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    Tanks Bar & Grill

    4.7 (13 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars, American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:30 PM

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    The magic happens here!
    Matt U.

    I've spent some time trying to figure out the best way to start this review. Something about unicorns living at Tanks, some clever song lyrics that incorporate the magic ribs that live here, or a politically slanted joke about how the guy making the food here should be elected to a high office because the ribs will being about peace. I'll forgo such antics because Tanks deserves nothing less than a ringing from the hilltops endorsement! STRAIGHT UP - THIS PLACE HAS THE BEST RIBS I HAVE EVER TASTED! And I'm a boy who loves him some ribs. I heard about Tanks from a friend who heard about it from a friend. Objectively this makes sense since it's in Rudd, Iowa - a town of 369 people according to the 2010 census. Making the 17 mile journey from Mason City was absolutely the right call. Google maps got me to where I was going and like I assume most other first time visitors do, I made sure it was the right spot when I pulled in. There are no markings outside the building, just a sign that says SHUT THE DOOR...PLEASE. Upon entering you discover this place is a total small town dive. The phone on the wall was old in the 80's, the tables were probably from a church yard sale and the signage was stuff my grandparents were familiar with. All that to say, this spot has more small town charm than almost anywhere I've been. They'll do to go orders if you like, but make sure to call about 20 minutes out, mostly because that's where your phone will probably stop working. On to the food - this place is known for their ribs - they're available Thursday thru Saturday and, as stated above, are INCREDIBLE! It's $10.95 for a rack of ribs, a potato based side (the hash browns are excellent) and a salad (actual salad, slaw or cottage cheese) - the slaw was very mediocre for the record. Additionally, you get Texas toast, which resembled French toast and was splendid! Back to the ribs - these were incredible, hearty and you get about 2.5 pounds with an order! Take the best ribs you've ever had and now slow cook them for a day, sauce them and pack 'em in foil. The meat falls off the bone when you look at it and the whole thing is cooked long enough that you can get at the marrow from the bones - worth trying. The sauce is amazing and the flavor is spot on! This spot goes on my list of my try places in the state of Iowa. It's a memorable location in a tiny town and serves up some of the best ribs I've ever had!

    The best ribs in the state of Iowa hands down

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    3 months ago

    We don't go there often but when we go we always get the ribs. Delicious. Nice employees.

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    6 months ago

    Tanks is definitely a hidden gem! Their ribs are really great and their menu has a lot of choices and service is great!

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    Review Highlights - Tanks Bar & Grill

    . The meat falls off the bone when you look at it and the whole thing is cooked long enough that you can get at the marrow from the bones - worth trying

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill - Honey Garlic Edamame

    Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill

    4.2(304 reviews)
    47.1 mi
    $$

    American Four of us…read morewere working in the area and wanted a decent dinner so we headed over to Whiskey Road. The place was medium full- that is to say, it was not totally jam packed. We got a table with no issue. Waitress arrived with and we got started with some drinks and apps. Honey garlic edamame was different and very good, queso dip was standard fare. For cocktails, we were all over the place: beers, wine and one guy had some whiskey. Frankly, I forgot what the others had but I ended up with a steak, which was fine. A second round of drinks and we were pretty much done with dinner - but we still had a decent amount of drinks left- and that is sort of when we started feeling rushed by the waitress. She asked a few times while we still had our entrees "if we wanted anything else" - which we felt was odd - it did not come across like "are you satisfied", it was more like do you want the bill? Weird vibe. We discussed it among ourselves that maybe she needed to get out and we were her last table but she came round again asking if we wanted the check and my buddy asked her is she was heading out and actually said no- she was there for a few hours more... so the whole thing was perplexing. Anyway, food was good- prices were average. Service was interesting. Maybe your experience will be better. Street parking

    It has been a while since we have been there with our daughter and son in law to celebrate our 2…read moregrandsons birthdays. They are always at work, so celebrating is difficult. We were there a few years ago and the food, service and the well decorated restaurant, clean and happy people there made me feel like coming back. We have a member of the family that has to have a special diet as soon as regains her health, we will be back!

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    Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill - Inside dining area

    Inside dining area

    Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill - Smothered Chicken Dinner

    Smothered Chicken Dinner

    Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill - Back bar inside

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    Back bar inside

    Frederick's Sips & Eats - Meatloaf lunch special

    Frederick's Sips & Eats

    3.6(11 reviews)
    35.4 mi

    I really wanted to love this place but it was a big let down…read more First, we were there on a Friday, just before what is likely a very busy time. We sat at the bar. The servers were there, obviously waiting for customers to start arriving, and they were all congregating at the end of the bar, chatting it up. It was super unprofessional and pretty annoying. We were glad when the food came out quickly so we could just eat and leave. To be honest, I don't recall what my husband ordered. I got the pork tenderloin. The tenderloin was very tough and had zero flavor. Like, I don't think they even put salt in the coating, let alone any other seasonings. This is Iowa, if you can't make anything else at all, you should at least have a decent pork tenderloin. This was our second time trying the place. Both instances were equally underwhelming. I wanted this to be our "go to" place but sadly we won't return.

    Called ahead of time to watch the Iowa State game. They said they'd have it on with volume. We…read moreasked politely to have the music turned down to hear the game. They refused. I went to the bathroom and heard the dish boy/cook using foul language stating he wasn't going to accommodate the request. He was super rude and sarcastically clapping at the game to make a point. We planned to all have dinner but left to a more accommodating restaurant. Any restaurant in town would be more accommodating and respectful than this place. We'll never return or spend a dime here again.

    Photos
    Frederick's Sips & Eats
    Frederick's Sips & Eats - Bratwurst lunch special

    Bratwurst lunch special

    Frederick's Sips & Eats - Shrimp or chicken tacos

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    Shrimp or chicken tacos

    Tanks Bar & Grill - bars - Updated May 2026

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