There’s no question that Iowa is the birthplace of the loose-meat sandwich — that beefy, slow-cooked and wonderfully messy American comfort food served on a hamburger bun. But which version of this sandwich is the definitive Iowa loose-meat sandwich is a debate that’s raged from river to river for nearly 100 years. Most Iowans call […]
Jay Goodvin
Posted inEastern Iowa
Wayback tours: John Prine at the Paramount, 10 years ago
Sept. 14, 2013. It was hot and muggy during the day, and somehow even muggier at night. Perhaps it was similar to a late summer night on Lake Marie, which was the name of my favorite John Prine song at the time. To this day, I think of Prine as the ideal road trip artist. […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
Time Capsule Dale: Craving Roxie’s scalloped potatoes and ham
Meet LV’s newest columnist — a Gen X townie who goes to bed in the ’90s and wakes up in modern day IC/CR. It had everything a southeast side Iowa City resident would ever need: happy hour specials and the best damn scalloped potatoes and ham in Johnson County. I’m talking about Roxie’s on the […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Wayback tours: Simon & Garfunkel sang ‘The Sound of Silence’ but a blown speaker made Paul cry out
This article is the fourth in a series looking back at concerts that shaped the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids’ musical imagination as they reach milestone anniversaries. On Friday, it will be 55 years since Simon & Garfunkel played the University of Iowa Field House. Bill Rohret still remembers that night clearly. It was his […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Time Capsule Dale: Laundry day at Duds N Suds
Meet LV’s newest columnist — a Gen X townie who goes to bed in the ’90s and wakes up in modern day IC/CR. The early months of 1996 have been a whirlwind for Hawk fans. Carver once again proved to be a menace to Bobby Knight and his gang of Hoosiers on Sunday as Russ […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The Hall Mall is dead, long live the Hall Mall!
“I came up with the Hall Mall name,” Kirk Stephan said through chuckles as he recalled opening what would become Iowa City’s original incubator of small businesses in the early 1970s. “I wanted to have a longer one, but it turned out that advertisers charged more money the more letters you had!” More than a […]
Posted inBook Reviews
Book Review: ‘Iowa Supper Clubs’ by Megan Bannister
One never knows when the inspiration for an unforgettable road trip might happen. But you will most likely experience many of those unignorable “let’s go right now” moments while you read Iowa Supper Clubs, released in August 2020 from The History Press. Megan Bannister adds the historical flavor to these iconic Midwest restaurants with her debut […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Wayback tours: When Marilyn Manson shocked Cedar Rapids
This article is the third in a series looking back at concerts that shaped the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids musical imagination as they reach milestone anniversaries. Technology was getting more advanced by the day in the ’90s, and music was one of the industries that absorbed the high-tech wave. The grunge bands of the […]
Posted inBread & Butter Dining Guide
The Wellington Heights nonprofit cafe serving up valuable skills to the young women behind it
In the long list of great places to catch a meal in the Cedar Rapids area, Café 361 stands out with its themed menus, community mindedness and inspirational premise. And if you want a seat at the table, you’d better get your name in quick — they’re only dishing up meals once a month during […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Wayback tours: When the University of Iowa hosted Led Zeppelin
This will be a real shocker to you, but 50 years ago on this day in 1969, there was a blizzard: It was very icy, and wind chills were dropping by the second. None of that was going to stop the impending British invasion of Iowa City.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Wayback tours: When ‘Black Sunday’ Hit Iowa City
Everyone came to see Cypress Hill; those who decided to catch every band that night just hoped the openers would be entertaining. LA hip-hop group Funkdoobiest played first and then Seattle’s hard rocking all-female grunge band 7 Year Bitch, setting the tone for the third act.
