Served with fresh bread, the “Mixx” salad is a safe bet for first-time visitors.  Amanda always goes for their salad, which is made-to-order and totally customizable.  Start with your choice of greens, whether it’s iceberg lettuce or wild field greens.  The greens are tossed in your choice of house dressings, including buttermilk ranch, creamy Gorgonzola, and a unique jalapeno lime vinaigrette.  Then, get creative with mix-ins, ranging from artichoke hearts to roasted yams to granny smith apples to hickory smoked apples.  A salad with three mix-ins is under $5; meat can be added for as little as $2 more.

If salad’s not your thing, you may want to check out their sandwich selection.  I’m a big fan of the chicken salad sandwich, which features Granny smith apples, golden raisins and walnuts served on an excellent butter croissant.  Like the salads, you can customize your own sandwich composed of your choice of meat, cheese, spreads, garnishes, and bread.  The garlic mashers make for an excellent side if you’re looking for a hot dish to complement your sandwich or salad.

The Mixx has two Kansas City locations, downtown at 1347 Main Street and near the Country Club Plaza at 4855 Main Street.

Editor’s Note: We’ll occasionally feature favorite destinations outside of Iowa under the “Road Trip” title at Iowa Backroads.

Cedar Falls, Iowa, may be home to one of the best Main Streets in the state.  Bookended on the north by a city park along the Cedar River, and on the south by a modern public library, this downtown shopping district features a number of charming local businesses, including a children’s gift store, trendy salon, and landmark hotel.

Whether you’re spending a few hours shopping in the downtown district or just looking for the best dinner option in the Cedar Falls area, you’ll want to check out Montage, a hip restaurant with a stellar atmosphere, professional service, and a creative menu.

Our meal started with the waitress-recommended chicken empanadas, one of several unique appetizers that are a several cuts above most standard restaurant fare.   Entrees for the evening were also a hit, with Amanda choosing the sun-dried tomato pesto pasta with chicken.  I tried the seasonal pasta, tossed in a cool lime cream sauce and topped with blueberries, a dish that ranks among the my all-time favorites from Iowa restaurants.

Beyond pasta, you’ll also find beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian entrees on the varied (but not ridiculously extensive) menu.  If you still have an appetite left following your main courses, dessert comes recommended.  The traditional creme brulee capped of an enjoyable dinner experience from start to finish.

Montage
222 Main Street
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
(319) 268-7222

There are few more quintessential weekend activities than attending a movie at the local theatre.  Unfortunately, at most theatres it’s impossible to take the family to a feature film without spending an arm and a leg.  The tickets alone for a family of four will run over $30, not to mention the popcorn, candy and soda for consuming during the movie.

Luckily, if you’re in the Cedar Rapids area, there is a great movie theatre that won’t break the budget.  It’s the Collins Road Theatres, a locally-owned venue that shows primarily second-run movies at discounted ticket prices of $4 to $5.  Beyond the reasonable admission cost, concessions are cheap, the workers are ultra-friendly, and it’s the only theatre in town to feature real butter for the popcorn.

When we were students at Cornell College in nearby Mt. Vernon, we made regular trips to the Collins Road Theatres after its opening in 2003.  Unlike many second-run theatre, Collins Road features a charming lobby, plush seats, great sound, and is all-in-all well-maintained.  As an added bonus, many of the weekend shows are preceded by an introduction from the theatre manager Bruce Taylor, including a drawing for free concessions for those in attendance.

Check out the theatre website for current showtimes; movies starting before 6 p.m. are $4.00, while all other shows cost $5.00.

Collins Road Theatres
1462 Twixt Town Road
Marion, Iowa 52302
(319) 377-4555

On a whim last December, I decided to pick up a five-game pack of tickets to see Iowa State University Women’s Basketball games at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.  The Cyclones have had a long stretch of success under veteran head coach Bill Fennelly, and this year has been no exception.  Though many expected it to be a rebuilding season, the Iowa State women have racked up 20 wins, are near the top of the Big 12 conference standings, and are all but guaranteed an 11th NCAA Tournament berth.

Australian native and senior point guard Alison Lacey is the unmistakable team leader and face of the program.  Last night, she cemented her place in Cyclone history, becoming the first player to tally 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists.  Six-foot-seven post player Anna Prins is one of four exciting freshmen to watch, while Senior Denae Stuckey consistently brings energy to both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

There is a group of talented Iowans on the team as well, including Ida Grove native Kelsey Bolte, a junior point guard who is one of the best three-point shooters in the nation.  Freshmen Chelsea Poppens and Amanda Zimmerman, from Applington and Huxley, respectively, have also been key contributors this year: Poppens leads the team in rebounds, while Zimmerman is averaging over 5 points per game and shooting over 50% from the floor.

Beyond the entertaining brand of basketball you’ll find on the court, Hilton Coliseum is a great venue, and Iowa State fans are among the most loyal and enthusiastic in the country.  The Cyclones regularly rank among the top five schools for women’s basketball attendance and are averaging over 9,000 fans a game this year.

If you want to catch the Cyclones in action, there are two home games left this season: February 27 against Kansas State and March 6 against Colorado.  Reserved tickets are just $12, while general admission seating is available for only $10.  If you attend, give yourself plenty of time to park, and budget a few extra dollars for concessions: a hot dog costs $3, while a 20 oz. bottle of water or soda will set you back $3.50.

Iowa State Women’s Basketball
For tickets, go to cyclones.com or call (515) 294-1816.

When I first saw All Star Chocolate’s university-branded chocolate bars at our local grocery store, I wrote them off as a gimmick.  After all, it was hard to imagine the quality of the candy inside living up to the cutesy packaging design.  Fortunately for chocolate fans, my initial assessment was wrong.

They’re produced by Bochner Chocolates in Iowa City, made with superior ingredients, and competitively priced at under a dollar.  Officially licensed and branded for five Midwestern schools, there are two varieties available for purchase – milk chocolate with peanut butter and milk chocolate with caramel.  You can’t go wrong with either – the peanut butter is incredibly creamy, while the caramel filling is unbelievably smooth.

These chocolates are not only great for a university sports-watching party, but also make for a tasty snack to keep stocked at the office or around the house.  They can be purchased at many Fareway and Hy-Vee grocery stores across the state, or find them at the Bochner Chocolates store in Coralville, Iowa.

Bochner Chocolates
2445 2nd Street
Coralville, Iowa 52241
(319) 354-7900.

We first experienced beef jerky from the Stanhope Locker a little over a year ago, during the trek from central Iowa to southeastern South Dakota for Amanda’s graduation ceremony.  Instead of the quick but uninteresting interstate trip, we drove along several two-lane state and county highways including a stretch of State Highway 17 through Stanhope, Iowa.

On the west side of the Highway, the Stanhope Locker is one of a handful of businesses in the small community.  Parking is easy, as you can pull your car over to either side of the road.  Spend a few minutes exploring the store, which includes a nice selection of sauces and seasonings to accompany the traditional meat locker purchases.

The Stanhope Locker’s signature product is beef jerky, which is thick-cut and well-seasoned with a combination of brown sugar, peppers, and spices.  It’s made in small batches, marinated and smoked for several days to produce optimal flavor.  The jerky is vacuum-packed and can usually be purchased in quantities ranging from $5 to $20.  If you plan to eat the jerky in the car, pick up a reasonably-priced soda within the store or from the machine outside.

Ever since that initial stop, we’ve been back to the locker many times for beef jerky.  It’s a must-stop destination if we’re traveling in the Stanhope vicinity during business hours.  The locker is open weekdays from 7:00 to 5:30 and Saturdays until Noon.

Stanhope Locker
465 Parker Street
Stanhope, Iowa 50246
(515) 826-3280

Downtown Oskaloosa is home to a number of local businesses, including the aforementioned Smokey Row Coffee House.  Though I’ve stopped at the coffee shop many times, I never had a chance to stop by the independent bookstore next door.  It’s located in a wonderfully restored bank building and is a must-stop shop if you’re looking for a great read for yourself or others.

The Book Vault is cozy and well-organized.  Step inside the door to find the best sellers along the north wall.  A small nook in the middle of the store is dedicated to all things local; it’s definitely the best selection of Iowa-related books in the area.  The back room features a fabulous selection of cookbooks and features a working kitchen for regular cooking demonstration events.  The upstairs Children section is fun, while a third floor nook features some cozy chairs for reading and relaxing.

Beyond the books, you’ll find a nice selection of gift items, including local puzzles of Oskaloosa landmarks, like the county courthouse which dates to 1886.  As an added bonus, sign up at checkout, and you’ll automatically get a $10 credit for each $100 you spend at the store.  Best of all, you’ll get great service at the Book Vault.  If you have a question, need a recommendation or have a special order request, just ask at the front desk.  They’ll be happy to help.

Book Vault
105 S. Market St.
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
(641) 676-1777

Located on the square in Chariton, Iowa, Piper’s Grocery is a local institution.  It has been a part of the community since 1903, and located in the same location since 1905.  While you can still find some basic groceries available to purchase, the main reason to make a trip to the store is for their homemade candy.

Budget fifteen minutes to a half hour to get the most out of your stop.  The helpful staff can answer questions and help hand-pack your desired combination of candies into the gift box of your choice.  Their most popular candy is the turtle, made from pecans topped with caramel and chocolate.  My mom’s favorite choice is their pecan-wrapped caramel rolls, while my wife’s top pick is their English toffee squares.

When we first made a stop in February 2009, I asked to try one of their mints.  A single mint turned into a half-pound box, and a separate trip later in the year to pick up more.  The smooth mints are tremendously addictive, available in a variety of seasonal colors, and can be purchased in gift boxes of their own if desired.  (If you just want a few, they can pack mints in a small wax paper bag.)

If you’re in a hurry, you may want to opt for one of the chocolate assortments, as customization can be time consuming depending on the staff member assisting you.  You’ll get a nice combination of turtles, caramel rolls, English toffee, fudge and nut clusters.  Available in a variety of sizes, these assortments are pre-packed making for quick pickup and checkout.  All of the assortments, pre-packed or custom, can be gift wrapped at no additional charge.

Like most places we feature on Iowa Backroads, Piper’s Grocery is well worth a stop if you’re in the area.  If you can’t make it to Chariton in the near future, but want to try their chocolate confections and/or mints, you can place an order online or by phone at (800) 479-1343.  Note the online ordering system is fairly clunky; a phone order may be simplest during business hours.

Piper’s Grocery
901 Braden Ave.
Chariton, Iowa 50049
(800) 479-1343

While we regularly enjoy trying new restaurants, it’s important to have a local place to turn to for consistently good food.  When we were students at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Lincoln Cafe was our favorite dining spot.  During our time in South Dakota, a trip to Alcester Steakhouse always brought great eats.  Now that we’re settled in central Iowa, we’ve found a new favorite in Aunt Maude’s, an excellent restaurant in downtown Ames.

The menu at Aunt Maude’s provides great variety without overwhelming diners with an exorbitant amount of choices.  The Chef’s Features section of the menu changes regularly and definitely worth review.  The Pastas and Entrees lists feature several  fine options like the Blackened Chicken Angel Hair Pasta tossed with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, garlic and a light cream sauce.

If you’re on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the sandwich options; Maude’s Burger and the Bacon & Swiss Grilled Chicken are each served with tasty thin-cut French fries.  Light eaters will appreciate the Bistro Classics After Five, which offers smaller portions of five entrees along with soup or salad at a lower price than their full-portion counterparts.  Try a hand-made strawberry lemonade with your meal and save room for dessert.  Their Creme Brulee, served with two dark chocolate cookies, is the terrific.

Beyond the rave-worthy food, we’ve consistently been impressed with the friendly and knowledgeable staff.  Located near the end of the pleasant Main Street shopping and dining district in Ames, Aunt Maude’s boasts top-notch food and service, all in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.  It’s well worth a lunch or dinner stop if you’re in the Ames area.

Aunt Maude’s
547 Main St.
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 233-4136

Across from the courthouse in downtown Marshalltown, Iowa, is Sub City – an independently-owned sub shop serving big sandwiches at small prices.  When you enter, you’ll find a large framed menu on the east wall listing all 30 sub possibilities, composed of various meats and cheeses.  Each is available on wheat or white bread, in either whole (foot-long) or half length.

What sets Sub City apart from its chain-store competitors is your meat and cheese is cut specifically for your sub order.  The standard “works” New Jersey-style set of toppings is recommended (tomato, lettuce, onion, oregano, salt, pepper, oil and vinegar), especially for your first visit, but feel free to customize your sub from their extensive list of extras.

Beyond the subs, you can add on chips or a can of pop for $1 each; they also serve generously-sized fountain drinks starting at 70 cents.  From the sandwich to the sides, you’ll find the order process efficient; even the large lunch lines move quickly.

Though the dated store interior could use a refresh, it’s the fresh-made food and friendly service that shine at Sub City.  If you’re in the Marshalltown area and in need of a quick lunch or dinner, make the drive downtown for a meal at Sub City.

Sub City
8 E. Main Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
(641) 752-1375