TLDR: classic sandwich shop…read more Fresh cut meats and cheeses make for excellent sandwiches at a wonderful value. I've been going here for decades and it's like putting on your favorite sweatshirt. If I worked in the area this would definitely be a lunch time staple!

The only time I don't like this place is when it's busy. I visit almost every time I am in Ames…read more Sandwiches are hand made to order, one by one, by the owner a guy who obviously appreciates the art of a good sandwich. Getting stuck in line behind a guy placing an order for the office is going to put a dent in your day. That said, my roasted turkey sandwich on rye was delish! Sweet and juicy turkey breast, sliced and piled high with my choice of cheese and fixings. Paired with a bag of chips and a "pop" from the soda fountain, it was a perfect lunch. Show up after 1:00 and you might find a shorter line. Just don't get stuck behind "that guy".

One of our favorite restaurants for a yummy, quick and warm sun sandwich. My wife and I love this…read moreplace and don't mind braving the campus traffic to eat it.

Decent food, was a calm day when I went in and the service was fast and quality. Ordered Oreo shake…read moreand broccoli cheddar soup. Both were great! No complaints.

Okay this place was so good! It looks like a little hole in the wall from the outside but it is…read moreactually a decent sized place. Hours are 7am-2pm. They let the food speak for themselves. Most everything to drink is bottled except for coffee and free water. Everyone who works there is very knowledgeable about gluten allergies. I have a gluten and dairy allergy. I had a denver omelet without cheese. It is a shared kitchen but they specifically clean everything before making anything when someone tells them its a food allergy. If you call ahead they can make any of their baked goods gluten free. I did not because my family decided to try this on a whim but I was able to have gluten free toast, frosted sugar cookies, and a brown butter chocolate chip cookies. The toast was actually toasted and crunchy on the outside while soft in the middle. Will be eating here again.

Stumbled across this place while looking for breakfast. I have found my new favorite place in Ames…read more I'm amazed more people don't know it's here. I had a breakfast sandwich with ham, eggs, cheese and avocado on a savory biscuit. When I brought it back to work everyone was huddling around loving the glorious smell. It was amazing. I also came home with a scone the size of my head. It was wonderful!! I can't wait to try other flavors. We will be heading here again next week for our weekly management meeting as everyone is excited to try it for themselves. Casual environment and very good staff. This place has it all!

10/28/25 1:00 p.m…read more Walk-in/Take Out Food: Our food was delicious! Everything was so full of flavor, and the portion sizes were great for the price. It all tasted so fresh, and the baklava was absolutely to die for! My husband was unsure as to which one he should get, so the gentleman working recommended the selection of baklava that we got. I am so glad that he did because all of it was phenomenal. Service: The service was great. I definitely feel as if they went above what would be considered basic service and were all incredibly friendly and pleasant to interact with. They were quick and efficient and definitely knew what they were talking about. Ambiance: Being a smaller international-type grocery store, it was really pleasant and comfortable to be in. The selection can be overwhelming, but not in a bad way. There is just so much to choose from, and I feel like every time you go in, you will find something new that you didn't see before. The selection of items they have is incredible. It's not overly noisy either, and it smells amazing as soon as you walk in.

I wanted to guve this place 5 stars but it falls short on communication. The store staff is amazing…read moreand very helpful but I was never told that they kitchen closes at 3 and when I came back for the food I was told the kitchen is closed and I couldn't get my food. I drove 1 hour 15 mins just to come to this place. Other than that items are well stocked and there are alot of options. The prices are fine, some are a little high and some are less than other places.

The employees here are very friendly and welcoming. My favorite sandwich is a number eleven because…read morethe salami is SO GOOD. Yes, nine dollars is a lot for a sandwich, but the bread is freshly made and the staff is so welcoming that I don't want to go anywhere else.

I came in here to try the new Mike's Hot Italian. It's a sub with chopped meats grilled and then…read moremelty cheese applied. Omdog. So good. I get the rosemary parm bread for every sub I get(it definitely adds Italian flavor to any sub one gets). The flavors are bursting in this sandwich. I do not get the spicy topping that comes with the sandwich. I don't tolerate spice well. Friendly staff, clean place, lot parking. Average prices. Do remember that the meat here is freshly sliced and that makes for a better, fresher tasting sandwich. This place has been busy almost all the time. Get their app and save towards free subs. CyHawkApproved.

Our son was in Ames for hockey and we stopped in for food, drinks, and to watch the KU basketball…read more game. Typical college Saturday going on. Tacos were deep fried and actually really good and $1.75 Apple Pie shots. Good times!

I am once again back at this tremendous establishment- the staff per usual treats me like family…read moreand gives me a great sense that I belong here. Everything aspect of this bar and grill is perfect from the nice bouncer Nigel who treats me like a king to the beautiful bartenders that make me feel like the only man in the world. I love this place. sincerely, Louie DuPont

We stopped here for lunch when in Ames for a concert. It came recommended by a coworker and our…read morewhole group enjoyed our experience. Amongst our group we ordered the Long Island ice tea, nerds flavored Long Island ice tea, bloody marry and some martinis. We also ordered lunch and everyone seemed really pleased with their food. They were super busy but did a great job accommodating our group of 8. Glad we popped in during our time in Ames.

5 trips to Brazil were amazing so it was great to be at this bar for lunch and dinner. In Ames this…read moreis the # 1 place to be by far. Soccer. World Cup. Academia. Global travelers. Great staff. Feijoada is needed. I look forward to returning.

Disappointed... I came here for restaurant week to try their Thai Menu. It looked good online and…read morethought I'd give them a try. The Cafe has been on my list for a while now. Disappointed to say the least, I came in the back door not realized there was a correct door and was rudely cut off by other patrons at the front desk. I had to wait several minutes to be waited on and the place had plenty of spots. Maybe because I was a party of 1... they didn't seem to care. After I shared what drink I wanted, I learned they were out... fine no problem. I asked about the Thai specials, the waitress was clueless. I had to ask for the restaurant week menu and ask about the specials. She said they looked good but couldn't describe them and hasn't tasted them. I got the salad on special, but get this... they were out of the main restaurant week special... such a let down. The ambiance was mixed, one corner was a cute date night the other corner was crying children. All dimly lit and outdated decor. The whole experience was off, I ended up leaving after my one drink and salad. I hope to give this place a second chance sometime but hope they aren't out of dishes and I can get a trained server. Maybe another night for sure!

Visited on 11/07/25. The Cafe is an absolute gem! Every…read morevisit feels like a new culinary adventure thanks to their ever-changing menu. The chefs clearly love experimenting, offering a creative fusion of flavors that blend different cuisines beautifully. Whether it's a twist on a classic dish or something completely unexpected, everything is prepared with care and a true sense of innovation. Me and my significant other both ordered the Feta Cheese w/ Honey, Herbs, and Pistachios + Bread as our appetizer and for main dish we ordered Korean Steak & Egg that consist of soy/ginger marinated hanger steak with kimchi fried rice, and arugula with sweet chili aioli, and sunny side egg on top. The only thing I was a bit disappointed was that the kimchi didn't have the actual kick and true kimchi flavor but it was still good! Beyond the food, what really sets The Cafe apart is the warm and attentive customer service. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to make recommendations or accommodate special requests. You can tell they genuinely care about creating a great dining experience for every guest. If you're looking for a place that combines delicious, inventive food with top-notch hospitality, The Cafe is a must-visit. It's one of those rare spots where you'll leave satisfied, and already planning your next visit to see what's new on the menu!