The food is good and the servings are commensurate with the prices, but the service is soooooo slow. The decor is interesting but there are only so many times you can stare at each item on the wall and contemplate its existence. At first I just thought we had gone at a weird hour and they were understaffed, which can be forgiven if it's just once in a while. But we've been back two more times and everything seemed to take longer and longer with each visit, regardless of the time or how busy the place was. Their customer service is great, but unfortunately we've had to experience that greatness every time we've gone, because our table's order has never come out of the kitchen right. The first time I think they gave my wife fries instead of the mac & cheese that she ordered. The server then brought out some mac & cheese and let us keep the fries instead of throwing them away, so we were happy to eat them. The second time, a friend asked for her burger with no mushrooms and for cheese balls instead of fries. Burger came with tons of mushrooms, and she got fries (no cheese balls). They kindly offered to fix it by bringing her cheese balls and making her a new burger, and letting her keep the fries and mushroom-covered burger...of course, we all had to eat super slow and at some point had to stop eating so we wouldn't be finished by the time she got her food. It was at least 20 minutes before she got her new burger...which, as it turned out, was also covered in mushrooms. She ended up picking them off and the restaurant gave her and her boyfriend their meal for free, which was the respectable thing to do. Maybe we were just unlucky, but the third time wasn't the charm. I don't even remember what was wrong with our order in addition to taking forever on a slow evening, but I remember my wife and I decided on the spot that we regrettably wouldn't be back. We liked the food when we eventually got what we ordered, but we don't always have 2+ hours to kill when we think we're going to a restaurant for a quick bite to eat.
(2)
Sarah G.
I was a little overwhelmed with what to order... Black & Blue, Presley, Green Chile... They all sounded good (and each crazier than the last). I took my friends advice and got the Sunday Mornin' Burger (for when you wake up Sunday morning wearing Saturday night's clothes). Also, turns out, good for when its 35 degrees and snowing in May on a Wednesday. The burger was pretty out of control. A bit overcooked from what I'd asked for, but the toppings made it so that I didn't really care. Mac & cheese was pretty cheesy as our waitress promised, but after the bite where some of the queso from my burger got on a bit of Mac... The rest didn't seem as good compared to that bite. (Recommendation, ask for queso on the Mac & Cheese). Is it totally overboard? Yeah, but that's the theme here so just go with it. One of our party finished the grilled cheese burger & fries down to a clean plate (double bacon cheeseburger, 1/3 lb each & two grilled cheese sandies). Impressive display of gastronomy. I opted for a cupcake to go. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but definitely decent and a very sharable portion. Naturally I ate it all myself.
(4)
Pumpkin O.
We came here for happy hour and found out it's two for ones it was wonderful. The appetizers were okay the beverages were great. Fries and Sriacha sauce were good. I say stop by. Better than downtown.
(4)
Scott S.
This place was OK....cool atmosphere, I would defiantly like to hit happy hour here at some point. We split the jalapeño and bacon deviled eggs to start...quite delish! I had the black and blue burger and it was simple ok, the bun was not very fresh. I asked for it medium rare and it came out over cooked. My companions had the bacon cheese burger and the fried pork chop sandwich...both were OK. We all had the house made Macaroni and Cheese, which was good, but not great. Good beer selection. Not sure how quickly I will be returning to the odd little burger joint, unless for drinks.
(3)
John H.
Whoever said this was as good as Zombie Burger in Des Moines was exaggerating. For a place called "Oddfellows" I expected more unusual burger choices. Every burger on the menu here can be had anywhere else, and at a lower price/better quality. I got the Oddfellow burger, which has a glazed donut for a bun, bacon, and cheese. See also: Paula Dean's Lady's Brunch Burger. While the in-house baked donut was good, I felt overall my meal wasn't worth what I paid for it. The burger was under-seasoned, relying on the flavors of the cheese, bacon, and donut. The bacon was thin, chewy and not good. I'd rather go to Red Robin.
(2)
Nathan S.
Had heard from various sources that this place was supposed to be pretty good. Decided to give it a try. Started out with a simple beer, they apparently do not have domestics on tap, so had to get a bottle. $4 for a bottle of domestic seems a little extreme. Then ordered fried pickles and cheese ball appetizers. The portions and flavors were very good, however they were both extremely greasy. Then received our burgers. I had the grilled cheese burger while my girlfriend had the sunday morning burger. Had ordered mine medium, while girlfriend ordered medium well. Bother were excessively over done, to the point of crumbling when trying to cut. The flavor of the grilled cheese burger was good, but it really wasn't anything special, and the gf was not at all impressed with her burger, the cheese sauce seemed to be cheese whiz, and nothing else was anything special. Overall, the place is mediocre at best, with a hipster vibe. Service was acceptable but not exceptional. I doubt I will be back anytime soon. There are a lot of restaurants I can get a dinner for two for $60 that will be much more impressive dining experience.
(2)
Aja L.
Just went by last night with friends for a late night grub session and decided to try Oddfellows since they had such great reviews. It's not in the best locale with the clientele they're trying to attract as it's somewhat tucked away but near the mall. Inside it's super themed but seems to shoot for that bar and grill type place. Both hip and family friendly but super kitsch. It kinda reminds me of a Zombie Burger type place but without a specific theme. They're hip and want you to know. There's funky art and designs and classic rock music references. Drink specials and a tattooed manager. Restrooms? Sooooo clean and doesn't even smell like a restroom. Smells like a suburban living room. Seriously, you could eat in the restroom! So finally the food - it's a little on the pricey side but it isn't on the side of town where most college students reside so they probably feel they can get away with it. The food was really delicious and if the restaurant was in a city the prices would be fair, but the restaurant is in Ames, Iowa where people are cheap and just not that hip. I'm from Houston and this restaurant would fit right in there. Or maybe they should've done this in Des Moines. If you have $10+ to spend on a burger and a side or appetizer, albeit a super delicious one, and aren't counting calories then Oddfellows is a fun place to grab a meal.
(5)
Rachel Y.
Where do I start to rave about this place? The Mac and cheese is fantastic. I've ordered it by the troughful and I'm not even ashamed to admit it. You can't fail with any of their food choices. They make the buns in house, and they're delicious and buttery. The beer selection is also better than most places. They have a small sitting area with an old couch and chair to sit and watch sports. They'll even come over there and serve your meal like you're sitting down in front of your own TV in your house. It's amazing! Absolutely love coming here. A little out of the way, but worth the drive!
The "odd" thing about this burger joint is how it received such a good rating on Yelp? Often times, college towns offer average-at-best food in terms of quality and service. This place rises to the occasion for service, but the food is mediocre (and I am being nice). I had the 6-strip bacon, bbq burger with fries... plan, plan and more plan. And the price - $12 average? No thanks; not worth it. But like I said - its a college town. Keep the beer cold and you will get the kids in.
(2)
katherine l.
4 stars average? No way. Should have walked out when I saw all the dusty decorations at the front. This does not compare to zombie burger in Des Moines - zombie burger's food is good. Started with two appetizers: tator tot nachos and some fried macaroni and cheese hockey pucks. The nachos were ok but I got a weird chunk of ground beef so was immediately turned off. The macaroni and cheese pucks were like paste and under seasoned. I got the odd fellow burger. It had a donut bun which tasted like they had microwaved too long as it was crunchy and warm. Not what I want in a bun. My fries were cold and the burger was so dry and tasteless I only ate about 1/4 of it. For $12 - I expected a lot more. My husband had the breakfast burger and said his burger was dry and tasteless. He also said the cheddar cheese sauce was so overpowering it was all he could taste. $13 for that. I want my money and time back as both were wasted. Will never eat here again.
(1)
Kenzie T.
I hate to admit it, but I've avoided going to Oddfellows for several months. Not great judgement on my part, but can you blame a Veggie for seeing "Burger Kitchen" and then deciding to pass? But Oddfellows offers any of their burgers with a black bean patty and, guess what?!?! it's really good. The patty did fall apart after a few bites, but I've learned that that's just something that comes with the territory of a black bean burger. The buns are simple to the eye, but are quite good. The make them there, which I think is pretty cool! They also offer their burgers in a lettuce wrap, which is a crazy cool option for vegans! The beer selection is really quite nice as well. Lots of IPAs and some local goodies, too. Or if you want something a little more simple, you can't go wrong with a nice can of PBR which you can find on the appetizer menu, which I found amusing! To go along with all that greatness, the decor is pretty nifty as well! It's got a nice rockabilly fun feel. They have a bust of Elvis that lives in the wall and a lot of Johnny Cash portraits. The walls are covered with posters that range from artists like McCartney and The Boss, as well as some for shows at local places like DGs and old Maximum Ames Music Festival posters! This gives in a great ambiance, and it's lovely to know that they support the local community, too!!
(5)
Thao P.
I came here upon purchasing a Groupon to try this out. I'm fan of specialty burger places like In-And-Out, Five Guys, Zombie Burger, and Smashburger. Ames always seemed to be missing a place like this. Location: 3/5 - This place is where Cafe Shi used to be before it closed. Honestly, this is not a great location for a place that could achieve so much more popularity if it was closer to campus. This place opens till 11 PM on most days and I could see college kids swarming towards it. Its a little far out north. Doesn't seem to be a very busy place Environment: 4/5 - One of the most distinguishing facets of this place is the colorful and funky decor. You have to go in there to see what I mean. It's a fun family-friendly environment Food- 4/5 It's pretty good! The portion sizes are big. The Keegan wings are delicious and are not regular wing sizes-- they are actual thighs and legs. Burger patties are big and succulent. They have a lot of fun burgers-- including one where you have donuts as the burger buns! I got the "good morning burger" which had queso, jalapenos, cheese, and a fried egg. It was amazing. The price of the burgers are a little pricey, but you do get a lot for your money. Overall, I recommend you try out this place!
(4)
Eugenio A.
Torn, and hopefully will be updating soon. The first two-times we went, had great experiences. The decor is different, in a cool way. The Dude poster on the wall, a shrine to Johnny Cash, the place is full of character. It is a burger joint, so we had the burgers and tried the mac and cheese and the tater tots. The tots are great, the mac and cheese is good, and the first two times the burgers were cooked as requested (mid-rare; warm red in the middle). As someone that eats burgers mid-rare all the time and Oddfellow being a burger place, you expect perfect cooking. The third time, I asked for mid-rare again but got a burger cooked all the way through. Granted, I didn't say anything in the moment (maybe they would have given me a burger cooked as requested; but we were in a hurry). So, would have been a 5-star except for my last experience, but the two first visits were so great that we will be back! I agree that it is similar to Zombie burger, with the advantage of not having the same wait, so check it out.
(3)
Karli D.
We were looking for something new to try this last weekend on a family outing. I'm glad we found this place all of our food was cooked well, served hot. The tater tots and the onion rings are amazing, fried just enough to get that perfect crispy on the outside and still soft on the inside!!!! I enjoy the creative sandwiches and burgers on the menus. My fiance had a few of the craft beers which they have a pretty good section of, the decor is very eclectic and eye-catching. Our waitress was wonderful and paid just the right amount of attention to us without hanging around to much. We will be going back again sometime and will tell other people about it.
(4)
Kacy B.
The food was pretty good. The service was poor. The host was very uninterested and unfriendly. Our waitress did the absolute bare minimum, although she wasn't rude like the hostess. The place seemed pretty dirty. The floors were covered in food and there was a bunch of trash lying in the hallway near the restroom (the restroom was also below average in cleanliness). The interesting selection of food is fun, but the service and lack of enthusiasm takes away from what could be a very fun experience. I probably wouldn't go back.
(2)
David F.
The onion strings were excellent. The burger was very dry and extremely over seasoned. It was so salty I only could eat half. Other guest had a chicken salad with the same seasoning problem.
(2)
Gabrielle S.
The perfect place if you are craving a burger, but want something a little different. The prices are decent, the service is pretty good and the atmosphere is fantastic!
(5)
Jim F.
Good find for food when I was out in Ames, IA for business. I started off with the onion rings they were thin and good but the sauce was little too much like thousand island dressing. But they were still good to eat. Nice small draft selection to order beer from. Was here during happy hour and they had a bogo deal going on for all drinks. So I got two West Coast IPA for the price of one. Now for the meal I ordered the Yardbird chicken sandwich. ...it was awesome. ...plain and simple AWESOME. If you're in Ames and want something good to eat definitely give it a try.
(5)
Jennifer M.
Service was fine. Tots were fantastic. The hamburger was very tasteless and the bacon was so limp, I question if it was cooked at all. I liked the decor a lot. We were looking for something different for lunch and settled on this. For us in S. Ames, sadly it just wasn't worth the drive.
(3)
Jill B.
Yummy Burger choices! We started off with a PBR(love that it is on the appetizer menu!) and Tot nachos. Just a forewarning, these feed about 6 people! We put them in a box. I got the Sunday morning burger with queso, bacon jalapenos and an egg to top it off! Yum. My husband got the holy guacamole burger and added an egg. It looked amazing and I was a bit jealous! I had a side of mac&cheese and he got the fries. The fries are the really thin dry looking kind so I'm glad I had my mac. He couldn't even eat them with the tot nachos preceding our burgers. The service was great. I liked that there was a little time in between courses and drinks. I didn't feel rushed which I hate at restaurants. Also, in the bathrooms are white boards and markers where you can write on, if you so choose. A nice touch instead of a messy marked up bathroom stall. Cool idea!
(5)
Travis B.
Not a fan of the decor, it's a little schizophrenic, but the burgers are tasty. The staff is super-friendly. I believe it's the owner that generally stops by your table to see how things are (I remember the same guy used to do the same thing when he was the chef at Pazzesco's). The menu is great, make the atmosphere a little classier, a little more sophisticated, and I could be convinced to go more often.
(3)
Matt E.
The gourmet burger trend has finally arrived in Ames. It's about 5 years overdue, but I for one am pleased that it took this while to get here. Because Oddfellows is doing it right. I've been here twice since this north Ames eatery opened. Enjoyed two burgers. Both were the best I've had in Ames. Ever. I strayed away from the super-funky Oddfellow burger, which is this place's incarnation of the Paula Deen / Luther / donuts for buns burger and the Sunday Morning burger which is a three-way hybridization of a burger, breakfast and nachos. I stuck with the green chili burger and the guac burgers. Both have been expertly cooked to my specifications on a dense bun that is prepared on-site. Opt for the tots. They are awesome and make sure to try to the bacon-wrapped dates for a really creative and delicious appetizer. It's expensive but well worth it for some serious burger nirvana. 5-Star review on the burgers and funk-factor. Stick with the burgers here for the best experience. My wife was really disappointed with the $15 lump crab salad. A much needed addition to the north side of Ames and a burger that can go toe to toe with anything else in the state that claims to be "Iowa's best burger."
(5)
Rex J.
The burger was good but over done a bit (I requested medium rare). The mac and cheese was recommended as the popular side, so I went with that. I'd say it was pretty tasty but a little cold when it came out.The service was good; our waitress knew her facts about the menu. There were also a wide array of options for burgers. I'd give it a shot if you're looking for the most diverse burgers in Ames. This is comparable to Zombie Burger in Des Moines.
(4)
Chris P.
Ugh. Burger meat is not seasoned before cooking, but it is cooked correctly (e.g. medium-rare IS medium-rare). Luckily, the surrounding items have ample seasoning to cover for this oversight. Macaroni & cheese was over-cooked and the sauce was not good. Tomato-parmesan soup was microwaved and had hot-spots. Wait staff was friendly. All in all, the food won't kill you, but you'll not be happy if our two plates, sides, and appetizer is the norm.
(2)
Thomas D.
Recently dined here with friends and family. Really enjoyed the casual vibe. Service was good, thought the onion rings were great. Everyone seemed to find the burger they wanted. I would go again!
(4)
Tommy H.
Far and away the best burger in Ames, quite possibly the best burger in Iowa (sorry Zombie Burger fans). Everything I've had here has been fantastic. All very flavorful without being too greasy or burying the taste of the burger with toppings. You'll pay a bit more than your typical $9 restaurant burger, and you'll get every bit of your money's worth. Don't be tricked into thinking the location is bad just because it's not on campus or South Duff. The decor is no more over the top then your typical Applebee's-esque bar and grill, but is actually interesting. Staff is always great too. Only warning I'd issue, don't get cute with your sides. The tater tots here are outstanding beyond belief, everything else we've had is... questionable. For example, the fries are on par with McDonalds (which is not to say they're awful) but the gap between the other sides and the tots is huge. Deserts, salads, and everything else on the menu is outstanding, they just need some work on their supporting acts. Not the tots though, the tots are perfect.
(5)
Lars B.
Went back for lunch with some coworkers, and was not as impressed as the initial visits. Had the Makin' Bacon this time, and the burger was once again very tasty, but unfortunately overcooked this time (ordered medium-rare; came out medium/medium-well). The Mac & Cheese was standard fare - nothing too exciting. On the plus-side, food was still delivered at breakneck speed, and the college-aged waitress working through self-proclaimed spring break did an excellent job at tending to our table and those around us.
(4)
John G.
My Daughter is in Ames for college. We found this place and it's excellent. The quality of the burger meat was great and all the burger creations are unique. The two we had were super. College visits will include here!
(5)
Bela S.
This is a surprisingly good burger spot that recently popped up in Ames. The menu is inspired with some fresh ideas for burger toppings. Best of all you can substitute any beef burger patty for a chicken breast if you are trying to eat healthy. Pricing is pretty decent, maybe a little bit on the higher side.
(3)
Colin S.
I thought this place would be a good replacement for a 5 Guys. Sadly, this place fell short. Loved the decor and the menu. They made a real investment in this place, even though it is in a HORRIBLE location. They certainly have a creative menu with plenty of unique options. Where Oddfellows falls short is they can't do the basics right. The burgers were way under-seasoned. So even though the Grilled Cheeseburger I had was great, the burger was bland. For a $13 burger I expected more. Maybe it was the cook that day, but I don't think I would come back.
(2)
Nick A.
Great burgers and tots the wings a good I wouldn't recommend the fries or Mac and cheese and the booze is pricey it's definitely unique pricey but good
(4)
Haley R.
I'm officially a fan of Oddfellows. We had a great return experience and the food was fantastic. The service was a little slow, but it was on a Friday night around 7 p.m. and the place was packed, so I can't fault them too much. It's great to see this place succeeding, and I'd love it if they could get out of the strip mall and into a standalone place. This place would be a Campustown standout.
(4)
Jason K.
Pretty good. Very interesting appetizers. Had fried pickles and the sunday morning burger. No complaints about the food. Service was a bit sluggish though. Waited about 5-10 minutes to get seated.
(4)
James W.
Best burger in town. A bit pricy but good quality.
(4)
Marsha S.
Been there twice. Food is a little better then average but it's at least 20% too pricey. I won't be back.
(2)
William L.
Great! I love it! Everything I've had was amazing, I recommend the Oddfellow burger and macaroni as a side!
(5)
Kurt V.
Best burger in town! Oddfellows is a joint you would see showcased on the Food Channel. I had the signature Oddfellows burger. Made to order, it melted in my mouth? The glazed donut bun is not too sweet. My daughter had the Presley burger, peanut butter and bacon. She loved it! My wife ordered the Crabby burger, lump crab and stuff. We all were passing our burgers around for taste. You will not be disappointed. Next time I will sample the Sunday morning burger, served with a fried egg too.
(5)
Frances G.
Great variety of burgers and other items. I stuck with a guacamole burger b/c that's always my favorite where ever I go. The bun was fabulous...must be homemade on the premises, I think it was sourdough. Onion rings were perfect! Gourmet Cupcakes rounded out the meal...these were HUGE cupcakes and each of us got a different flavor. This is a great place for families, especially teens who can walk around and see the unusual art work and memoribilia...maybe scribble their name on the wall, or leave a dollar bill in the bar area.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Wed Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Rob Z.
The food is good and the servings are commensurate with the prices, but the service is soooooo slow. The decor is interesting but there are only so many times you can stare at each item on the wall and contemplate its existence. At first I just thought we had gone at a weird hour and they were understaffed, which can be forgiven if it's just once in a while. But we've been back two more times and everything seemed to take longer and longer with each visit, regardless of the time or how busy the place was. Their customer service is great, but unfortunately we've had to experience that greatness every time we've gone, because our table's order has never come out of the kitchen right. The first time I think they gave my wife fries instead of the mac & cheese that she ordered. The server then brought out some mac & cheese and let us keep the fries instead of throwing them away, so we were happy to eat them. The second time, a friend asked for her burger with no mushrooms and for cheese balls instead of fries. Burger came with tons of mushrooms, and she got fries (no cheese balls). They kindly offered to fix it by bringing her cheese balls and making her a new burger, and letting her keep the fries and mushroom-covered burger...of course, we all had to eat super slow and at some point had to stop eating so we wouldn't be finished by the time she got her food. It was at least 20 minutes before she got her new burger...which, as it turned out, was also covered in mushrooms. She ended up picking them off and the restaurant gave her and her boyfriend their meal for free, which was the respectable thing to do. Maybe we were just unlucky, but the third time wasn't the charm. I don't even remember what was wrong with our order in addition to taking forever on a slow evening, but I remember my wife and I decided on the spot that we regrettably wouldn't be back. We liked the food when we eventually got what we ordered, but we don't always have 2+ hours to kill when we think we're going to a restaurant for a quick bite to eat.
(2)Sarah G.
I was a little overwhelmed with what to order... Black & Blue, Presley, Green Chile... They all sounded good (and each crazier than the last). I took my friends advice and got the Sunday Mornin' Burger (for when you wake up Sunday morning wearing Saturday night's clothes). Also, turns out, good for when its 35 degrees and snowing in May on a Wednesday. The burger was pretty out of control. A bit overcooked from what I'd asked for, but the toppings made it so that I didn't really care. Mac & cheese was pretty cheesy as our waitress promised, but after the bite where some of the queso from my burger got on a bit of Mac... The rest didn't seem as good compared to that bite. (Recommendation, ask for queso on the Mac & Cheese). Is it totally overboard? Yeah, but that's the theme here so just go with it. One of our party finished the grilled cheese burger & fries down to a clean plate (double bacon cheeseburger, 1/3 lb each & two grilled cheese sandies). Impressive display of gastronomy. I opted for a cupcake to go. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but definitely decent and a very sharable portion. Naturally I ate it all myself.
(4)Pumpkin O.
We came here for happy hour and found out it's two for ones it was wonderful. The appetizers were okay the beverages were great. Fries and Sriacha sauce were good. I say stop by. Better than downtown.
(4)Scott S.
This place was OK....cool atmosphere, I would defiantly like to hit happy hour here at some point. We split the jalapeño and bacon deviled eggs to start...quite delish! I had the black and blue burger and it was simple ok, the bun was not very fresh. I asked for it medium rare and it came out over cooked. My companions had the bacon cheese burger and the fried pork chop sandwich...both were OK. We all had the house made Macaroni and Cheese, which was good, but not great. Good beer selection. Not sure how quickly I will be returning to the odd little burger joint, unless for drinks.
(3)John H.
Whoever said this was as good as Zombie Burger in Des Moines was exaggerating. For a place called "Oddfellows" I expected more unusual burger choices. Every burger on the menu here can be had anywhere else, and at a lower price/better quality. I got the Oddfellow burger, which has a glazed donut for a bun, bacon, and cheese. See also: Paula Dean's Lady's Brunch Burger. While the in-house baked donut was good, I felt overall my meal wasn't worth what I paid for it. The burger was under-seasoned, relying on the flavors of the cheese, bacon, and donut. The bacon was thin, chewy and not good. I'd rather go to Red Robin.
(2)Nathan S.
Had heard from various sources that this place was supposed to be pretty good. Decided to give it a try. Started out with a simple beer, they apparently do not have domestics on tap, so had to get a bottle. $4 for a bottle of domestic seems a little extreme. Then ordered fried pickles and cheese ball appetizers. The portions and flavors were very good, however they were both extremely greasy. Then received our burgers. I had the grilled cheese burger while my girlfriend had the sunday morning burger. Had ordered mine medium, while girlfriend ordered medium well. Bother were excessively over done, to the point of crumbling when trying to cut. The flavor of the grilled cheese burger was good, but it really wasn't anything special, and the gf was not at all impressed with her burger, the cheese sauce seemed to be cheese whiz, and nothing else was anything special. Overall, the place is mediocre at best, with a hipster vibe. Service was acceptable but not exceptional. I doubt I will be back anytime soon. There are a lot of restaurants I can get a dinner for two for $60 that will be much more impressive dining experience.
(2)Aja L.
Just went by last night with friends for a late night grub session and decided to try Oddfellows since they had such great reviews. It's not in the best locale with the clientele they're trying to attract as it's somewhat tucked away but near the mall. Inside it's super themed but seems to shoot for that bar and grill type place. Both hip and family friendly but super kitsch. It kinda reminds me of a Zombie Burger type place but without a specific theme. They're hip and want you to know. There's funky art and designs and classic rock music references. Drink specials and a tattooed manager. Restrooms? Sooooo clean and doesn't even smell like a restroom. Smells like a suburban living room. Seriously, you could eat in the restroom! So finally the food - it's a little on the pricey side but it isn't on the side of town where most college students reside so they probably feel they can get away with it. The food was really delicious and if the restaurant was in a city the prices would be fair, but the restaurant is in Ames, Iowa where people are cheap and just not that hip. I'm from Houston and this restaurant would fit right in there. Or maybe they should've done this in Des Moines. If you have $10+ to spend on a burger and a side or appetizer, albeit a super delicious one, and aren't counting calories then Oddfellows is a fun place to grab a meal.
(5)Rachel Y.
Where do I start to rave about this place? The Mac and cheese is fantastic. I've ordered it by the troughful and I'm not even ashamed to admit it. You can't fail with any of their food choices. They make the buns in house, and they're delicious and buttery. The beer selection is also better than most places. They have a small sitting area with an old couch and chair to sit and watch sports. They'll even come over there and serve your meal like you're sitting down in front of your own TV in your house. It's amazing! Absolutely love coming here. A little out of the way, but worth the drive!
(5)Josh S.
Back in Ames for the weekend visiting some family and going to the ISU football game on Saturday and my wife and I decided to give Oddfellows Burger Kitchen (823 Wheeler, Northern Lights, Ames) a whirl. Overall, it looked like it gets pretty good reviews, with some people comparing this place with Zombie Burger in DSM or the equivalent. Some people give it such high ratings, but after visiting, I'm not sure what all of the hullabaloo is about. First off, the good things. They have very cool décor at Oddfellows. I love the random items strewn about everywhere. Very eclectic and it makes it a fun place to have a meal. Also, they have a decent sized menu which should be pleasing to almost everyone, no matter what your desire in a hamburger. Finally, the idea of tater tots in place of fries personally appeals to me, because I LOVE tater tots to death. In fact, my love for this quirky little chunk of potato earned me that nickname from my friends back in high school. So, I was thrilled about that... until they brought everything out. The service is S-L-O-W here and I mean slow. It took them three or four minutes to seat us and then after we were seated another five minutes to have a waiter come to our table and bring us menus. Finally, a chance to look over the menu. It's a nice-sized menu with plenty of choices. Lots of cool burgers ranging from the totally normal (the plain old Cheeseburger) to the completely insane (like the Presley Burger with bacon and peanut butter) and everything in between. Lots to choose from and I decided to go with the "Holy Guacamole" while Krystyn ordered the "Oddfellow" which has pepper jack cheese and bacon and has two Krispy Kreme-like donuts in lieu of an actual bun. I figured because she's a little weird and this sandwich sounded weird that she'd like it. My burger had a soggy bun and wasn't cooked the way I asked them to cook it. The guacamole had "turned" from green to brown and made it less appealing. Krystyn liked the donut part of the burger but didn't like the way the burger itself was cooked. Plus, both of us agree that there was very little seasoning on anything, including the tater tots which I was dying to try. The folks at the table next to us also had problems with their burgers being prepared as they asked. Why is it so hard for cooks to properly cook meat to order? Seriously, it's not that hard. So, needless to say this wasn't a great experience here and that, coupled with slow service, bland and under/overcooked burgers and high prices are enough keep us from returning. Plus, the prices for the burgers are between $11-15, which is a little steep for Ames. I really, really wanted to like this place but there just wasn't much that I could say that was good about it. Not sure how this place remains in business with food and prices like these, but I guess since this is Ames and there are college students (or their parents) that are willing to pay these types of prices they'll stay in business. I just wasn't impressed with it.
(2)Dave M.
The "odd" thing about this burger joint is how it received such a good rating on Yelp? Often times, college towns offer average-at-best food in terms of quality and service. This place rises to the occasion for service, but the food is mediocre (and I am being nice). I had the 6-strip bacon, bbq burger with fries... plan, plan and more plan. And the price - $12 average? No thanks; not worth it. But like I said - its a college town. Keep the beer cold and you will get the kids in.
(2)katherine l.
4 stars average? No way. Should have walked out when I saw all the dusty decorations at the front. This does not compare to zombie burger in Des Moines - zombie burger's food is good. Started with two appetizers: tator tot nachos and some fried macaroni and cheese hockey pucks. The nachos were ok but I got a weird chunk of ground beef so was immediately turned off. The macaroni and cheese pucks were like paste and under seasoned. I got the odd fellow burger. It had a donut bun which tasted like they had microwaved too long as it was crunchy and warm. Not what I want in a bun. My fries were cold and the burger was so dry and tasteless I only ate about 1/4 of it. For $12 - I expected a lot more. My husband had the breakfast burger and said his burger was dry and tasteless. He also said the cheddar cheese sauce was so overpowering it was all he could taste. $13 for that. I want my money and time back as both were wasted. Will never eat here again.
(1)Kenzie T.
I hate to admit it, but I've avoided going to Oddfellows for several months. Not great judgement on my part, but can you blame a Veggie for seeing "Burger Kitchen" and then deciding to pass? But Oddfellows offers any of their burgers with a black bean patty and, guess what?!?! it's really good. The patty did fall apart after a few bites, but I've learned that that's just something that comes with the territory of a black bean burger. The buns are simple to the eye, but are quite good. The make them there, which I think is pretty cool! They also offer their burgers in a lettuce wrap, which is a crazy cool option for vegans! The beer selection is really quite nice as well. Lots of IPAs and some local goodies, too. Or if you want something a little more simple, you can't go wrong with a nice can of PBR which you can find on the appetizer menu, which I found amusing! To go along with all that greatness, the decor is pretty nifty as well! It's got a nice rockabilly fun feel. They have a bust of Elvis that lives in the wall and a lot of Johnny Cash portraits. The walls are covered with posters that range from artists like McCartney and The Boss, as well as some for shows at local places like DGs and old Maximum Ames Music Festival posters! This gives in a great ambiance, and it's lovely to know that they support the local community, too!!
(5)Thao P.
I came here upon purchasing a Groupon to try this out. I'm fan of specialty burger places like In-And-Out, Five Guys, Zombie Burger, and Smashburger. Ames always seemed to be missing a place like this. Location: 3/5 - This place is where Cafe Shi used to be before it closed. Honestly, this is not a great location for a place that could achieve so much more popularity if it was closer to campus. This place opens till 11 PM on most days and I could see college kids swarming towards it. Its a little far out north. Doesn't seem to be a very busy place Environment: 4/5 - One of the most distinguishing facets of this place is the colorful and funky decor. You have to go in there to see what I mean. It's a fun family-friendly environment Food- 4/5 It's pretty good! The portion sizes are big. The Keegan wings are delicious and are not regular wing sizes-- they are actual thighs and legs. Burger patties are big and succulent. They have a lot of fun burgers-- including one where you have donuts as the burger buns! I got the "good morning burger" which had queso, jalapenos, cheese, and a fried egg. It was amazing. The price of the burgers are a little pricey, but you do get a lot for your money. Overall, I recommend you try out this place!
(4)Eugenio A.
Torn, and hopefully will be updating soon. The first two-times we went, had great experiences. The decor is different, in a cool way. The Dude poster on the wall, a shrine to Johnny Cash, the place is full of character. It is a burger joint, so we had the burgers and tried the mac and cheese and the tater tots. The tots are great, the mac and cheese is good, and the first two times the burgers were cooked as requested (mid-rare; warm red in the middle). As someone that eats burgers mid-rare all the time and Oddfellow being a burger place, you expect perfect cooking. The third time, I asked for mid-rare again but got a burger cooked all the way through. Granted, I didn't say anything in the moment (maybe they would have given me a burger cooked as requested; but we were in a hurry). So, would have been a 5-star except for my last experience, but the two first visits were so great that we will be back! I agree that it is similar to Zombie burger, with the advantage of not having the same wait, so check it out.
(3)Karli D.
We were looking for something new to try this last weekend on a family outing. I'm glad we found this place all of our food was cooked well, served hot. The tater tots and the onion rings are amazing, fried just enough to get that perfect crispy on the outside and still soft on the inside!!!! I enjoy the creative sandwiches and burgers on the menus. My fiance had a few of the craft beers which they have a pretty good section of, the decor is very eclectic and eye-catching. Our waitress was wonderful and paid just the right amount of attention to us without hanging around to much. We will be going back again sometime and will tell other people about it.
(4)Kacy B.
The food was pretty good. The service was poor. The host was very uninterested and unfriendly. Our waitress did the absolute bare minimum, although she wasn't rude like the hostess. The place seemed pretty dirty. The floors were covered in food and there was a bunch of trash lying in the hallway near the restroom (the restroom was also below average in cleanliness). The interesting selection of food is fun, but the service and lack of enthusiasm takes away from what could be a very fun experience. I probably wouldn't go back.
(2)David F.
The onion strings were excellent. The burger was very dry and extremely over seasoned. It was so salty I only could eat half. Other guest had a chicken salad with the same seasoning problem.
(2)Gabrielle S.
The perfect place if you are craving a burger, but want something a little different. The prices are decent, the service is pretty good and the atmosphere is fantastic!
(5)Jim F.
Good find for food when I was out in Ames, IA for business. I started off with the onion rings they were thin and good but the sauce was little too much like thousand island dressing. But they were still good to eat. Nice small draft selection to order beer from. Was here during happy hour and they had a bogo deal going on for all drinks. So I got two West Coast IPA for the price of one. Now for the meal I ordered the Yardbird chicken sandwich. ...it was awesome. ...plain and simple AWESOME. If you're in Ames and want something good to eat definitely give it a try.
(5)Jennifer M.
Service was fine. Tots were fantastic. The hamburger was very tasteless and the bacon was so limp, I question if it was cooked at all. I liked the decor a lot. We were looking for something different for lunch and settled on this. For us in S. Ames, sadly it just wasn't worth the drive.
(3)Jill B.
Yummy Burger choices! We started off with a PBR(love that it is on the appetizer menu!) and Tot nachos. Just a forewarning, these feed about 6 people! We put them in a box. I got the Sunday morning burger with queso, bacon jalapenos and an egg to top it off! Yum. My husband got the holy guacamole burger and added an egg. It looked amazing and I was a bit jealous! I had a side of mac&cheese and he got the fries. The fries are the really thin dry looking kind so I'm glad I had my mac. He couldn't even eat them with the tot nachos preceding our burgers. The service was great. I liked that there was a little time in between courses and drinks. I didn't feel rushed which I hate at restaurants. Also, in the bathrooms are white boards and markers where you can write on, if you so choose. A nice touch instead of a messy marked up bathroom stall. Cool idea!
(5)Travis B.
Not a fan of the decor, it's a little schizophrenic, but the burgers are tasty. The staff is super-friendly. I believe it's the owner that generally stops by your table to see how things are (I remember the same guy used to do the same thing when he was the chef at Pazzesco's). The menu is great, make the atmosphere a little classier, a little more sophisticated, and I could be convinced to go more often.
(3)Matt E.
The gourmet burger trend has finally arrived in Ames. It's about 5 years overdue, but I for one am pleased that it took this while to get here. Because Oddfellows is doing it right. I've been here twice since this north Ames eatery opened. Enjoyed two burgers. Both were the best I've had in Ames. Ever. I strayed away from the super-funky Oddfellow burger, which is this place's incarnation of the Paula Deen / Luther / donuts for buns burger and the Sunday Morning burger which is a three-way hybridization of a burger, breakfast and nachos. I stuck with the green chili burger and the guac burgers. Both have been expertly cooked to my specifications on a dense bun that is prepared on-site. Opt for the tots. They are awesome and make sure to try to the bacon-wrapped dates for a really creative and delicious appetizer. It's expensive but well worth it for some serious burger nirvana. 5-Star review on the burgers and funk-factor. Stick with the burgers here for the best experience. My wife was really disappointed with the $15 lump crab salad. A much needed addition to the north side of Ames and a burger that can go toe to toe with anything else in the state that claims to be "Iowa's best burger."
(5)Rex J.
The burger was good but over done a bit (I requested medium rare). The mac and cheese was recommended as the popular side, so I went with that. I'd say it was pretty tasty but a little cold when it came out.The service was good; our waitress knew her facts about the menu. There were also a wide array of options for burgers. I'd give it a shot if you're looking for the most diverse burgers in Ames. This is comparable to Zombie Burger in Des Moines.
(4)Chris P.
Ugh. Burger meat is not seasoned before cooking, but it is cooked correctly (e.g. medium-rare IS medium-rare). Luckily, the surrounding items have ample seasoning to cover for this oversight. Macaroni & cheese was over-cooked and the sauce was not good. Tomato-parmesan soup was microwaved and had hot-spots. Wait staff was friendly. All in all, the food won't kill you, but you'll not be happy if our two plates, sides, and appetizer is the norm.
(2)Thomas D.
Recently dined here with friends and family. Really enjoyed the casual vibe. Service was good, thought the onion rings were great. Everyone seemed to find the burger they wanted. I would go again!
(4)Tommy H.
Far and away the best burger in Ames, quite possibly the best burger in Iowa (sorry Zombie Burger fans). Everything I've had here has been fantastic. All very flavorful without being too greasy or burying the taste of the burger with toppings. You'll pay a bit more than your typical $9 restaurant burger, and you'll get every bit of your money's worth. Don't be tricked into thinking the location is bad just because it's not on campus or South Duff. The decor is no more over the top then your typical Applebee's-esque bar and grill, but is actually interesting. Staff is always great too. Only warning I'd issue, don't get cute with your sides. The tater tots here are outstanding beyond belief, everything else we've had is... questionable. For example, the fries are on par with McDonalds (which is not to say they're awful) but the gap between the other sides and the tots is huge. Deserts, salads, and everything else on the menu is outstanding, they just need some work on their supporting acts. Not the tots though, the tots are perfect.
(5)Lars B.
Went back for lunch with some coworkers, and was not as impressed as the initial visits. Had the Makin' Bacon this time, and the burger was once again very tasty, but unfortunately overcooked this time (ordered medium-rare; came out medium/medium-well). The Mac & Cheese was standard fare - nothing too exciting. On the plus-side, food was still delivered at breakneck speed, and the college-aged waitress working through self-proclaimed spring break did an excellent job at tending to our table and those around us.
(4)John G.
My Daughter is in Ames for college. We found this place and it's excellent. The quality of the burger meat was great and all the burger creations are unique. The two we had were super. College visits will include here!
(5)Bela S.
This is a surprisingly good burger spot that recently popped up in Ames. The menu is inspired with some fresh ideas for burger toppings. Best of all you can substitute any beef burger patty for a chicken breast if you are trying to eat healthy. Pricing is pretty decent, maybe a little bit on the higher side.
(3)Colin S.
I thought this place would be a good replacement for a 5 Guys. Sadly, this place fell short. Loved the decor and the menu. They made a real investment in this place, even though it is in a HORRIBLE location. They certainly have a creative menu with plenty of unique options. Where Oddfellows falls short is they can't do the basics right. The burgers were way under-seasoned. So even though the Grilled Cheeseburger I had was great, the burger was bland. For a $13 burger I expected more. Maybe it was the cook that day, but I don't think I would come back.
(2)Nick A.
Great burgers and tots the wings a good I wouldn't recommend the fries or Mac and cheese and the booze is pricey it's definitely unique pricey but good
(4)Haley R.
I'm officially a fan of Oddfellows. We had a great return experience and the food was fantastic. The service was a little slow, but it was on a Friday night around 7 p.m. and the place was packed, so I can't fault them too much. It's great to see this place succeeding, and I'd love it if they could get out of the strip mall and into a standalone place. This place would be a Campustown standout.
(4)Jason K.
Pretty good. Very interesting appetizers. Had fried pickles and the sunday morning burger. No complaints about the food. Service was a bit sluggish though. Waited about 5-10 minutes to get seated.
(4)James W.
Best burger in town. A bit pricy but good quality.
(4)Marsha S.
Been there twice. Food is a little better then average but it's at least 20% too pricey. I won't be back.
(2)William L.
Great! I love it! Everything I've had was amazing, I recommend the Oddfellow burger and macaroni as a side!
(5)Kurt V.
Best burger in town! Oddfellows is a joint you would see showcased on the Food Channel. I had the signature Oddfellows burger. Made to order, it melted in my mouth? The glazed donut bun is not too sweet. My daughter had the Presley burger, peanut butter and bacon. She loved it! My wife ordered the Crabby burger, lump crab and stuff. We all were passing our burgers around for taste. You will not be disappointed. Next time I will sample the Sunday morning burger, served with a fried egg too.
(5)Frances G.
Great variety of burgers and other items. I stuck with a guacamole burger b/c that's always my favorite where ever I go. The bun was fabulous...must be homemade on the premises, I think it was sourdough. Onion rings were perfect! Gourmet Cupcakes rounded out the meal...these were HUGE cupcakes and each of us got a different flavor. This is a great place for families, especially teens who can walk around and see the unusual art work and memoribilia...maybe scribble their name on the wall, or leave a dollar bill in the bar area.
(5)