Iowa Eats First Look! Taco Gato; Cedar Rapids, IA!

April 17, 2023April 17, 2023Leave a comment

The latest restaurant endeavor from the creative minds of FNF restaurant group will be officially opening their doors to the public this coming Tuesday! (4/18) Taco Gato (209 3rd St. SE) is the newest restaurant in downtown Cedar Rapids and features spins on Mexican and southern cuisine.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the soft opening this past Friday night and was joined by three kids. The decor of the place is definitely Mexican inspired and my kids enjoyed seeing the array of Luchador wrestling masks around the restaurant. The bar was dimly lit as light from the beautiful stained glass showcased the many bottles of booze that go towards the many cocktails Taco Gato offered.

Upon seating and seeing the menu my kids are instantly drawn to anything that reads “queso”. So, a starter of salsas (red/traditional + tomatillo) along with guac and the ever popular queso. Chips were delicious and well seasoned. I’m a sucker for tomatillo salsa and would put it on about anything. A great start to the meal. Queso didn’t stand a chance.

I let the kids decide what to order as my focus automatically goes to fish tacos and pastor tacos. My son went with the fried crawfish tacos but also wanted to try the shrimp and grits, and my daughters went with the gumbo. Enough to feed an army but grateful my kids are willing to try and experience new foods.

The flavor on every single dish was out of this world. The fish tacos were perfectly cooked….crunchy and a delicious batter. Your taco orders of two come in a bento style serving box accompanied by delicious refried beans, rice, and fried edamame. I’ll get the fish tacos every time! Pastor were just as good…fresh pineapple pico and perfectly cooked pork. I was lucky enough to get a small bite of the fried crawfish tacos as my son isn’t exactly the best at sharing meals, especially when they taste as good as this.

The gumbo was excellent. A dark roux with copious amounts of crawfish and chorizo. Wonderful and filling! The star of the show that everyone raved about however was the “Almost Shrimp and Grits”. Cotija creamed corn, chorizo, collards, and enough blackened shrimp to feed an army. So much flavor, so delicious. Besides the tacos, if there’s a dish that Taco Gato can use as a calling card it may be this one!

Overall: Another wonderful dining experience. It’s what you come to expect from the FNF restaurant group…wonderfully talented, creative, and inspired dishes that make visiting their establishments an always memorable experience. Can’t recommend enough, opening Tuesday to the public! Cheers!

Other Half, 450 North, Phase Three, Great Notion, Untitled Art, and Octopi coming from Pequod!

April 14, 2023Leave a comment

All Citra Everything – IPA with ALL the Citra
DDH Cheddar Broccoli – Double Dry Hopped Double IPA
DDH Broccoli – Double IPA w/ Simcoe and Mosaic
Green City – Flagship Single IPA
Southernhopalistic – Single IPA
Instant Greens – Single IPA w/ Simcoe and Mosaic
HDHC Florets is Dead – Hazy IPA – Last production run ever!

Reefer Nuggets – Hazy IPA – Cashmere, Mosaic, Citra
Slushy XL – Cereal Leche – Dulce de Leche flavor, Double Lactose, Blueberry, Cherry
Slushy XL – Wedding Cheesecake – Pineapple, Cream Cheese, Banana, Graham Cracker, Vanilla Cream
Slushy XXL – Biscutits – Orange, Shortbread, Pineapple, Cranberry, Vanilla Cream, Lactose
SlushyXXL – White Bluntz – White Peach, Passionfruit, Peach, Lychee
Slushy XXL – Bluntz – Banana, Cherry, Strawberry, Orange, Lime

Phase 3 Brewing Company

Haus Lager – Snappy 5% abv LAGER!

Great Notion

Blueberry Muffin – Fruited Sour
Easy Like Sunday Morning – Mimosa Inspired Sour
Double Stack – Imperial Stout – 5 Available
Peanut Brother – Peanut Butter Cup Milk Stout
Beer Has No Name – Hazy IPA
Double Papaya Shake – 9% Fruited Sour

Untitled Art Brewing Co

Pineapple Lychee – Fruited Seltzer
Raspberry Passionfruit – Fruited Sour

Octopi Brewing

Galaxy IPA – Single IPA w/ Citra and Galaxy

Abomination, Esker Hart, and Tox Brewing coming from Abu Nawas!

April 7, 2023Leave a comment

ABOMINATION BREWING COMPANY:

Abomination Brewing Everyday Fog 6/4/16oz CANS – DDH w/ Mosaic, Pacific Jade, Citra, Summit & Enigma NE Hazy IPA – ABV 7.1% – CT
Abomination Brewing Flying into the Fog 6/4/16oz CANS – Icarus Brewing Collaboration. Insanely juicy DIPA double dry hopped with a mind blowing amount of Columbus and Riwaka. 8.9% ABV – CT
Abomination Brewing Wandering Fog Battle CITRA vs. SABRO 6/4/16oz CANS – QUADRUPLE Dry Hopped DIPA w/ Citra & Sabro. 8.6% ABV – CT
Abomination Brewing Wandering Into The Fog CITRA 6/4/16oz CANS – All Citra DDH DIPA. 8.6% ABV – CT
Abomination Brewing Wandering Into the Fog (Galaxy) 6/4/16oz CANS – All Galaxy DDH DIPA. 8.6% ABV – CT
Abomination Brewing Love Letters From Hell 6/4/16oz CANS – Milkshake IPA W/ Candy, Sprinkles, Marshmallows, Milk Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Strawberries & Ice Cream. 9.6% ABV – CT
Abomination Brewing Midnight Snack Tiramisu 6/4/16oz CANS – Pastry Stout brewed with Mascarpone, Lady Fingers, Whipped Cream, Coffee & Cacao Nibs. 14% ABV – CT
Abomination Luscious V2 – Double Fruited – Banana + Strawberry 6/4/16oz CANS – Banana, Strawberry, & Blueberry Smoothie seltzer. 5.5% ABV – CT
Abomination Brewing The Key To the City of North Haven 6/4/16oz CANS – Smoothie Sour Ale Brewed with Cherry, Blackberry, Rhubarb, Ice Cream Mix, Lactose, and Vanilla Beans. 9% ABV – CT
ABOMINATION / SKYGAZER / BRACH AND BLADE Who the F*** Put Carrot In the Cake!? (Sour + Stout Edition) 6/4/16oz CANS – Note that this case will contain 1/2 Stout Cans & Half Sour Cans of this beer – A three way collaboration – Imperial Stout Ale brewed with Carrot, Chocolate, Cream Cheese, Cinnamon, & Granola – 10% ABV – CT + Imperial Sour Ale brewed with Carrot, Apricot, Cinnamon, Granola, Cream Cheese, & Milk Sugar – 7% ABV – CT

ESKER HART ARTISAN ALES:

Esker Hart is a cool New Jersey based brewery, coming out of the Twelve Percent Beer Project facility.

Esker Hart Moraine 6/4/16oz CANS – Delicious IPA brewed with Citra, Mosaic and Amarillo hops! 6.2% ABV – CT
Esker Hart Thrush 6/4/16oz CANS – IPA hopped with Citra, Amarillo, Simcoe, and Cascade. 6.4% ABV – CT
Esker Hart Den 6/4/16oz CANS – Imperial Stout brewed with Cacao Nibs, Pecans, Macadamia Nuts, Cashews, Marcona Almonds, & Raisins. 13.5% ABV – CT

TOX BREWING:

Tox Brewing EFT – NELSON SAUVIN 6/4/16oz CANS – Eft is not only a cute lil’ Newt with toxic skin (don’t eat one), but it’s also the name of Tox’s rotating hop IPA series. Consistent whirlpool hops paired with Nelson Sauvin followed by a sizeable dry hop dominated by Nelson Sauvin. Big Notes of Wine Grape, Berries, and Ripe Melon! 7% ABV – CT
Tox Brewing Copperhead 6/4/16oz CANS – Delicious American Amber Ale. 5.8% ABV – CT
Tox Brewing Placebo Effect 6/4/16oz CANS – We love our fancy craft beer like family, but sometimes we just want to enjoy some yellow fizzy stuff. Delicious American Cream Ale. 5.2% ABV – CT
Tox Brewing Digitox 6/4/16oz CANS – Hoptimally saturated Double IPA with Nelson & Citra. 8.5% ABV – CT
Tox Brewing Fugu 6/4/16oz CANS – Citra, Cashmere, & El Dorado IPA. 6.5% ABV – CT
Tox Brewing Ink – Dark Stuff 6/4/16oz CANS – Sour Ale brewed with Blackberry, Black Currant, Blueberry, Sweet Cherry, Plum, Lactose, & Vanilla. 6% ABV – CT
Tox Brewing Ink – Mixed Berry 6/4/16oz CANS – Sour Ale brewed with Raspberry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Cranberry, & Blackberry. 6% ABV – CT

Hop Butcher coming to Iowa via Pequod! Plus, Wild Minds, Urban Artifact, 450 North, Blackstack, Phase Three, Fair State, and Untitled Art!

April 7, 2023Leave a comment

Double Grid – Citra Mosaic Double IPA
Run to Daylight – Hazy Triple IPA
Beef Dipped – All Simcoe Hazy Double IPA
Greener Times – All New Zealand Hazy IPA

NEW From Wild Mind Ales

Secret Prism – Hazy IPA w/ Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo and Vic Secret

Urban Artifact – Astronaut Food Peach

This Fruit Tart is the most expensive alcoholic beverage in the world. It’s 15% abv this drinks like a wine, showcasing depth of flavor not possible with traditional brewing techniques. The freeze-dried peaches allow for an intense expression of fruit on the palate, as well as a higher alcohol content.

There are 10 peaches in a 4-pack of Astronaut Food

Urban Artifact Brewing Company

Pinwheel – Orange Fruit Tart
Teak – Tropical American Fruit Tart brewed with 800lb of Pink Guava, 800lb of Pineapple, and 400lb or Key Lime per 30bbl batch
Peaches and Cream NITRO – Peaches and Cream, Nitro Fruit Tart. Made with half a peach per can and an awful lot of whole vanilla bean
Pickle Pack – 12pk!! – Pickle Pickle Pickle. 1000 lbs of fresh cucumber and two pounds of fresh dill weed. Pickle Pickle Pickle

Reefer Nuggets – Hazy IPA – Cashmere, Mosaic, Citra
Slushy XL – Cereal Leche – Dulce de Leche flavor, Double Lactose, Blueberry, Cherry
Slushy XL – Herbert Sherbert – Rainbow Sherbet, Watermelon, Pineapple, Raspberry, Orange – 5cs Available
Slushy XL – Wedding Cheesecake – Pineapple, Cream Cheese, Banana, Graham Cracker, Vanilla Cream
Slushy XXL – Biscutits – Orange, Shortbread, Pineapple, Cranberry, Vanilla Cream, Lactose
SlushyXXL – White Bluntz – White Peach, Passionfruit, Peach, Lychee
Slushy XXL – Bluntz – Banana, Cherry, Strawberry, Orange, Lime

BlackStack Brewing

Loud Pack XL – DANK Triple IPA – Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, Galaxy

Phase 3 Brewing Company

DDH Illo IPA – Hazy IPA w/ Amarillo Hops

Fair State Brewing Company

Mirror Universe – Fresh Cases!
Legalize Big Doinks – DANK West Coast IPA
Smell Test IPA – Smell Test is an IPA built around a brand new hop, Hopsteiner Experimental 17701, and a favorite hop blend of ours, Cryo Pop from YCH.
Hop Water Reloads – 3 Flavors Available

Untitled Art Brewing Co

Pineapple Lychee – Fruited Seltzer
Raspberry Passionfruit – Fruited Sour

Hubbard’s Cave and Une Annee coming from Abu Nawas!

April 7, 2023Leave a comment

Hubbard’s Cave CANS:

Hubbard’s Cave FRESH IPA 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy IPA w/ Simcoe Hops. 7% ABV. Will be Packaged: 4/11/2023
Hubbard’s Cave FRESH IIPA ONE HOP CITRA 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy Imperial IPA with exclusively CITRA HOPS. 8.5% ABV. Will be Packaged: 4/11/2023
Hubbard’s Cave FRESH TRIPLE IPA 6/4/16oz CAN – Hazy Triple IPA stuffed to the brim with Mosaic, Eldorado, Eureka, Centennial, and Chinook hops. 10% ABV – IL Will be Packaged: 4.11.2023
Hubbard’s Cave HOPSURD 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy Imperial IIPA w/ Citrusy hop blend. 8.5% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave CALM CLASSROOM 6/4/16oz CANS – West-coast Style IPA. 7% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave TROPICAL 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy IIPA w/ A Tropical Blend of Hops. 8.5% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE 12/2/16oz CAN (2-Pack) – Imperial Stout w/ Chocolate, Pecan, and Toasted Coconut. 12% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave ACCIDENT IN HUBBARD’S CAVE 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – The Imperial Stout that started the HC legend. 12% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave COCO VAN 12/2/16oz CAN (2-Pack) – Imperial Stout with Toasted Coconut and Vanilla Beans. 12% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave COFFEE & CAKES 12/2/16oz CAN (2-Pack) – Imperial Stout with Coffee and Maple Syrup. 12% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave FRENCH TOAST 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – Imperial Stout with Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Beans, and Lactose. 12% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave IRISH STOUT 6/4/16oz CANS – Traditional Irish Stout. 6% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave PEANUT BUTTER CUP 12/2/16oz CAN (2-Pack) – Imperial Stout w/ Chocolate and Peanut Butter. 12% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave S’more 12/2/16oz CAN (2-Pack) – Imperial Stout w/ Chocolate, Marshmallow and Graham Cracker. 12% ABV – IL
Hubbard’s Cave VANILLA EVERYDAE 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – Imperial Stout w/ Vanilla Beans. 12% ABV – IL

Une Année CANS:

Une Annee PILS 6/4/16oz CANS – German Style Pilsner. It’s a light, crisp, and refreshing beer. Don’t be fooled, it’s got an amazing bright taste, and is great when you just want to keep it simple. 4.8% ABV – IL
Une Annee LIME PILS 6/4/16oz CANS – German Pilsner with lime juice and zest. 4.8% ABV – IL
Une Annee TRIPEL 6/4/16oz CANS – Belgian Tripel Abbey Ale. 8.7% ABV – IL
Une Annee Quad 6/4/16oz CANS – Belgian Quadrupel Abbey Ale. 11% ABV – IL
Une Annee NO REGRETS 6/4/16oz CANS – A Mosaic Dry-hopped American Wild Ale fermented w/ Limes . 5.5% ABV IL
Une Annee LESS IS MORE 6/4/16oz CANS – Saison w/ Oranges. 5.5% ABV -IL
Une Annee TWIST OF WIT 6/4/16oz CANS – Belgian Style Wheat w/ Coriander, Meyer Lemons, and Cara Cara Oranges. 4.5% ABV – IL
Une Annee PECHE 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – American Wild Ale fermented w/ Peach . 6.5% ABV – IL
Une Annee LE SEUL VII (MANGO) 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – American Wild Ale fermented w/ Mango. 6.5% ABV – IL
Une Annee LE SEUL X (PASSIONFRUIT) 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – American Wild Ale fermented w/ Passionfruit. 6.5% ABV – IL
Une Annee LE SEUL XIII (GUAVA) 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – American Wild Ale fermented w/ Guava. 6.5% ABV – IL
Une Annee LE SEUL IX (STRAWBERRY) 12/2/16oz CANS (2 Pack) – American Wild Ale fermented w/ Strawberry. 6.5% ABV – IL

Clock House releasing “Aqua Waves” sour this Friday! (4/7)

April 5, 2023Leave a comment

Another sour is being added to Clock House Brewing’s delicious portfolio as this Friday they are releasing “Aqua Waves” sour! Along with the latest release their patio will be opening as well! Here’s more on this fruit filled sour courtesy of Clock House:

This sour features a combination of ripe pineapple and zesty lemon followed by waves of coconut cream and blue raspberry.

Our patio will also be opening this Friday to add to your tropical experience!

Available on Draft, in Growlers, and 16oz 4-packs. Cheers

Iowa Eats: Prairiemoon on Main; Prairieburg, Iowa

April 5, 2023Leave a comment

It’s been way too long since I’ve wandered off the beaten path to find myself a small Iowa town with a terrific restaurant…until last Saturday afternoon….My three kids and I decided to take a little drive from Mount Vernon to Prairieburg, Iowa in hopes of having a wonderful burger and just some overall wonderfully prepared food and we were not disappointed!

Prairieburg is not too far from Central City and Monticello and sitting right on the main drag is Prairie Moon on Main(103 East Main St.). I’ve been seeing photos of this place and it’s food for a while now and finally decided to give it a shot. Their burgers always look amazing, they were voted 2020 best pork tenderloin in Iowa, and their Saturday night prime rib special always looks mouth watering.

Owned by Loren Lacy and his wife, this is the perfect place to bring your family, stop for a cold one after work, or indulge in a big Friday Fish Fry or Saturday night prime rib special.

APPS: My kids and I all ordered something different so we can try and share as much as possible. We started with a the pickle chips…now, I love fried pickles, but I’ve been picking about ordering them if they are not fried pickle chips because a spear upon your first bite, pulls the whole spear out and you end up burning your face. Like the spear, don’t like the burn…so pickle chips are the way to go and these were hand battered and delicious.

TENDERLOIN: The 2020 winner, so a lot of pub on this sandwich. What I enjoyed most about it this tenderloin is that it wasn’t pounded out super thin just to cover the whole plate…don’t get me wrong, it’s plenty big, but the tenderloin itself was still thick and juicy and the breading had the perfect amount of seasoning. An excellent pork tenderloin sandwich, and served on brioche which is always a plus!

BURGERS: My son and I decided to get a little funky with our burger orders as Prairiemoon has a great list of options for burger lovers. Instead of our typical bacon cheeseburger or mushroom swiss, we went with the Hawaiian Hottie and the Wasabi Burger. The Hawaiian Hottie was a perfectly cooked burger (medium), cheddar cheese, sautéd pineapple, jalapeno and mango mayo on a brioche bun. I initially thought it would be too sweet, but the heat from the jalapeno and flavor of the burger cut through the sweetness and the combo end result was a delicious, sweet and savory burger.

The Wasabi Burger…I’m a big fan of wasabi and will try it in anything that it’s been incorporated into to. A once again, perfectly cooked burger on brioche, add to that pepper jack, sautéd onions and jalapeño’s and bunch of wasabi mayo and you have a burger I will be craving constantly….add some crinkle cut fries or portabella fries to the basket and you have yourself a wonderful meal.

DRINKS: No tap beer but a cold bottle of Miller High Life was the perfect option!

SIDE NOTE: I’ve not had their prime rib on Saturday nights but I’ve heard nothing but good things!

April beer releases coming from Lion Bridge Brewery!

April 4, 2023Leave a comment

Peachy Keen (Kettle Sour with Peach Ring Gummies, 6.7%) – Everything’s peachy, peachy keen.

Rewind (West Coast Pale Ale with Citra and Simcoe, 5.8%) – A bright and crystal-clear hoppy dream.

AVAILABLE 4/4!

Lemon Lime Cheesecake Bar (Sour with Fruit, Graham Cracker, and Cream Cheese Flavor, 6.7%) – Bright and tangy Lemon and Lime blends with a cream cheese finish and a graham cracker crust. Save room for seconds! The Potluck dessert of your dreams.

AVAILABLE 4/11!

Mount Trashmore Trail Mix (Kettle Sour with Peanuts, Chocolate, and Blueberry, 5.5%) – A beery love song to the Cedar Rapids mountain we all love so much. Raise your glass to a successful summit or fortify your body before the attempt. We love you Mt. Trashmore!

AVAILABLE 4/25!