Every year on a Saturday in late March, thousands of fresh oysters arrive in chilled boxes to Club 76, the pub at the American Legion Post 1776 in North Liberty. They’re ordered for the Post’s popular Stout, Sours & Oysterfest. At the all-day festival, guests will go through between 3,500 and 5,000 oysters, eating them […]
Food & Drink
Posted inCommunity/News
Wahlburgers loses its biggest franchisee as Hy-Vee quits the celebrity burger business
Hy-Vee announced this week that it is getting rid of all the Wahlburgers still operating in its stores. Hy-Vee Market Grilles will take the place of the celebrity-adjascent burger joints. Interestingly, Hy-Vee’s news release about the change never mentions Wahlburgers. The West Des Moines-based supermarket chain simply said it will “transition all its in-store restaurant […]
Posted inCommunity/News
The Wedge and its signature specialty pizzas are back in downtown Iowa City
After being gone for a decade, The Wedge Pizzeria has returned to downtown Iowa City. Known for its innovative specialty pizzas, The Wedge debuted in its new location at 113 Iowa Ave, next to Joe’s Place, on Wednesday. “The space is pretty cool,” Regina Miller, the pizzeria’s co-owner, told Little Village. “It’s got high-ceilings, we’ve […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: Plus Saporis brings flaming appetizers, elevated comfort food to Bettendorf
Last month, I had the pleasure of taking a weekend trip to Chicago. One of my goals, while there, was to find a great restaurant, a relatively easy task in big cities. I poured over restaurant reviews and menus and looked for available reservations.
Posted inCommunity/News
Souper Bowl XXVIII will feature stock from 28 local restaurants to support DVIP & RVAP
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Souper Bowl, the annual event that lets you do good by enjoying good soup. Over the last 28 years, the Souper Bowl has grown into the biggest annual fundraiser for the Domestic Violence Intervention Program — now the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Rape Victim Advocacy Program […]
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Sanctuary Pub has closed, with building’s owner seeking new tenant
Since its debut in 1972, Sanctuary Pub has become as much a part of Iowa City’s cultural fabric as the Ped Mall, est. 1979. At least among locals, Sanctuary is as well-known for its intimate performances and literary events as its pizza, burgers and wide selection of beer on tap. The venue’s familiar facade is […]
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Peak Iowa: What’s the secret to the perfect dill spread? Ask Elijah Wood.
Years ago, Cedar Rapids was a real deli town. You could pop out of work or school to grab a good sandwich at any number of locally owned shops peppered throughout the quadrants. But the city looks different after decades of restaurant closures — Cork ‘n Fork in 2014, Sub City and Emil’s Delicatessen in […]
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Iowa Food Co-op provides a never-ending farmers market for the Des Moines metro
For some, the scariest part of October isn’t Halloween, but the last day of the farmers market. Des Moines area residents, however, need only pay a visit to www.iowafood.coop to buy fresh, local produce all year long. “We’re focused on small, local, independent producers,” Karen Davis, general manager of the Iowa Food Cooperative, told Little […]
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Peace Tree’s beers will flow again after Backpocket Brewing acquisition, starting with Blonde Fatale
Peace Tree Brewing Co. became one of the pillars of the Iowa craft beer scene almost as soon as Megan McKay founded the brewery in her hometown of Knoxville in 2009. Eight years later, Peace Tree expanded beyond its original taproom in Knoxville, opening a second location in Des Moines’ East Village. “The brewery has […]
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Kalona Brewing will close at the end of this month
Kalona Brewing Company will close at the end of the month. The craft brewery and restaurant located in downtown Kalona will serve its final beers on Oct. 31. “Unfortunately, we have been unable to recover financially from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” owners Ted and Becky Nagy said in a post on the brewery’s […]
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Despite some legal setbacks, Iowa’s expanding cannabis beverage brands aren’t going anywhere
In the beer and wine section of Fareway, between the cases of Busch Light and White Claw, you can find a range of nonalcoholic beverage brands, all local. There’s Climbing Kites, a zero-calorie, zero-sugar citrusy sparkling water reminiscent of La Croix or Topo Chico (although they’ve rolled out two, more indulgent “Kitetail” Infusions: a caffeinated, […]
Posted inEastern Iowa
John’s Grocery fried chicken returns for one night only as part of Chicken Town, a FEaST fundraiser
Many Iowa Citians have had a fried chicken-shaped hole in their lives since John’s Grocery closed its kitchen in early 2022. But this month, they’ll have a chance to fill that void with a two-piece (or two), if they act quickly. The fried chicken that was a staple for University of Iowa students and other […]
