Living in Cyclone Country - Ames, Iowa

We moved here to Ames in September 2004 when I took a position here with an agricultural association. What else would you expect in the middle of the corn, soybean and pork belt? Ames is a community about 45 minutes north of Des Moines, with a total population of around 50,000 when Iowa State University (ISU) is in session, and around half that during the summer months and holiday weeks when school's out.

There is really nothing like living in a small community where just about everyone is somehow tied to the university. College football here is unlike anything I've ever witnessed, even coming from Wisconsin where folks really love their UW-Madison Badgers! Tailgating here is at a whole different level, even rivaling Green Bay Packers fans!

Perhaps our most memorable experience was the Sunday of that Labor Day weekend when we moved to Iowa. Our third night in the new house, still unpacking boxes and the tornado sirens in our neighborhood went off. Yes, they call it CYCLONE Country for a reason and it's not just for the ISU Cyclones.

In just two years, we've had three confirmed tornado touchdowns. Fortunately we've been spared damage, although just the sound of the sirens or weather radio is still rather unnerving.

Ames is the home to the USDA animal testing laboratories, prepared to deal with mad cow and bird flu outbreaks. We also have the EPA's Energy Laboratory and some other governmental testing facilities.

There are a lot of theatre and arts available to local residents and visitors. It's nice not to have to go down to Des Moines to see a play or concert. The Iowa State Center located on the ISU campus consists for four venues: Hilton Coliseum, C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, Fisher Theatre, and the Scheman Building.

Quick Tips:

If you are coming to Ames during an ISU football or basketball game, be prepared to wait in long lines everywhere you go. The town simply burst at the seams! There aren't a lot of discounts coupons available to tourists and those from out of town. But fret not, as the restaurants are all very reasonably priced, offering great Midwest value for your dollar.

Information regarding local events can be found at: http://www.ames.ia.us/ .

Best Way To Get Around:

This is a great campus town community, with CY-Ride, the local public bus system. For those affiliated with ISU, rides are free. I've also seen advertising for free transportation after bar-time so that folks aren't inclined to get behind the wheel after enjoying a few adult beverages.

If you are down and around the campus area, walking is a great way to get around. Our downtown area is mainly anchored by Main Street which looks like you might expect it for an old Midwestern town complete with a renovated train station. The shops and restaurants are quaint and locally owned.

There is a lot to see and do in the summer. Being a small community, it is very nice to stroll the Main Street area when they offer summer concerts and have farmers' markets with fresh veggies and fruits.

If you plan on traveling to Ames, you will need to plan to fly into Des Moines. While small private planes do fly into the Ames Community Airport, commercial flights only come as close as Des Moines.

ISU has quite a regional following. Tailgating begins six hours before game time, with motor homes, old converted school buses and students converging on Ames. Of course there is also the opposing team! This weekend was UNLV which does not have the big following on the road that other schools have. When Nebraska, Colorado or Texas A&M are in town, you know it!

Jack Trice Stadium holds approximately 55,000. The great thing about Cyclone fan(atics) is that there will be ANOTHER 55,000 people OUTSIDE the stadium partying for as much as ten hours on game day!! It's actually pretty amazing how peaceful and safe 100,000+ people are with all the beers that are flowing. It truly is an excuse to throw the mother of all keg parties.

This afternoon, I stopped through the campus area once the parking lots opened for the tailgaters. Adults (the old farts like me) and students alike, were friendly and willing to share the tent and a brewski with you.

ISU has approximately ten parking areas, all well lit after nightfall so that people and their stuff are safe. Tomorrow morning, the grassy areas will be disturbingly littered with beer cans. Not just the litter is disturbing, but the nickel a can that was lost in the deposit when the beers were bought. I've been told that there are litter cleaners who work the lots after ISU games who make nearly $1,000 for their efforts. Not bad for a few hours of clean-up detail. On Monday morning, as I drive through the campus to work, I will not even be able to tell that there was a home game this weekend. It is pretty remarkable!

Getting tickets from outside the ISU system is a bit of a challenge. Students have an "in" for them, as it should be. After all, isn't college football for and about the students? Alumni and faculty are probably next in the pecking order. I've been told that locals can pick up tickets on game day for about four times face value. I don't know, I've never been able to score!

My husband thinks I'm weird, but I must admit . . . I LOVE driving through the campus on game day. The sea of red and yellow . . . the young people having fun . . . and school spirit running rabid! AWWWW to live in a college town!

Hickory Park was one of the first Ames' locales we found! Our first visit to the city had us driving by the place at around supper time. With the parking lot packed and dozens of people standing around, I had to think to myself, "And I thought this was the downtime in the city!"

Well, we passed on through town, heading north, figuring we'd find something else to catch our eye. Before we knew it, we were out of town already. We went ahead and went up to Story City, which is about 15 miles north of Ames, to check into our motel. Yes, a motel, as in the SUPER 8. What can I say? It was the only place with vacancies that allowed dogs, and we had Little Miss Heidi along for the ride.

Anyway, I digress, since this *is* a restaurant review. Once checked into the motel, we ventured back out for dinner. No luck in Story City, so it was on back to Ames. By now it was nearly 9pm, and the parking lot at Hickory Park looked manageable, so we stopped in. We've been hooked ever since!!

With portions too big to imagine, this barbecue place has all you could want in home-styled hickory smoked meats. Turkey, chicken, beef, and pork are the mainstays here, although you can get a burger (aka: HICKORY) here if you'd like. I opted for the pork ribs, and my hubby did the "barbecue platter," which had a slice or two of all the meats plus a quarter chicken. Add your two sides and you're good to go. The side options are all wonderful, from mashed taters and gravy to warm cinnamon spiced apple sauce. I usually opt for the small side salad and the apple sauce, while he mixes it up a bit. He does like their pork~n~beans and cole slaw, though. Heck, so do I but I try to keep it a bit healthier.

Be sure to save room for ice cream! They have a full-service old-fashioned ice-cream fountain complete with shakes, malts, dips, and sundaes. Did I mention that your place mat at the table is the ice-cream menu? That's right, a full 8.5x11 sheet of paper of nothing but ice cream sundaes and treats! When we indulge in the "screams," I like the FudgeAnna, which is two scoops of vanilla ice cream, slices of banana, hot fudge, and a sprinkle of almond slices—whip cream and a cherry (of course). Hubby likes the "David's Delight," because it is named for him. HA! He likes it because it is slathered with warm caramel and hot fudge!

You will eat a feast, leave fuller than you want to, and be out for less than $30 for a couple. Simply the best dining value, with high-quality food and great friendly service!

La Fuente is an authentic Mexican restaurant, with all that you would expect from a small-town local eatery. We enjoy dining here at least once every couple of weeks.

Starting with the obligatory basket of warm chips and salsa, you can pace yourself as you wish. If you order right away, your meal will probably come up too quickly—it is just that fast! We usually do the chips/salsa and at least our first glass of strawberry margaritas before ordering dinner.

The salsa is a bit on the mild side but does some bite to it. If you are like my husband and enjoy the hot chili peppers and jalapenos, just ask them for a flask of the green stuff! They'll be happy to take care of you.

For dinner, I often go with the combo that has a taco, burrito, and enchiladas, all with the shredded beef. David enjoys the fajitas as well as the combo plates. Whatever you like you will be able to find, as they have a very expansive menu. The beans and rice are also available a la carte if you happen to select an entree platter that doesn't come with them. I usually save the calories, as I'm drinking plenty in the adult-beverage category.

And speaking of their margaritas, you cannot beat the 46 oz. pitcher for just $11! And these are not your run-of-the-mill sissy drinks, either. Three glasses of this stuff and I'm stumbling out the front door. They make several varieties, as well as blended or over the rocks. I suppose that is the usual, although we always do the blended.

They have a limited dessert menu that includes fried ice cream. (See above comment about calories!)

While you are dining, be sure to take in the hand-painted murals on the inside walls. They are very pretty, depicting the good life in Mexico.

Another great ethnic restaurant in our little metropolitan city of Ames! Serving home-style authentic Mandarin and Szechwan cuisine at great prices, this is another in our family list of dining choices. Great for last-minute carry-out, we enjoy dining at or from Mandarin whatever the reason.

I am particularly partial to the fried wontons, although I must admit their homemade egg rolls are pretty darn good, too. They cook all dishes to order and do not use MSG (an important consideration for those of us with that nasty allergy). I have tried many of their dishes, but in just 2 years, the menu is too vast for me to have sampled it all. Some of my favorite entrees include the orange beef, cashew chicken, sweet-and-sour chicken, and beef and broccoli.

When it is just to two of us or carryout, there is more rice than we can typically eat. It is a rather heavy white rice, but cooked well without leaving it soggy or too moist. I actually like it, although it was something that had to grow on me over time.

Hot tea comes with your meal if you opt, although I'm usually drinking just water with lemon. David enjoys their iced tea, which is probably your run-of-the-mill Lipton or something like that. He says it's good, so that's all that matters.

Your meal closes with an almond and a fortune cookie. If you want, they do have a nice variety of sherbet, which I have enjoyed with my cookie(s).

All in all, this is a keeper, and we recommend it.