Northern Iowa and southern Minnesota

Am going to be driving from Walnut, IA east on I-80 through Des Moines and north on I-35 to Twin Cities need ideas for good stops. Will be visiting Spam Museum in Austin MN.

It's been a few years, but I had a great lunch at Jerry's Other Place, near the Spam Museum in Austin.  They had terrific pies and good broasted chicken.

http://www.jerrysotherplacemn.com/

Hey, you're starting in my country. Are you visiting Walnut (the antique capital of Iowa) or living there?

Jerry's Other place is good although a bit pricy.  Kenny's Oak Grill is good and less pricy.  They have a web site--but I don't know how to post it.  Also Tendermaid is good--they serve loose meat hamburgers and a few other items.  They have really good shakes.  I think they also have a web site.

Every year we go to the Fathers' Day Antique festival in Walnut and this year instead of going home to KC we're going north to MN. Last year we tried to eat at Susie's Kitchen in Stanton Ia on our way home but Susie was in the hospital.

Oh and if you are looking to go out for a nice dinner (ie: dressed up) there is The Old Mill.  Excellent food and it really is an old mill.  This where we sometimes go for special occasions.  They also have a website.

Is the Old Mill in Austin?

Yes!

WOW!! You actually go to the antique walk? Walnut is a madhouse that weekend with antiques EVERYWHERE!! Mass insanity! I go around Walnut that weekend. It takes a half hour to drive through a town of 500! Happy antiquing!!

Any Seafood


Jerry's Other place is good although a bit pricy.  Kenny's Oak Grill is good and less pricy.  They have a web site--but I don't know how to post it.  Also Tendermaid is good--they serve loose meat hamburgers and a few other items.  They have really good shakes.  I think they also have a web site.

Here you go:
 
Kenny's Oak Grill: http://www.kennysoakgrill.com/
 
Tender Maid Sandwich Shop: no website, but here is a review: http://www.austindailyherald.com/news/2008/jun/21/tender-maid-earns-statewide-acclaim/

Any Seafood


Oh and if you are looking to go out for a nice dinner (ie: dressed up) there is The Old Mill.  Excellent food and it really is an old mill.  This where we sometimes go for special occasions.  They also have a website.

 Here you go:  http://www.oldmill.net/

I think we've got Austin covered. Any suggestions for twin Cities or Stillwater?

There is a previous thread started by Davydd that is all things Minnesota. It goes on for 4 pages.


http://www.roadfood.com/F...sing-Chat-m521069.aspx

I think you should go to visit blizzard at Farmer's Kitchen in Atlantic, but it may not be far enough down the road for you.

Still, very worth a stop.

:)

Between Iowa and MN the things I recommend are the Rapidan Dam Store in Rapidan, MN but I think it's out of your way.  Cute little place with great shakes and pies and a decent burger.  If you find yourself in Mankato, Pagliai's makes a pretty good pizza. 

I miss being able to go to Cossetta's in St. Paul for pizza.  I was there last spring and posted these places: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=513374

A short way west of I-35 south of the Cities is "NEW PRAGUE,MN", obviously a Czech Heritage town. We stopped there a couple of time a decade ago and really enjoyed great Czech food at a restaurant at the edge of town. Sorry I don't recall the name, but it was built of 'Logs' in the western traditional Log Building style. The Liver dumpling Soup was wonderful as was the roast pork and 'Knedlicki' (bread dumplings) in gravy!!! If I can find the name I will edit it into this post.
 
OK The name of the place is "Town's Edge" located on Hiway 13 (4th Ave).  Good Czech and American standard dishes.

I never heard of Town's Edge in New Prague. The premier restaurant in New Prague was Schumacher's. It was closed for a while but I understand it has re-opened. I don't know if that means it is the same as the past iteration with the same chef.

My suggestion for an interesting stop would be the Suzie-Q in downtown Mason City, IA. My report on it is here...

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=508868

Thanks 6star for posting the websites!!

Davydd


I never heard of Town's Edge in New Prague. The premier restaurant in New Prague was Schumacher's. It was closed for a while but I understand it has re-opened. I don't know if that means it is the same as the past iteration with the same chef.

My suggestion for an interesting stop would be the Suzie-Q in downtown Mason City, IA. My report on it is here...

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=508868

Albeit it over a year later, thanks a lot for the Suzie Q suggestion. We went there on a recent trip to Minnesota. Tiniest place I've ever eaten in, but biggest and best tenderloin I've ever eaten.
 
My fiancee got the Hawaiian burger and said it was one of the best burgers she's ever had.