5 best bang-for-your-buck steakhouses in Northeast Iowa

Northeast Iowa is home to some seriously tasty steakhouses that won’t break the bank. Check out these five options for a celebration or just a fun night.

When you think about bang-for-your-buck steak, your mind likely wanders to one of the many chain steakhouses that have practically become an institution in the American dining scene (think Outback Steakhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Texas Roadhouse). Experts have even analyzed how the Midwest helped propagate chain restaurants into the DNA of American life. For instance, Andrew Smith, a food studies teacher at New York City’s New School University, explained to the Chicago Tribune that the Midwest’s position in the middle of the United States naturally means that countless people pass through states like Iowa and Illinois, and this, combined with suburban life (where everyone is driving more than in concentrated cities), created the perfect circumstances for chain and fast-food restaurants to thrive.

That said, Iowa’s home to some pretty darn good restaurants, from farm-to-table ventures to top-notch restaurants featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Some of these sizzlin’ spots even happen to be steakhouses in the Cedar Valley area, where guests can enjoy a solid seared steak, some scrumptious sides, and maybe even some dessert without breaking the bank. 

1. George’s Local

Address: 108 E 4th St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

George’s Local is a beloved Cedar Falls restaurant that has curated an easygoing experience for diners for years without ever sacrificing on flavor or quality. Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant has a fairly vast menu, allowing each guest to find their perfect dish. You’ll find everything from Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos and Prosciutto Flatbread to Butternut Squash Pasta and Tuna Tots, but we know you’re here for the steak.

George’s Local has three steak options, and they’re pretty affordable for their quality (and definitely more so than other, higher-end joints in the area). For example, while a 16-oz. Delak in a less-traditional format, writing, “The steak flatbread was amazing!” Overall, George’s Local is one place you might want to check out next time you want a nice meal without denting your debit card too badly. 

A Delmonico Ribeye will set you back $61, a 12-oz. New York Strip only costs $30. Then, there’s the 8-oz. Filet Mignon, which is the perfect middle ground at $38. No matter which steak you choose, you’ll get to relish in the restaurant’s herbed butter and homemade chimichurri sauce, as well as a salad. If you’re feeling even more luxurious, you can get the Surf & Turf bundle for $39, landing you the New York Strip, Blackened Shrimp, and Garlic Smashed Potato.

“Holy COW!! This place is amazing!! I was in town for work and tried this spot for steak and cheesecake and it was RIDICULOUS,” one Yelp reviewer wrote after visiting. Another reviewer mentioned enjoying a steak flatbread, while a third said they loved the steak frites, meaning there are many ways to dine in decadence at George’s Local.

2. That Place Restaurant

Address: 33030 G Ave, Conrad, IA 50621

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

That Place Restaurant might not have an official website or even social media accounts, but it’s doing just fine on its own, standing tall on the merits of its food. This steakhouse works to make steak dinners accessible, serving steaks seared to perfection in a laid-back atmosphere devoid of the social pressures that are all too common in traditional steakhouses. It does this so well that it’s landed itself a lovely 4.4-star rating on Yelp despite its lack of a digital footprint. 

That Place Restaurant serves a few different cuts of steak, ranging from ribeye to top sirloin. Like many other steakhouses, you can also take a dip on the slippery side of things and enjoy some seafood with your steak. The steak prices here typically fall in the $28 to $34 range, and the same is true for the surf & turf option.

The prices aren’t the only things keeping customers coming back, either. “Get the prime rib, no better prime rib in the next 50 miles. No one does prime rib better than this place,” one Yelp reviewer shared. Another shared a personal anecdote: “I’m not a prime rib person nor a steak person but I’ve heard how good the prime rib is so I wanted to try it. It was sooooo delicious!” So, next time you’re in Conrad, check out That Place Restaurant—your eyes might just be opened to a mouthwatering delight you’ll dream of for years to come.

3. Babe’s Steakhouse

Address: 211 Isabella St, Radcliffe, IA 50230

Hours: Wednesday-Thursday: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Babe’s Steakhouse is a staple in Radcliffe’s foodie scene, and for good reason. This steakhouse focuses on acquiring, cooking, and serving only high-quality meats, which may be why it’s only open for limited hours four days a week. Die-hard carnivores in the area know that you can’t go wrong when you’re eating at Babe’s Steakhouse.

On the menu, you’ll find plenty of steakhouse classics prepared with pristine attention to detail. One of our favorite aspects of the menu is that you can order the appetizer sampler in varying sizes. In it, you can get Onion Rings, Cheese Balls, and more with the restaurant’s signature Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce. The fun doesn’t stop there, either. You can find glorious baked potatoes, crispy french fries, and non-steak meat options like the Beef Brisket Sandwich and the Mushroom and Swiss Burger, too. 

The steaks are what you’ll want, though. On the steak side of things, expect to be stuck deciding between the Prime Rib, New York Strip, and Ribeye, which all cost less than $40 per person. Babe’s Steakhouse also keeps its Facebook page updated with specials, such as a recent one for a Surf and Turf deal that included a 10-oz. New York Strip for $25.95. “I had the prime rib and my wife had the steak [de burgo]. Both were great. Only problem I have is deciding which steak to order next weekend,” one Yelp reviewer said after hitting up Babe’s. Another said they “[h]ave never been disappointed!” That sounds good to us!

4. Morris Inn Steakhouse

Address: 206 Sycamore St, Morrison, IA 50657

Hours: Monday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. & 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Located in charming Morrison, the Morris Inn Steakhouse is not only punny but also churning out steaming plates of steak six days a week. This restaurant has been a fixture in Morrison for more than seven decades, making it one place you don’t want to miss when you’re in the area. Especially if you’re from Iowa, seeing this place can feel like truly connecting with your home state and understanding the people and institutions that created the towns and cities we love today.

Morris Inn Steakhouse has a bevy of menu options, including a wide variety of sandwiches that range from burgers and fish to ham and chicken, but the standout section is, of course, the steaks. This steakhouse has more steak varieties than others on this list, giving customers even more freedom on their steak journeys. For $25, you can order an 8-oz. Filet Mignon, or for $29, you could get the upscale Large T-Bone. Other options include the Petite Ribeye ($18.25), the Top Sirloin ($21), and the Medium T-Bone ($25). What’s more, Morris Inn Steakhouse provides the option to add shrimp for a fun surf-and-turf combo or complement your steak with sautéed mushrooms. Yum!

At Morris Inn Steakhouse, quality and service are just as carefully maintained as its affordability. “We were served T-bone steak, Sirloin steak, Ribeye steak, Smoked prime rib, and regular prime rib. All [nine members] scored the food and the experience a ten rating,” one Yelp reviewer said. “Great steaks! This place may not be fancy but the wait staff is great and their homemade rolls and dressings are too,” another said. Just don’t forget to order a side of onion rings no matter what steak you go with, as they’re apparently beloved.

5. D&K Hickory House

Address: 315 Park Rd, Waterloo, IA 50703

Hours: Thursday: 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

D+K Hickory House in Waterloo is any meat lover’s paradise. As its name suggests, D+K Hickory House is a premier smokehouse in the area, cooking up everything from Hickory-Smoked Ribs and One-Half Fried Chickens to Halibut Steaks and Chicken Strips. While this all sounds fantastic, you can’t count out the steaks here. D+K’s steak menu is pretty standard, featuring Top Sirloins, Filet Mignons, and T-Bones, but their taste and price points set them apart. In addition to being melt-in-your-mouth steaks, all of these options cost under $40. 

“Hands down the best steak I have ever eaten. Melt in your mouth good. Cut through it like a hot knife in butter,” one Yelp reviewer said of their D+K Hickory House fare. “Love this place! Tons of really great food paired with great service. A Waterloo institution,” another said of the restaurant in general. This option not being a steakhouse in the most traditional sense is another reason why it’s so great—there’s something for everyone, but no matter what, you know you can always fall back on a steak that will leave you satisfied and your wallet happy.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.