The place: Dublin City and Grafton Street

The bill: $8.03

The verdict: A new (old) fave

Dublin City and Grafton Street has the best of BOTH worlds!  Dublin City is a crafty new bar located downtown with Grafton Street Eatery downstairs.

It is nice to see businesses coming back from the flood and the city rebuilding. Dublin City has a huge bar that can make creative drinks. The whole pub offers a great and unique atmosphere with friendly service. I love the personal photos of Ireland and the flags and stained glass. I even noticed the same style of carpet from the old Dublin City! Upstairs, my favorite place to sit is in the “River Room.” It is gorgeous and calming.

The menu still has some of the old favorites but with a new addition. I have been anxious for Grafton Street to open up post the flood and so I already knew what I wanted to order without even looking at the menu. My favorite is the Donegal Sandwich. Barbecue sauce, ham, cheese, pineapple and bacon on sourdough bread. Amazingly delicious. My sandwich was accompanied by waffle fries. I had onion rings too. I definitely was full after my meal.

They offer other creative works on the menu as well. Next time I want to try the fried cheesecake or their Captain Morgan root beer float! I attended a wedding reception (Congratulations Liz and Andrew!) there as well and was also able to try a number of their appetizers like the chicken fingers, fried cheese and my favorite — their pizza! The barbecue chicken and chicken alfredo was excellent as well. Grafton Street has all sorts of deliciousness!!

It was great to eat locally and Grafton Street is one of my favorite restaurants in Cedar Rapids. I will definitely be a regular. It is among my favorites in town!

Welcome back Dublin City and Grafton Street – we are so glad to have you back!!

Happy Eating,
Britt

The place: Cibo Fusion

The bill: A little more than $10 with tax and drinks.

The verdict: Delish!

Whether sitting in the lounge, patio, Chicago room or dining area, Cibo creates a unique atmosphere and experience for the customers. Located where Cedar Rapids and Marion intersect, Cibo offers Mediterranean and American dishes that include gourmet pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and much more.

Monday through Friday, Cibo has Early Bird Specials from 3 to 6 p.m. This menu consists of any pizza ($8.99), grilled pork loin ($9.99), rosemary chicken ($9.99) or UNLIMITED pasta ($9.99). For a $10 budget, these items are intriguing and hard not to pass up!

Usually, I order lettuce wraps or the chicken curry (other fine choices), but I thought I would give the Early Bird Special a try. My friend accompanied me to dinner and we agreed it was a good idea to split a pizza and another entrée. For $10, I thought my best deal would be the unlimited pasta. The waiter reminded us that we could really eat “pasta anywhere,” and repeatedly suggested and pushed us to try the rosemary chicken.

Trusting the waiter, we ordered the chicken which was accompanied by broccoli, mashed potatoes and bread. From the list of pizzas, it was not easy to choose which fit our craving. We decided to try something new, the Pomodoro Pizza. This pizza was topped with Pomodoro, prosciutto, fresh basil, mozzarella and goat cheese.

The waiter was right, everything was very delicious. All unique flavors and cooked to perfection. Even better for under $10!

Drinks are a great deal during early bird hours. You can get a $3 imported or domestic drafts, $5 martinis and $6 wine. By the end of our meal, we unfortunately did not have room for dessert. Cibo also has a scrumptious dessert menu. Try the marshmallow fondue that can serve four!

Happy Eating,
Britt

Villa’s Patio

The Bill: $11 (dinner); $7 (lunch)

The verdict: Enough to share

Walking into Villa’s Patio you are greeted by life-size statues that you might mistake for a real life person,  depending on how many margarita’s you compliment your meal with.

Located in Marion, Villa’s Patio offers authentic Mexican meals at a reasonable cost.

Tonight I chose the chicken fajita’s that included sautéed peppers, onions and tomatoes. I could hear and smell them sizzle on their way to the table on the skillet followed by a plate of condiments. There was enough to share with another person!

This meal took up half the table with all my plates I needed for my meal. The fajita’s were $10.59, but if you go during lunch, you can get this meal for only $6.79. That is a great deal that is hard to pass up.

For those of you who are indecisive, you can order the enchiladas rancheras. For $8.79 you can have five enchiladas including a chicken, beef, bean, cheese AND shredded beef enchilada. For lunch, another great option is the “Create the Perfect Plate.” For only $7.70 you can get any two of a quesadilla, burrito, tamale, enchilada, tostada, chile relleno or a taco.

I could not leave Villa’s without ordering the cheesecake. The cheesecake is wrapped like a burrito, fried, topped with whipped topping and covered in chocolate sauce. It is wonderful goodness! Not only are there great desserts, but try some of the flavored margaritas or sangria! Go for the big size, it is worth it!

Everything tastes delicious; I have never had anything bad at Villa’s Patio. With all the chips and homemade salsa consumed along with everything else, you will be sure to leave “filled up!”

Happy Eating,
Britt

The Place: Short’s Burger and Shine

The bill: $8.50

The verdict: No room for dessert!

When you think of a burger, what may come to mind is the standard ketchup, mustard, pickle and onion, but at Short’s Burger and Shine, stretch your imagination. Short’s Restaurant is in Iowa City on Clinton Street. Fairly new, this burger joint is able to fix any craving for a hearty burger.

I was puzzled by the numerous types of burgers to choose from on the menu, so I kindly asked my waitress for suggestions. With all of the creative names and “fancy” toppings, she pointed out the “Dundee Burger” as one of the more popular picks. As I read the description of the burger, I think a strange look came across my face. This burger is combined with sautéed mushrooms, Canadian bacon, a fried egg, American cheese and garlic aioli. I took her word for it, felt adventurous and ordered the Dundee Burger. To my pleasant surprise it was actually very delicious! A strange combination, but it works! I think the toppings on the burger could be another small meal in itself. The burger was monstrous to eat, I had to tackle it with my fork and knife too. It was very messy, but wonderful!

All of Short’s are bona fide all-Iowa burgers made with 100% Iowa beef from Johnson Farms in Columbus Junction and other products used are local. Those of you who are vegetarian can find various black bean burgers on the menu as well. Burgers are accompanied by a stack of hand cut fries.

I will definitely be back to Short’s to try another burger, like the “Thornton” topped with chorizo, guacamole, sour cream, mozzarella and chipotle mayo or the “Jamaica” served with jerk spice, mango-jalapeno salsa and pepper jack cheese. I was so stuffed from my burger that I was not able to try their double chocolate cake with strawberry coulis.

Burgers are priced at $8.50, including fries; but if you have a late night craving, go to Short’s between 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday for their “Late Night Burger” for only $5.

Short’s says that “You have yourself one heckuva meal that even the pickiest connoisseur can take a shine to.” I will have to say that they are right about that! Venture into Short’s Burger and Shine and fill up on an inventive burger!

The place: DC’s Riverwalk, Cedar Rapids

The bill: $9.01

The verdict: Stuffed

Whenever ordering a tenderloin sandwich, I assume you will be getting a generous size sandwich. However, when I ordered the tenderloin from DC’s Riverwalk, I was surprised to see that this sandwich was able to even fit on my plate!

DC’s has two locations, one in Iowa City and one in Cedar Rapids. Menu’s vary at both locations, but satisfies any hungry soul. At the Iowa City location, I would recommend the, BBQ Chicken Pizza, a very respectful choice. In Cedar Rapids, I typically order the, Grilled Ham and Cheese, on the pretzel roll, but I thought tonight I would venture out and try something for a bigger appetite.

The waitress was kind enough to guide me through the menu and direct me towards DC’s Pork Tenderloin, which they offer grilled or fried. I was warned the tenderloin was big, but it exceeded my expectation. I was amazed to see my tenderloin was so big – it could have been two large sandwiches. As if the sandwich was not enough, it comes with your choice of fries, potato wedges or onion rings, all for a total bill of $9.01. At the end of the meal, I was extremely full.

For those of you out there who are as thirsty as you are hungry, try a fishbowl. You get 34 ounces of an enjoyable drink all for only $5 during happy hour from 3 -7 p.m in Cedar Rapids. Fridays in Iowa City for F.A.C.

DC’s is a definite place to fill up on, eating or drinking. Thank you to Stephanie for the wonderful fast and friendly service! Good food with great portion sizes and welcoming service makes DC’s a place that I will be returning to and a place I would absolutely recommend.

Happy Eating,
Britt

The place: Emil’s Deli

The bill: $6.91

The verdict: Just right.

Emil’s has been serving the Cedar Rapids area for almost 50 years. They started in the downtown YMCA then moved to the lower-level in the downtown US Bank. Despite the loss due to the Flood of 2008, they are reopening this summer0. In the meantime, Emil’s Deli decided to expand and with a second deli located at 7037 C Avenue NE.

Their friendly service is inviting and comfortable, with a menu featuring many homemade recipes with prices that are hard to beat!  Emil’s Deli has an array of hot and cold foods. Sandwiches can range anywhere from $2.95 to $6.95. You can find your traditional deli specialties such as a reuben, club, french dip, BLT or cheeseburger, just to name a few. Other menu items to try are the meatloaf, sloppy joe or cuban sandwich. Some of the side dishes range in cost from $1.95 to $3.95 and include au gratin potatoes, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, pasta salad and more.

For $6.91 I was able to get a cold sandwich and side of pasta salad. I chose the Apple Turkey Jack, a sandwich that consisted of turkey, Granny Smith apple, Apple Jack cheese and Apple Jack butter on grainy wheat bread. It was a refreshing sandwich for a cool summer day.

With my bill under budget, I could have also added dessert to my meal. Emil’s has alluring desserts such as cakes and cookies. My personal favorite is the Red Velvet, but you cannot go wrong with any dessert you chose from Emil’s. Good luck with just having one dessert. I have tried them all.

Emil’s is dine-in, carryout, delivery and catering. This small deli creates a casual atmosphere with Iowa Hawkeye Pride portrayed over the walls. Find a table, sit at the sandwich bar or grab a bench outside. The new location features a variety of cold beer and wine and new items on the menu.

I’m so glad to have Emil’s Deli back and running again. Here is a budget friendly food find that is worth your dollar!

Happy Eating,
Britt

The place: Kernels’ $2 Tuesdays

The bill: $8, $2 each hot dog, peanuts, nachos and a pop

The verdict: A homerun

“Batter up!” Do not miss this fastball.

I discovered this food find on the Kernels website and I am on deck to see what deals I can get on a budget and hope I do not strike out!

Summer is just around the corner and the weather is getting warmer everyday. It is always a plus to get outside and enjoy the sun. At the stadium on the southwest side in Cedar Rapids, it is fun to come support and cheer on the Kernels baseball team.

When you first walk into the stadium you are greeted by the aroma of the grill which immediately makes you hungry! This year the Kernels have great deals and have a new value menu. An all beef hot dog slider, hamburger slider, chicken nuggets and mini cookies are just $2 each. Chips and candy are just $1 each.

With my $10 budget I could choose from a variety of things to fill up on.

At every Tuesday home Kernels game, in addition to the new value menu, you can also get regular hot dogs, peanuts and nachos for $2 each! You can even wash it down with a pop, bottled water or 12 oz. beer for $2 each as well.

Some ballpark food is part of the fun of going to a baseball game.

There are other things to choose from as well at the stadium. You can choose to go to the grill located by the front entrance gate which also has yummy choices to fill up on. Their menu consists of grilled chicken sandwiches, foot-long hot dogs, brats, etc. Also excellent choices.

Other deals at the Kernels games are “Thirsty Thursdays” with $1.50 12 oz. draft beers all night or every Friday home games, enjoy 16 oz. draft beer for just $1 for one hour after the gates open. The price goes up to $2 for the second hour and $3 for the third hour and returning to full price after the third hour.

“Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks!”

With these deals, mix it up and get creative, satisfy any hungry or thirsty craving you may have. Kernels stadium is a great food find for filling up on a reasonable budget and getting to enjoy a baseball game outside as well!

This deal is a definite homerun!

Happy Eating,
Britt

P.S. Come join the Hoopla crew take advantage of the value specials and support the Kernels at the Veterans Memorial Stadium Tuesday June 9!

The place: Vito’s

The bill: $8.83

The verdict: Stuffed.

Don’t let my size fool you.

I have been told despite my petite size at 5-feet tall, I am able to eat like a pro! I hope to stretch a dollar and leave a meal feeling full. So, I have taken on the challenge of searching for food finds of generous size but a manageable budget of $10.

My first choice, Vito’s, is located both in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Vito’s is known for some of their specialty gourmet pizzas. With the weather heating up, it is great that both Vitos’, have the option of an outdoor seating patio. Whether sitting in the Ped-Mall in Iowa City or across from Twin Pines Golf Course in Cedar Rapids, Vito’s creates a comfortable casual atmosphere. The menus vary slightly, but the food can be satisfying at both locations.

Vito’s on 42nd Street in Cedar Rapids has half-priced pizza on Wednesdays; Vito’s on the Plaza in Iowa City has half price pizza specials from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays. In Iowa City, a perk of being in a college town this night is, one has the option to compliment their pizza with a cold draw, well, calls or a shot for only $1.50 each.

Both Vito’s have a list of gourmet pizzas to choose from or you are able to create your own, all reasonably priced, especially when they’re half-price.

It was a difficult decision, but my pick of this evening was a large savory Margherita Pizza. This specialty pizza consisted of roasted tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, herbed tomatoes and pesto. Vito’s makes their sauce and dough fresh daily from scratch. This pizza has a nice light balance and the pesto adds a nice twist complimenting the fresh ingredients.

Vito’s small pizza is 10 inches, and a large pizza is 16 inches. The large is a considerable amount of food for one hungry person or two people. The half-priced special deal makes it nice to splurge and get the bigger size.

My large gourmet pizza was priced under $10.00 and came to a total of $8.83. Vito’s half-price pizza night is an excellent option for a budget-friendly meal. For this cost, the value of this meal at Vito’s should be able to fill you up too!

Happy Eating,
Britt