Aunt Maude's

I ordered the grilled pork loin and it was really delicious. Had a perfect cook on it, medium with a slightly pinkish center, and super tender. The sides also complimented the main entree very well. Only critique I’d have is to have more of the poblano sauce so it cuts through the richness of the pork. Atmosphere was good but wish there was more lighting or something to make it feel more homey like the restaurant’s name would suggest. Service was pretty good as well, we got our table quick & our waitress was nice. Overall nice place to dine out for a date night, with a friend, family, or even as a business casual eat out. Highly recommend, definitely one of the best restaurants you’ll find in Ames.

This was the top rated restaurant for Ames so we decided to come here for dinner tonight. The two of us arrived around 6:30 and were seated right away. The interior was...cozy. The tables were a little close to each other. It made getting to the restrooms a challenge when all the tables were occupied. The food was really disappointing, though. We started out with the New Orleans BBQ shrimp which was 41-50 sized shrimp doused in Worcestershire sauce. No...Just, no. New Orleans style should have the shell and head still on--that's where all the flavor lies. A more appropriate sized shrimp would have been 16-20. And, the sauce...yuck. Straight salty. I was between the grilled pork loin and steak sandwich for my main dish. I got the steak sandwich at the server's suggestion. It's sliced tri-tip topped with a bleu cheese slaw and slivered potatoes on rye bread. The steak was decent but I didn't enjoy it tepid. I feel like it should have been properly reheated without compromising the cook on the steak. I also could not detect any bleu cheese in the slaw. I ate it by itself just to see if the other flavors overtook the dish. I don't feel like the shoestring potatoes added anything to the sandwich. Just made it messier. BOTH sides of the bread were also extremely soggy. It was either not toasted properly or sat in liquid. Our other entrée was the burger which was really just underwhelming, overall. We were planning on getting dessert but decided to skip because of the other three dishes. We feared further disappointment. I'm pretty easy-going when it comes to food. But, this is the first time I've ever wondered "what the hell did I just eat?" Neither one of us felt like complaining to our server. It wasn't his fault the food sucked. And, we also didn't want to have anything remade. It wouldn't have changed anything. The flavors were just a complete bust. We also ate a good portion of the food because we didn't have lunch so we couldn't justify whining about it. The price point also did not align with the quality of ingredients or execution. I don't mind spending a fortune on good food, but this was not good food. Really bummed that we drove 30 minutes and wasted our weekly date night on this meal. Our server was great, though. He was extremely professional, attentive, and was pleasant the whole way through. That was the only positive aspect. I feel bad lying to him about the food being okay. But, as I said earlier, it's not his fault. Plus, he was busy being double-sat.

Can't say enough about our dining experience at Aunt Maude's! Everything was just awesome from our bartender to our hostess, Camry, to our sweet server, Quincy! Everyone was very attentive and our meals were so delicious! The turkey chili was next level! My husband's Bourbon Renewal cocktail was so tasty, too!

Now this is on me for not doing my homework I guess. I've always wanted to eat here. It's my fault for assuming it was a steak house to begin with but let me tell you..it's not. The service was wonderful so I don't want to take anything from those folks. But the menu was really lacking in diverse options. I'm not sure what their specialty is but I assume sea food as there were fish adoring the wall that I was viewing from my seat although I couldn't see them very well because it was so dark in there. I get that's the ambience they are trying to set but maybe it was just because of my frustration of anything that looked appealing on the menu that it unnerved me. So I went there with my college age daughter. She had the special which was shrimp on I believe some kind of tomato paste on top of grits...yes you read that right. Grits. She was trying to be adventurous and save me money by getting the special even though I told her don't worry about. Anyway she was very much not impressed. I asked if they served steak. There was one option. I don't remember the name but it was basically three small very thin slices of a great tasting steak that amounted to the size of a golf ball with a small serving of stir fry vegetables and here's the best part. FRENCH FRIES!!! Yup. Most expensive place in town and they give you French fries with their overpriced dainty pittance of steak. This place was a disappointment. From the lacking menu to the joke of a meal. And for all of this with water for her and a soda for me we paid just south of 100 bucks!!! 80 something but to be fair that also included the tip. You know I had a Great Aunt Maude and of all of my older relatives she was the most feisty. There's no doubt that if she thought something like this was happening in her house, heads would roll and you would not only hear about it outside, but you would hear about it with colorful language til the day she died. Look it's up to you if you want to blow money there to try to impress a prom date or something like that, but trust me when I say she won't be impressed

This Place is special, a true gem. I wish I could bring this whole place back to Minnesota with me. The crew, the food, and the ambiance all makes you feel like you are at home on a special occasion. Jackson, the bartender has a special gift and is a true asset to the team. The manager & another staff member who’s mom was a veterinarian were all so wonderful, kind, and attentive. I had the French onion soup, the Cobb salad, and the peanut butter pie. The gentleman next to me had some pasta dish that I almost asked for a bite of it it looked so good. I’m here visiting the large animal hospital and was told how great this place was. It was beyond my expectations. Go here!! It’s a 10 out of 10. Thank you for providing a great experience during a tough week. I will be back and tell everyone about your special spot.

Excellence quality food well prepared and presented nicely. Had the Seafood Jambalaya. It was a beautifully diverse mix of seafood with each form cook nicely and well infused in the Jambalaya. A well constructed mocktails was paired nicely with it. Finished with a treat of chocolate mousse that was smooth and rich. I would have appreciated a darker chocolate option but it was still great. The menu is limited which seems to allow the chef to focus on excellence. A few more options would be nice but good options are available.

Really enjoyed our experience at Aunt Maudes! We were warmly greeted and promptly sat outside on the patio. The only bad thing about outside was the annoying flies. Our waitress was kind / attentive and took good care of us. We tried the ahi tuna and brussel sprouts as appetizers. For entrees, we got the Flat Iron, the Tri-Tip, and the Filet. All were delicious and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were on a whole different level. For the limited dining options in Ames, this is a great spot.

This place is just wonderful! From the time we walked in until we paid for the check we were taken care of. The menu is simple but the food is outstanding. They have a little bit of everything so I am sure you will find something you like. The beef tips were so juicy you could cut them with a fork. The pasta dishes are so flavorful and the pasta is cooked to perfection. The burger is out of this world and accompanied with fresh french fries. Go find this hidden gem and eat there. You won't be sorry!

Loved Aunt Maude's! My daughters live in Ames and we came down for the weekend. They suggested Aunt Maude's. It's a popular place even on a quiet weekend . We were lucky to get a high top in the bar. I had one of the specials, a vegetarian dish with couscous and crispy artichokes - super delish. My wife ordered a pasta dish, bistro size, which was perfect because we were staying in a hotel and didn't want leftovers. My daughters had the Osso Bucco and a grilled cheese sandwich. The menu had plenty to choose from depending on how hungry you are and how much you want to spend. Service was friendly and attentive. Parking was easy and right across the street. After 6:00 parking is free. We'd definitely recommend Aunt Maude's to others and will be back again.

The best place to eat in Ames. The food is delicious and the staff are awesome. Make sure you visit here whilst in Ames to experience the wonderful food and friendly service.

Great service. Everyone loved their meal. I particularly loved the pasta dish. We sat outside on a nice day. I'd skip dessert next time. Unfortunately it was dry and tasted freezer burnt and the berries were clearly not fresh.

All I can say is wow. I was traveling for work and just got in town before lunch so I thought I'd give it a try. I ordered the Cajun steak sandwich with red beans and rice and they were both amazing; best I've ever had. My only critique is the roll was a little too small for what they give you so it gets a little messy towards the end. I should have stopped there but I noticed they had crème brûlée which is a favorite so I ordered some. As you can see in the picture it was a generous portion and equally delicious. Service was great, attentive but not intrusive. A definite winner.

Really enjoyed our experience at Aunt Maudes! We were warmly greeted and promptly sat outside on the patio. The only bad thing about outside was the annoying flies. Our waitress was kind / attentive and took good care of us. We tried the ahi tuna and brussel sprouts as appetizers. For entrees, we got the Flat Iron, the Tri-Tip, and the Filet. All were delicious and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were on a whole different level. For the limited dining options in Ames, this is a great spot.

We hosted a 50-year, dorm-house reunion for 37 people at Aunt Maude's. Most attendees had not seen one another for 50 years. The up-front people, Alisha and Kamry, were very helpful and easy to work with. All planning was done at a distance. The serving staff (Ally, Elly and Hayley) was superb. The food was very, very good. The room was perfect. Prices were fair. Aunt Maude's made the event incredibly easy. We just chose the menu and determined number of guests. They took care of the rest.

Awesome service! 2 couples each split a steak sandwich because they are huge-- and delicious! The table also had an order of the truffle fries: SO good. Good wine and beer lists as well.

I wasn't planning to review this restaurant, but had such a wonderful experience, I have to share. I can't say enough good things about Aunt Maude's. The ambiance is lovely, the service team works together for a seamless dining experience, and the food is absolutely stellar. My server Lexi was competent and friendly, my cocktail was balanced and on point, and my meal ... My salmon with tomato risotto and asparagus was literally one of the best meals I've ever enjoyed. The chef is so skilled to infuse the tomato's earthy sweetness into the risotto. It meshes with the salmon and the bitter sprouts, with parmesano grounding the combination and balsamic bringing a perfect acidic sweetness. I dined alone, and was reading a book on my phone, but my phone kept going to sleep because I was savoring this fantastic meal. I also ate the whole thing, which is exceedingly rare. You should go.

Happened to stumble across this restaurant while at ISU orientation. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of Cajun chicken pasta and cheeseburger. The local root beer and fresh lemonade were nice and refreshing. Our waitress was also very pleasant. Looking forward to coming back!

I was in need of some food and it was my break after the knitting store and school pickup, so I saw Aunt Maude's and the name made me enter! It's beautiful inside with dark wood and small intimate areas to dine. Me? I picked the closest barstool! ;-D The bartended was kind and immediately offered me a drink and menu, but then left me alone to choose. When I set it down she walked over - the best kind of server! I had what has to be the best burger I've had on my travels in Iowa. Grilled onions and cheddar - XX rare. It came with a grilled bun and skinny fries. Now, I'm not known for loving fries but these were salted perfectly and it was like opening a full bag of chips - I couldn't stop! I think I had eaten half of my fries before I even took a bite of my cheeseburger! I couldn't stop eating even though I was full, but they have a bread pudding dessert that the server said was her favorite - and there were alot of yummies to choose from! It was epic! Caramel sauce, a small bit of whipped cream on the side. Amazing! If you find yourself in Ames, don't pass up Aunt Maude's!

Amazing food, & ambience - Everyone else was delightful & attentive from the moment we entered the restaurant. Service was questionable once we sat down. I will chop it up to the waitress having an off day, she primarily focused on my partner, took his drink order & walked off without taking mine. She took my appetizer order because my partner put the order in, & also took my water & attempted to take away the remaining food unprompted before we'd even asked for the bill. She put a bit of a damper on the night, but everyone has their days. I would recommend this place to friends, the hot cider & peanut butter pie were unmatched.

Great drinks and food! For drinks, we had the zinfandel and the pinot noir, highly recommend the pinot noir! For dinner, we had the salmon and the crispy chicken sandwich with fries. Our waitress was great and the ambiance was fun.

In the midst of a tough day when we said our goodbyes to a loved one, Aunt Maude's could not have been a better selection to have a good family dinner. I will always be grateful to the staff and our server Ali and staffer Savannah for such a positive dining experience. Great atmosphere, clean, normal noise, plenty of on-site parking, and a solid menu that was full of surprises. I was not in an exploratory mode, so I relied on a great pasta dish that nailed it. Next time I will nab some of the many cool offerings they have. It's a fun part of town also.

I only been once and it was for lunch.. I loved the place. I got chicken fettuccine and it was great. Sat at the bar and the service was amazing. Honestly the best meal I've had in Ames.

Amazing food. Great atmosphere and service. One of my favorite spots to eat at in all of Iowa.

Consistently the BEST eatery in Ames. Menu changes constantly. Staff is friendly and attentive. This is our GO TO place....every week or more frequently.

Sister restaurant of The Cafe, Aunt Maude's is one of Ames' few restaurants that fall under the upscale/romantic category. We go here every year for my partner's birthday and it always delivers. My only knock is that the portions tend to be lacking - thats also the issue I tend to have with The Cafe (same ownership group). Would recommend if youre looking for a date night spot.

This restaurant is my new favorite! The staff, Anna, was amazing! The food was absolutely delicious and will be back. My goal is to try everything on the menu. I had the blackened chicken angel hair pasta, oh my goodness!! Definitely try this dish and the bread pudding. I don't ever leave reviews, but I had to for this place, everything right! Thank you to chefs and our waitress, Anna.

The service is excellent, the atmosphere is cozy. Not a great selection for lunch, but good enough.

2nd time we came here and both 5 star. Service was fantastic. Food was fantastic. Salmon was cooked perfectly. The Cajun chicken angle hair pasta was sooo yummy. Had the mouse and the creme brûlée. Best creme brûlée I've ever had. Mousse has improved from last time. It was lighter and no grainy taste but was a tad too sweet for me. The corn chowder also too sweet for me. Highly recommend.

Great food, questionable service. I don't think they should tip share. I've never been disappointed by them or their French dip!

Amazing absolutely a gem here in Ames! Great service and food my family loves. Will be coming back

Maude's is always a good choice for a great meal in a nice atmosphere. The cost is equivalent to other nice dinner venues in Ames and the service is always on-point. It is a popular place so sometimes there is a wait for atable, but that's true anywhere.

A little pricey, but the food and atmosphere are very good. Nice place for a night out with your significant other.

A bit expensive for common folks but delicious and upscale dining is fun for special evenings.

One of my favorite spots in Ames for a nice lunch or dinner! It gives off old small town vibes and I love the ambiance and lighting here! Delicious pasta dishes and steak sandwiches!

Great service! Very clean, good food, and the even box the leftovers for you! The staff are very helpful and friendly.

Great food, great service. Their atmosphere is wonderful. Would highly recommend. Very popular place to go to.

This was a meal from almost 2 years and I remember it like yesterday. The scallops tasted like butter and the sea...the Creme Brûlée was to die for and it was a meal I didn't expect to eat at Ames, Iowa. If I am ever back to Iowa I will eat here again - might be with different company this time

The food was as advertised. It was fantastic and the establishment has a nice ambiance especially when you consider that it is in a small college town. The restaurant creates a very nice dining experience. Why our entrees were good, make sure to save room for dessert. The peanut butter pie was excellent. Great way to end a good meal!

We have dined at Aunt Maude's numerous times over the years --and we have never had a bad meal. The food is consistently excellent as is the service. It is always a wonderful dining experience!

Kids burgers looked good. I had a mediocre salad and felt awful all afternoon before finally hurling Server was nice ‍ Weird 70s vibe to the place.

This was a very good meal, but I will caution that it is fairly expensive. I got their NY Strip Loin, which came with grilled summer vegetables. I also ordered their Bourbon County Lemonade (a summer drink) and was asked what kind of bourbon I wanted. When I saw the list, I chose one I didn't think was too expensive but it was a mark-up of $5 on the price, so it turned into a fairly expensive (and deliciously dangerous) drink. The NY Strip was very good but one side had some gristle or something that made it fairly tough. The vegetables were very good, as well. Like I said, this was a great meal, but know that you're going in there to spend a decent amount of money for it!

Food is incredible. I ordered the 1/2 sandwich, soup (French Onion) and salad (homemade blue cheese). Well prepared, hot, and promptly served. Croutons are homemade as well. Sat the bar, my preferred spot, and was warmly greeted with glass of water and any additional drinks. First time trying the Des Monies IPA and was impressed. Ambiance is great. Super clean, great music playing lightly in the background. Good quaint lunch spot.

Hosted our son's graduation dinner at Maude's this past December. We had a party of ten. Excellent service, delicious food and a wonderful evening.

I have celiac disease, so finding knowledgeable servers can be difficult. While they don't have a gluten free menu, everyone understood and gave recommendations. They understood cross contamination and steered me away from certain food items. The food was fantastic and the service was great. Would highly recommend.

Lames, Iowa does not have many "classy/fancy" establishments, but Aunt Maude's is the stand alone in the category. Great salmon, peanut butter pie, tri tip and sublime garlic cheesy potatoes. Service and ambience is up there as well. Pro tip get some else to take you so they pay. Overall 5/5.

Beat place in Ames to enjoy great food. We're there all the time. Now my grandchildren that go to school at ISU go there as well

This is pretty simple. Aunt Maude's is consistently the best eatery in Ames AND HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 32 YEARS!!! The competition really isn't anywhere close, except for their 2 more informal affiliates: The Cafe, and Provisions. Not only are their tastes and freshness and preparation and general quality meteorically superior to all others, they have somehow succeeded in that most impossible feat of restauranteuring over the last 4 decades: to maintain quality AND invent and innovate, bring new ideas and tastes and combinations that keep food-o-philes coming back for more. Amazing (and mysterious) they've been able to maintain that over what must be several generations of owners and managers and cooks and servers and suppliers! All I can say is KEEP IT UP!! YOU DA BEST.

Subtle and quaint decorations and good atmosphere (minus the tacky music that you could find in Chuck E. Cheese). The staff was delightful and punctual with their service. The seafood gumbo look promising but didn't satisfy. Undercooked potatoes made me go soft. The seafood was cooked decently well and seasoned, but it just really didn't come together like it could. Lot of potential, but with poor execution I don't see myself ordering this dish again. Not a bad spot, but probably just not for me.

First time in after years of intent. Live the ambiance and great service. Fun menu. Our table of 4 all lives their different meals. Will be back to try other items in the menu!

Met all expectations. Good service food and drinks. Reservations are accepted. Nice atmosphere.

I never knew my mother had a sister, let alone one that cook so well! This place rocks! I always get really hot and bothered every time I visit my sweet old Auntie Maude's. Her food really makes my juices flow! My old man used to take me here on Sundays after a good ol' spanking sesh and it always made me feel better afterwards. Nowadays I can't even get spanked once without thinking of Auntie's delicious food! My favorite meal from here is the Love at First Bite. It always cheers me up after a long day of slinging meat. Jeez loueeeez this place is a definite bang.

Long time favorite for a nice lunch, or dinner for a special occasion. Most recently, stopped in last week for lunch. The food was excellent, as we've always experienced. Service was quick, friendly, and highly professional. Overall great experience and we'll be back soon.

Stopped by for lunch today and decided to sit in the bar. The atmosphere was nice and some music was playing. I was greeted by Zach the bartender right away. He was able to answer all of my questions related to the menu items which was a huge plus for me, and had some recommendations for me as well. I hate it when restaurant employees have no clue about what they are serving. I decided on a cup of French onion soup and the cajun prime rib sandwich with a side of red beans and rice. My whole experience was a homerun. Thanks guys! Can't wait to try out dinner here.

An amazing meal! I was always told that Aunt Maudes was the place to go for Valentine's Day in Ames so I made reservations there. That recommendation was not wrong. We both ordered the Grilled Prime Top Sirloin- both cooked to perfection. Had the Bread Pudding for desert- it was immaculate. The drinks were very good- easy to sip on! It may be a little pricey, but definitely worth it! I will come back.

Blackened chicken and salmon is very tasty in the Caesar salad! The environment is a cool laid back style with dim lights but still able to see everything and everyone. Service has always been stellar and a very friendly staff!

We were really happy when Aunt Maude's reopened its dining room.We'd been wanting to go for some time now. We started off with the homemade potato chips and spicy sour cream based dip. My husband ordered the filet, oldest daughter ordered the tequila chicken pasta, youngest daughter ordered a burger, and I ordered the jambalaya. Overall, everything was quite good. Our server was very attentive and the wine selection was nice. We'll definitely give this place another try when we are back in Ames. For those concerned with COVID, the table spacing was very good. Don't plan to sit at the bar because they pulled all the chairs. All waitstaff we're wearing masks. Reservations are highly recommended!!!

Some of the best food service and atmosphere in town. The salmon on squash is amazing. Who would've thought?