Enjoy spring by dining outside – This has no last names!
Photo: Bryan Langfeldt/Iowa State Daily
West Towne Pub in west Ames has a concrete patio for when the weather is warm.
March 23, 2011
As the weather gets nice, restaurants around Ames are opening their patios for outside dining and drinking experiences. We did some research and found some restaurants that offer this experience.
This family owned bar and grill, located at the corner of Mortensen and South Dakota, is a place everyone can enjoy.
The kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, staying open an extra hour on weekends. After the kitchen closes, the establishment remains open as a pub and usually has a great mix of students and locals, according to Brad, a manager of West Towne Pub.
The bar and grill’s patio is a great attraction, making warm months some of the busiest. The patio seats around 100 guests. Once it opens, West Towne Pub holds “Patio Party Wednesday,” where you can find buck burgers or dogs grilled outside, a bag toss and get ten beer tickets for $10! Some nights the restaurant hosts contests and award prizes for the winners. West Towne Pub also has a different lunch and dinner deal every day of the week.
When asked why people should come to West Towne Pub, Brad answered, “Because our food is awesome, and there is always a good special. It is a nice clean place where everybody at any age can enjoy themselves.”
This Irish pub has “the best patio in Ames,” according to Justin, a general manager of Dublin Bay. Similar to West Towne Pub, Dublin Bay also serves food and becomes a pub when the kitchen closes. The kitchen is open until 11 p.m. all days except on Sunday, when it closes an hour earlier. Dublin Bay then offers the Pub until 2 a.m.
The restaurant has an Irish menu with touches of American items. Justin recommended trying the Shepherd’s Pie and said its flavored Mojitos, which are made from scratch, are very popular.
The patio at Dublin Bay seats approximately 65 people. The establishment hopes to hold patio parties on Thursday evenings this season with different drink deals. At Dublin Bay, guests will find a Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. that has drink and appetizer deals.
When asked why people should come to Dublin Bay, Justin answered, “Because we strive to give that extra customer service, we love meeting new people and getting people in here.” He also shared a restaurant motto: “There are no strangers here, just friends I haven’t met yet.”
This restaurant, located on the historical Main Street of Ames, has a patio out front that seats approximately 20 to 25 people according to Pat, a manager at the restaurant.
Aunt Maude’s holds a summertime patio and bar special that begins on Memorial Day, and goes until Labor Day. This special includes Taco Tuesday where $5 gets you a taco, and Thursday Burger Night, where $5 gets you a freshly ground burger.
Pat stated that everybody should visit Aunt Maude’s because it “is a great restaurant, has great food and great service.”
This restaurant located at 2616 Northridge Parkway has a menu that changes with the seasons. The Café buys as much product locally as it can, and coordinates its menu around what items are in season. Sheri, a manager of the restaurant assured us that the Café’ Burger stays on the menu year round, as it is an all-time favorite of many customers.
The restaurant has different breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus that can be found on its website. Kevin, another manager stated that The Café’s patio can accommodate approximately 24 guests.
The establishment doesn’t hold specials. However, menu items, such as the Summerset Salad and Fish Tacos and drinks like the Bikini Boat, not only sound refreshing but are great spring and summer treats. As for the million dollar question – why should people come to The Café – Kevin simply stated, “Local food, local owners and local people. Friends and neighbors will all be here.”
Stomping Grounds
Located on Welch Avenue in the heart of Campustown, this restaurant offers a big outdoor patio that gets a lot of business when the weather allows. A waitress graciously counted and said Stomping Grounds has room for 84 guests at outside tables.
Katie, a manager of Stomping Grounds mentioned that there are a lot of loyal locals that enjoy coming year round, and the college population also seems to enjoy the establishment. She recommended that one should come try a sweet crepe with a glass of wine on a nice spring or summer day. We recommend the Ice Cream Cappuccino for a summer treat!
Stomping Grounds opens at 7 a.m. during the week, 8 a.m. on weekends, and closes daily at midnight.
