The Bistro

Robin is the Julia Child of Story City!! Friends from Florida and we, from DSM, had a wonderful lunch Monday. All was so good and the apple pie was the best I think we have ever tasted.
I wish Story City was closer to Des Moines! We will definitely return and tell our friends about it.
We also enjoyed talking with Robin as she told us about her restaurant and catering business.
Thanks Robin!
Hope to see you soon.

Jane Longnecker

I was traveling to Iowa on business and had asked at the local bank where there was a good restaurant for lunch and they told me about The Bistro. I travel about 50% of the time for my business and have to eat on the road constantly. This is by far the best food I have had at a local restaurant. I could not believe that this quality of food would come from a small town local restaurant. I talked to the owner Robyn and let her know that with her talent she should be running a 5 star restaurant in a large metropolitan community. Don‘t miss this one if you are anywhere near Story City it is worth the drive.

I would consider myself a rib guy. Their Friday night bbq is out of this world. I will be craving these ribs until my next return. Truly amazing!!!

This is one of those places that I would love to see move to Ames or Des Moines (so it would be more convenient for me to stop by and have a delicious lunch), but sadly, the owner has told me time and time again she‘s staying put. Which is really great for the citizens of Story City and Roland (which includes my parents). ;) Besides the delicious hot sandwiches she has on her menu, I think I look most forward to her pasta chef salad with her made-from-scratch honey-jalepeno dressing. I can‘t begin to describe the wonderful synergy of flavors and textures that I experience while eating a large mouthful. This is always the first restaurant I shout-out when we have work luncheons. Who can resist those butter brickle bars?? Thanks, Robin for all the culinary pleasures!

I LOVE the food at the Bistro in Story City. I work in Ames and will often schedule appointments at certain times just so I can stop to eat here. The honey jalapeno homemade salad dressing is amazing and nothing beats her Sour Cream Raisin pie or Butter Brickle brownies. I‘m also a huge fan of the Bistro Club Stacker and Turkey and Artichoke Panini. My mouth is watering--yum!!!!

visiting from out of town best cupcakes around yummy buttercream frosting.

I don‘t eat much meat, but the barbecued pulled pork sandwich I had at The Bistro last Friday night has spoiled me for any other pulled pork. It was tender and delicious ... just the right amount of flavoring! 4.8 out of 5

We dined at the bistro last Thursday and the food was great as always!! We have visited many other states and NEVER FOUND ANY FRENCH ONION SOUP AS GOOD AS The Bistro. Keep up the good work!!

The Bistro is a great find! The food is fantastic and the help is friendly!

I have traveled the world from Germany to South Korea. I have never been offered free dessert because i danced with the owner! Robyn makes the best pie since my mother and her tortilla sop SHOULD come from a can, then I could buy it from her!

With a beautifully decorated candlelit table, Robyn created an evening for two accomodating all of my requests. The Bistro all to ourselves with the charming atmosphere, delicious food, and excellent service should have cost five times as much. Consider The Bistro the next time you want to create a memorable evening! Kudos to Robyn - she is the best!

Difficult hours? Yes. Soup from a can and olive loaf? Hell no. This is unquestionably one of the best eateries in the area. They have bad hours because they can. It‘s that good. Everything is hand-crafted, home-made and creative. The best place for lunch in Story County, if you can get there in time.

Wherever she is getting that wonderful canned soup she needs to let me know, cause I have searched high and low and still can not seem to find it!!! The Bistro clearly does not serve from a can!! HELLO!!!!

I‘m really thrown off by the comment/review of "canned soup and cheap lunchmeat sandwiches." I actually helped the owner a few years back by serving/waitressing. I know for a fact that her soups are very much homemade. As for the sandwiches, Robyn takes great pride and effort in every sandwich that is made. And the customer can instantly tell the moment a bite is taken. There is such a variety of homemade sandwiches, soups and salads. And let‘s not forget the delectable desserts ranging from delicious homemade pies, creme broulee and the ever-so-popular butter brickle brownies. All the extraordinary food and the warm-inviting atmosphere makes for an unforgettable luncheon experience! I know I‘ll be returning soon.

What a great place for lunch. I love the sandwiches and you cant find a better brownie anywhere. Great soups! If you have never had Robyn‘s pie you need to visit there. YUMMY!!

how do you get the best french onion soup in the area from a can---haters don‘t need to write reviews....the food is great!

I am not quite sure where this other reviewer was eating, but The Bistro is superb. I have visited this adorable small place several times and have always been extremely pleased. My work gets lunch from here too and the box lunches are awesome. We are always are excited for lunch from The Bistro. The owner puts her heart and soul into her food and she makes me laugh and enjoy my visit each time. Everyone needs to give it a try and you will see for yourself what a wonderful little place Story City has in The Bistro. Go!

The lost soul who posted the last comment is confused. The bistro is da bomb.

If you want canned soup and cheap lunchmeat sandwiches, this is the place for you.
Worst money spent in the area. YUCK!!

Such unvbelievably great food prepared fresh each day. Homemade sauces, soups,dressings, and grilled bread. Need I say more? The pasta chef salad a local favorite, not to mention the decadent desserts....yum-O!

It was marvelous! Great selection of sandwiches..

This cozy little restaurant is a delightful dining experience, with an extended menu. Robyn, the owner, has a creative talent in offering different specials each day. Everytime I visit Story City this is a must place to eat. The sour cream raisin pie is to die for - even better than what my mother baked.

Harriett Peterson San Diego
9/15/07

The best desserts ever! Creme Brulee & Butter Brickle Bars!!

Friendly personal service.

robyn anderson, owner & chef creating fresh yummy sandwiches & specials every day.

The best!

Marsha H Taylor

Great little place in Story City. Good atmosphere! great food the sandwiches are great and worth every penny. robyn‘s desserts are to die for..

We have eaten at the Bistro in Story City a number of times. The owner robyn Anderson brings a high level of engery, enthusiasm and entertainment to a great place to eat. All items on the menu are excellant , but what keeps us coming back are the homemade soups, Monte Cristo sandwhich and Butter Brickle brownies. Along with excellant food, reasonable prices and a great atmosphere, we give the Bistro two thumbs up.

The Bistro is a great dining experience. I live in Ankeny but I do not let the miles stop me from having lunch at the Bistro. The food is the best I have ever had and the atmosphere is a joy. My favorites sandwiches are the Gourmet Grill Cheese and the Monte Cristo. My other favorites are the Pasta Chef Salad and Brownies. I would highly recommend the Bistro to anyone.

I just told a guy that the only thing worth visiting in Story City was the antique carousel. Then, as the words slipped out of my mouth, I realized I was wrong. There‘s a place called the bistro (lower case, as robyn would want it) that is also worth visiting in Story City, I amended. Just Yesterday. She has a unique and beautiful sitting area, complimented by delectable menu items and completed by friendly service. As garnish, the bistro offers one of the most unique fixtures of Story City: robyn anderson, whose personality behind the bistro is one-of-a-kind. As I write this, my mouth waters in anticipation for the next robyn cooked meal, as only robyn with a lower case ‘r‘ could provide.

It is a sandwich shop. The sandwich cost around $7 bucks which is a little high compared to the Cottage lunch menu.

Good sammiches! Nice variety of ideas you don‘t see every day in a small town restaurant. It is very "cozy."