Restaurants in Cedar Rapids

A procession of blips and blinks marches through Planet X's arcade room. The noise and neon spills over and accents the facility's surroundings, where guests can zap their least favorite cousins during laser tag, release pent-up road rage in bumper cars, or just stand, flabbergasted by the number of activities available. Though interactive entertainment is its bread and butter, Planet X also features a sports lounge with flat-screen TVs, beer, wine, and views of the kitchen staff tossing pizzas by hand.

The chefs at HuHot Mongolian Grill stand around a giant, round grill, preparing sizzling heaps of stir-fry. Unlike at other restaurants, every serving is different because, instead of the kitchen staff, the customer preps each bowl. The bowls may be brimming with chopped vegetables, seafood, and noodles, or they may be composed entirely of water chestnuts. The spice level of each dish varies based on the eater's preferences; MSG-free sauces range from barbecue to sweet teriyaki to five-alarm Kung Pao Yow! Since HuHot Mongolian Grill is an all-you-can-eat affair, diners get the chance to mix and match different ingredients with each trip to the grill.

The mood is festive and the decor is tropical at The Thirsty Turtle Tavern, where DJs spin lively beats and bartenders whip up a colorful array of fruity cocktails. To complement icy Blue Turtles, creamy Honolulu Hummingbirds, and frosty pints of draft beer, the kitchen provides an array of Hawaiian-inspired eats, including tangy stuffed wings and deliciously messy burgers topped with a fried egg and bacon. To keep guests entertained, the lively pub features music performances, open mics, and karaoke nights.

Every day, Orange Leaf’s self-serve fountains dispense fresh batches of nutritious frozen yogurt in more than 60 varieties. In the sprightly lime-green and burnt-orange parlor, customers fill their bowls or bottomless magician hats with flavors ranging from pomegranate to caramel to wedding cake, laying a dulcet foundation for all manner of toppings from the buffet. There, they adorn their creamy treats with fresh fruits, nuts, and syrups. Unlike other ice creameries that try to confuse health-conscious customers by listing nutrition information in arcane units of measurement, such as "a smidge of calories" or "an earful of saturated fat," Orange Leaf prominently displays its yogurt’s impressive low-fat, low-sugar stats.

The cooks at Scott's Family Restaurant specialize in home-style food that comforts and satisfies, earning them multiple nods from KCRG's A-List. In the morning, they griddle omelets and load skillets with seasoned potatoes, ham, bacon, and shredded cheese. Hot sandwiches come layered with house-made meatloaf and beef gravy, and hefty cuts of New York strip steaks cover dinner plates. Children can devour kid-friendly portions of popcorn chicken or macaroni and cheese served with wholesome sides such as mashed potatoes.

Salsa del Rio's menu offers more than 30 classic Mexican dishes (most of which cost less than $10) and an array of ever-changing daily specials. Stick with staples, such as enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas, or introduce your appetite to the big boy burrito ($5.99), a gigantic tortilla wrapping your choice of barbacoa, beef, or chicken, plus a heaping helping of cheese, beans, and pico de gallo. Lovers of the leafy greens can choose from the cranberry, fajita chicken, or taco salads, and vegetarians can nosh a grilled veggie and cheese sandwich, with a stack of onions, peppers, mushrooms, swiss cheese, and cheddar cheese. If the vibrant oranges, reds, and greens mixed into the fresh flavors of Salsa del Rio's plates don't keep all your senses entertained, let the smell of spices tickle your nose and an under-table thumb war occupy your hands.