Hello old friends and where should I eat in KC/Omaha/Des Moines?

bill voss


OK, I don't mean to sound like A certain Mr. Jew,(or Trillin),  but with Carp, Beef, and
Duck in their glory available, why in God's name would someone want a veggieburger?
Isn't that a crime in Nebraska?

Speaking for myself, a well made veggie burger sounds like a nice break from a week-long meat fest.  What I hate is ordering a veggie burger and getting a thawed hockey puck.  When made skillfully from fresh ingredients, they can be a great treat. 

If you'll agree to a meal at the Bohemian Cafe, I'll allow your veggieburger.
  http://www.bohemiancafe.net/BohemianSong.mp3
A runza almost qualifies though, since it has cabbage in it.

BDavey


I was trying to think of a place that I would consider a reprpestation of Des Moines.  On the North East side of town there is a restaurant called Iowa Beef Steak House http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/menu.html.  At this place you pick out the cut of steak, chop or chicken and then you grill it yourself.  They will grill it for you for like a dollar but half the fun is grilling it yourself, having a beer and socializing while you cook.  It comes with salad bar, potato and garlic bread.  You won't leave hungry and the price is very reasonable.

Sounds like my kinda place
I still say the Machine Shed represents Iowa in all it's glory

bill voss


OK, I don't mean to sound like A certain Mr. Jew,(or Trillin),  but with Carp, Beef, and
Duck in their glory available, why in God's name would someone want a veggieburger?
Isn't that a crime in Nebraska?

i know, right? i spent my teenage years in omaha and being a vegetarian was my way of being rebellious.  i've had a lot of veggie burgers in my day and McFosters is probably the best i've ever had (i hate those from-a-box ones too).

Pigiron

bill voss


OK, I don't mean to sound like A certain Mr. Jew,(or Trillin),  but with Carp, Beef, and
Duck in their glory available, why in God's name would someone want a veggieburger?
Isn't that a crime in Nebraska?

Speaking for myself, a well made veggie burger sounds like a nice break from a week-long meat fest.  What I hate is ordering a veggie burger and getting a thawed hockey puck.  When made skillfully from fresh ingredients, they can be a great treat. 

McFoster's veggie burgers are the real deal. Add some of their sour cream and chive fries and enjoy.

wanderingjew

BDavey


I was trying to think of a place that I would consider a reprpestation of Des Moines.  On the North East side of town there is a restaurant called Iowa Beef Steak House http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/menu.html.  At this place you pick out the cut of steak, chop or chicken and then you grill it yourself.  They will grill it for you for like a dollar but half the fun is grilling it yourself, having a beer and socializing while you cook.  It comes with salad bar, potato and garlic bread.  You won't leave hungry and the price is very reasonable.

 
Coming from another life-long Des Moines native, I would take Iowa Beef Steak House over Machine shed any day.  The only thing Machine Shed does better, these days, is breakfast.  Their breakfast is still worth stopping in for, but not much else.  It was very good, back when I was younger and the original owners ran them.  Now, some big corporation owns and runs them and they just aren't as good.  Made them into a tourist-trap sort of spot, rather than focusing on the food, they try to sell trinkets and t-shirts in the huge gift shop out front.
 
Its not the worst place to eat in town, but it is not what it once was.
 
Rube's, right off of I-80, west of Des Moines also offers a great "cook your own steak" sort of place.  Probably easier to get to, as it is literally at the end of an exit ramp.  Roadfood, indeed. 
 

Inthewater

wanderingjew

BDavey


I was trying to think of a place that I would consider a reprpestation of Des Moines.  On the North East side of town there is a restaurant called Iowa Beef Steak House http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/menu.html.  At this place you pick out the cut of steak, chop or chicken and then you grill it yourself.  They will grill it for you for like a dollar but half the fun is grilling it yourself, having a beer and socializing while you cook.  It comes with salad bar, potato and garlic bread.  You won't leave hungry and the price is very reasonable.

 
Coming from another life-long Des Moines native, I would take Iowa Beef Steak House over Machine shed any day.  The only thing Machine Shed does better, these days, is breakfast.  Their breakfast is still worth stopping in for, but not much else.  It was very good, back when I was younger and the original owners ran them.  Now, some big corporation owns and runs them and they just aren't as good.  Made them into a tourist-trap sort of spot, rather than focusing on the food, they try to sell trinkets and t-shirts in the huge gift shop out front.
 
Its not the worst place to eat in town, but it is not what it once was.
 
Rube's, right off of I-80, west of Des Moines also offers a great "cook your own steak" sort of place.  Probably easier to get to, as it is literally at the end of an exit ramp.  Roadfood, indeed. 
 

But where can I find a good pork chop? Thats what I'll be looking for when I head to Des Moines next year.  I'm not really looking for anything "pretentious" just a good ol' fashioned midwestern farmers cafe...

wanderingjew

Inthewater

wanderingjew

BDavey


I was trying to think of a place that I would consider a reprpestation of Des Moines.  On the North East side of town there is a restaurant called Iowa Beef Steak House http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/menu.html.  At this place you pick out the cut of steak, chop or chicken and then you grill it yourself.  They will grill it for you for like a dollar but half the fun is grilling it yourself, having a beer and socializing while you cook.  It comes with salad bar, potato and garlic bread.  You won't leave hungry and the price is very reasonable.

 
Coming from another life-long Des Moines native, I would take Iowa Beef Steak House over Machine shed any day.  The only thing Machine Shed does better, these days, is breakfast.  Their breakfast is still worth stopping in for, but not much else.  It was very good, back when I was younger and the original owners ran them.  Now, some big corporation owns and runs them and they just aren't as good.  Made them into a tourist-trap sort of spot, rather than focusing on the food, they try to sell trinkets and t-shirts in the huge gift shop out front.
 
Its not the worst place to eat in town, but it is not what it once was.
 
Rube's, right off of I-80, west of Des Moines also offers a great "cook your own steak" sort of place.  Probably easier to get to, as it is literally at the end of an exit ramp.  Roadfood, indeed. 
 

But where can I find a good pork chop? Thats what I'll be looking for when I head to Des Moines next year.  I'm not really looking for anything "pretentious" just a good ol' fashioned midwestern farmers cafe...

So the Midwestern pork chops aren't traif?

Niagara

wanderingjew

Inthewater

wanderingjew

BDavey


I was trying to think of a place that I would consider a reprpestation of Des Moines.  On the North East side of town there is a restaurant called Iowa Beef Steak House http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/menu.html.  At this place you pick out the cut of steak, chop or chicken and then you grill it yourself.  They will grill it for you for like a dollar but half the fun is grilling it yourself, having a beer and socializing while you cook.  It comes with salad bar, potato and garlic bread.  You won't leave hungry and the price is very reasonable.

 
Coming from another life-long Des Moines native, I would take Iowa Beef Steak House over Machine shed any day.  The only thing Machine Shed does better, these days, is breakfast.  Their breakfast is still worth stopping in for, but not much else.  It was very good, back when I was younger and the original owners ran them.  Now, some big corporation owns and runs them and they just aren't as good.  Made them into a tourist-trap sort of spot, rather than focusing on the food, they try to sell trinkets and t-shirts in the huge gift shop out front.
 
Its not the worst place to eat in town, but it is not what it once was.
 
Rube's, right off of I-80, west of Des Moines also offers a great "cook your own steak" sort of place.  Probably easier to get to, as it is literally at the end of an exit ramp.  Roadfood, indeed. 
 

But where can I find a good pork chop? Thats what I'll be looking for when I head to Des Moines next year.  I'm not really looking for anything "pretentious" just a good ol' fashioned midwestern farmers cafe...

So the Midwestern pork chops aren't traif?

Oh, I'm about as religious as the Pope on Yom Kippur !

wanderingjew

Oh, I'm about as religious as the Pope on Yom Kippur !

 
And I have to admit that "nonobservantjew" just doesn't roll off the tongue as well as "wanderingjew".

Iowa Beef Steakhouse and Rube's both are non-pretentious.  More so with I.B.S. than Rube's, but neither are "fancy" places.  The chops at Machine Shed may still be great, as I mentioned, I haven't been there in some time due to poor service (I thought I mentioned that...maybe not) but I think you get a better chop at Rube's or IBS and it is more fun to eat there, as well.  :)
Best chops are the Iowa Pork Producer's chops at the Iowa State Fair, and that will be the same style Iowa Chop (usually a 1" cut) that you will get at either of the steak houses.

Machine Shed did have a very good apple glazed smoked chop, and it may still be good.  Try em both, and let me know.  :D  Heck, I just go to the store and get a nice fresh chop myself, usually.  It is hard to mess up a grilled chop.

Menu and info on here for Rube's http://www.rubesmeat.com/store/default.asp

And info at Iowa Beef Steakhouse
http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/

Inthewater


Menu and info on here for Rube's http://www.rubesmeat.com/store/default.asp

And info at Iowa Beef Steakhouse
http://www.iowabeefsteakhouse.com/

Thanks,
 
They both look great! 
I think the toughest decision will be which one to choose ?

You know what, this discussion about the Machine Shed got me checking it out on local reviews.  I say, if you had a good time there before, go again.  90% of the reviews I have read say that they had a great time, food was great, all that sort of stuff.

I had a bad experience there about 5 or so years ago for a family birthday party.  Had probably 12 people there at a big table.  At one point we waited 30 minutes to get a refill on pop, and when we asked the manager to drop by so we could ask about it, the manager all but told us to just leave and take our business elsewhere.  We had been going to the restaurant for years as a family and were simply shocked.  All because we asked, politely, if we could get a little quicker service (food took about an hour to get.  Refills never came.  Plates were stacked up.  Most likely a new or just bad server.)

Anyway, that was one bad experience years ago.  It just shows how long that sort of thing stays with you.  Judging from some of the trusted local reviewers, it sounds like they are going strong again.  Give it a try.

I still think the food was better 20 years ago when it was in Davenport, IA and then opened in Des Moines...think they got a little too big with 30 some restaurants now, but it is still a good place.

So, anyway, take what I say about it with a grain of salt.  Service of that sort takes a long time to forgive.

Inthewater


You know what, this discussion about the Machine Shed got me checking it out on local reviews.  I say, if you had a good time there before, go again.  90% of the reviews I have read say that they had a great time, food was great, all that sort of stuff.

I had a bad experience there about 5 or so years ago for a family birthday party.  Had probably 12 people there at a big table.  At one point we waited 30 minutes to get a refill on pop, and when we asked the manager to drop by so we could ask about it, the manager all but told us to just leave and take our business elsewhere.  We had been going to the restaurant for years as a family and were simply shocked.  All because we asked, politely, if we could get a little quicker service (food took about an hour to get.  Refills never came.  Plates were stacked up.  Most likely a new or just bad server.)

Anyway, that was one bad experience years ago.  It just shows how long that sort of thing stays with you.  Judging from some of the trusted local reviewers, it sounds like they are going strong again.  Give it a try.

I still think the food was better 20 years ago when it was in Davenport, IA and then opened in Des Moines...think they got a little too big with 30 some restaurants now, but it is still a good place.

So, anyway, take what I say about it with a grain of salt.  Service of that sort takes a long time to forgive.

I know what you mean about bad service. I'm never returning to one restaurant (actually it's a bar-restaurant) in Portland Maine because of horrific service I received last year.  I still have a year before my trip, and although I would like to try some new places, I will most likely at least return to the Machine Shed for breakfast to try their cinnamon rolls.

Regarding Neicie's in KC: are there 2 locations or did one of them move?  Anyone?

http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/36355/ 28th Annual Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle
Friday, June 19, 2009 :: Staff infoZine
Nearly 190 BBQ teams from as far away as Texas and Florida will compete for the coveted title of Grand Champion.


 
Lenexa, KS - infoZine - The Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle – The Kansas State Championship will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27, at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa.

The event runs from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults on Friday; free for kids under 12. Saturday admission is free.

A live blues band will perform on stage on Friday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Free BBQ samples will be available on Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. while they last. Kids’ activities will be offered both Friday and Saturday, including Mad Science, inflatables, a mechanical pig ride, and other games and activities.

Nearly 190 BBQ teams from as far away as Texas and Florida will compete for the coveted title of Grand Champion. Teams set up their booths on Friday and prepare for the competition, which takes place on Saturday. Teams compete in seven different categories, and are evaluated by 240 volunteer judges. Award winners will be announced on Saturday at approximately 5 p.m.

Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park is located at 87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road. Parking at the event is extremely limited. Lenexa offers a free, continuous shuttle service to three satellite parking locations: City Hall, 87th Street Parkway and Monrovia Street; Church of the Nazarene, 87th Street Parkway and Long Street; and the business park at the southeast corner of 95th Street and Lackman Road. The shuttle, which offers handicap accessibility, runs Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 28th annual Great Lenexa Barbeque Battle is presented by SureWest and the City of Lenexa. Major sponsors for this year’s event are 94.9 KCMO and Hy-Vee Grocery-Lenexa.

For additional sponsors and complete event information, visit the BBQ page on the city website or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (913) 541-0209.

 Just thought you boys might be interested in This. :)

Pigiron


Regarding Neicie's in KC: are there 2 locations or did one of them move?  Anyone?

I have also read this but can't find where.  Would love to know for sure.

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/34/381521/restaurant/Raytown/Niecies-Kansas-City

  http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/whereweeat/stern_niecies.shtml
 another place for soul food:
 http://www.papalews.com/

I got our tickets for the Umphrey's McGee concert on 7/15 and the Iowa Cubs game on 7/16, so we'll be looking forward to trying some of these places in Des Moines next month.