The 23 best breakfast and brunch in Ames

When we arrived around 10:22 am, there were only two gentlemen waiting outside, which was fine—we didn’t mind waiting. The greeter, an older Hispanic gentleman in a sporty polo, was very pleasant at first. I asked for a table for three, and he immediately asked, “Breakfast?” I said yes, and he responded, “Umm, we’re busy, I have a larger group in front of you.” I said that was fine, we’d wait. As we waited, two more couples came in after us. The “large group” he mentioned turned out to be just four adults and a baby, so I felt a little misled. It gave me the impression that he was making excuses for us not to wait. I asked if he needed my name, and he said no. That made me uncomfortable because I worried he might forget us. Sure enough, while I was waiting inside, I saw him seat a couple who arrived after us. That was frustrating, especially when he placed them at a half-moon table that would have worked perfectly for us, given we were there first. As for the food: it was just okay. Nothing really stood out—the eggs seemed like a smaller portion, and the overall flavors were average. Service from the waitress was fine, but nothing special. The one highlight was the Brussels sprouts salad—that dish was amazing and definitely worth recommending!

We have stopped here a few times to take out desserts and coffee, but finally had a chance to have dinner here. Hands down, best food in Ames. Probably the best food in all of Iowa. No exaggeration here, everything we had was fantastic. The pork lettuce wraps were so tender and wonderfully seasoned, the pizza was amazing, and the burger was easily one of the best burgers I have had anywhere. I can only describe the experience as euphoric!

Wonderfull environment with noise levels minimum and music just at right level, very easy to hold a conversation at table. Brylie was are server and offered good recommendations as well as was very warm and inviting as our family is dropping off our eldest daughter to her first year at ISU. We ordered the Sean Minor 2021 Chardonnay and the onion rings to start. The o-rings were crispy and delicious and the wine was spot on. My wife and I had Miso Cod and daughter had the BLTA pizza. Both dishes were delicious. Overall a wonderful night!!! Thank you Brylie and Provision Lot F Team!!! The Facinellli’s P.S. had the Cannoli and a Lemonchello aperitif. Yum!!

Great restaurant with good ambiance and awesome service. The staff were very attentive and the food was incredibly tasty. The menu is small, but changes seasonally. They had options for everyone in our group including vegetarians and someone who was gluten free. I had the protein bowl, it was very tasty.

This was one of the best restaurants we ate at while in Ames. I had the salmon sandwich which had a delicious lemon herb sauce, well cooked salmon and a soft bun. My daughter had the sausage and mushroom pizza which she truly enjoyed.

Friendly staff, but the basics were missed Service was friendly but a bit uneven. Our server let us know she was in training—which is fair, and I’m glad they’re giving people a chance to learn. Still, I ordered an Americano and it came in the wrong kind of cup and without a saucer. There was no sugar or sweetener on the table either. We ordered three different breakfasts. The food was fine, just didn’t stand out for the kind of place this is or the prices they charge. Cell reception inside is very weak, and—surprisingly—there’s no Wi-Fi for guests. When I asked for a refill on my Americano, it arrived again without a saucer and was charged as a new coffee. Other similar spots in Ames have offered free refills, and even an extra to go. It’s hard to understand no Americano refills at a place that prices it well above average. Bottom line: good intentions, uneven execution. If they standardize the basics (cups/saucers and table setup), rethink the refill policy, add Wi-Fi, and tighten up service, the experience would improve a lot. For now, 3 stars. I don’t think I’ll be back; I’ll keep going to TC.

This is a gem in Ames! I loved the chill ambiance and the food was absolutely delicious! I will definitely go back when I am in Ames!!!! Also my waiter was very nice! I think I might have spooked him because I was in a rush 🤣

Very nice atmosphere for a date - It's dark and pretty and romantic, I think. The food was good. For me the prices were high but probably not high for the area.. Not a good enough value. My Cobb salad was good, a bit too upscale, and a bit small, I thought. Burgers were good. Not a wow but good. I probably won't go there again but I'm cheap.

Go early or later, the mid shift gets really busy and a little wait time will be necessary. The ambiance was that of a nice bistro. The food was outstanding. TVhe choices this trip was Mac and cheese and the birdie torte. The mac and cheese did not have the bread crumb topping however it was adorned by a layer of nicely melted mozzarella. The torte had a slice of great tender chuck and had a cup of au due that was spiced with chili. It was perfection in a sandwich. The prices may seem high but the experience will leave you wanting to come back really soon. Well done friendly. Courteous staff. We'll done chef as well. See you soon. 32

We were passing through Ames and came for breakfast. Friendly service, excellent coffee, my quiche was full of flavor and the salad it came with was delicious. My family all enjoyed their food too. Will come again when we're next in the area.

The food was fantastic! The steak was cooked to absolute perfection! So tender, juicy, and a perfect medium rare. I think it was a flank or a skirt steak, but was as amazing as a filet! We also had the cannelloni, which was amazing. I don't typically do a lot of pasta, but it had great flavor combinations and the sauce was so good for cleaning up with the bread! I realize these pictures/dishes may be out of date here in a couple months, because the Cafe is farm to table and seasonal - another plus in my opinion! The price was on point for the meals and portion sizes. We also got two desserts (to go) both tickled our tongues and brought satisfaction to our bellies! Sadly, we were just visitors to Ames, so we can't return on a regular basis, but be sure we'll be back if we're ever in town again!

We are in Ames for the weekend and came to the Café for Brunch. it was fantastic. Service is top notch. The desert didn't last long enough to snap a picture. Lol

I had heard so many good things about the Cafe so decided to check it out. Very nice atmosphere and friendly staff. The menu was very light in options. All options were about the same price $18. The options were very unique. I ordered the chicken gyros. I’ve never had a gyros with pickles. It wasn’t a good addition in my opinion. I was a bit surprised at how small the portion was. My sister got the tenderloin. It was a healthy portion. I wasn’t impressed with the menu. I don’t think I would recommend The Cafe for variety or portion size.

Great place to get dinner. This was the best dinner we had in our stay in Ames. Food is also quite reasonable and you can’t skip dessert. Would recommend the burger and the fish tacos

Small diner-type restaurant in downtown area. They have an open kitchen so you can see your order being made. I arrived at 10:30 in the morning on Saturday and ordered the special with tea. Service was quick and friendly. The special was the country platter, which was ground beef, hash browns, and eggs along with toast. It was very good and filling but could have had a bit more seasoning. I put on a lot of ketchup and hot sauce. Tea was just Lipton, but it was also good; they give you a pitcher of hot water for refills. Affordably priced at around $15 for the meal and drink. I recommend going here for breakfast or brunch if you are in town.

I visited The Grove for breakfast after several recommendations. I can say that I'm very impressed. I absolutely appreciate the old "Mom & Pop" vibe they have going on. The owner is the guy cooking your meal while he's chatting with the regulars. The food reminds you of what your grandparents used to cook you on the weekend. The only thing I wasn't aware of or prepared for was the fact that they are cash only. It likely said it on the door when I walked in, and the waitress had no issues with me running to the ATM just outside.

Arrived for breakfast at 9:30ish-2 in party. We grabbed an empty booth. Server immediately came over to ask if I wanted coffee, and brought it. However took another 15 minutes for her to take order. During that wait time, 2 additional parties were seated, and had orders taken. When our order was finally taken, 2 more groups were seated, orders taken. Their food all delivered before ours. Unsure what we did for server to treat us with no concern. Nice man that checked us out at register asked how everything was, and I couldn't answer. He could tell something was up, and said he'd cover the bill. I offered to pay for our meals but he insisted. And at that time, server was so nice and friendly in front of this man, opposite of how she was with us.

Very good place to eat. Had the sausage cheese omelet. A must-stop place.

So it was our first time and we got sat right away, got water with little bit of ice. The restaurant is from the 50s and never been changed. Not sure if they have ever cleaned the vents or walls. Food was decent, but no gloves worn and cross contamination would be a thing. No refills were given unless you flagged someone down. Also more than one customer had to ask for silverware, including us, after the food came.

This was easily one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. We were sat at a dirty table to start -- not a good sign -- and things only went downhill from there. Our waitress barely came by, and I didn't get a refill until the very end of the meal, but she didn't fill up anyone else's water at the table???? The restaurant itself was dirty -- not just a little messy, but truly unclean. As for the food? It looked and tasted like someone with no real cooking experience decided to open a restaurant out of their college apartment. The eggs weren't cooked how I ordered, the presentation was sloppy, and nothing had any redeeming quality. When the food finally came out, I'm fairly certain it was the owner who brought it -- and his attitude was shockingly rude and condescending. My mom and I were sharing a meal (a perfectly normal thing to do), and instead of just handing us our food, he made a big deal out of it in a demeaning way. Then, when my friend got her plate, he turned back to us and smugly said, "That's how you're supposed to do it." I can look past slow service, a dirty table, or even food not cooked perfectly -- but the way the owner treated us was absolutely unacceptable. Overall, between the unclean environment, dismissive service, and the owner's condescending behavior, this place is a hard pass. Save your money and go literally anywhere else. ALSO HIS SHIRT WAS SO STUPID! It said “it’s just like home, you don’t always get what you want” Well next time I’m going to just stay home.

We stopped in for an early breakfast right when they opened up on a weekday. Food was great, and the atmosphere was cozy. Would definitely recommend a stop! Keep in mind, it's cash or check only!

The Filling Station is a great spot for Coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch… oh, and gas if if you need it. This place is a gas station/convenience store but so much more. The food here is excellent & the staff is great! You can dine in, carry out, or they have some grab & go options, all made right there in the kitchen. I make it a point to stop here for lunch any time I am in Ames.

I wish I could give 6 stars. Ive come back to change my review to make ot even better. Ive eaten here consistently once a week or more for over 2 years. And they are the best value you can find. The breakfast is great, whole foods cooked in real butter. Almost everything you eat here comes from an Iowan or Midwest farm and you can taste it. This is the best home made midwest breakfast money can buy. I feel right at home in their diner, the convenience store has the best snacks and many healthy options. I LOVE the filling station it's my oasis of healthy fast food in a city that lacks healthy fast food options.

Cool place to stop for food, drink, and gas. Good location right off the interstate and walking distance from the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center. The choices are amazing! Coffee was hot, scone was fresh, plus picked up snacks and drinks for the rest of the day. Gas competitively priced. Place was clean and employees doing great job. They also have sandwiches for breakfast/lunch and so many other options. Worth swinging by if you are in the area.

Great food, friendly people, great atmosphere! Sandwiches were fresh n wonderful. Tenderloins are thick n juicy and big...

Very convenient convenience store! Clean bathrooms, lots of snacks, $0.99 1 liter RC, cafe serves lunch and breakfast…etc

Stopped for gas before heading home from a vet visit for my cat. Holy buckets that's good bbq! I'm a little cheap, so when I saw the price for a sandwich, I debated. Glad I didn't! $8.49 for a pulled pork that was excellent, moist (yes I said it) and piled high. Worth it! Very friendly, helpful guys behind the counter.

We visited The Filling Station in Ames Iowa last week while at a conference. It was very good and we enjoyed a quick and great meal. The folks that work there are very efficient and friendly! Pictured is mushroom burger and fries!

This place is awesome. Been here many times over the years and they have a wide assortment of food for any time of day. I love their breakfast pancakes. The staff is super responsive and friendly. Unless it’s right as they’re opening or a holiday, this place is never truly busy. Not too expensive either. I usually spend around $10-$25 here in total and am in and out within 30-45 mins. All in all, this is a warm, friendly place to dine either alone, with family, or really any sized group. There’s plenty of booths and seating options available to accommodate you. I’d go so far as to say this is one of the top 3 restaurants in the city of Ames.

We came in for dinner and were warmly greeted and seated right away. Our server was attentive, friendly, and offered excellent recommendations that really enhanced our experience. The food arrived hot, fresh, and exactly as we ordered. Everything was delicious and well-prepared. We had a great time and will definitely be back—highly recommend!

We had Lakan and she was phenomenal! Utmost respect for our group and punctuality with patience despite having a larger bunch. I got the 7 for $7.99 which was an amazing deal. The eggs came out perfect and tasted fantastic. It didn’t just end there, the pancakes were made so fluffy and satisfying I wish I would have gotten two orders! The bacon was also done to my exact liking, the consideration demonstrated in our visit was one of the best I have ever had! Thank you so much

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stopped at Perkins and got the hamburger, fries, and pie for $9.99 — basically a steal! The place was clean, our server was super nice, and honestly, I’m impressed that a meal this good didn’t require a second mortgage. Fries were crispy, burger hit the spot, and the pie? Let’s just say it disappeared faster than my willpower. Perkins, consider me a fan!

My friends and I had Lakan and she was amazing. She was fast for the 8 of us and the food came out fresh and hot. She was super accommodating and let us take our time even though we had a big table. She did not rush us. Thank you

There is a specific waiter who is always so kind to my boyfriend and I. We have never shown up there before 7 p.m. and the service we get from this employee is top notch. We love to see this, and we feel welcomed for dinner or early breakfast any time he is there. Will update with a name later!

This is my new favorite work spot. Comfy booths, chill atmosphere, and Wonderful staff. I sit for hours eating a muffin and water and they are so supportive and encouraging to let me stay as long as I need! Benches are 10x more comfy than Panera.

I got the Chicken and Chipotle Avocado Melt. It tastes pretty good usually when I get it, but the avocados were obviously brown and they didn’t try and hide it. Typically at places I’ve worked at if the food itself was turning brown, it would’ve been thrown out. So im surprised that this was severed. Additionally, the delivery ended up coming about 20-30 minutes later than its scheduled time which is very unusual and not convenient at all, especially for a college student with a strict time schedule.

Went in around 6. Asked for a bread bowl with broccoli cheese soup. They didnt have ANY bread bowls. Okay, whatever. I get the Parm BLT & the broccoli cheese (pick 2) after looking at the menu super quickly. They dont offer bread, just apple or chips for the side. It comes out and the BLT is a salad? No thats just false advertisement. Staff did absolutely nothing to change anything. I dont spend money on your overpriced food just to get ripped off. Your establishment is called Panera BREAD and if you have no BREAD at 6pm on a Monday then you need to fix something.

Friday breakfast at the office and today's visit was less than an okay experience, unfortunately. First, they were "sold out" of the soufflé that I wanted. They only had two egg souffles available in the restaurant. Generally they will make more but today was not that day, unless I was willing to wait 25 minutes. Secondly, they handed me my incomplete order. When I called them to report that I was missing a sandwich from my order, they stated that they, "could make me one" if I wanted to come pick it up. After a second trip to the restaurant, I presented my colleague with a limp sandwich that had clearly been made earlier and was the furthest thing from freshly made. Thirdly, the fruit was beyond the "best consumption" date attached to the package. Our Friday breakfast group will be skipping Panera for a few months and will hope that it is able to improve on not just their customer service but also in the quality of food that they choose to serve to paying customers. - Ames, IA location.

Amazing food! I definitely recommend the roasted turkey and avocado BLT and Mac and cheese. Service was fast and food was hot. My one complaint is that the bread they serve is really stale. My sister just got braces and she could barely bite through it. Also there was a homeless guy begging for money and gave us a rose then he took it from us after we politely said no. I feel like the management should have kicked him out of the store but overall my experience was great and I will be coming back!

5 stars because the chicken greens and grain salad was really good, and they put a good amount of hummus on it which was amazing! The bread wasn’t the freshest but still really good!

We always order ahead but this location is Easily overwhelmed and as slow as stampeding snails through a can of peanut butter. Love Panera but don't like this location. Overwhelmed at 145pm... Would hate to see how slow there service is at noon and 5pm...

I love eating at Panera, however tonight was not so great. My French Onion Soup wasn't hot enough to melt my cheese, the Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza tasted like the inside of a freezer and the cheese want melted. Coffee that's usually super fresh and hot, was sorta warmish and no almond milk. I asked for some and they handed me the carton. For $25.00, I was expecting fresh, hot amazing Panera good and got what sorta was what they would normally throw out. As much as I love the French onion soup, it'll be a while before I come back here again.

Today, I had the best drink I have ever had, and it was at Cafe Diem. I indulged in the iced strawberry cold foam matcha latte. It was perfect. Cafe Diem is a great place to study or catch up with a friend. It is so cozy and the baristas are very friendly. I also had the pleasure of having a chicken salad sandwich. Thank you to whoever cheffed that up! New favorite coffee shop in Ames! 💯

Turned out to be a solid experience as I needed to find a place for about 90 minutes between meetings in downtown Ames on a Friday. Great customer service, tasty lunch (chicken salad sandwich), good WiFi, and quiet safe setting.

Great place!! I come here every time my family and I visit Iowa and it is probably one of the best coffee places out there and I am a huge coffee connoisseur. I think my favorite thing to get is probably the chai, but everything there is really good. Highly highly recommend!

Enjoyed the chicken paining (huge!) and a mango smoothie today and we'll worth it!

I went with my wife for a quick lunch today during my lunch break, it took them 30 minutes to prepare a sandwich and a salad. I ultimately asked them to change the order to takeout and after all that waiting, the grilled chicken was basically half raw, very chewy.

Delectable dishes! Rueben sandwich and the Black Bean burger were great. Very flavorful and the chips were good. Baby carrots are straight from the store but that’s the expectation and it is nice to have that option. I’ll come back.

Great place! Fun atmosphere & lots of seating. (Nice to have some food options too, but there aren’t a ton. Understandable being a coffee place, but worth noting!)

Nice bakery. The staff is very enthusiastic! The interior is kind of outdated but there's plenty of seating. Unfortunately, we came at the end of the day so options were limited. The doughnut I chose was very light and airy. Great texture, but way too sweet for me. I would like to come back one early morning to see if there are more items that would suit my palate. I'm not really into shortbread or almond so I skipped the cookies and dutch letters.

We stopped in for breakfast and got a breakfast croissant and a doughnut. The food was good and location is cute. The staff is very nice and helpful. It did seem a little dirty/untidy.

Ordered a 2 tier red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting to celebrate an anniversary. Nowhere in Ames can you get a cake so cheap with such great quality. It was delicious and adorable.

DoV: 3/13/2024 Very cute place to visit! Unique pastry! Coffee is just OK! The seating area is very nicely decorated! Bottom line: visit if you are in Ames!

They will take care of you. I had placed an order for a birthday cake for about 50 people for my wife’s 50th birthday. Somehow the order got filed under the wrong date, so when I came in to pick it up and there was no cake, the owner drove in from her home within 15 minutes and decorated a cake to save the day. Glad they made it right, and at a good price. Oh yeah, the cake was delicious.

If you are looking for a great award winning bakery and confections shop; look no further! The breadth and width of selection in such a small tucked away place is astounding. From breakfast sandwiches to cookies and breads to pastries. Not just your run of the mill donuts or selection; but freshly made, hand iced pastries. Oh, and be careful, they're addicting.

I wish I had stopped in the first day of my trip so that I could've gotten more of this bakery in during the week! Fantastic food and pastries and such a lovely and friendly staff!

I have a very severe allergy to gluten and eat at chick-fil-a often. I went here and requested a gluten free bun as well as them to change gloves, wash hands, etc. I was then given a glutinous bun and no refund. Will never eat at this location again.

Used to go here quite frequently .. however the past three times so far, and after eating the food I got extreme stomach pains. And I’m on the toilet for quite a while.. don’t have allergies so I don’t know what’s going on but something is off with how they are preparing it.. it sucks too Beacuse everyone here is friendly but food poisoning?? Really.. ew

I went through the drive-thru when it was very busy. It was fast and efficient. They got my order correct. I just wish there was more flavor to the chicken

I work in retail and always want to ask if I can hire someone from here lol. Their staff is very professional and organized. The food is always good, fresh, and never has my order been wrong.

Would probably skip this Chickfila... They are rude and take a while to get your cold food. Twice I went in for breakfast and they didn't have coffee ready, and said it would be a bit for it to be ready! The last time I went in, I told the manager my last sandwich was cold, his response was: We make everything to order. Went a couple weeks later, got another cold breakfast sandwich. Guess I won't be going back.

We just finished eating at Chic-fil-A on S Duff Avenue in Ames Iowa. Best customer service I’ve ever had at a fast food restaurant. Better than most restaurants I’ve been to lately. Thank you for an enjoyable experience from Grandpa and Grandma and three grandkids!

I was driving back from Minneapolis and stopped at Chick fila on my way home I did a curbside order waiting 8-10 mins for my food they were not busy. I come home to west Ames and my daughter food isn’t there. I have to go back up there to get the nuggets. A waste of time and money as someone who spends money there a lot. No refund for wasting my time and money. The manager I can give you a brownie … Good customer service at this is location has always been subpar in my opinion.

My wife and I come here before work maybe once a week. It has never disappointed us. Sometimes there can be a wait for drinks, but totally understandable when there are a lot of people ordering drinks. Highly recommend the hearty breakfast burrito with salsa. We cannot wait to try the other stuff on the menu for dinner!

Wow! One of the best coffee shops I’ve been at in a while. Passionate, talented baristas who crafted an amazing latte in an actual mug! Reasonable prices and a welcoming atmosphere. The avocado toast was really good and only cost $4! They have games to borrow and plenty of seating (tables, barstools, couches). Handicap accessible entrance (no automatic door) and bathrooms. They have water cups available next to the trash/dish return.

Went there on Saturday morning and was far from impressed. We ordered a hot coffee mocha and a. Iced coffee. The iced coffee lacked flavor and was basically undrinkable. The place also had a strong lavender smell which doesn’t help those who have allergies. It also took much longer than it should have

Got the Pesto Turkey Caprese and Carmel Corn coffee, and both were very good. Loved dining in and had plug-ins everywhere for charging my computer.

SLAY SLAY SLAY. This coffee house is comfy and cheap prices as well. Their food is better than Panera and easily half the price. Not to mention, their coffee is some of my favorite in town and beats Starbucks easily. They have a lot of seating and it’s very cozy and quiet. This is a perfect spot to hangout, study, play games, or literally just vibe. There are games and books and little things they have offered through the place to keep you entertained with your guests as well.

One star for how the manager/training person acted today. I come here fairly frequently with no problems. I asked for my normal chai oat latte. Important to note that I can not have regular milk and made sure to ask for oat. There was a new girl being trained who was absolutely so sweet, but mixed up the proportions so I asked for a new drink. The owner tried to say that it was the normal proportions, and I had to fight for a remake, even though the trainee said she mixed it up and I overheard before it was delivered to me that it was incorrect. The next one came out but obviously had normal milk. I asked for a remake with the correct milk, and she chastised me for making her “waste two drinks now” and had me pay for different milk. The manager offered no apology and was extremely rude the whole time. I want to be extremely clear that I am not upset at the new hire or the mistakes, they happen! But the manager and her attitude totally turned me off from the place.

Great food and drinks! Service a tad slow but totally friendly and an acceptable wait time. Would definitely go back!

Good coffee! We were in town for a bit and I saw the sign when we exited from the interstate and had heard good things, so we had some seasonal coffees. My husband got a Pumpkin Chai, and I got a Maple Syrup Spice Latte with Oatmilk. They were good! Price-wise, pretty comparable to other local shops.

Burgie’s has the best coffee in Ames. Their coffee doesn’t make me super jittery and it has a nice, smooth taste. I usually get a vanilla latte except for when there’s special syrups (like pumpkin spice or rose, etc). Drinking their coffee is enjoyable! Not to mention that their food tastes great too. I always get their Country Grind sandwich. It’s really filling and always comes out very hot! My partner always gets the Farmers Burrito and it’s also delicious. The price is great for the quality of food and coffee. Definitely try it if you have the chance!

One of my favorite coffee shops in Ames! I like its vibe and drinks! I hope I could be asked whether I want a mug or glass cup instead of (single-use) disposable cups. I usually drink in there, and I get my drinks in disposable cups I don't want, which is disappointing.

Burgies is a unique setting tucked into the same building as a gas station. This is Iowa though. We are open to what can be in a gas station! The coffee shop is tucked to the side so there are no feelings of being in a gas station/convenience store. My friend insisted we order the Country Grind sandwich because it's "the best" and she wasn't wrong! It was as delicious and beautiful! We were able to grab a seat next to the fire place and make breakfast extra cozy. She ordered a Cherry Lime Kombucha and I ordered a hot chocolate which I've had countless times before from Burgie's. It's always perfect. The staff are always friendly too!

Stopped here on the commute back from work. The staff was friendly and explained how they weigh out their ingredients. The interior design was very chic. The Cortado and Lavender Oat Milk Latté I ordered were... PHENOMENAL!!! Probably the best Cortado I've had in some time. The crema on it was absolutely perfect. I had them add a touch of caramel to sweeten it up a bit. This is my new favorite!

We stopped by Burgie's while traveling. At first the gas station throws you off, but it's a cute place and the latte I purchased was delicious! I loved the taste of their house made hazelnut syrup. One of my companions purchased a mint green tea latte with oat milk and was also extremely pleased with the dairy and gluten free options. Friendly, charming baristas, and definitely worth a five minute detour from I-35!

I never have a bad experience here. I don't really drink coffee, but the smoothies and milkshakes are good. The vanilla Shakes actually have specks of vanilla in it and have a richer vanilla taste compared to other places nearby. Their food is also delicious. The farmer's burrito is my favorite breakfast and keeps me filled for a long time too. I also suggest the grilled cheese for lunch. The staff is always friendly and the atmosphere is very cozy and perfect for studying or getting together with a couple friends. There is limited seating so be aware it may be hard to find somewhere to sit if it is busy.

So the service was okay. People seemed nice as well. I have two problems with this establishment. First of all I brought my family and was expecting an inviting atmosphere. Instead I had to endure the most awkward and scary meal of my life. A young man decided to sit next to us and stare at me and my family disturbingly. He asked us if we study at the library multiple times and even called my youngest child unemployable due to their dream of being an astronaut. This to say the least was unacceptable and an employee should’ve stepped in. And got a regular when I ordered a sweet tea. Third time this has happened.

The food was very good. Only one item missing from the order. If you correct an incorrect item placed on an order at the time of placing an order, expect to wait for a manager to approve the change (approximately 9 minutes via drive through for our vehicle).

Their food is typically very good. Any time there is an issue with an order, the staff always make it right and then some. Very high quality service.

Most utterly slow McDonald's in Iowa. You can honestly be served at a sit down restaurant faster. Consistently slower than molasses on a sub zero day.

Got the two cheese burger meal last night and woke up feeling the worst I have in a long time. Pretty positive it gave me food poisoning. Did some digging and other people had issues with the burgers last week and giving them food poisoning too.

October 16th, 1:15 AM, I was ordering through a drive-thru, and it took me two minutes to get the coupon code from my app due to network issues. During the order, I noticed that the cashier was very impatient, and her attitude was rude. The real disaster happened when I got my food. When I was halfway done with my fries, I felt something under the fries. There was chewed gum, wrapped in a dirty, blue, gum wrapper inside my french fries. The Gum wrapper was covered in some dusty, powdery residue of some sort, and it made me throw away the food immediately. Realizing that I ate fries that were touched by someone's chewed gum made me gag and almost throw up. I have documented detailed evidence and photos and will take legal action for this offensive misbehavior. I feel highly disrespected and offended. I will be requesting the surveillance camera footage of the kitchen to check if this was an intentional crime by the upset cashier who had to wait during my order. Suppose your company does not show us the footage or prove that this incident was not intentional. In that case, I will execute serious legal actions with my lawyer and report this to the news and social media.

The best McDonald's i ever stopped at. Since the McDonald's app makes me sign in using Facebook, which i don't have, it won't accept ypur email or Google act as it says, damn near lost my 17,000 points and inaccessible. So I stop in in person. Disabled, inconvenienced but they told me I was old enough for the Sr drink at .75 for a soda. Made me feel better. I still think McDonald's owes me at least a free meal for their mobile app that doesn't work at all...because im not on Facebook.

I am a frequent flyer at this taco johns, but have had it. This is the 4th order in a row I've been screwed!!! I live 18 miles out in the country and am not going back for the correct food. I ordered 2 super burritos and received 2 PATHETIC regular burritos a lg potato ole and 2 lg drinks for a total of $22.76. No lettuce, no sour cream, no tomato. The only reason I gave you the benefit of the doubt is we like your food. No more, I'm done at this point I feel like it's a bait and switch. I will either choke down taco bell or go to El Azteca.

The taco was too salty. The steak was burned. And 80 percent of the taco filled with lettuce. I ordered with uber eat. The rating was 4.6 there which is scam. The worst taco I ever eat. The worst meal I ever eat in my whole life. This restaurant must be closed due to the low quality. The food should go to trash

Potato oles weren't seasoned. Tacos were missing lettuce. Look liked a bunch teenagers working, so definitely understandable. They're learning and doing their best. Staff was very friendly and quick service.

The food was good, the girl who took my order waa good but the person I'm guessing was in charge really needs to learn how to talk to his employees when customers are around. To him he might be joking around but to an outsider he comes off as being incredibly rude and disrespectful to the employees.

I hadn't been to Taco John's in many years and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The manager was very nice and took time to explain different menu options. And for fast food it was good!

The place is clean, the employees are friendly, but the tacos come 1/4 filled... Only went cause of coupon from fair for potato oles....which tasted like old grease. No bike rack, wifi, no catering or delivery

Got wicked food poisoning from here. I had their crispy chicken tacos. Be careful

I never write bad reviews but I feel like this Starbucks needs a huge “buyer beware” sign. They never get your order right and the woman who I deal with is always rude and has an attitude. They seem to have selective hearing, as I have to repeat any mods over and over. I worked for Starbucks for 3 years (240 were my beginning numbers) and never treated customers in such a way, and neither did my fellow partners. Learn to read your stickers. If you hate the food industry so much quit and find another job.

Worst service I have ever experienced, waited 20 minutes for a drink with no explanation and my drink was clearly finished but not brought to the counter to be picked up! People who came or ordered after me got there first? How unfair!

I usually don’t do bad reviews, if my order is wrong or not made way I want it I will never go back and complain to any places, I just move on thinks can happen and people can make mistake and learning if they new employees or maybe they short staff! Reason why I m doing this review is attitude and rudeness my daughter and I walk in to get usual I smile and greed girl who was taking order I usually don’t wait to be greeted because I know they greed over hundred customers. She just look at me before I place order I polite ask if is ok I can use free drink for one of drinks because I have bunch points! She just reply Whaaat with her rude voice and look. I just move on and repeated again polite and place my order! She won’t said nothing just told me total I said oh I was going use one of free drinks, she dint like that and continue be rude and have attitude. Her coworker who was making drink came very professional and said oh yes we can do that, I just start talking to her since she dint mind talking to customers who have European dialect! She understands perfectly what I was saying since I was speaking English! I told her don’t worry about it and if is making more work for them I she don’t need to do that I will just use next time. She insists and she jump in and take over she also make our drinks! Perfectly and with kindness! If I own business I will recruit her and hire on the spot right there! While coworker girl with short hair just stand with attitude. If you don’t like your job or people with European Bosnian accent, or people in period I suggest you find job you don’t have to talk to people who buy coffee every single day for last 18 years whine is $9 per coffee! So do math I all ready paid for your income since you start working there.

The workers seemed agitated that they couldn’t continue their conversation when i came to order. The girl not taking my order was yelling at someone in the back saying how stupid they were. Then she got my order wrong; I ordered a drink that comes hot and you can ask for it to be iced, which I did not. She made it iced and looked at me like I was stupid when I said something and the other girl just glared at me. Can honestly say I will never go there again. Very rude.

I have lived in Ames for two years and this is the best place to get my Starbucks coffee. There are quite a few other locations, but this one is the best. The girls that work that are friendly and they make my specialty coffee perfectly each day.

I’ve been here multiple times and every time the same person who works (she hasn’t had a name tag on every time) is very rude. I have asked questions and had specific wants for my drink and every time she says no and doesn’t want to actually take the time to make my drink the way I normally get it at any other Starbucks. Very disappointed.

I only go here when my wife insists. I would rather get drip coffee from a gas station than give this company my money. Hope the wife gets tired of the Pink Drink soon, I'm sick of picking strawberry slices out of the kitchen sink drain.

This trendy brunch restaurant has unique decor that stands out from typical American establishments, which may have drawn people's attention. We ordered four dishes for lunch. While the plates' presentation was distinct from what you'd find in other American restaurants, the flavor was rather average.

This resturant has been on my list for years when my son came here for college. We made it happen this weekend and I wasn’t disappointed. The menu was creative and you could customize what you wanted. There was a short wait to get seated. Food came out fast fresh and hot. Would recommend for brunch 100%.

I had the chicken and waffles which I saw on their site. A little pricey at $17.00.It looked delicious. It actually turned out to be delicious. The waffles were advertised as being crispy on the outside and soft in the center . They were just that. The syrup had a good flavor to it and there was enough to cover the waffles and the chicken. There were some things that was not impressive. The chicken that came with the waffles was breaded and sizable but not seasoned at all. It was said to come with bacon but what was on there was barely noticeable possibly even bacon bits it was so small. The butter that came on top was very tasty just not enough of it for my liking. All in all it was it was a very good chicken and waffles but I have tasted better. My wife had the classic breakfast with ham and fruit. It came with 1 piece of toast. $13.00. Don't dissuade that from you trying it, that is just my opinion. The waitress was Malarie (pronounced Mallory). She was very courteous answered all of my questions and knew what she was talking about. It would be worthy for you to ask for her if you went in there. All in all 51.68 for breakfast was a little much.

I ordered the Mediterranean Avocado, which stated “chopped avocado” on the menu, but what I received was a very thin spread — not what I expected. I also ordered a side of avocado, which came mashed in a small bowl and did not taste like fresh avocado. I eat avocado daily and am familiar with its flavor and texture, and this did not seem fresh or authentic. While our waitress was polite, she seemed rushed throughout the service. Given the price of the avocado side, I would have expected at least a whole fresh avocado.

Amazing food!! Wonderful service. Very peaceful, crisp, and calming interior/decor. Had the Opa omelete with fresh fruit and a biscuit with gravy. The taziki was perfect. All homemade and wonderful. Will definitely be back next time I'm in town.

it was great I’ve been twice! My favorite item was the tres leches pancakes but it’s been removed! Only complaint is how close the indoor seating is but if you sit on the patio it’s peaceful!

Not allergen-friendly NO GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS Never in my life have I ordered shrimp and grits and got it with the tails on. Staff is unwilling to make any substitutions for the egg that came with my meal. This is borderline discrimination. If you are unwilling to substitute a food item that is a popular allergen, you MUST offer a discount equivalent to the value of that item.

Honestly just upset about my frappe. I got a large frappe with extra chocolate drizzle and add Oreo. I get this frappe that’s not even fully blended, like you can see the large ice chunks in it. The “extra” drizzle was just the normal amount on the top. The lady who gave me my frappe said “if you go to the one in Nevada they put the drizzle in the cup.” AND 37c for just a sprinkle of Oreo on the top? McDonald’s what is this?!!!!! At least the one on Lincoln blends the Oreo. I do NOT want this. Straight to the trash it goes. Smh. do better.

They can never get your orders right, it's a gamble every single time you go. Tried to order the Sausage Extra value meal for $5, they gave me just the sandwich and charged $4. This is one example in a long history of messing up our orders.

Your guys store is completely shit! Excuse my French but every time I buy food here it is not warm or it’s missing something too it..I pretty damn sure it’s dirty back there and y'all don’t clean your pop Machines..Anyways do too the fact is October 4th 2025 late night you had a disrespectful manger in there being very rude too customers. Hell! Even the damn employee was disrespectful maybe because they were busy? Or what but that’s no excuse! The manager would sigh and take forever or slam the door in your face when you asked him something do better!..Because at this point I don’t know how you run a business like that!

sat in the drive through line for 10 mins and no one took my order while the other drive through line went through multiple cars. i ended up leaving because it was obvious no one was helping me. i would save your time and money and go somewhere else.

They are so bad with service. I’ve been waiting 20 minutes for my curbside pick up order that I was told would take 5. Went inside and waited another 10 while multiple employees looked at us and walked by. I didn’t even get to talk to an employee I just caught the one on his way out to my car with another person who was also waiting for curbside pickup and had been there just as long as me. In total I waited for 30 minutes. The place was also trashed with the garbage’s overflowing and orders that never got picked up just sitting there. I will not be coming back.

Do not go to this McDonalds at all especially if you do curbside I have done and gave this store too much credit note it’s to the point where I sit in the parking lot for a long period of time just for cold food and no drinks there has been times where I don’t even have my whole meal for my kids or my self because they didn’t bag it I don’t understand why it takes so long to bring food to a car waiting almost an hour just for food then get told I can’t have my drinks because the machine is down don’t you think you would start to clean it at the end of every shift at night time so you have it when you open back up this is pathetic what ever you do not go to this store horrible service watching people walk around outside while your waiting on your food and then you get cold food no drinks

Bagel breakfast sandwich was cold, bagel was not toasted. Barely any sauce on protein. Slow service inside. Order numbers not called , food just dropped on counter by a non-verbal worker. Iced coffee cup only 2/3 full. I applaud the many challenged workers but there needs to be a limit on how many at once.

Great food and coffee. However, last time I went through the drive through they asked how much to add on the card for a tip. Found it a bit uncomfortable to be asked like that for a coffee, maybe just hand out the iPad ?

Stopped in 15 min before closing on our way to Minneapolis today. Cute coffee shop but guy working the register was rather surly. Didn’t like answering questions cause he clearly thinks he’s smarter than everyone. After paying overhead him telling the female employee that he wasn’t making any additional coffee and if someone ordered coffee before they closed to give them an Americano cause “they won’t know the difference.” Good luck to anyone watching their caffeine intake since there’s a difference between coffee & espresso. Overall lattes were nothing special but not terrible either.

Went through the drive through today & there was a car in front of us. We sat behind them probably close to 15 minutes, I'm not sure what took so long but felt like forever for a coffee shop drive through. When my husband went to pay the gal at the window asked him: "Would you like to leave a tip? No pressure though." I feel like saying that made it obligatory for us to tip, then she asked how much. If you are asking for a tip in a drive through coffee shop then maybe you aren't being paid enough...Just made the whole experience a little uncomfortable.

Really cute place and great coffee! I took my 4 year old for a "tea party" and it was a lot of fun. My daughter loved the raspberry steamer, which the barista made at the perfect temperature so my little one didn't burn her mouth. I got the tumbleweed (which tastes just like a snickers) and they far surpass Starbucks in taste. I have also gotten the turtle mocha before and it was equally delicious. The chocolate chunk scone was mom and daughter approved. They had puzzles and games so we could play something during our tea party. Staff was very nice and friendly. We will definately be back!

Fun place. Yummy cinnamon rolls. Staff is friendly. Hit or miss. Sometimes you'll get hot coffee. Sometimes cold even if that's not what you ordered. Give it a shot. Hopefully the kinks will work themselves out at some point.

Well I need to give it a 3 🌟 because... If I order large cappuccino I expect to be large. In my situation i receive a small or medium coffee in a large cup. Overall place is really good and people were nice,but next time just make sure to get the right size.

Nice staff and great coffee

Lockwood Cafe is hands down one of the best hidden gems in Ames! If you're looking for a cozy spot with great vibes, incredible coffee, and quick bites that hit the spot, this is the place. Let’s start with the coffee easily some of the best in town. Whether you're into a classic pour-over, a creamy latte, or something seasonal and fun, Lockwood nails it every time. It's clear they care about quality and consistency, and you can taste it in every cup. And if you’re hungry? Don’t miss out on their quick eats everything is thoughtfully made and super satisfying. Perfect for a grab-and-go lunch or a relaxed snack while studying or catching up with friends. Now for the heart of Lockwood: the people. Austin- Sharron and their team Rory, Nikkia, Daphni , Marry are what truly make this place special. The moment you walk in, you're greeted with genuine smiles and warm energy. They're welcoming, attentive, and they make you feel like you’re part of the community not just a customer. Whether you're a regular or it's your first time, you’ll be treated with the same kindness and top-notch service. The cozy atmosphere and awesome staff make Lockwood a place you’ll want to come back to again and again ☕️

Very cozy and eclectic cafe in NW Ames, IA. Great lattes and crepes. Surrounded by whimsical and fanciful artwork. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating options. Also fun to watch the frequent freight trains pass by on the UP Overland route.

In town for the weekend and stumbled on this place to grab a quick coffee, and what a pleasant surprise! Such a cool spot in a unique location, and baristas were warm and inviting. Loved to see a free produce / canned goods cart and art from local artists for sale. There’s also a section that appears to host events. My crepe was delicious, and I’ll certainly be back whenever I’m in Ames again!

Welcoming vibe and great selection of savory and sweet crepes. The Schrute beet crepe was so delicious. The mango lassi heavy on the cardamom but otherwise good.

Wow, you knocked this one out of the park. Counter culture meets retro meets … everything. The food was creative and delicious. Presentation was chef level. Thank you for making food and people a higher priority than appearance and profit.

This place is adorable. Cozy and quirky outdoor seating, and delicious food. We tried the breakfast special, banana Nutella, Nutella, and fruit parfait crepes and literally everything was incredible.

Unforgettable brunch spot in the middle of an abandoed factory. Eclectic cutlery and crispy crepes, savory or sweet. My cortado was perfect🤌, partner had a deliciously sweet and spicy chai. 10/10, cannot recommend enough. Very queer friendly, I felt so safe.

I love how my smoothie was made this time! I typically get the Avocolada (so good!) but they’re not made very consistently (still good either way). I like them thicker and creamier, and this one was that!! So delicious. The employees all seemed to be down, but they were still doing their jobs well :)

Every time I come here I am not disappointed. I usually get the chia banana boost with whey protein and it’s always delicious. Fast service and friendly staff. I appreciate the quality every time! Keep up the great work’

I used to love this place. But the inconsistencies are driving me insane. This is the second time I've paid extra for a side that they were reckless with. The first time, they didn't put any dressing or apples in the kale salad. I get it, mistakes happen. But this time!? I ordered the jalapeño corn and received a bowl that was all smashed up on the bottom, with little more than a tablespoon of corn in it. I'll add a picture if Google will let me. This is utterly ridiculous!!! I can't believe someone thought that was okay to give a customer.

Many options. There are healthy, but flavorful options as well as more of a "dessert" type smoothie. I keep going back because it is so good!

Great place to come enjoy something healthier and nutritious! Great service! Almost no wait time!

This location has gone down hill in recent months. From the sour attitude of the employees, often seeming bothered simply by you being there, to the watery and lackluster consistency of the smoothies. This place used to be awesome. Not anymore.

peanut butter banana smoothie is what i usually go for, but i've had a lot of their drinks and all are phenomenal. I highly recommend tropical smoothie!

Nice cozy vibes like a book store crossed with a cafe Exelent place to study and the coffee and tea is decent as well as the food it can get a little crowded but all the carpets and books do a good job dampening the sound

Went to Bookends for the first time in a few weeks. Brought my travel mug and ordered a dark roast coffee. I was charged 1.60 for a weak bodied and flavorless coffee. I dumped it out. If you like GOOD coffee go elsewhere.

I asked for a tea fog and instead of asking me what tea I wanted in it the guy at register just told the girl making drinks something random which was incredibly rude

The two employees that we dealt with were extremely rude. We ordered a frappuccino and asked for no whip creme, they still put the whip creme on and when we proceeded to take the whip creme off they said in a rude tone, "If you wanted the whip creme off we could have taken it off back here instead of you making a mess in the cafe." So I said that we were planning on cleaning it up. The next lady proceed to say, "If you didn't want whip creme then you should have asked for NO whip creme." So I said that she did ask for no whip creme, and the lady gave me a nasty look. Overall very unsatisfied with how rude they were to us for no reason.

Bookends takes advantage of being one of few places students can buy lunch on a tight time schedule by charging over 6 dollars for tiny sandwiches that are so inconsistently sized that you never know if the one you buy will end up being a slice of deli meat and a lettuce leaf wrapped within the tortilla. Absolutely ridiculous.

There is a lot available: coffee, tea, water, juice, baked goods, granola bars, snacks. However, the coffee is not high quality and there is a long, slow line during popular times.

Coffee is the goat. On campus in a library filled with books and hot brewed coffee on your desk. What could be better than that.