongs on your bucket list....and I am not close to 65 years old!!! We plan to stop by this week, when we are in town--to say Hi to Joel!! See you there. read more

To be honest, I'm really surprised the average rating isn't higher. We went there over the Labor Day weekend. It was past 1 o'clock, and they had a lot of cars in the parking lot. To me, that says they're consistently serving good food. Both my wife and I ordered the tugboat, which is a smaller tenderloin, because we're trying to be smaller people. For us, it was the right size, they do have a bigger one. The fries there were really good. Not sure what they fry them in, but they were crispy, and not greasy. I really liked the flavor. Aside from that, not much to say. Service was fairly quick, friendly and courteous, food was good, restaurant was clean. And prices were really reasonable. This isn't a fancy place, more of a comfort food feel to it. We will definitely be back. read more

Best tenderloins in Iowa (or anywhere, really). Their onion rings, mushrooms, and fries are to die for too. I can't really review much else because I never get sick of my usual order! Always a great waiter/waitress as well. The owner, Joel, makes you feel at home and very welcomed. read more

Came to try the food because of the reviews but was severely disappointed. Has the atmosphere of a diner but prices are way too high. Onion rings were flavorless and the food was nothing to brag about. It was very slow service and I will never return. There was more cheese than meet in my wrap and for chicken strips a wrap and burger we waited almost an hour to get our food. Also waited to get our check while our waitress sat and gossiped at the kitchen entry which was right by our table. The host finally got us our check. Thanks but no thanks. read more

Had to give this restaurant a try, overall happy I did. Coming in for lunch we were greeted by there staff, everyone there was very friendly and helpful. Had the burger here and it was more of a basic burger not bad by any means. The restaurant is unique very outdated but it does work for the theme they have going on. Overall great staff, great atmosphere and looking forward to trying so more food on there menu. read more

I go to the Steamboat for the Navy Bean Soup. Can't beat it! (Sorry, Mom) Today I found out they serve Chili, too. I had a bowl of Chili for lunch and it was delicious. Joel is always fun to talk to. read more

It's a very nice restaurant. The service is always good. I've only had the hot turkey sandwich once which was good. Every other time I go is on Tuesdays and you have to go with the 99 cent Tenderloins (tugboat Tuesdays) they are very delicious. I highly recommend! read more

Classic small town vibe. Awesome food, been around since 1933! Local favorite. Huge portion sizes! $1 Tugboat (tenderloin) Tuesday's. You have to try the onion rings! They sometimes are on special but the taste is worth the price. Everyone who says the place needs a "facelift" or needs"updated" should just go to The Olive Garden and zip it. This place has charm! It is like going back in time, but that's what sets it apart from every other lame chain that microwaves their $12 plus entrées. Classic never goes out of style. read more

not for me. i know some locals over 65 years of age love it, so if you meet that criteria, or just enjoy adventuring into dives....I mean I had to try it once right... read more

This place is a throw back, another weird Waterloo dining institution, literally. Enjoyed the classic environment, service and comfy bar. Food was as expected but prices compensated. I recommend for a unique dining experience for its local charm. This isn't your rural Iowa chain, just a ligit institution. read more

I tried this place because of the comments. The food was ok. I went on tues. I bought two tugboats for $2. I wasn't impressed. It may be because it wasn't as hot when I got it home. But I would have been mad if I had paid more than $2 for this on a regular day. read more

This place has the very best pork tenderloins I've had anywhere that is currently open in the area. Caveat: I haven't had one in five years since I quit eating meat, and must admit that being here and not ordering a tenderloin was hard. Can still recommend the homemade onion rings though! The fried shrimp not so much. But overall, I still love his place because it's barely changed since my parents started coming here in their 20s. It's quirky, sometimes raucous, and very popular with all kinds of Iowans. I love the old red vinyl booths and year-round Christmas decorations, and the fact that many of the staff have been there for ages and ages. read more

Good food, nice specials. Try the Homemade Onion Rings they are awesome. Don;t come looking for Organic food, you won;t find it here.

Been going to Steamboat my whole life. Service is great & friendly. Food comes fairly fast & is always hot & good. The burrito is my favorite & the fries are great! If you are on a diet or don't eat meat, this isn't the place for you. Not very many healthy choices but still love it! read more

Local fave. Been going here since I was a baby. LOVE it. Joel is great. Just a fun hold in the wall, greasy yummy food.

I gave three stars overall, but some things are four stars. We had their pork tenderloin specialty sandwiches for lunch with onion rings. The sandwiches are served on a hamburger sized bun, but the pork tenderloin was as big as the whole platter. The sandwich was very, very good and worth every penny. They also have 40 oz pitchers of draft (standard American beer) beer for only $4.00 which is a bargain. The environment and the atmosphere is very old style tavern and eatery. I loved it. Their menu says they have been in business since 1933!! Great! My GF is from Waterloo and wanted to go there for lunch after being away for 35 years, so we both enjoyed it. read more

I know the place and the owner well. Love this please. Really good food. Great atmosphere and its very clean. Wonderful service and wonderful waitresses. read more

this is a waterloo landmark and used to have the best food ever. after a long absence (we were trying to change our eating habits, but had a relative here craving a tugboat) we returned. OMGOSH,,,the prices have skyrocketed! thank god the tenderloins were $1 (and were terrific, btw),,,but over $8 for an order of onion rings? crazy. we won't be back unless another visitor insists on tenderloins. 6/12/18 update. we only went because someone wanted tugboats, which, by the way, the prices have gone up to 1.99 if you carry out. still a deal, but still. the server has been there forever, but my daughter waited almost 15 min for a soda, and my grandson waited even longer for milk. our stuff kept being brought to the neighboring table. I ordered a taco salad and it was horrible. no exaggerating. there was no spicy taco meat, tasted more like sloppy joe. they also charged more for sour cream and salsa, which should be standard in a taco salad. needless to say, I didn't need a carryout box. it seemed like the owner was totally stressed out, running around all sweaty. I don't think we will EVER be back and that makes me very sad. read more

First time ordering the Taco Salad. Never again. I had to dig for the lettuce. I bet there was maybe half a cup at the bottom. Way to much meat for the lettuce they gave. At the bottom it was all grease. Pretty disappointed. Reason for giving it a four star their tugboats are awesome. All You Can Eat Fish is really good too. Onion Ring and Fries very good. I recommend staying away from the taco salad. read more

The atmosphere is like stepping back in time, to an old bar. Lots of old signs and decor. Some food is better than others, the French fries are awesome, but I would not suggest the chicken melt. The guests I were with enjoyed the Ruben and steamboat. I would go again, but order differently. Dying to try the onion rings! read more

I went with my husband once to this establishment if you think cottage cheese or lettuce salad is the creme de le creme of side dish...then this is your place. Vinyl booths with worn out decor. Very small portions and for some reason when I first heard Steamboat Gardens I wasn't expecting a dirty worn out diner. Who requires people to run their own check up anymore? read more

Hands down the worst resturant I have ever been to. Don't these people have standards?? The place was absolutely filthy. I ordered the mozzarella sticks and half were empty!! That's right empty!! Just a breaded shell with no cheese in it. The ranch taste like it came from the dollar store. I didn't tell the waitress about the mozzarella sticks because it took them an hour to get to me. We all ordered water so the waitress brought us a pitcher of water. The water was brown. Yep brown water. Such a disgusting place. I ate two mozzarella sticks. I hope I don't get food poisoning. If you have standards do not go there!!! read more