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    The Diving Elk

    4.3 (129 reviews)
    ModerateNew American, Bars
    Open 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Diving Elk Photos

    Business Info

    THE DIVING ELK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Diving Elk

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    French onion soup
    Keith E.

    Uber'd here from our hotel after the hotel bartender said they made the best drinks in town. They definitely didn't disappoint. Bartender was personable, in fact all the staff were very polite despite us being there during a blizzard and them trying to close early. Food was delicious, don't get hung up on something you want ahead of time after seeing photos of the menu though as they change dishes often however I'm confident you'll find something you enjoy! Our Uber back to the hotel wasn't filling so the owner offered to drive us on his way home but thankfully we managed to eventually get a taxi. Great place, worth a visit for sure.

    Rachel M.

    The food and drinks were both delicious. Our bartender was very attentive and gave great recommendations. We had the Cubano with truffle fries and they were both delicious. They also have a great selection of craft cocktails that are delicious. We had an old fashion and a Singapore sling which were an 11/10. Make sure sure stop here if you are in the area!

    Flat bread and Brussels
    Ashley B.

    This place is super cute! Staff is so kind and friendly and though they take reservations they do an excellent job making sure every guest gets a table and great service. We just stopped in for a quick bite to eat before jumping back on the road. We ordered the Brussels, margarita flat bread, garden salad with chicken and the quinoa bowl (that is not pictured). The food over all was decent. Nice and light. There are other varieties and option on the menu though. I'd say if you're looking for a cute place to catch up with friend for drinks and apps this is great.

    Hummus plate if you're looking for something lighter or vegetarian
    Alex W.

    This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in Sioux City. Behind the bar and they are making the best cocktails in all of the region and offer a great assortment of craft beer. However, if you are looking for a bush light or something like that, you may be disappointed. However, the staff can make sure to give you good recommendations. The food is equally delicious. What I appreciate most about it is that the menu isn't extensive because everything they do is done well and they are intentional with the ingredients. Some absolute favorites of mine would be the brussels sprouts and the truffle fries. The steamed buns are to die for. Their Smashburger is messy, but worth it. Finally, don't sleep on their salads. They are tasty as well, and if you add a steak to it, you are getting a great meal for a good price. oh and how can I forget the desserts. They are great, but I rarely have room for them. Their staff is very knowledgeable about the great cocktails and are happy to help if you have questions. The atmosphere overall is inviting. I would say it's a nicer place, but it's not pretentious. Maybe a little rustic, but not country. Probably the best description for it would be comfortable and casual. Check it out! Cheers. - you might need assistance getting through the double doors, but there is plenty of space in the restaurant to roll around. The bar is elevated, so if you use a manual chair, you may want to get a table. - all parking is street parking and there are a couple handicap spaces close.

    Beer
    Glen S.

    In town looking for a decent and reasonably priced meal with a good beer. I heard good things about this place and decided to give it a try. I sat at the bar but they had good seating for various sized groups. The bartender (John?) was very helpful and attentive all night long. I went with a unfiltered wheat to drink and it was good, very sweet to start but smoothed out. For dinner I got Elk Sausage with Brussel sprouts as a side. The Sausage came on a pretzel bun and was very good. I had feared the bun was going to be too much bread but it was perfect. The Brussel sprouts were freaking awesome ! If you like them you have to get these. I had planned on a beer and dinner but stayed longer as the staff and customers were chatty and we were having a great time. I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a friendly , reasonably priced place with great food and drinks.

    Enchiladas!!

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    2 months ago

    The best Old Fashion I've ever drank. Wonderful service. Nice place. Good clientele. It was warm and cozy inside.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food is amazing! Service is always stellar and d the craft cocktails are the best in town! It's our favorite place to go in Sioux City!

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great food and drinks. The steak and bourbon drinks were well made. I would go back again.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The service was great waiter was attentive and friendly. The drinks were good and food was good.

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    3 years ago

    Heard the food is good but we just stopped in for a drink at the bar. Bartender was rude. Left after we finished our drinks.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Service, hospitality, beer selection and food was fantastic. Totally will go back. Ask for Trevor.

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    2 years ago

    Good atmosphere, good food and good cocktails. Smash burger is a hit. Highly recommend.

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    5 years ago

    Very nice place. Great food. Very knowledgeable bartenders. A must try in historic downtown Sioux City

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    3 years ago

    Great drinks and food, friendly atmosphere and great service! We had such a great time there with friends.

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    Page 1 of 4

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    Table 32 - Sesame Chicken Pad Thai

    Table 32

    4.1(129 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    March 2027 Sioux City, Iowa…read more Very nice interior. Large bar in the front center that seemed to be popular with guests. A few tables wrapped around the bar. We took a table in the back of the restaurant. Simple table with black cloth napkins. No candle , no flower, just a small salt and pepper set with a few menus. The menu offers a variety from expensive seafood and steaks to sandwiches. I chose the seafood Mac and cheese. My husband had the pork chop with sweet potatoes and a side of grilled cauliflower. The other couple ordered Mediterranean pasta with shrimp instead of chicken which came with a slice of focaccia bread. His wife had the chicken margherita sandwich which came with sweet potato waffle fries. My husband said the pork chop was dry and overcooked. My seafood pasta was served warm. It looked like it sat under the heat lamp while other food was prepared. Oddly enough, my meal did not come with any bread. But the other pasta dish had focaccia bread and even the kids meal that had mac & cheese had a big chunk of bread as well. Was it an oversight? Also missing from my dish was the Panko crumbs that were to top the dish. None to be found! My pasta had really great flavor. A complaint is that every third bite I was pulling a shell out of my mouth. It's good to know that the seafood is fresh, but I should not have to bite around the shell of the seafood. Also, because it was served warm, it made it less than enjoyable. The Mediterranean pasta I was told was delicious and it looked so. A lot of sauce as well. The chicken sandwich was quite large. Although it was tough and not tasty. It came with a side of sweet potato fries, which came out after we started our meal. It was forgotten the first time around. Overall, I would give the ambience an eight. Service was good and it deserves a seven. The food however, which I think is very important when you go to dinner, would get a solid five. I think the flavor was good, but again, because the food was served cold, and the pork chop was overcooked. I would most definitely take points off.

    Very cool place we discovered close to our hotel…read more The winner of the night was the pasta with chicken, mushrooms, and balsamic cream sauce. The Korean BBQ steak had a terrific flavor but was quite gristly. We sat at the bar and received except service. The bartender was attentive but also sensitive when we were in deep conversation. She did not needlessly interrupt.

    Photos
    Table 32 - Inside the restaurant on a Tuesday evening

    Inside the restaurant on a Tuesday evening

    Table 32 - Pork chop with sweet potatoes and cauliflower

    Pork chop with sweet potatoes and cauliflower

    Table 32 - Lively bar if you have to wait.

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    Lively bar if you have to wait.

    Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar - Korean Short Rib Tacos

    Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar

    3.4(149 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Good food quality as usual. Service at Bar was disappointing. Not busy and had to request service…read morefrom two bartenders who had more interest in fellow employees than paying customers. Numerous customers sat with empty drinks. Bar was not busy. Total different experience the night before at the Sioux Falls SD location where we had exceptional service and good quality food.

    OK... I'm not really sure where I should begin to tell you all the reasons why I think Crave is one…read moreof the best restaurants in Sioux City. Its location is pretty great. It is on the river with a beautiful view, patio when it's nice, floor to ceiling windows when it's not, ample parking, connected to a hotel, and not difficult to find. The staff is friendly and professional, the menu is extensive, and not only has great sushi, but also fabulous entrées, if seafood isn't your thing. I also appreciate that they have an entire gluten-free menu, vegetarian options, and a mocktail list to go with their fabulous cocktails. I'm not even going to try to tell you all the different food you should try here because it depends on your tastes and there's plenty to choose from. However, there's smoked Manhattan (pictured here) is pretty exceptional. I actually like getting it without the smoke, but if you like a smoky cocktail, the presentation is fabulous. It's a little spendy, but the ingredients are superb. Oh and did I mention that they have a happy hour...

    Photos
    Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar
    Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar - Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich

    Chicken Apple Brie Sandwich

    Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar - Lobster Avocado Toast

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    Lobster Avocado Toast

    Opa Time - Gyro, hummus & pita

    Opa Time

    4.6(54 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    Literally the best gyro I have ever had. They use so much…read moremeat and it's always crispy and so delicious! And the price is very reasonable. We've had the chicken pita as well but favor the gyro!

    I've been here going on two weeks, and got tired of eating McDonald's everyday so I ordered this…read moreoff of GrubHub. So I was not physically in the location. I ordered a Gyro salad, and paid for extra meat. And added feta, and it end up being sliced which was different. All in all everything was pretty decent. It was a bit greasy as another Yelper pointed out. I wish they would have had a little bit more ingredients, like olives and onions and whatnot, that weren't an upcharge but it is what it is. I asked for extra dressing on the side, but didn't get it, BUT I didn't even need it. It was a perfect amount of dressing. The dressing and tzatziki sauce were a little different then What I'm used to, and what I've had all across the country, but it will still good. They actually read my notes and requests, and sent me with utensils and napkins, and omitted the pita bread via my request! Pretty good little spot. I would probably order from them again the next time I am in this region. ***DISCLAIMER*** This pure, uncut, honest review is federally protected under Federal Law by way of Bill #EO14149. Removal or alteration of this review by Yelp and/or their affiliates without Expressed consent by it's author is strictly prohibited by FEDERAL law. VIolators will be prosecuted, and litigation imminent.

    Photos
    Opa Time - Front Entrance

    Front Entrance

    Opa Time - Standard burger and fries. Very good.

    Standard burger and fries. Very good.

    Opa Time - Great takeout cheeseburger and fries

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    Great takeout cheeseburger and fries

    The Diving Elk - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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