Aunt Maude's

Having lived in Ames most my life, I figured I should review Aunt Maude‘s. They are rather pricy for my tastes but I‘ve been there several times. In the last five years in my opinion there rack of lamb has gone down hill as they got a new chef and changed the recipe. My family enjoys it much more than I do and if it wasn‘t so dark I would go more often. The service is great and the ambience is good.

Have yet to be let down. Wine a little on the pricey side and would like to see more drink selections, but wonderful ambiance and service.

Filet at $35 was fatty and inedible. Strip steak at $29 was thin and ordinary. There are many places around that give you much better steaks for less money. Our party of 4 spent almost $200 for a very disappointing meal. Perhaps we visiited on a bad night (Monday). Clearly they did not live up to their reputation.

Great food; great service; simply the best restaurant in Ames!

Amazing food, great atmosphere. I have been told that it is really expensive for dinner, so I was surprised at the reasonable prices for the lunch menu. I have been here numerous times for lunch and was never once disappointed. The desserts are incredible. I crave the chocolate peanut butter pie often. By far one of my favorite places in Ames.

Best place in town by far. Great food and great service.

I would give this place five stars if I were only talking about the blackened chicken. However I have gone here on numerous occassions with non picky friends who have not been too enthused. However they seem to enjoy the last two menus. The desserts here are awful. What ever happened to old fashion cheese cake, or something light (which doesn‘t contain chocolate?)

Way overpriced for the quality of its fare ... Maude‘s is living off its past reputation nothing more, nothing less. If you want a real steak, go to Des Moines and eat at Centro (and save $10-15 per person)

Way to over priced for the quality of food they serve. They are really big into advertising their "prime grade" beef, but I have a hard time beleiving it is always prime grade.

I have allways enjoyed my experience at this resturaunt. Unarguably the most prestine resturant in town. I own a resturaunt in town, we have great food, but it‘s not gormet cooking like Maudes. My brother used too work with our family business however, he quit working for us in order to work at Maudes.Good for them!! I recomend that everyone take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy his style of cooking.

The best fine dining in Ames. The service is great and the food awesome. I would have given more that 5 stars if it were possible. If you are in Ames do not miss this restaurant.

One of the 5 best places to eat in Ames. Consistently good service and food. Reliable in that you know when you go to Aunt Maude‘s you‘ll be pleased when you leave. We eat out a lot but Ames restaurants on the whole are disappointing. Aunt Maude‘s and a handful of others can be counted on for above average food and service. Why not 5 stars? I‘ve lived all over the U.S. and 5 star restaurants don‘t exist in Ames.

We ate at Aunt Maude‘s last Saturday evening, after our son graduated from ISU. I had the plain salmon, my wife and son had the prime rib. The salmon was very good, my wife and son said the prime rib was the best they had ever had. The waitresses did a very good job of taking care of us during our meal. We wanted to go somewhere special for our graduation/mother‘s day celebration, Aunt Maude‘s fit the bill. The price was higher than other places we have eaten at in Ames, but the food and service were better as well.

I‘ve been going to Aunt Maude‘s for 8 years and have never had a bad meal. Have been there once since the re-decoration. Love the new, updated decor and raised seating area. Our meals were perfect, service was perfect. The blackened salmon salad--my favorite which I often have and have had since the redecoration--has been awesome every time I‘ve had it. Great atmostphere, excellent food, excellent service.

This is a great place. The music selection was just amazing. Any place that plays Van Morrisson is good in my book. It doesn‘t get much better! The pork was a little disappointing but overall an amazing place to eat.

I ate breakfast today at Maude‘s at a political event. It was buffet style. There was lots of food, and it was out of this world. The Quiche was by far the best I have ever tasted - so good, I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the recipe. Huge Mushroom and spinich in enormous slices. I took a small portion just to try it, and wished I‘d taken a whole slice. The sausage was something special too. It looked like a small bratwurst, but was sausage flavor and really good. I will be back for more. And the Chocolate Croissants were awesome.

.......this review is easy.......never had a bad meal there! never had a bad drink! always had great service!

I used to LOVE this place and would recommend it to all my friends and family when they came to town. I‘ve been there twice in the last month since the "redecoration" and both times the food was nothing to be excited about. My salad had mushy tomatoes and wilted lettuce and the Blackened Chicken with Angel Hair had no flavor! Turn this whole place into an upscale bar and you might have something worth going to.

Never again. I don‘t want supersize portions, but the portions here are laughable. That wouldn‘t be so bad except that what food was on the plate was bland and tasteless. I love almost any kind of shrimp, but I think someone sneaked out to Red Lobster and reheated some from them. Salad had wilted lettuce. Waitstaff kept bugging my boyfriend me to no end. We wanted a quiet, romantic dinner and instead were treated to an overpriced, small plate of overcooked food, and a hyperactive waitress. There has to be something better.

excellent if a bit pricey.
this is a place to do all the courses
apps, salad/soup, entree, dessert/coffee
we spent some money but this was a real experience

Today was the first time I have eaten at Aunt Maud‘s since the remodeling and I was very impressed with the colors and the arrangement. What did not impress me was the food! We ordered Quiche for lunch. The Quiche was more like a souffle and tasteless. The servings of salad and fruit that accompanied the souffle/quiche were so small that I hesitate to call them a serving.
We were constantly interrupted by the waitresses. It was obvious that we were taking up space and needed to move on.
Sorry, but this was money wasted on food and service we did not enjoy.

I have never had a bad experience here. I typically eat in the bar area (there is no smoking in the bar until after 8:30). They have a great price range, starting around $8 for the bar menu, so I never find it to be overpriced. The staff is extremly knowledgeable, the food is fabulous and well presented. The menu changes every 2 weeks so there‘s always something different. Can‘t wait for their reopening tonight and to check out the new patio in front. Whenever I have guests from out of town, I always bring them here and they have been very pleased. (I‘m curious as to the reviews from people in July and August since Maudes has been closed for remodeling.)

The atmosphere is the best thing about this place, although the smoke from the bar often gets into the restaurant. I had some salmon and didn‘t feel well afterwards. I won‘t go here again.

I‘d heard good things about this place and tried it twice. The prices are way too high for what you get. I asked why the vegetarian entree was higher than my boyfriend‘s beef burger and was told that meat prices had risen! The waiters and waitresses don‘t act very experienced and didn‘t seem to know much about the menu. On the positive side, the atmosphere and drinks are good, but I wouldn‘t waste money on dinner again.

Since moving away from Ames, where we lived happily for eight years, we will now travel over an hour to revisit Aunt Maude‘s for special occasions or a rare date night. The chicken and wild rice soup, blackened chicken and pasta, and the beef tournadoes are out of this world. Make sure you save room for dessert! The wine list is fabulous and the bar staff create a mean bloody mary. Don‘t pay any attention to these nay-sayers, go to Aunt Maude‘s and enjoy!

Way overpriced for not even good food or service. There are so many better restaurants in Ames..

Aunt Maude‘s used to be our automatic go-to restaurant when we had any special occasion to celebrate. The last few times it seems as though the quality is just not there. I ordered one of the new specials, skate fish, and it was so slimy and greasy that I couldn‘t even eat it. It‘s disappointing when you spend that much money and leave hungry. I‘ll think twice before I go back.

good experience every time. I‘m not sure what the other reviewer‘s are talking about. The staff have always been extremely friendly and accomodating. And no, I don‘t order the most expensive item; I am a poor student! A little overpriced, though.

My daughter and I have found Aunt Maude‘s to be a perfect place for lunch. Yes, you may pay more than the burger joints but the food is consistently excellent and the waiter(Pat) is very accomodating as is the chef. Keep up the good work guys!

The food and service used to be great, but both have slipped greatly. I asked why the price of a vegetarian meal had increased drastically and was told that meat prices had increased (!). The wait staff is poor compared to what it used to be. Twice, I have met clients for business at Aunt Maude‘s and I arrived first and said that the check was to go to me only. And both times, the ditzy waitress asked everyone if there would be separate checks. The management of Aunt Maude‘s just seems to be sloppy compared to 3 or 4 years ago, so I‘ve saved my money and gone elsewhere.

I thought the food was very good and comparable to similar restaurants in bigger metropolitan areas. That being said, I also think the food is way overpriced. That may have something to do with the fact that it is the only restaurant of its kind in Ames (as far as I know). The ambience is very conservative and strange in a not so good way. Reminds me of The Cracker Barrel for some reason I can‘t explain. Along the top of the walls, hang trophy sea bass and other ocean fish. In more immediate locations there are accents of country charm. The environment is a mix between casual and formal. We weren‘t sure what kind of place we had stepped into until they handed us the menu which was very formal indeed. Most of the clientelle seem to be in the 45 to 75 year old range. The staff seem to be mostly college students. The service was decent, but we got a weird look from our waiter when we ordered the cheapest appetizer on the menu. I‘m in my lower 30s and broke, but I would definitely go back because of Aunt Maude‘s close proximity... and... we all need to treat ourselves to a nice dinner on occasion. If I was of a higher income bracket I would probably still go back... But... no matter how much money you make, the food at Aunt Maude‘s is overpriced and I‘ve eaten all over the U.S. and Europe. (e.g. I‘ve had better dining experiences in San Francisco for the same or almost half the price.) Good place to bring out-of-towners for a long dinner and drinks.

I have been going to Aunt Maude‘s for many years and I have never been disappointed. I feel the food is excellent and definitely worth it. It‘s my favorite place to take Ames visitors.

My wife and I have lived in Ames for about a year, but are used to living in more populated areas with a larger choice of restaurants. Because of our experience of fine restaurants around the country and around the world, I feel that we can offer some perspective on Aunt Maude‘s. We have been to Aunt five times over the course of the year, both alone and with friends. By far the most memorable occasion was the Valentines Day tasting dinner - which was exquisite. In our opinion, Aunt Maude‘s is by far the best restaurant in Ames. Indeed, I feel that Aunt Maude‘s would do very well almost anywhere as it features excellent food for a very fair price. The wine list is excellent and the bar serves a fantastic martini! Great job Aunt Maude‘s

The food is horrible for the price, the atmosphere doesn‘t even make up for it, the tables are way to close together so it isn‘t romantic and the wait staff is rude!

Food is terrible for the price. Wait staff is snotty and treats you terribly if you don‘t order the special. There are better places to eat in town for half the price.

We just moved back to Ames after being away for 13 years. Aunt Maude‘s hasn‘t changed, which means the environment and the food are both dated. It‘s okay, but a bit expensive for what you get.

Absolutely the best restaurant in Ames for great food and atmosphere. We don‘t eat here regularly because of the price, but have thoroughly enjoyed every experience, and have never had any problem with the wait staff.

The food is always cooked perfectly, and my picky husband has actually sent compliments to the chef on one particular meal. Not even comparable to any other place in town for great food. Worth the price.

Way too expensive for ames. Food not great, wait staff is not the best.

I was just there last night and the food was fabulous. My prime rib was cooked to perfection and I loved the blue cheese salad dressing! Great place to go for great food.

rude staff. i couldn‘t agree more.

Very poor service! It is not worth your money, the food tastes like you ate at Applebees, the wait staff has always been rude to us everytime we have been in there, very unfriendly and bitchy, not worth the money you pay

Yikes! I can hardly believe that the June 7 user went to Aunt Maude‘s. That‘s NEVER been my experience there. Here‘s my opinion:
Looking for a fabulous steak, warm atmosphere and gracious servers? You found it at Aunt Maude‘s. This is the place to go in Ames for the best meal in town from your first drink to dessert. You really can‘t go wrong with anything on Maude‘s menu. Steaks are prepared to the correct temp, FRESH local produce is used whenever possible, seafood specials change weekly, and the bar always fixes a fabulous bloody mary. If you happen to stop by on a busy night and there aren‘t any tables available in the dining room, don‘t hesitate to grab a seat at the bar. (There‘s a no-smoking before 8:30 pm ordinance in Ames for bars in restaurants.) The bartenders and wait staff are knowledgeable about the menu, on-the-ball, and pleasant to chat with. I‘d recommend making reservations if you want to be sure to sit in the dining room on a busy weekend (IE ISU graduation, Event at CY Stephens, Ames prom).

over priced. small portions. rude wait staff. enough said.

Great food and a great enviorment!!!

May 2, 2006
We visited recently and had a wonderful time. Three appetizers - Morels & asparagus and crab cakes were delicious - French onion soup was good. Entree - Simply Grilled Salmon - again delicious. Same for Creme Brule dessert A-1!!! Server, Robert, EXCELLENT! Totally enjoyable evening.

Very overpriced

Not very good service and overpriced. Much better places in Des Moines.

Also, I do agree with the poster who recommended that cutlery be upgraded at Maude‘s. It was insubstantial. The plates were fine.

I like the decor, it reminds be of a Victorian House for ladies of the evening.

I ate there just last week and loved it. The spinich ravioli was superb!

What is WITH you people who don‘t like this place?

I travel to Central Iowa occasionally and haven‘t had the good experiences in Des Moines that I have at Aunt Maude‘s in Ames.

20 years ago I lived in Ames and was too poor to go there more than once a year. Now I have a lot more money, and I love going there.

Very much overrated , nothing special, overpriced

For the price of the food, could be better. Wait staff was not too attentive. :( I heard stellar things about this place but will not be returning. Better food at a fraction of the price other places in town!

Overrated to my taste. Average service, a little bit condescendant when one doesn‘t order an expensive meal.

Great food, excellent service. There are a few things that I feel should be updated a bit. For the level of service (and price you pay), they could spring for nicer silverware (heavier) and plates as well as linen tablecloths. Nice place for a special occasion.

Best place in town. period. Cajun Prime Rib can be cut with a fork. Blackened Chicken on Angel Hair Pasta also great as are the seafood specials. Good sour dough bread. Service is second to none. I have eaten here 40-50 times in the last 10 years and never had a bad experience. A little pricey (I often do lunch there) but you always walk away satisified. Desserts are terrific.

the food here is good, the decor is like your rich great aunt‘s house (maybe her name is maude!) its expensive (like $15 for lunch, at least $25 for dinner with no alcohol). the food is really good, though, but don‘t expect to have leftovers because the portions are not generous. the service is about average, but if you go with a group expect to have a 20% tip added to the bill.