On Sunday, September 1st, 2019, I & a friend had just finished a "great tour" of the HISTORIC LEWELLING HOUSE---part of Iowa's Underground Railroad. By the way---this tour was very interesting & informative---everyone should take it!!! We realized it was mid-afternoon & we were STARVING & we didn't want to return to the Bentonsport area to eat. So we asked our tour guides.....where is the closest, best place to eat, on a Sunday. Both guides recommended the UNDERGROUND!!! And, we were very glad they did!!!! Upon entering the restaurant, we "instantly loved" the "creative decor". Re-purposing lead pipes, farm tools & equipment & using Edison light bulbs---they had created an ambiance unlike any other restaurant. The place was VERY CLEAN.....the light fixtures were very creative.....farm tools adorned the ceiling....the menu covers, salt & pepper/napkin holders were hand-made.....& we were the only customers in the restaurant (remember, it was mid-afternoon on a beautiful Sunday afternoon). The menu of "VERY REASONABLY PRICED MEALS" was extensive!! I chose a "chicken dinner"---knowing full-well that chicken ALWAYS takes longer to cook. However, this afforded us the opportunity to have a LENGTHY CONVERSATION with the AMICABLE OWNER, who was sitting in another booth. We didn't mind the wait, while her son prepared our meals, because she was "very entertaining & informative"!!!! Please forgive me, I didn't get her name. When our food arrived---it was hot, plentiful & delicious!!!!! This was a GREAT "all-encompassing experience"---terrific, inexpensive food, ambiance & conversation!!!!! Small communities in Iowa can't survive without a good restaurant. You're lucky, Salem, because you've got one!!!!! read more

Broasted chicken. Ordered 8 pieces take-out. The young people at the front desk and, kitchen staff were very nice. The place was getting pretty crowded and I was picking up the chicken thirty minutes after the kitchen opened. Ok. Honest review. The chicken was juicy, moist and delicious. The next sentence bothers me: the skin was rock hard and burnt, oily taste. I smelled the old oil, first. Then, as I walked out, I noticed the cardboard box was full of oil on the bottom. I wondered how this chicken would taste if the oil was changed on a regular basis and the skin a benefit to the juicy inside meat. 5-Star review if oil was changed. read more

Underground - Beautiful evening - Sandwiches Near Me - Salem, Iowa

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Great food, good service, we love to sit in the bar in the back and get to know the people in town, small town at its best! We love Andy.

Server unmasked this timel . Unbelievable! Still have signs posted requiring masks so this is a bit inconsistent and unsafe. Won't be back to throw money towards the spread of Covid. read more

The Underground is one of those local places you hope for- really good food and a welcoming vibe. We moved to the area relatively recently and this has become one of our favorite places. Food is always great - Roo-tails are their defining item (and anything they put them in is delicious) but don't forget the Philly cheesesteak, pork tenderloin, any of the wraps, pizza, and any of their daily specials. Like many places these days - they are sometimes tight on staff so enjoy a drink and the "comfy joint" atmosphere - ultimately they will take good care of you. And leave a little room for the apple pie or other deserts! read more

We were visiting relatives and this came recommended. Sadly, the day we had dinner it seemed to be short handed. The poor girl had to take care of the entire restaurant. I ordered the broasted chicken and unfortunately the only thing I can say was that it was cooked well. The chicken didn't have much flavor which was quite disappointing. I liked the salad bar, it had decent offerings. Some of our party had the catfish and tenderloin which was huge. Perhaps the next time I'll order something different. read more

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Extremely rude. Tried asking the server questions about the menu and he literally said "are you ready to order or not, you're wasting my time". There was only 1 other table filled when we got there and one other filled while we were there! I asked to speak with the manager and he said he would let him know, but he probably won't come out because he's too busy to deal with me. I waited a few minutes, asked for the manager again, and he went back to get him, but came out and said he was too busy. I asked for the owners info and he said to contact him on Facebook. So I did, and now here I am. I used to love that place, but I will never go back. read more

Well for starters, If you have five hours of spare time on your hands then you won't mind the slow service. Secondly, if and when you receive your order don't be surprised if it's not the right order, they are famous for messing something as simple as a cheese burger and fries up. Total air heads about that. Lastly, you might want to break into your savings, they charge a 5 star restaurant prices for 1 star quality and again terrible service. But if you like over priced food combine with awful service then this is the place for you. read more

Yes, this is a small restaurant, and if you have 5-6 people you might have a more leisurely meal than at other restaurants. And if you have more than that, MAKE A RESERVATION!! However, it is just about the only restaurant surviving in rural Southeast Iowa, and it does a great job considering how much the clientele fluctuates in numbers. Their tenderloins are really good; the "roo-tails" are great. That's pretty much what I stick to because I like them too much to wander over the rest of the menu. But the rest is standard, the drinks are generous and reasonably priced. Their daily specials are geared towards working people who want high-density carb food. BTW -- I read the other review of the person who gave it one star, and they seem to post when they incur a problem. So I wouldn't take that as a typical experience. read more

Underground is sometimes short-staffed (see previous review), but that can happen with a small restaurant. However, they have one of the best tenderloin sandwiches in the area (and I'm counting Butches). They also have GREAT chicken tenders -- called "Roo-Tails (order the sauce on the side)". The owner makes his own salad dressings, and often has a more unusual offering than one can find here in Southeast Iowa for a lunch special -- sign up for the Facebook Page for updates. Also, prime ribs on Fri and Sat nights! read more

Delicious food, great service and a nice relaxed atmosphere. Friday and Saturday nights you have to try the prime rib. But go with a big appetite!!! Also the pricing is good! read more