L and I went to Aunt Maude's for her birthday, on a Wednesday. We did not know ahead of time that the third Wednesday of the month features the Patio Burger. I went in planning to order salmon, but when our server explained the Patio Burger special, we both chose that. The Patio Burger comprises two patties, totaling 8 oz with cheese, garlic aioli, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. I must say that this is one of the best burgers I have had in a long, long time. Toppings aside, the reason I say this is that the patties had a very flavorful grill crust and was well seasoned. This was seriously good. The chefs/cooks here know what they are doing, at least they did on this particular night. Burgers like this have become expensive in recent years but this one is comparatively reasonable at $15. Kudos to Aunt Maude's, always a great place to eat. As an aside, my brother and I had a burger and beer at The Boulder Tap House, three months earlier. That burger was a disappointment at the other end of the spectrum. Skip BTH and go to Aunt Maude's for a great burger. read more

We stopped in here along our road trip and we're pleasantly surprised. We split a house salad and the pasta dish to save room for their peanut butter pie. Wow! Everything from the service to the food and the ambience was wonderful. This is definitely one of our favorite restaurants in the area and we plan to come again on our next trip through. read more

See all

Had dinner here on a Tuesday evening while in town for a conference. I partnered up with another conference attendee and we came here for dinner. The menu had a diversity of options with both bistro and full size options. We both settled on the Main St. chicken dish on recommendation from the waitress along with swapping the rice for mashed potatoes. Great suggestion. My conference mate asked to have her mushrooms removed and I asked to have the tomatoes removed. Although we both ordered the same meal, the presentation looked different for each of us and hit the spot for our tastebuds. Mine seemed more like a chicken marsala while hers was a tomato sauce. Either way we both enjoyed our meals. We both also had dessert - I had the delicious chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. Honestly there was too much sauce but the cake was still delicious! My conference mate had the peanut pie and it was divine - imagine a Reese cup with an Oreo crust. If I'm ever back in Ames this will definitely be on my return list!! read more

Aunt Maude's - Main Street Chicken - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Came here on company dinner and we had a great time. Food was decent and I enjoyed my carbonara, huge portion. The French onion soup was just ok but everyone enjoyed the peanut butter pie. Very good ambiance for group dining and the service was great. read more

See all

A well done takeout meal! I tried the smoked pork, and it came with ranch mashed potatoes and sweet corn. The pork was tender, juicy, and flavorful. Fun fact: did you know Iowa leads the country in hog production, something like 40%? Highly recommend Maude's, and I'll be ordering this again if I'm back in the Ames area. read more

Aunt Maude's - Smoked pork tenderloin $30 - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Always consistent good food. Like that they change up a part of their menu. Like that they can accommodate my gluten free needs.

Atmosphere is cozy and warm. A great date place. Service excellent. Food was just ok. For $37 the pistachio salmon should have been amazing, and it wasn't. The salmon itself was good, but the pile of potatoes (not fingerlings as stated in menu) and squash/vegetable mixture with goat cheese was average. It was disappointing not to get fingerlings and the goat cheese was more like blue cheese and pungent, not mild. It did not go with the potatoes and squash. Also the potatoes weren't tender. The French dip was good. The tequila chicken also good. read more

See all

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. read more

Great food. Amazing service. We came here with a large group while in town and they accommodated our party easily. We also didn't realize we were there past close and they still gave us good service. From the bread to the entrees to desserts, we all left stuffed and happy. read more

Aunt Maude's - Peanut butter pie - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

See all

Had dinner at the bar. Staff was personable, food was delish and drinks were great. Will be back soon.

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. read more

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. read more

Aunt Maude's - Cajun Steak Sandwich with Red Beans and Rice - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

See all

The peanut butter pie is AMAZING. The ambiance feels more upscale, but you don't have to be to eat there. They have a really nice outdoor seating area with umbrellas! The service was decent, and food didn't take forever to show up! I wish they would specify the "vegetables" when you order otherwise you might not know what you are getting :) overall great place to eat or do a work meal! read more

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! read more

Aunt Maude's - The bar! - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

See all

Visiting ISU from the East Coast, read the great reviews and stopped by for lunch. The steak sandwich is easily the best sandwich I have ever had. Had hubs try it and he was also stunned. It's been 10 hours and I'm still thinking about it. The meat was perfectly tender and beautifully seasoned. The slaw was perfection- not overwhelming, just perfect. The crispy potato straws were amazing. Will 100% make this a regular destination, I'll just struggle not to order that sandwich every time. read more

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. read more

Aunt Maude's - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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. read more

See all

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Had a fantastic experience at Aunt Maude's! My wife and I came for an anniversary dinner. I had the smoked pork tenderloin which was amazing. My wife had the tri-tip, which she absolutely loved as well. Everything was perfectly seasoned, and cooked just to our preferences. Great drink menu--cocktails were excellent. Yummy desserts too! Ambiance and service were right on the money. We'll be back for sure next time we're in Ames! read more

Aunt Maude's - Smoked pork loin with mashed red potatoes and Iowa sweet corn. Delicious! - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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. read more

The New Orleans BBQ Shrimp appetizer is delicious, very unique! My Chili Cured Center Cut Filet was amazing. Great flavors, perfectly cooked. My husband's special Sirloin was also nice. The mashed red potatoes were good but not really warm. Our red wine selections were perfect with our steak. We were too full for dessert but maybe we will try the Crème Brûlée next time we are in town. Service was great! read more

We come here for family celebrations because of the excellent food and friendly service. Lots of interesting menu choices and they are very accommodating to dietary needs. The ice cream drinks are authentic and seldom found elsewhere. read more

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! read more

Aunt Maude's - Cajun Chicken Pasta and Cheeseburger - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Aunt Maude's - Blackened chicken angel hair pasta, ceasar salad, and garlic bread. - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

See all

What a surprising and lovely meal. In Town for a college visit. Grabbed a dinner idea from Yelp and it was wonderful. The bread was warm, crusty and pillow soft in the middle. We had jambalaya, roast salmon and pork. All were tender, well seasoned and well presented. Service was top notch. We were at the end of the night and were never rushed. The creme brûlée had a crunchy top, not gritty, with creamy heaven underneath. Thanks for a relaxing evening in the middle of a busy week. Cheers! read more

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 read more

See all

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! read more

Aunt Maude's - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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

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

Aunt Maude's - Leftovers - New American Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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!!! read more

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! read more

See all

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. read more

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