Karrey S.'s Profile

The Mill is a sadly overlooked bar in Iowa City. They're a great venue for live music, although it seems like the better bands tend to go to Gabe's/Picador instead. They've got a good menu with prices that haven't skyrocketed, and they offer pretty good nightly drink specials. Don't miss Pub Quiz night or Open Mic night, which happen weekly.

The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because service is really hit-or-miss. Sometimes you'll get a really dynamite server, and other times you'll be lucky if you don't have to go up to the bar to ask for your check.

You don't go to the Deadwood for the great service. You don't go there for the cleanliness of the bathrooms. You certainly don't go there for the smell. The atmosphere is where it's at, along with interesting little quirks like "Simpsons hour" and their Leinie's combo pitchers. What are those called, again? I wonder how the smoking ban is going to affect this place, since coming out reeking of cigarettes is part of the charm and surely a badge of honor.

This is one of the best dive bars in Iowa City. I recommend the burgers and beer for lunch, if you're not afraid of going back to work with Budweiser breath. Don't miss the hot nuts, either!

The bartenders are also more than happy to make you home-flavored Cherry Pepsi, so try it if you're not in the mood for booze.

While my appointment was quick and painless (although I hate that puff of air that they're still using to test for glaucoma), and the optometrist I met with was perfectly nice, the customer service offered by the front desk staff was less than stellar. They didn't seem very knowledgeable, and it felt like if they didn't NEED to help you, then they just weren't going to do it. I think they might have a high turnover rate at the shop, which probably contributes to the bad customer service. Hopefully, it'll improve.

Is this place the only gas station in Iowa City that doesn't have pay at the pump yet? Even so, they're your one stop shop for everything you could need from a gas station, from motor oil to donuts and everything in between. They even have a passable beer selection.

This place probably has the best falafel in town. Their hummus is to die for, and can be found at the local grocery stores and delis as well. Good fries, too! Not expensive by any means, and a great place to stop for a quick meal.

A great little basement pub that's Irish themed, and it's one of the only places in town where you can get a shamrock in the foam of your Guinness when it's served to you. They've got just enough room for a bar, a few booths, a fish tank, and a pool table. Don't miss this gem.

Back when ICON, the independent newspaper that was here before the Little Village, was still going, it would hold annual "best of" contests for businesses around town. I think they made up a special category specifically for Pagliai's to win every year: "Best pizza that'll burn the roof of your mouth everytime". Even though ICON is gone, Pagliai's is still here, and still burning the roof of my mouth. Good service, great food, nice atmosphere, and an Iowa City institution with the food quality to back it up. I recommend getting your pizza with double crust.

Also, here's a tip: cut your first piece of pizza up and blow on the pieces before eating them. By the time you get to the crust, it's cool enough to pick up and eat, and the rest of the pizza is cool enough not to have to cut up.

I don't know if anyone except poor college students without a car really do any amount of regular shopping here, but that is really not what you come here for. Wally the wine guy will more than happily make suggestions and orders for special items for you. The booze selection is quite large for a shop this size, and the beer selection is unmatched in this area.

Apparently, John's used to be a barbershop/saloon back in the old days. It was common knowledge that you'd best come get your haircut early in the day, before old Alberhasky had time to drink himself into a stupor and start giving dangerous shaves. Come visit this piece of historic Iowa City. You won't regret it.

I spend waaaaay too much time in this store. My boyfriend and I make it a regular stop every weekend, because the owner often adds new things every week. True, there's not always something to buy, but there are so many nostalgic items in here that it's a treat just to browse. The staff are really nice and helpful, as well.