We had a great waitress! She was attentive & pleasant. It's a sports bar-- lots of tvs & occasional cheers. We were watching an ISU FB game. Drinks came quickly. Hubby's walleye bites were tender & tasty. Mac & cheese was basic. My flat bread pizza was good. It had a cream cheese base so you can only eat a few slices of that decadent pie! Friend's brisket sandwich & fries were good. Her hub's prime rib grilled cheese was tasty. The coleslaw he had with it was flavorless. It was a bit chilly in the booth with north side windows! Want to watch a game? Great place!! read more

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SBG is one of my all time favorites. I've never had a bad experience. Service is great, bartenders are friendly, food is fantastic and worth every penny. TV's everywhere, you won't miss a game! I hate the tall bar tables, but there are plenty of booths. Brisket quesadillas is one of my favorites as are the burgers and parm fries. You just can't go wrong here! read more

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They have really good burgers and their dessert was delicious glad I got to go there definitely go there again thanks

4/5 because of this... I ordered there once last year and once this year, called in an order, was told a time when the food would be ready for pick up, and both times somehow have forgot to put my order in. So, I arrive and the bartender (super nice chill guy) gets frustrated because I ask for my order and he looks it up and sees it in his system, but sees it's not submitted so it hasn't been made yet. Not a big deal, we had time to chill and have a drink and enjoy the sports bar. I'm only writing this review because this has happened twice and if they can just fix this issue, they would do a-lot more business. I know they're busy but so are a lot of successful restaurants. I really would like this to never be an issue again. Food : we had their cheese curd pizza add pepperoni. At first , I assumed it would be deep fried breaded cheese curds, which I was okay with. Come to find out, it was just regular cheese curds which was A okay with me. This pizza was amazing! We ordered a side of marinara and ranch to go with the pizza. The pizza was so good, we didn't even need any sides but it was a nice option. We will definitely be back. No doubt. I would just like call in an order and it be ready the next time we show up. Thank you for making amazing food we love you guys!! read more

I love eating here. They have really good food and nice staff. They provide indoor and patio seating. There's tvs showing the sporting shows and they have lots of sports memorabilia. Food wise I really like the pizzas, sandwiches, and wings. The salads are big here. The wait staff are very friendly and honest. Things to know about the food. The cheese curd pizza- there's not fried cheese curds on it. It's regular curds so technically it's like extra cheese on a pizza. The chips and dip- fantastic but the salsa is funky. The cheese dip is wow. Guac seems fresh made. Wings- super tasty and crisp Fried cheese curds- just like the fair. I've done take out as well and it's just as good as eating in. It's definitely underrated the restaurant. I highly recommend trying it out especially if your staying close by. read more

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In town for State Softball for both of my daughters and we stopped here for lunch. We had a pretty big group and the waitress was excellent with our orders. I had the Graziano Brothers Grinder and it was delicious. I had curly fries as my side. read more

Spectators SBG - If it's from the Graziano brothers...it's good! - Sports Bars Near Me - Altoona, Iowa

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Food was okay. Variety was good. Beer menu... meh. Service was good! Weird, I ordered Buffalo ranch wrap and had zero buffalo flavor. Got a side of buffalo sauce so I could have flavor... $1. read more

Classic sports bar. Great service and food came out hot. They have an amazing ranch dressing here!

We've never had anything but a good experience here. Staff are attentive, food is really good (considering it's a restaurant inside a hotel) and it's always a fun atmosphere. Went Saturday night and the place was busy with Iowa Hawkeye fans. Even with the busyness, service was quick. And never pass up dessert, the donuts are delicious read more

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Kylie was such a fun server tonight! Friendly and checked on us multiple times. We got an array of apps along with a 128 oz beer tower. The tower was fun and great cost for a group of four. Apps were okay, ratio of chip to dip feels a bit light but flavors are on point! read more

Spectators SBG - Spinach Artichoke Dip and Garlic Hummus - Sports Bars Near Me - Altoona, Iowa

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Stopped in for dinner after work recently. Typical sports bar, plenty of TVs and pub food. The noise level wasn't high, and the waitress was on point. I would have opted for additional stars, but the food wasn't that good. I had the fried chicken sandwich and honestly, it has little flavor. Tasted like one of those you get in an airport where they air fry the patty. Just be aware if you visit here. read more

Remember this is a restaurant inside of a hotel. I wasn't expecting a 5 star meal. Pizza we ordered was good. The daily specials are pretty reasonable. Staff leaves more to be desired. We waited long time to get drinks, to get our order taken etc. it was about 45 mins to get our food after already being there about 45 mins. Not sure if staffing is an issue but definitely was not great service. Lots of TVS to watch sports so my son enjoyed that. We probably wouldn't have ate there if it wasn't in the hotel itself. read more

Low quality food.Might as well leave the hotel and go to a local restaurant if you're staying there.Serves are not even nice and the food is trash. read more

One of the few restaurants in this small town but the staff was very inviting and they have more TVs than I have ever seen. Our waitress recommended quite possibly the most unhealthy thing on the menu, the Grilled Cheese Peanut Butter Cheeseburger, which really creates hesitation but I couldn't say no. It's exactly what it sounds like and it was delicious. I also had a premium side (for a fee) of Garlic Parmesan Fries. I love skinny fries and I enjoyed them but they didn't seem very fresh. They almost tasted stale like they've been waiting for someone to order them. Overall, the prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get. It's basically a sports bar with a bigger menu and higher quality. read more

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Great Moscow Mules and service while watching the games on big screen televisions. Hot wings are my favorite order.

I went for drinks and dinner tonight with some friends. I loved the Lambeau Lemonade and it was only $3 during happy hour. My friend had the Freaky in the Field and found it enjoyable as well. We split the nachos. I enjoyed them but the chips themselves are the stars! Crunchy and sturdy with some sort of seasoning. I opted for the steak sandwich with mac and cheese as my side. I enjoyed the sandwich but really didn't care for the mac and cheese. It was bland and had an odd taste. My one friend got the chicken tenders with onion rings. I tried both and really enjoyed the tenders, think they were homemade. My friend's parents split the taco pizza and said it was very good. We also got a cheese curd appetizer. They were unique because there was very little breading. Service was very good but the restaurant itself is very loud. I really enjoy their patio so I hope to go back for that! read more

Spectators SBG - Packed place at happy hour! - Sports Bars Near Me - Altoona, Iowa

Don't go here if you want customer service! My family of 4 big people walk in late Thursday night to a half empty place. Only booths available are horse shoe booths. So the 3 hostesses say we can't sit you there. They are for exact parties of 8. There were 3 open! Then this is the only place in the Des Moines metro that charges for condiments. We had $3.00 on our bill for fry sauces.... Honey mustard, catch-up, and teriyaki. The food is just typical bar food. Refillable sodas are $3 and your lucky to get one refill. I think they get away with bad customer service because they are attached to a hotel for the Adventureland amusement park and most of their customers are visiting one time. read more

10/13/23 Best things: 1) Angelina was a fantastic server. She smiled, was extremely polite and checked on us often. 2) Spinach artichoke dip was really good. They could do with a lot fewer chips and more of the bread-y stuff, but the flavor was the best we've had in a long, long time. 3) The 5 Cheese Mac & Cheese was heavenly. The not so good thing: The Spectator Melt was a major disappointment. The patties looked gray and tasted like under-cooked fake meat. After choking down almost half of the sandwich, the other half was left untouched. Shared the Mac & Cheese at that point. Can't say we won't go back if we're ever in Altoona again. This visit did have more pluses than minuses, after all. read more

Hotel gave us a free pizza coupon for this restaurant to use during our stay. We plan on ordering and buying other items, breadsticks and chicken wings and drinks. The coupon said carry out only. Why would a restaurant not want to make money and allow me to eat in with my additional purchases. This a a restaurant located in a hotel. Not good customer service. read more

Spectators SBG - the entrance to a fast food restaurant - Sports Bars Near Me - Altoona, Iowa

The restaurant was much larger than I expected. We went on July 3rd so we expected a wait (fire works nextdoor later that night). Within minutes we were offered seats that were side by side and one of the walls. These seats not only have a great view of the majority of the restaurant and TV's, there is also a TV in the table top that you can control the channel. My dinning partner and I ordered a couple of items. We split a tenderloin and tots. The tots were nice and crispy on the outside......they were my favorite thing we had. The tenderloin was average. It was boneless wings night so they were half price. We tried the jerk rub, not my favorite. The chicken was super tender, I think I would definitely try them again with a different rub or sauce. We asked for blue cheese with the chicken.....it did not taste like blue cheese, really didn't have much flavor? Maybe we were given something else? I would definitely try spectators again read more

Spectators SBG - Tenderloin and tots - Sports Bars Near Me - Altoona, Iowa

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High priced cold food. The waiter was fixing his middle of back hair shaking it all over. Horrible service, when he had 3 tables. Food eith sat in the window too long, or it wasn't microwaved long enough. Stay home instead of waistping your money. read more

Wonderful place. Great service. Food was awesome. Reasonable prices. Try it out! You will love. Oh they have like 100 TVs read more

Spectators SBG - Inside spectators - Sports Bars Near Me - Altoona, Iowa

Spectators is a good place to go for bar food and to watch sports. With a plethora of tv's you can watch about anything. It does get busy on ISU/Iowa games. They do have some really good happy hour specials, of both food and drinks. The deep fried cheese curds here are our go to for an app, tried the pretzels bites, could pass on those. The wings are pretty good here too. Have had their open face ribeye sandwich, was tasty, and the pork tenderloin is a safe bet too. This place also has a nice patio when the weather is decent. Being with paired with Adventureland, I haven't noticed a lot of extra people here. Overall this is a fun sports bar. read more

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The service is terrible, they don't serve you and the guy who serves has a very bad attitude, I was leaving and my husband told me that we should stay a while longer to see if the waiters would pay attention to us and they made us wait a long time to take our order, as if we were asking for charity. I will never return!!!! read more

Unexpectedly great food! We were seated quickly work prompt service. The wait staff was pleasant. For an amusement park's hotel restaurant, we did not go in with high expectations. Boy, were we wrong! The food was delicious! It came out relatively quick, with nicely sized portions. The kid's mac and cheese was a little bland in spices, but for a kid's meal, it's all good. We were just glad not to get boxed mac and cheese. The buffalo chicken dip came with tortilla chips and parmesan crusted pita slices; the dip itself had more meat in it then I'm used to fit buffalo chicken dip. Not too spicy, either. Just enough kick to get that craving. The French fries are thin, shoestring style. The half rack of ribs was very reasonably priced and it was fall off the bone tender, with not a lot of sweetness, from a person with a savory palette. The meatball sub had to have been missed with some Italian sausage, add it had some much loved spice. The sleeper surprise was the cornbread. It was crisp and delicious, with great flavor. Not stale or boring like other places' cornbread. You don't need to be a hotel guest to enjoy this restaurant---so don't be afraid to stop in and enjoy some great food! read more

Stopped in for lunch hoping they would have the Drake Relays on, they did not so that was a let down. Service was prompt and friendly. I ordered the Graziano Grinder with fries as a side. It came out pretty quickly and looked pretty good. However, the first bite ot was just barely even close to warm, and it didn't get any warmer with the next couple bites....it actually was nearly cold in the center. I mentioned it to the waitress and she took it back and ordered a remake. That again came out fairly quickly, but this one was at least on the hotter side of warm. So that was a huge improvement. The flavor was a little blan, although the banana peppers were very tart, to the point it overpowered the grinder. Definitely needed additional Italian seasoning, or hotter Graziano sausage!! Overall, it wasn't terrible, but the nearly cold sandwich coming out first was a major turn-off. Had it been warm like the second one I would definitely give another star. read more

Thursday night dinner at 7 PM. Table of 8 we were seated right away. Looks like we were seated in a more secluded part of the restaurant, but it's okay with us since we had little kids. Maybe this is an option if you don't want to be in the loud area. Server came right out and took drink orders. The server had our entire seating area. Thursday night they had $2 blitz burger special. Start with the $2 patty and add toppings of your liking for a certain price. You can also add fries, potatoes, or fried pickles for another $2-$3 as a side. Decently priced option. Skinny fries - were crispy and crunchy Gouda potatoes - are with hashbrowns and gouda cheese. Fried pickles - large order for 7.99. Thin and crispy pickle chips. Fried cheese curds - hot, fresh and yummy. Order these! Wings with sauce on side -- we opted to try all the sauces on side. Buffalo, bacon bleu cheese, honey bbq, spicy bbq were good flavors. These are more of a smoked wing and not fried. No batter on outside. Fried walleye bites and fries - light and thin battered on fish. At 12.99 its pricier, but it was good. Definitely a sports bar feel and lots of sports bar food and drinks. I would definitely come again. Happy hour 3-6 PM - 50% of apps. M-F. read more

Was amazed at the amount of TVs in this place, over 130! Plenty of seating and space to move around. A big perk for me was the lighting as I'm half blind and many times find it hard to move around in a dimly lit place I'm not familiar with. The service was top notch! They have a wide range of drinks available. The Harry Carey was my favorite!! Mixed so well that I could see a person over indulging. Friday's they have $1 off mixed cocktails on the 16oz. Fried pickles were delicious and served with a chipotle ranch that was amazing! I opted the grinder hoagie with mac & cheese for a side. The mac & cheese was smooth, creamy and delicious. I however was not a fan of the grinder. The spouse had the skinny fries and fried fish, both were very good. We will definitely be back! read more

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Service from waitress was absolutely terrible and the spinach and artichoke dip was sub par but fish and smothered tots were good!!!! Not very nices girls working there read more

Really should be 1.5 but a 2 is too much. We had gone here many times in the past - the current management is really ignorant of common courtesy and customer service. Many mistakes. First drinks - 3 big ones here. Drinks made incorrectly, forgotten, and tasted like dishwater. Then the food - cafeteria-type stuff. I am preparing for bariatric surgery & had not eaten all day so I could splurge at dinner. I cannot eat a lot even if it is tasty & fried. I ordered a kid's meal. The waitress said nothing to me about me not being a "kid". Perhaps if she had, I would have told her about my medical issues & they may have made an exception. Instead - they brought this huge plate of overcooked chicken tenders & tater tots. Tots were as expected but the chicken was tough & rubbery. When the different server handed it to me - I said kid's meal, right? He said yes - so I had no reason to ask more. I ate about 1 tender & shared the tots. The taste was just not worth the splurge. When we got the bill - surprise! Charged for the regular entree. Had she told me prior to charging me 2x the price..I would have definitely changed my mind. But no opportunity was offered. I asked the waitress & she got her manager. Amanda the manager was already to dismiss me - and told me since I was not 12. Well - then the waitress should have informed me of the policy. (No restaurant has actually made such a judgment of me - ever heard of someone id'ing for a Happy Meal?) She finally gave up & told me she would credit me the kid's meal - then made a huge production about the charge - never making any attempt to leave pleasantly. She also had the audacity to train me about this is a one-time deal - I told her to not worry, we won't be back. "Ok Then!!" Big Smile. Big Smile back to you - I am waiting 3 days to get my money back - the $87 since she charged me twice for their mistake. Judgment. Bad Food. Bad Attitude toward Customers. This place has really gone downhill. BTW did I tell you they took the rest of the food back? The stuff I had put in a to-go box? Petty BS. Hope loss of business is worth 2 chicken tenders & 5 tots. read more

Tons of TVs huge bar, and nice back room if you have a large party. Restaurant is attached to Adventureland Inn convenient location right off the interstate. Great selection of food. We had a large party and everyone loved what they got... absolutely no complaints at all. Food was hot service was fast. Definitely recommend this restaurant!!! read more

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We don't get out to Altoona much, and usually its to the casino so we almost missed this fun sports bar attached to the Adventureland complex. It appears to have been the original restaurant attached to the hotel and is now a full-fledged sports bar where TV's, beer, and bar food rule. But its good bar food and the menu is extensive. There's a special on a food item every day, plus happy hour specials. I had a delicious roast beef mushroom melt sandwich, with actual shoestring potato's, which you don't see much anymore (they called them skinny fries). My wife's fried chicken salad was enough for dinner and lunch the next day. Better than expected on the food, and... Service was good. We sat at the bar where the bartender tuned in the TV to our favorite team (they also have Buzztime trivia). He was helpful and friendly despite being kind of busy. This is a good stop if dropping off the interstate for a nice inexpensive meal (our dinner and a couple of beers each was around $50), or just make it a point to head out there and try it. read more

Extremely loud. If I had known I would not have brought my autistic son here. People yelling and shrieking. Outrageous! I couldn't even hear anyone at our table speaking so we sat quietly. I ordered the chili rare bit burger. Horrible. Nasty. The chili has clove or something in it that just isn't good at all. Took one bite and was grossed out. Kids did enjoy their burger and mac and cheese. Onion rings were excellent. Ask for the creamy parm dressing with them. Excellent as well. read more

Spectators SBG - So loud it's unbearable. Don't try to talk! - Sports Bars Near Me - Altoona, Iowa

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Great happy hour specials (M-F 3-6) 1/2 off draft beer, apps and their specialty cocktails. They also have good daily specials especially on Thursday with their burger blitz that they give you a sheet of paper to make your own burger or chicken sandwich! Great prices with food that has never disappointed. Go during happy hour and get a daily food special for the cheapest place in town to get a drink and a full belly. The best sports bar in the metro that always has the Cubs games on! read more

Heat burger and spectator spicy wings. Terrific place for a Sunday with a lot of TVs. Wings were great, the burger was awesome - the cheese curds seemed freshly made light fluffy. Big beers, good selection - Sunday special is tower power yard high beer pitcher. And kids get $5 arcade card with a meal. Our server was awesome. The place was packed understandably, but she was on top of it and went above and beyond. Highly recommend. read more

The food was pretty good The boneless wings were excellent I didn't care for the pork tenderloin; but, that was probably more of a personal choice in the breading. The service was excellent. read more

Fantastic environment to watch a game, sports replays or have a fun meal with family or friends. Great variety of memorabilia. The food is amazing. Generous portions and quality taste. I highly recommend the tater tot burrito and the breakfast burger. Drink menu is also worth exploring over many visits. Always fast service. It is almost a hidden gem of the eastern edge of Des Moines. Spread the word, Spectators is awesome! read more

I've only been here for lunch a few times, but it has been great food. The tenderloin with bacon and ham is amazing. The spinach artichoke crab puffs are surprisingly delicious. There is a lot of tv's with sports on and a lot of beers on tap. I'm sure it would be a great spot for cocktails and appetizers. read more

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Lots of TVs and Lots of Beer. If you show up and there is a long wait, ask to sit on the rail. It is not part of the normal seating area so you can bypass the wait. It's like a second level bar with TVs built into each seat that you can control yourself. Not a great option for a large party but if it's just two people, it's golden. Start off with the pretzel bites with cheese. Brisket Sandwich and Pizza are two of the best options on the menu. If you don't get the donuts or cookies at the end you're missing out on life. After you eat take the kids up to the hotel arcade and drop another $20 and you're golden. read more

My brother works there and their so good at making door there! Yummy place to eat in Iowa