White Star Ale House
| Address: | 305 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, USA |
| Phone: | +1 319-362-2000 |
| Site: | whitestaralehouse.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 3:30PM–12AM 3:30PM–12AM 3:30PM–12AM 3:30PM–12AM 3:30PM–2AM 3:30PM–2AM 3:30–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
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Peg Wasson
We had out of town company from Texas and we wanted to take them out for dinner in Cedar Rapids. There are many restaurants to choose from, but we decided to take them to White Star. There were six people in our group. We had reservations and we were hoping to have a relaxing evening of dining and visiting. Our dining experience was far from relaxing! They gave us a table at the back of the bar in an area where they sometimes have music its almost like they decided to stick a table in this area at the last minute to be able to accommodate more people--horrible idea. If we had wanted to sit in the bar we would have asked for the bar. It was so noisy that we couldnt hear what our waitress was saying and throughout the entire time we were there, we couldnt visit with each other. Five minutes after we had been seated at our table, I went to the manager and told him how loud it was at our table. He denied this was the case and didnt seemed concerned. I suggested that he come back to our table and see for himself how loud it was. He obviously didnt care because he never came to our area to check it out. The tile floor and high ceilings in the bar area make the noise level extremely loud. We ordered appetizers, drinks and dinner. The food was okay, not fantastic by any means. The outside of the restaurant had cobwebs all over and looked like it needed a good cleaning, and the paint on the walls in the area where we sat was all chipped. We wont be back here anytime soon. They did nothing to try to make things right with us. A real disappointment!!!
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A Private User
Walking into this historic building, I SO wanted to like it. Pity I was let down on every front, save decor. The dining room is loud and echo-y. The service was probably best described as amateur -- she made many, many unnecessary trips to and from our table. The menu is a confusing -- why devote half a page to a map of the area when I already made my way there? Some entrees were highlighted in grey, but with no clue as to why they deserve being highlighted. I asked what they are or will be famous for, and the best our server could come up with was the 100 beers they serve. Should have been my first warning. The Iowa pork chop we ordered was probably 1/2 inch thick and dry as cardboard. Virtually inedible. Cheesy potatoes were crusty-to-nearly-burned on the bottom. Mixed drinks were appalingly bad -- who knew a bar wouldnt have mixers like lemonade! - and they couldnt find the top-shelf vodka right away. Our bill was split between 2 couples and was wrong. Even with the bad pork chop meal and comped alcohol, our bill still topped $50. On the plus side, our friends had a steak that was superbly prepared, they said. The house salads were a refreshing mix of greens and surprise ingredients, like capers and greek olives. And fresh! My ahi tuna was served as ordered, medium rare, but without much flavor. We will probably back one more time in a few months, just to see if the kinks have been worked out. But as of now, it will be a hard sell to get us to return any time soon.
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Dorlisa Smith
Its been twice Ive come here and the hostess has been very rude. We waited 20 mins or more for our table and a group that came in went right in and took it. The hostess did tell them before hand that there was a wait. As we approach the table, the hostess tells us that that was our table so we went over there and I explained to them that we are very hungry and that we waited awhile for our table and then the hostess switched up and said that that wasnt our table and to sit at the next table that was dirty. I said to her that we can sit there as soon as she cleans it. With a nasty attitude she cleans the table leaving water all over it, slamming the menus down and walks away. Then I see her complain to another person who looks over at us, who tells someone else at the bar and they look at us... very awkward and uncomfortable. Then when I say something to the manager on duty, which I seen her with the group of people looking at us, shes not being very helpful either. Didnt apologize but gave the hostess excuses that shes new and theyre busy. I have been in busier rushes than it was here tonight and have never been treated like that ever. Not even all the times Ive been here. This is not a customer service oriented place, I take it. I decided to spend several minutes of my time writing this, in hopes that this gets it taken care of because I dont feel like it will.
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Lisa G
Although this was not our first choice, (because we had chosen to go to a different place earlier in the day) this place had been recommended by a friend. Came with high expectations and they didnt disappoint. It was early in the evening, so the noise level was decent, but there were some occasional cheers as the Iowa/Iowa State game was playing (could not hear actual game) in the bar area. The server was awesome and he made our first visit an awesome one. The food was tasty and cooked perfectly and as described. The portions were decent and we brought some home. (Mostly because we wanted some of their ice cream) The cost was a little more than I am used to paying, but it was a special occasion for us so we didnt mind much. One thing I would like to say is that I am not a drinker so I ordered lemonade instead. I asked the server if they had flavored lemonade and he said they didnt offer any, but he could put grenadine to add flavor. I said that would be fine. When he returned with the drinks. he actually brought me a strawberry lemonade instead. GREAT surprise! Would I go here again? Definitely! Would I suggest it to my friends? Definitely! Thanks for a great first visit!
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Andy Moander
I agree on the noise issue. However, the food is always fantastic, and the service is great. The beer selection is extensive, so I can overlook the noise. Tuesdays is half price wine couples night! Edit: After my experience tonight, I must change my review to 1 star from 5. I ordered the BACON Wrapped beef tenderloin skewers...however, after receiving them they werent wrapped in BACON. Upon inquiring about this to the waiter, I was informed that they were no longer wrapped in bacon, and they needed to update the menu! Couldnt they have told me this when I ordered? I would have chosen something different! And how hard would it be to alter the menu with a sticker or something? Regardless, the waiter offered to do nothing about it, hence I will vote with my feet and never go there again. White Star Alehouse FAIL!
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Melissa Mendoza
The service was fantastic but the food was far from. The meatloaf was the consistency of patte, tasted like flavorless tamales, and was presented as what appeared to be a giant block of wet cat food. My boyfriend ordered a pasta and had to pull all of the chicken out in order to eat it. The lighting was poor but the chicken looked undercooked and was mushy. We did order the house dessert (mostly to get the awful taste out of our mouths) which made the visit worthwhile. (But not the bill.) Noisy atmosphere. Mediocre menu selections poorly executed. Red fabric wall decor needs to be lint brushed, felt icky eating underneath them. If we ever come back it will be for a beer and dessert only; but I dont see that happening.
