For foodies, Iowa City—known for its energetic cultural scene and friendly vibe—is also a secret jewel. The gastronomic scene of the city presents a wonderful fusion of tastes reflecting both local legacy and worldwide influences. Iowa City offers a varied eating experience for every taste from creative restaurants stretching the frontiers of modern cuisine to small, farm-to—table bistros presenting fresh, seasonal food.
Explore some of the most delectable food items at Taste of Iowa City in the given article.
Chilled Lobster & Gulf Shrimp Sliders by St. Burch Tavern
Recently, this young piglet has started consuming a significant amount of lobster. I was required to consume a Hot Cheeto float at the Iowa State Fair, and then I was given the responsibility of reviewing a monster lobster roll that was two feet long. This task was given to me not even two weeks ago. There is a term for sea sickness.
Each mouthful of lobster or shrimp washed up notes of shallots and herbs in a creamy dijonnaise sauce, and the bun was beautifully served with the correct quantities of seafood poking out from the bun.
The dressing, which was similar to aioli, was not only light enough to allow the lobster to show through, but it was also different enough to offer a sense of culinary depth to the palate. I’ve eaten a few other lobster rolls, and this one wasn’t as salty as others I’ve had.
There was a contrasted crunch of celery and notes of lemon in each bite, which served to highlight the experience.
This item does not appear to be a regular fixture on the menu at St. Burch’s; rather, this showing should be viewed as a favorable point of reference for the restaurant’s curation of other seafood choices on the lunch and dinner menus.
Chicken & Waffles by Harry’s Bar & Grill
When it comes to food, the question of quality versus quantity is always there. Through this straightforward pleasure, you are able to obtain both.
At the same time that other vendors were serving bite-sized options on adorable little boat-shaped plates, the co-founder and former co-owner of Bluebird Diner in Iowa City was repeatedly dropping heavy batches of full-sized fried chicken onto a folding table that had no idea what it was getting itself into when it signed up for this shift.
The weight of this chicken breast on a miniature plate, which was henpecking the pitiful quarter of a waffle underneath it, amazed me. I was taken aback by its density.
When it comes to breading, the majority of us resort to fried chicken. However, you should forget about the breading because that is not the focus of this recipe. With a hue that is somewhat darker than typical and a crunch that is softer than average, it draws the appropriate attention to the meat that is underneath. The black breading, which is subtly kissed by syrup, gives a buttery waffle that is coated with powdered sugar an additional layer of richness.
Hawaiian Sunset Fruit Tea by The Bep Teahouse
When you take a bite out of something that tastes almost too good to be natural, you are greeted by a feast of tropical flavors that explode all at once.
There is a burst of lemon that breaks through the surface, revealing passion fruit, peach, and pineapple. Following that, you take a bite out of the popping boba, and then a lovely fruit cocktail is added to the bottom of the cup to create a pleasant finish.
This tea, which is beautifully sweet, is an excellent way to begin exploring the teahouse’s extensive selection of beverages.
Korean Corn Dog by The Bep Teahouse
This is not your typical corn dog at all. In point of fact, it does not contain any meat.
Instead, this trendy novelty is dripping with cheese despite its name. However, you should not take my word for it; it appears to be mozzarella or anything else with a consistency that is comparable.
The whole thing comes together with potatoes that are cooked in cubes and are crunchy, and the result is something that looks like a mosaic of some kind.
Despite the fact that it is just minimally seasoned and relies on the “fried” flavor, it is possible that the ketchup is there to serve that purpose. Moreover, this was available with a Hot Cheeto coating; however, I refrained from purchasing it because of the traumatic experience I had with the Hot Cheeto Float at the Iowa State Fair.
Karaage Chicken by Pullman Bar & Diner
It was more bark than bite when it came to this Japanese-style chicken that was crunchy.
In addition to being juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside, each bite featured a robust lemon taste that was flavorful and enjoyable. In contrast to some of the karaage presentations I’ve had both in the United States and abroad, this one was not as spicy, making it an excellent starting point for people who are not familiar with this preparation.