Riverside, Iowa, has had its share of national attention. In 1985, it was declared the official future birthplace of William T. Kirk, a fictional character played by William Shatner in the television series Star Trek. Nearly twenty years later, in 2004, the community was home to Invasion Iowa, a reality television series produced by Shatner which aired on the Sci Fi Channel.
While Star Wars and Shatner fans have made the ‘trek’ to Riverside over the years, the town is likely overlooked by many travelers. That said, if you’re looking for some great beef jerky, you’ll want to stop.
Located on the edge of town near the intersection with Highway 218, Bud’s Custom Meats offers top-notch jerky, plus everything else you’d expect at a meat locker and more. Jerky comes in a couple varieties, but you can’t go wrong with the original: the thin pieces are large and tasty, featuring just enough pepper and seasoning.
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Published December 28th, 2007 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Food, Places |
Although I typically like to write about sites and places in small communities or rural areas, occasionally there are locally-owned shops in larger cities that deserve recognition. One such place is Poppy’s Popcorn, a unique store located within the city limits of Sioux Falls.
Located in a small strip mall on 41st Street, Poppy’s is home to some of the best popcorn in the midwest. You can choose from a huge variety of flavors, ranging from gourmet white to white cheddar to apple cinnamon to chocolate caramel. The popcorn can be purchased in pre-filled bags, or you can create a customized popcorn tin filled with your choice of flavors.
Finally, it would be negligent of me to not mention their fabulous popcorn balls: available in caramel, peanut butter and classic varieties, they are perfectly sized and reasonably priced. If you’re in the area and looking to enjoy a delicious treat [or pick up a last-minute holiday gift], Poppy’s Popcorn is well worth a stop.
Published December 17th, 2007 |
Brian McMillin |
Places, South Dakota |
Last winter, Amanda and I made a short stop in Audubon, Iowa, to see Albert, the world’s largest bull. There’s a certain charm to the storied 40-year-old statue, which is housed within a well-kept community park. The paint job was pristine, with a pleasing brown and white color scheme and glowing blue eyes.
Located just a few miles north of Interstate 80 on Highway 71, it’s a quirky, fun stop that makes for a great photo backdrop for the kids or entire family. In addition, if you’re looking to stretch your legs, it beats any highway rest stop and is guaranteed to be an enjoyable break from the monotony of driving.
Published December 6th, 2007 |
Brian McMillin |
Central Iowa, Sites |
There’s nothing quite like a hand-mixed Cherry Coke from the soda fountain at South Side Drugs, a family-owned drugstore in my hometown of Ottumwa, Iowa. It may lack the charm and character of other soda fountains in the state, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a visit – especially if you’re thirsty!
The soda lineup is simple: you choose from cherry, lemon, vanilla, or chocolate flavoring to be mixed with Coke, Diet Coke, or Sprite. Beyond drinks, you can snack on crackers or peanuts, order a bowl of Campbell’s soup, or opt for a from-scratch milkshake.
Thankfully, the atmosphere has improved drastically from past years, as a long-needed smoking ban was recently put into place. Combine smoke-free air with ridiculously cheap prices, and you can safely conclude there’s no better time than now to stop and enjoy a delicious soda at South Side Drugs.
Published December 2nd, 2007 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Places |
