Reviews - Cornbred
Reviews summary
Was AMANDA SILVA at Cornbred a mag?
I truly adore this restaurant! It's a fantastic location situated in the old train station, and the patio is simply unbeatable. If you're thinking about ordering a side dish, make sure to try the beans – you won't regret it. Their spicy sausage, made in-house, is also a must-try. They have an impressive selection of local beers as well. One of the best aspects of this place is that it's one of the few spots where we... View all feedback.
What jay fulton dislikes about Cornbred:
The bacon was mediocre. The sticky ribs were overly sweet, and the burnt ends were just alright. There wasn't much on the plate overall. The skillet mac could have used some salt; it was quite bland. The inside of the restaurant was really loud, and outside, there were three long trains that passed by, which was a bit distracting. There were also plenty of bees buzzing around, which kept me occupied swatting them awa... View all feedback.
Reviews from various users
Last update : 21.02.2025
Restaurant, very nice, very clean, very polite.Love thatThey kept the bathrooms up.The food was excellent Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5
First time eating here and we will be back for sure. I had the beef ribs and my wife had the Veggie Sammie. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5
I had been wanting to try this place since they opened and it did not disappoint! The cocktails were really good I got a festive one with tequila and pomegranate , and we tried the ribs, brisket, burnt ends , spicy sausage, street corn, cornbread pudding so good we ordered another serving , pineapple slaw, and hallelujah potatoes. The burnt ends are phenomenal and I was obsessed with the cornbread pudding. Hickory Park has some competition for sure on the BBQ side!! Cornbred is very unique and we had wonderful service as well! We will be back next time we visit Ames!
Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Cheesy Potatoes, Pineapple Coleslaw, Sausage, Beef Brisket
These are the best ribs if you let me I would eat them Always #1 Price per person: $50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Noise level: Quiet, easy to talk Group size: 3-4 people, 5-8 people
This local barbecue hotspot has garnered mixed reviews from diners. While some were enamored by the tender brisket burnt ends and juicy ribs, others found the food lacking in flavor or temperature. Dishes like the skillet mac and cheesy potatoes were noted for their blandness, and service inconsistencies left some patrons frustrated. The lively atmosphere and friendly staff earned praise, but distractions like train noise and buzzing bees were mentioned. Overall, while the restaurant shows promise with its award-winning offerings, experiences seem to vary widely, leaving guests divided on whether to return.
Last update : 17.09.2023
I just had the brisket with a biscuit for lunch today and it was one of the best meals I have ever had! The gravy was heavenly!
Saw you guys at the Ames Farmers market and got the burnt ends and cornbread casserole, it was delicious and will definitely keep an eye out for your food truck around the area!
Chili is incredible and the candied bacon is out of this world. Great food from great people.
I had the privilege of being at a few BBQ competitions with Ryan. His food is beyond amazing! This truck is going to be a great addition to Ames!
Cornbred is undoubtedly the best BBQ food truck in Central Iowa! I visited for the first time today, and I can confidently say it won't be my last. Their brisket is simply amazing—smoky, juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. I enjoyed the brisket with a biscuit at the Ames Farmer's Market this morning and left feeling thoroughly satisfied. The biscuit was flaky, the gravy was delicious, and the savory pickled onions on top added a perfect touch to the dish. I would happily pay $9 for this meal over and over again! They also offered a "Porffle," which is a cornbread waffle generously topped with their scrumptious pulled pork and a refreshing pineapple slaw. Everything I've tried has been fantastic. To top it all off, I enjoyed some locally brewed Alluvial Craft Rootbeer! I'm officially a huge fan of Cornbred and will definitely return time and time again. I'll be spreading the word about the greatness that is Cornbred!
Last update : 25.10.2023
Love that it is in an old depot! Beautiful spot with ample parking. Smells amazing before one even enters. Busy and no reservation but not a long wait for our large group. Prompt professional service. Delicious and unique cocktails. Burnt ends were so flavorful! 3 sauces on the table and all were spectacular. Server split the bill with ease and it was much appreciated. Hope to come back someday!
Cornbred popped up on my Google feed after searching things to do in the area. We are in Boone to visit family. The service was top notch. I had the fatty brisket, pulled pork, a sausage and cucumber tomato salad. The brisket was moist and tasty. The sausage spicy and flavorful. The salad was tart and vinegary just the way I like it. The pork was moist and flavorful. The only thing that kept this from a five star review was the pork. It came in a large piece instead of being shredded/pulled. Other than that this was a perfect plate of cue. We will come back when we make a return trip
I recently retired and moved to the area, and this was suggested by a neighbor. I thought everything was incredibly good, and I will definitely order again!
Top to bottom, front to back, and on all sides, one of the BEST lunches I’ve had in a long time. Highly recommend the wings, beans, brisket, cornbread pudding, basically everything, tbh. Plus they had great service especially during the slow late-afternoon hours on a weekend. Add on top of that you’re eating in a repurposed train station and I’ve died and gone to BBQ heaven… in IOWA!
The food at this restaurant is outstanding! There is a wide range of delicious options, especially if you like a bit of spice. The outdoor dining area, known as the Railyard, is amazing and features a bar with some enticing specialty cocktails.
Last update : 16.10.2023
This has become my favorite restaurant in Ames. The food and service are fantastic. Aidan provided outstanding service!
The service was excellent! Overall, the food was delicious. The candied bacon deserves a 5/5. The prices were reasonable and the food was fantastic. If you're in search of a non-chain restaurant that offers quality dishes, I highly recommend giving this place a try.
I have to admit, I was a little skeptical on getting Q this far north of Texas, but it was pretty legit. Just note that the Q here isn't as smoke forward as it would normally be further south. But I'm not going to dock a star as that may be the preferred style in Iowa. The point cut (aka fatty) on the brisket was done really nicely. Great flavor throughout, not overly salted, tender without giving under its weight (pull test). Tasted the burnt ends from a friend's order, and it was ok, but not awesome. Also sampling from others' plates (sharing is caring) was the pulled pork. Also good, but a little on the dry side for what is normally a fatty cut of piglet. The ribs were very good, would almost hold up to some of the greats in Lockhart, but just almost. I'd get them again in a heartbeat when I'm back in town next. The corn salad was friggin awesome though. I could eat a tub of that and go back for more. The cornbread pudding was ok, the beans were very tasty too. The sticky ribs are another dish that I'd happily throw down with, super delish. The ping candy was also noteworthy, candied nicely and an unusual (but brilliant) add of cinnamon. The only thing that would have been better is a thicker cut of bacon. The dining area both inside and out is a country-polished but chill vibe. Moreover, the service was outstanding. Our waitress was SOOOO nice and friendly, and her colleagues who brought out the parade of smoked flavor bombs were all great. We had a really fun evening, thanks Cornbred!!!!
I loved my first trip to Cornbred last year, but it was on a chilly day. I had a different experience this week, which was, unexpectedly, even better. As much as the magic of sitting in a refurbished rail depot is cool and nostalgic, enjoying Cornbred's delicious menu in their expansive outdoor dining area was another level. They maintained their terrific customer service, but their outdoor area is spaced out well, it's undercover to eliminate a hot sunny day, and occasional freight trains passing through just a few feet away made for a fun evening. Their Tex-Mex menu option rotates, and I selected the exceptional chicken dish with tasty in-season vegetables and a superb street corn addition. I added a side of Pig Candy, their amazing crispy bacon. We had seven in our party, and it was flawlessly executed by the staff!
First time visit as we were in town for our child's sporting event. We were greeted right as we walked in and seated immediately. The server was very pleasant and prompt. We both loved what we ordered. The food was good serving size, well plated and had lots of flavor. The building itself is very cool and maintained. Happy we tried a new place when we were in Ames!
Last update : 13.01.2024
This place impressed my entire family, which is hard to do because we look for such different things in a restaurant. there?s several people who just want classic barbecue, and then me, not actually a huge meat eater and a foodie who loves creative andinteresting dishes. Everyone was happy here! We got almost all the sides and all were fabulous, but the hallelujah potatoes andthe cornbread stuffing were the can?t misses. The turkey was some of the best turkey I?ve ever had. The brisket, burnt ends,and sausage were all great too (Relying mostly on my family for this one but they said the burnt ends were a little more toughthan they like but still very good. The beer and cocktail selection have something for everyone. The servers and bartendersare both so friendly and kind, and very knowledgeable about the menu, which is another thing I love in a restaurant experience.The overall vibe of the place was great. I was not expecting to be this excited about a dining experience in Ames!
Great vibe. Friendly staff good food. Excellent beer selection. Mac and cheese was dynamite. Smoked brisket was below average--maybe they were having an issue with the smoker that day as it was a little tough and lacked much smokeyflavor. Overall good experience and willing to return despite the brisket being a dud.
I had lunch at this restaurant with my coworkers, and I was genuinely impressed. The atmosphere is charming, and the staff are incredibly attentive and welcoming. The food was excellent and very reasonably priced. I ordered the brisket with cornbread pudding, and it was exceptional. Don’t miss their house-made sauces; they are fantastic. I highly recommend this place! It’s one of the best spots in Ames. I can't believe I waited so long to come here!
I truly adore this restaurant! It's a fantastic location situated in the old train station, and the patio is simply unbeatable. If you're thinking about ordering a side dish, make sure to try the beans – you won't regret it. Their spicy sausage, made in-house, is also a must-try. They have an impressive selection of local beers as well. One of the best aspects of this place is that it's one of the few spots where we can bring our dog. Lenny loves the staff, who are always kind enough to bring him cold water and give him a little head pat. I often find myself standing by the fence with the kids, watching the trains pass by. Toot toot! All aboard for a great time! Overall, it’s an amazing place with delicious food and wonderful people. You should definitely check it out!
I strongly recommend the Sunday brunch at this restaurant. The portion sizes are generous, offering great value for your money. The food is not only tasty, but also beautifully arranged. The bartender was friendly and attentive, adding to the experience. Overall, everything combines to create an exceptional outing!
