Resturant Review: Red's Alehouse

Red’s Alehouse

Finally made it to Red’s Alehouse and discovered what many have known for a long time, Red’s is a must stop in the Iowa City/Coralville and now North Liberty area. I would classify Red’s as a place that promotes their beer but delivers on their food. Red’s menu is dominated by flat bread pizzas and sandwiches but its surroundings and service are closer to a fine dining experience. When looking around its clear Red’s is the place to be. Our waitress was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. Qualities that are harder and harder to find these days.  Buffalo chicken and ranch dressing are two things that I don’t particularly care for, but when I took a bite of my wife’s flat bread pizza I wasn’t sure I even wanted to try my meal. It was awesome and that’s taking into affect I went into it thinking I wouldn’t like it. The balance of flavors and heat was perfect. I would order this in a heartbeat.

 

 

My Daughter had a burger with feta and you can’t go wrong with that.

 

 

My choice for the evening was the The Braiser - pork belly, brussel sprout slaw,

aged white cheddar, smoked tomato BBQ. I mean come on, with that combination how can a guy go wrong. The brussel sprout slaw was a pleasant surprise and added a nice crisp freshness to the burger. Red’s take on coleslaw was also a pleasant surprise they use purple cabbage and a red wine vinaigrette that may not be for most but I found it a nice change to the common coleslaw.  

 

 

There are times when after a meal you just sit back and think to yourself; that is sitting just right. My trip to Red’s did just that.

 I have devised a new rating system for restaurants that I will unveil with Red’s that goes like this. I consider the meal and the experience and compare it to what it cost to what I would be willing to pay for it.   Just a word positive numbers may be rare and a 0 is not bad. I came up with this system at the last place I ate in which the entrée was $17 and I would have willing paid $10 for the meal so it earned a -7. Red’s earned a +4 on my initial visit.

 Red’s Alehouse

405 N Dubuque St, North Liberty, IA 52317
(319) 626-2100

 Price range: (everyday, a night out, a special occasion only) a night out

Overall rankings all based 1 to 5

Atmosphere:  4.5

Service:         5                                                        

Food:            5

Value:          5

Overall          5

 

Review: Ghurtie's Gourmet Frozen Yogurt Cafe

Ghurtie’s Gourmet Frozen Yogurt Café

 I believe this is my very first non restaurant review and Ghurtie’s is good enough to warrant this. I first was introduced to this type of concept in LA at Pinkberry the standard bearer in the froyo industry. With that said there are no Pinkberry’s even close to here. Over the years various copy cats have popped up in Iowa, all coming up very short, until I discovered Ghurtie’s this place is just as good and it not a chain. The toppings available are extremely fresh and plenty to choose from. The staff is friendly and the place is clean and inviting. It is a little out of the way for the average visitor to Iowa City but it is worth the trip. You have to check this place out. I’m even giving you directions!

 Hours & Location

Monday-Saturday
11:30am - 10:00pm
Sundays
12:30pm - 9:00pm
Location

Ghurtie's is located in Oakdale Park at the intersection of 12th Ave and Oakdale Blvd.

2180 Norcor Avenue, Coralville, IA 52241

Directions

From Hwy 965: Head East on Oakdale Blvd. (through the U of I Research Park). Take a right on 12th Avenue and then a quick left to reach the Ghurtie's parking lot.

From Hwy 6: Head North on 12th Avenue (the Applebee's intersection). Turn right into Oakdale Park (before reaching the12th Ave./ Oakdale Blvd. intersection).

For I - 80 Travelers take either Coralville exit:

1) Coral Ridge Mall exit will allow you to head North on Hwy 965 and then follow the 965 directions (above).

2) 1st Ave. exit will require you to head North on 1st Ave., follow Holiday Rd. as it circles West off of 1st Ave. Take a right at the 12th Ave. stop and head North to Oakdale Park and Ghurtie's.