Restaurants in Cedar Falls

OK, not your uncle. "Bob's your uncle," a century-old British slang phrase, refers to anyone with a bright future, and if Executive Chef Sal Hnesh's previous endeavors are any indication, this restaurant can most certainly count "Bob" among its kin. Renowned for his pizza, Chef Hnesh, a 20-year veteran of the Iowa City culinary scene, hurls dough sky-high before peppering fresh ingredients across thin, medium-thick, pan, or stuffed-crust pies. The menu oscillates from gourmet pizza to homestyle comfort fare such as wisconsin tuna cakes and roast beef served on gravy-smothered sourdough. Gluten-free options are available, as are housemade desserts and freshly baked slices of apple pie.:m]]

Fiery red paint splashes the walls of Casa Tequila Authentic Mexican Grill, creating the illusion of heat. Sizzling plates of fajitas emerge from the kitchen, fanning the flames with soft tortillas and hot strips of chicken. Nearby, grilled T-bones and rib eyes amplify the warmth with spicy jalapeños and ranchero sauce. Like most of the menu’s selections, these dishes are made from scratch using super-fresh ingredients. To lower the temperature, barkeeps craft margaritas that are cooler than an iceberg wearing an Elvis wig. Available in a variety of flavors and sizes, these drinks showcase a lineup of more than 50 tequilas. Diners can also enjoy their meals at outdoor tables, amid refreshing breezes and the shade of patio umbrellas.

The chefs at Sam's Pizza spend 60 minutes with each Chicago-style pie. They stuff its double crust with mozzarella, fresh toppings, and good intentions before baking it to a golden brown. Toppings for the Chicago-style and thin-crust pies range from the traditional (sausage or mushrooms) to the novel (gyro meat or nacho chips). The chefs at Sam's Pizza also concoct their own marinara sauce, ladling it onto calzones and platefuls of spaghetti.:m]]The chefs at Sam's Pizza spend 60 minutes with each Chicago-style pie. They stuff its double crust with mozzarella, fresh toppings, and good intentions before baking it to a golden brown. Toppings for the Chicago-style and thin-crust pies range from the traditional (sausage or mushrooms) to the novel (gyro meat or nacho chips). The chefs at Sam's Pizza also concoct their own marinara sauce, ladling it onto calzones and platefuls of spaghetti.:m]]

At Azul's Tequila Cocina, seafood from the Pacific coast and fruity margaritas serve as the cornerstones of an extensive Mexican menu. Drizzled with fresh sauces, the burritos, enchiladas, and tacos pack the palate with juicy flavors. The enchiladas de langosta unite lobster and roasted Mexican garlic sauce in the warm embrace of corn tortillas topped with jalapeño cream sauce. Azul's Tequila Cocina spurns lard, peanut oil, and animal fat in its cooking, promoting health and helping waists stay as narrow as Santa's path through a gingerbread man's chimney.

Only after studying wine literature, discussing options with distributors, and attending tastings do Frank and Abby Bowman decide which reds and whites will join their already massive stock of approximately 200 wine varietals. Their temperature-controlled wine cellar stores nearly 1,500 bottles, which the Bowmans—Linn Street Cafe's owners since 1996—uncork at daily meals, wine tastings, and multi-course wine-pairing dinners. Along with wine pours, their 70-seat restaurant houses contemporary American dishes crafted from sustainable seafood, local farmers' produce, and meats hand-plucked from Iowan gardens. The elegant meals continue to win raves from critics and outlets such as CityVoter, which awarded Linn Street Cafe a finalist position in its 2011 Best Romantic Restaurant competition.

Tubrosa Pizza's mission is "to have fun making the best damn pizza in town." By the looks of a menu filled with quirky creations such as a pie laden with nacho-cheese sauce, black olives, and crunchy chips, it seems that fun is being had. Delicious dough serves as the base for pies such as the simple margherita with chopped basil leaves or the tangy hawaiian barbecue-chicken pizza with pineapple and a box that doubles as a lei. Patrons can replace traditional tomato sauce with alfredo, barbecue, or buffalo sauce or opt for spaghetti or baked ziti instead. Tubrosa ends its menu on a sweet note with cinnamon or apple dessert pizzas.