overrated. Just ok. They use tons of butter.Vegetarian options: Good luck... Salad, baked potatoeWheelchair accessibility: Not wheel chair friendly..... barely made it in, tight.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Salad
Amber Smith
Always satisfied
Matt Marquardt
Outstanding in every way.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deanette S
Not impressed at all with the food, the ribeye was bland, no flavor at all. The prime rib was too salty. Everything looked like it was swimming in oil. Won't be going back there ever.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Duane Hogans
Ordered carry out. There was $6 off “special” on the petite fillet, so I went with 2 of them. The taste was exquisite, literally melting in your mouth. I went with the basic sides of salad and baked potato. I believe they also had offerings like rice and spaghetti for .80 extra.I had been meaning to try this place for many years, but never got the chance, as it is tucked away in a residential area & not on the beaten commercial path. The food did not disappoint, but it is the quintessential old school, dive restaurant. This means there are no menu frills, no bar (yikes) and tight quarters. I sat in a booth near front door & had a glass of wine while waiting. Oddly enough, you can see a couple of small signs near the restrooms that mentioned Lounge. Must be an inside joke, cuz there was certainly no “lounge”, only a couple small tables and chairs (packed with supplies) in a dimly lit area near restroom.It was getting near 6:00 and regulars were packing the place already, so they clearly didn’t need a lounge area. Expect good service, good food and drinks. You just won’t find a bar!Parking: Large parking lot on the side of building, as well as some street parking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Petite Fillet with Greek Spaghetti
Drew Yockstick
The manager is rude and should be fired. She's an idiot doesn't know what she's talking
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Clara Carlson
Obviously, food at a restaurant is subjective to taste, but my partner and I love this restaurant. Easily the best cuts of meat we've ever had. We think it's well worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Included as a Side, Petite Fillet with Greek Spaghetti
Justin Berkley
Let’s do this by the numbers-35- The number of years I’ve been working in restaurants.20- The number of years my friend has been trying to get me to Mason City to try her favorite hometown restaurant.4- The number of hours we drove, round trip to finally get me to The Northwestern. No other reason to come to Mason, just this restaurant.1- The ranking of this filet versus any steak I’ve ever had in a restaurant in my life. Perfectly seasoned, melt in your mouth texture, and prompt, no nonsense service.For the sake of clarity and with no trace of hyperbole: this is the best steak I’ve ever had in a restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Roy Booth
Brought a group of 6 and spent $400. Who wants a broiled steak floating in butter with no seasoning? No grill marks, no char, no wood/charcoal flavor, just meat floating in butter. Greek noodles is the 22 cent ramen from the grocery with the fake grated parm cheese and was the best thing I ate and I never want it again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michelle Johnson
We visited this location Friday night for only the second time. We were there last March and were blown away. This time not so much. For starters, the waitress at the very beginning, seemed very short and put out having to work there. She went to take our drink order and we asked her if they had a wine list and she just pointed to the menu underneath the plexiglass on the table didn’t offer suggestions or go through the menu walked away, and then came back in a few minutes to get drink order. When she brought the drinks back she didn’t even open the wine to pour it for everybody. Then was in a hurry to take our order. When our order came out, my ribeye was a wedge cut, that was less than appealing for a steakhouse and was not tender like a ribeye should be and yes I order mine medium rare. She didn’t even check back to see if our steaks were cooked properly or ask how everything tasted. The spaghetti was the only good part of the meal. Honestly, I don’t believe this would be our first choice to dine in Mason City which is unfortunate because we like to support small businesses
Top notch food. Unique atmosphere. One of those local staples that nearly anyone who lives here would recommend.
Karen O.
Very good food, their steaks are fabulously prepared. You can't make a reservations for groups under 5, so plan ahead, and the seating is very cozy. Very..... cozy... like you'll be sitting in your neighbor's lap if you're not careful. The place is an iconic landmark and well worth the dine in. Service is always great. Plan to dine at 5:00 when they first open, if you don't have a reservation, though, because the line starts to form at 4:30'sh. Or be prepared to dine after 8:00. Highly recommend!
Michelle C.
This was our 4th road trip throughout this region of Iowa and I have no idea how we haven't found this place before. History of restaurant is fantastic, food was delicious and the staff were very friendly and attentive! Can't wait to visit again, hopefully in warmer weather!
lionslicer 3
Just had one of the best steaks I ever had. I ordered a filet rare with spaghetti and rice. I can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fillet 9oz
Marisa B.
Great steak & Noodles love it. Good service. Definitely go back again! Good food yummy!!
overrated. Just ok. They use tons of butter.Vegetarian options: Good luck... Salad, baked potatoeWheelchair accessibility: Not wheel chair friendly..... barely made it in, tight.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Salad
Always satisfied
Outstanding in every way.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Not impressed at all with the food, the ribeye was bland, no flavor at all. The prime rib was too salty. Everything looked like it was swimming in oil. Won't be going back there ever.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Ordered carry out. There was $6 off “special” on the petite fillet, so I went with 2 of them. The taste was exquisite, literally melting in your mouth. I went with the basic sides of salad and baked potato. I believe they also had offerings like rice and spaghetti for .80 extra.I had been meaning to try this place for many years, but never got the chance, as it is tucked away in a residential area & not on the beaten commercial path. The food did not disappoint, but it is the quintessential old school, dive restaurant. This means there are no menu frills, no bar (yikes) and tight quarters. I sat in a booth near front door & had a glass of wine while waiting. Oddly enough, you can see a couple of small signs near the restrooms that mentioned Lounge. Must be an inside joke, cuz there was certainly no “lounge”, only a couple small tables and chairs (packed with supplies) in a dimly lit area near restroom.It was getting near 6:00 and regulars were packing the place already, so they clearly didn’t need a lounge area. Expect good service, good food and drinks. You just won’t find a bar!Parking: Large parking lot on the side of building, as well as some street parking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Petite Fillet with Greek Spaghetti
The manager is rude and should be fired. She's an idiot doesn't know what she's talking
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Obviously, food at a restaurant is subjective to taste, but my partner and I love this restaurant. Easily the best cuts of meat we've ever had. We think it's well worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Potato Included as a Side, Petite Fillet with Greek Spaghetti
Let’s do this by the numbers-35- The number of years I’ve been working in restaurants.20- The number of years my friend has been trying to get me to Mason City to try her favorite hometown restaurant.4- The number of hours we drove, round trip to finally get me to The Northwestern. No other reason to come to Mason, just this restaurant.1- The ranking of this filet versus any steak I’ve ever had in a restaurant in my life. Perfectly seasoned, melt in your mouth texture, and prompt, no nonsense service.For the sake of clarity and with no trace of hyperbole: this is the best steak I’ve ever had in a restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Brought a group of 6 and spent $400. Who wants a broiled steak floating in butter with no seasoning? No grill marks, no char, no wood/charcoal flavor, just meat floating in butter. Greek noodles is the 22 cent ramen from the grocery with the fake grated parm cheese and was the best thing I ate and I never want it again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
We visited this location Friday night for only the second time. We were there last March and were blown away. This time not so much. For starters, the waitress at the very beginning, seemed very short and put out having to work there. She went to take our drink order and we asked her if they had a wine list and she just pointed to the menu underneath the plexiglass on the table didn’t offer suggestions or go through the menu walked away, and then came back in a few minutes to get drink order. When she brought the drinks back she didn’t even open the wine to pour it for everybody. Then was in a hurry to take our order. When our order came out, my ribeye was a wedge cut, that was less than appealing for a steakhouse and was not tender like a ribeye should be and yes I order mine medium rare. She didn’t even check back to see if our steaks were cooked properly or ask how everything tasted. The spaghetti was the only good part of the meal. Honestly, I don’t believe this would be our first choice to dine in Mason City which is unfortunate because we like to support small businesses
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Top notch food. Unique atmosphere. One of those local staples that nearly anyone who lives here would recommend.
Very good food, their steaks are fabulously prepared. You can't make a reservations for groups under 5, so plan ahead, and the seating is very cozy. Very..... cozy... like you'll be sitting in your neighbor's lap if you're not careful. The place is an iconic landmark and well worth the dine in. Service is always great. Plan to dine at 5:00 when they first open, if you don't have a reservation, though, because the line starts to form at 4:30'sh. Or be prepared to dine after 8:00. Highly recommend!
This was our 4th road trip throughout this region of Iowa and I have no idea how we haven't found this place before. History of restaurant is fantastic, food was delicious and the staff were very friendly and attentive! Can't wait to visit again, hopefully in warmer weather!
Just had one of the best steaks I ever had. I ordered a filet rare with spaghetti and rice. I can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fillet 9oz
Great steak & Noodles love it. Good service. Definitely go back again! Good food yummy!!