Location: Story City
Story City Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Story City
Story City is a city in Story County, Iowa, United States. Story City is located within the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area which envelops all of Story County and which, when held in conjunction with the Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area, complements the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area. The population was 3,431 in the 2010 census, a slight increase from 3,228 in the 2000 census.
1. Dinners by Dawn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By A Marie T - Apple Valley, Minnesota
When you’re heading down 35 south and you think you’re in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa - but hunger strikes(!): do yourself a favor and avoid stopping at the first place off the highway. Drive just a few minutes further all the way into town and get the good stuff for lunch! Dinners by Dawn is a small coffee shop café that may be hard to spot at first (it’s on the south side of Broad Street across from Norseman Hardware). Here are some amazing menu items we sampled: a mouthwatering Bourbon Brisket Club, a delicious, just-like-mom's pasta salad, ‘Spin-art” (spinach-artichoke) Panini on marble rye, plus a wonderful creamy potato soup: all absolutely yummy! (Either Grandma lives right next door or everything must be homemade-in-house)! Our server (Joanna) provided excellent service with a genuine smile. Thanks for a great lunch! Btw, there’s Interesting décor - beer steins galore line a wall shelf all-around. This is a quality lunch stop - pleasantly much more than we expected!
2. KaffeGeita
Overall Ratings
5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By ProntoPup90
This place is the best and I mean THE best. Their employees have a thorough knowledge of all things coffee. I have been to numerous coffee shops in greater Central Iowa and this one takes the cake (literally!!:) Unlike most places that have limited understanding of what a real Italian macchiato is, the staff at Kaffe Geita knows. Like your cappucino wet or dry? How about a homemade pastry to start your morning off right? Or maybe a handcrafted panini that transports you to the tastes of Venice? Here they craft their drinks and sandwiches with care and precision. If you are traveling along I 35 to parts unknown or just in Story City for a visit, come here for the surprisingly tasteful treat that is Kaffe Geita.
3. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
3 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By init4keeps - Des Moines, Iowa
Family friendly. Friendly staff. Clean. We used the drive through. Prices are good. The chicken wrap that I got was very fresh, hot and good. Typical Dairy Queen food. Not too long of a wait for delivery of food. Marcydiner tantrum scale of 5/5-no screaming kids. See pics. Very convenient to I35.
4. Open Flame Steak & Lounge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By TeeSue - Waterloo, Iowa
We set out driving, no destination in mind. We became hungry and consulted our handy Iowa Mom and Pop restaurant guide and found we were close to the hamlet of Gilbert. Neither of us had ever been to Gilbert and the Open Flame's hours indicated they were open, so we decided to try it. We entered and immediately noted that there was only one other couple there and they were finishing up. We asked the waitress if we should stay or go. She explained that they do close between lunch and dinner, but that she was happy to serve us now.
The waitress was an out of state student at ISU and she was articulate and kind. She recommended an appetizer platter (all fried delights--don't judge) and we shared a patty melt. You know that sound you make when the food is amazing? Yeah. Best burger we've had in a very looong time. While we waited for our food, we explored the rest of the joint ... the grill your own steak brick pit, the old photos on the wall of vintage Gilbert landmarks and people. All in all a charming place, with great food and college educated wait staff! Score!
5. The Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 443 reviews
Reviewed By init4keeps - Des Moines, Iowa
Second chance. I'm a foodie and I will give it. Yes, the hollandaise sauce was perfect. See pics. Right amount of lemon, thick, rich. The hash Benedict was ok. I don't think collard greens were the right accompaniment to the Benedict. The eggs were just a bit overdone, with nearly no runny yolk(drops). The salad as a side was ok, but unusual. The melon and pineapple 1/4"x2 1/2" slices were very good and ripe, but there was just too little of them. The presentation was beautiful. Clean place. I wouldn't bring kids here. The place is beautiful, but they continue with overly loud music that is "all over the place" with its genre. 1980s pop to some sort of jazzy blues to what not, at a loud enough volume to not be able to hear your party. Which brings me to a Marcydiner tantrum scale of 3/5-no screaming kids, but way too loud music. Music at any restaurant is meant to add to the experience, not overwhelme it. My waiter, a tall man, was not friendly at all. The prices here are some of the highest in Ames. And while today's visit was filling, many times you walk away hungry from this place. It's beautiful. It has rich atmosphere. If only the food(and music) matched. Street parking. There is outside dining. There is also a dessert area with separate seating.
6. Los Altos Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By kay k - Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
Easy to find, just off the freeway. We had a quick and quite good lunch. Chips and salsa were good. Chicken fajitas and chicken quesadilla both very good. Service was fast and friendly, good prices too.
7. Alley's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By estadosunidos1 - Iowa
This is a carry out only. The Pizzas are nice, but the desert pizza even better. Service is good and Pizzas are done to order. Would go back anytime.
8. Pizza Ranch
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By DWbiker - Grandville, MI
We stopped at this Pizza Ranch while traveling north through Story City. This was the first Pizza Ranch we visited in about eight months. The prices are higher here than what I remember, but prices at all Pizza Ranches might have increased. Another difference is that when paying with credit card, a line was on the bill for a tip. I left a token tip, but I assumed that a tip was not requested at Pizza Ranches. Now for the rest of the experience. When we paid for the buffet, we were asked for our preferred kind of pizza. We asked for a pizza with vegetables, and this turned out to be very tasty. All the food was very good, and we do recommend this place. Other people seemed to agree because this restaurant was quite busy.
9. The Bistro
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Phone number is 515.733.4620
Reviewed By tomc317 - Indianola, Iowa
We had a very nice lunch here on a Friday noon. We arrived a little before their opening time and were welcomed in and seated. A good lunch menu of soup, sandwiches, and salads, plus dessert choices. Service was great. The restaurant quickly filled up with the noon lunch crowd, but service was prompt and courteous. The tomato basil soup was a hit, as was the French onion soup. Each of our group of four tried a different sandwich - and each was satisfied. Two choices of pie for dessert - both good. Highly recommend this small cafe. Great food, great service, reasonable prices.
10. Subway
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Tim S - Ames, Iowa
Pulled through the drive thru for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Used the ordering board outside for the first time also! Was very impressed with the sandwich being made the way I wanted and quickly!
