How this relic of the past is still open, is beyond me. The bartender is not the best. You have to…read moreget up and get your orders. The place is not the cleanest and seems to be very tired. We didn't order food because it seemed to it would have been sketchy and a major inconvenience. We moved on to another place

Classic small town bar! TVs, pool, music, Busch Light,...what more could you ask for?read more

Stopped here on a bike ride because it's right off the trail. Indoor and outdoor eating space which…read moreis nice when it isn't too hot out. I split the tenderloin with a friend and it was plenty for both of us. Everyone's food looked and tasted great. You can upgrade to a lot of different sides as well. I would not say upgrading to the onion rings were worth it, but a friend upgraded to cheese curds and those were great. Plenty of drinks to go around and an overall great experience. Staff were nice and restaurant was clean. They do have a pool table as well.

Stopped in for a quick lunch while at my youngest daughter's softball tournament. I opted for the…read moresmaller version of the tenderloin and it was delicious. Service and staff were excellent.

Worst food ever!!! What they charge for what you get is…read moreabsolutely ridiculous!! Ordered 2 tenderloins and a side of fried cauliflower. The cauliflower was just ok and the portion was very tiny. Have you ever noticed a frozen meat patty at say....a Dollar Tree (I've never tried one) but that would've been better than what we got served. It came on a sweet hamburger bun (without being told) Did we bring it to the server's attention??? Would have if she ever came back to the table! 33 dollars and some change for 2 "tenderloin" sandwiches and the cauliflower. No drinks but water. Don't waste your time or money at this place.

The food here is awesome! Tried most things on the menu and it is all great. The tenderloins are to…read moredie for and the broasted chicken is as good or better as any place around. The service here is also top-notch. They take good care of you. It does get a little busy on Pool league night.

Excellent food! Service is working out the kinks…read more Went twice in one week for dinner. Beer cheese soup is to die for! Steaks are flavorful and cooked just how one orders them! Service could use a little work - there seemed to be almost as many employees in the building as customers both times we visited and service was pretty slow. We sat for twenty minutes at the bar without even being acknowledged.

I hear from my friends Carmen and Brian that this is the place to go for the greatest steak dinner…read more Next time I'm back in the area. Let's all go! I know from past visits that the live music and beer is outstanding.

This place is awesome. I highly recommend to everyone. Amazing service, amazing drinks, and the…read morevibe is top-notch.

Safest bar in town. I love it here. This bar has a relaxed environment and good people. Drinks are…read moreaffordable and mixed right.

Definitely a neighborhood bar with a heavy fried food menu. I could smell the bar before I even…read morewalked through the door! Friendly bartender came out and covered table service. She recommended the Southwest wrap so I ordered it. Added a side of cheese balls. The wrap was okay, a lot of precooked bacon and very salty. Cheese balls were solid and so was the ranch! Price was good for the portion- $14 and I also had a fountain soda.

This is as perfect of a hole in the wall bar can be. Great menu, service, and super affordable. I'm…read morenot kidding when I say the food came out quicker than any food at any restaurant I've ordered, ever. We were in between baseball games and needed a quick meal. So glad we stopped!

This is the coolest bar I've ever been to in Iowa, if not one of the coolest bars I've ever been…read moreto- PERIOD! The Sanity Room takes "theme" bar to a whole new level. There is a state mental facility outside of Independence, Iowa, and hence the theme of the Sanity Room. But don't think it's cold and creepy. No. The owners have gone to great lengths to make this an inviting place complete with the unique chairs, private small booths, and kitschy motto signs surrounding the place (one of my faves: "I can only please one person per day. Today I choose me."). They serve shots in pill bottles and syringes, and the staff will even make you don a patient gown, sit in the old hospital bed (vintage and they claim it came from the state hospital), and then administer the shots while wearing a doctor's coat. Genius! After you are vaccinated, you get a sticker. As if the booze wasn't awesome enough! And let's talk about the booze. This is a full bar that also features some great craft and local beers, as well as a local wine. Iowa wine, you ask? It was by far the best I sampled and I bought a bottle. Yeah, you can buy their stock too, if they have enough. As for specialty cocktails? Look no further than the bloody mary made with Chardonnay. That's right, I said the bloody mary is made with wine. And it's delicious. Since wine doesn't have as much alcohol as vodka, you might have to drink a lot to get the same effect, but with a taste like this you won't mind. The Sanity Room does seem to be a work in progress as they only have one unisex bathroom but they are working on more accommodations. Still, it's small so you can't imagine there would ever be a long line. It also sits in the back of an antique store, so blink and you might miss it. I know we did the first time we walked by, but the second time we took a chance and walked in and I am so glad we did! There's even a back patio area that overlooks the Wapsipinican River. The only bad thing would be that there are no TVs in the Sanity Room. I question if this would change the integrity of the bar, as it might compromise the theme and inviting nature. But I am a sports nut and there would be nothing better than belly up at the bar, drinking a glass of La T Da & watching the game! Seriously, if you're ever in Independence and you don't stop in here, you're missing out. I can't wait to get back and get my dose of Sanity!

Such a great name for the town that includes the mental hospital. Eclectic, fun decor and the…read moreowner/managers obviously love their work! A deck in the back gives a nice view of the Wapsie River, and an antique shop with all sorts of fun things, from tools to quilts. Thanks for the hospitality!

The best broasted chicken around!! The rest of the menu is typical bar food. They have catered in…read morespecials occasionally which are also really good. I just wish they were open more frequently.

It's often said we are way out in the boondocks and implies somewhere less than where the action is…read morebut not at Boondocks Emporium. Whether you're a local (especially a veteran for whom they encourage folks to buy them a drink), a fan of bison art or just passing through from Des Moines to Dubuque via the Amana Colonies as we were this is one Boondocks worth finding yourself. We had the soup of the day (corned beef and cabbage) can see why it's a favorite and an unbelievably delicious bison burger with sweet potato fries. Patrick was a great server keeping up with the bar and all of us in the restaurant with a great attitude and a big welcoming smile. The place feels just like where you want to be to get to know a bit more about the town. Lots to look at and enjoy.

katie was THE BEST server ever! she was so kind, had get recommendations (tater tot nachos so…read moreyummy) and accommodating. the food was very delicious, always hot and a lot of the drinks and food recipes were homages to loved ones which really makes this place feel local and a real passion place. super awesome place! eclectic atmosphere like a place a buncha friends own and put up what makes them happy. wonderful experience and thanks katie!

Great tenderloin and fries, good service. If you like bar food and friendly people it's the place.read more

So.. this is for the idiot who added Whiskey's to the "dive bars" group GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR…read moreASS!! At least long enough to take it to Newhall & experience the fantastic food prepared by enthusiastic cooks who take pride in everything that leaves their kitchen & they rightfully should And once you have met the owner, Michelle, you will walk away feeling blessed ... Her beautiful soul has an everlasting affect