Flat Tire Lounge in Madrid and the Radish Express

The sign that says Radish Express seems to have been taken apart by the weather or something, but the menus all say Radish Express. The people behind The Radish Restaurant in Grimes have set up shop here beside the Flat Tire Lounge serving the patrons in this biker bar beside the trail for the summer.

Location: 304 S Madison St in Madrid, just north and west of Greater Des Moines.

Directions: Its the huge building by the bike trail on the road into Madrid, pretty hard to miss.

Online at: Website for Flat Tire Lounge is HERE. for The Radish in Grimes is HERE.

The Tenderloin: Listed on the menu as a breaded pork loin sandwich. The tenderloin here looked great with its perfect golden brown color and the visual appeal of the spices forming little dots in the breading. The bright white pork loin meat beneath was pounded out a little too wide and was thin and on the dry side. Other parts were thick with chewy texture and untrimmed fat. The bun was toasted to a dry texture as well, and the fries were a little overcooked, so everything on my basket was just overdone. Overall 7.0 out of ten.

Price: $8.00 the fires were $2.00 more.

Also on the Menu: Wraps, sandwiches, a grilled pork loin sandwich, full brunch in the morning and a full drink menu inside.

Service: The bar area serves drinks and the Radish Express has a walk-up counter.

Ambiance: This bar serves the visitors to the busy bike trail and it was packed when I visited. There is a patio outside and a large bar area inside. They let people wearing bike gear inside. There is even a pump outside in case your bike has a flat tire.

Final Thoughts: The Radish has developed its reputation as the place to dine in the fast growing suburb of Grimes for its luxurious Brunch and dinner options. Serving up food to the crowds, and I mean CROWDS, of people sound like a good match. I don't really even know when they start up or end their summer gig here.

Town And Country Cafe in Madrid, Iowa

I had known about this tiny cafe on Main St. in Madrid for years but hadn't made it in during business hours until recently. Nothing compares to the wide boulevards and historic architecture of the European capital cities and their eponymous Iowa small town counterparts. The Town and Country Cafe closes at two and does not accept credit cards, so don't show up in the afternoon without cash and expect to find anything.

Location: 213 W 2nd St  in Madrid, Boone County in Central Iowa.

Directions: 2nd St is the old business district just off the main drag through town.

The Tenderloin: This was a big oval of pork meat between a bun. The cut of pork loin was thin with just a minimum of juiciness. The breading had some good crunch, but this didn't take away from parts being just too thin. Served with your choice of fixings on an untoasted bun. Overall 7.1 out of ten.

Price: $4.50 for lunch with a side of ruffled potato chips.

Also on the menu: The menu is simple, with basic sandwiches for lunch and breakfast in the mornings. The Saturday special is homemade Biscuits & Gravy, other daily specials are available for lunch. The place had run out of pies when I stopped in at about 1:30 in the afternoon.

Service: There were four old ladies running the show and they seemed to recognize every person in the room by name.

Ambiance: There is an old counter and some booths for seating. This is a no frills place with pictures of the High Trestle bridge and drawings of Gingerbread Men on the walls.

Final Thoughts: The Saturday morning special of Biscuits and gravy might be a good reason to make it back here. I am slowly getting around to writiing up the places I've stopped at while driving down Highway 210 just north and west of Des Moines. I was at Cole's Ice Cream in the Fall, and I will stop at Lou's Diner in Woodward next.

Tiger Bowl and Grill in Madrid

This Bowling Alley is named for the Football Factory High School just a couple of blocks up the street. The Madrid Tigers roll over the other small schools every fall, and this tenderloin takes no prisoner's either. Its the real deal, and its found in a funky bowling alley.

Location: 205 Annex Road, at the intersection of the two major roads in town.

Directions:Madrid is about about 20 miles north and west of Des Moines. Take Highway 141 to Granger, then north on Highway 17.
The Tenderloin: This was a complete surprise. I did not come here with high hopes, but this is close to award-worthy. The breading has a few different shades of brown, and a hint of pepper in it. The breading formed bumps above the pork inside. The overall softness of the pork inside was the best part of the sandwich. It had enough moisture, and the whole thing had a floppy nature when I picked it up. Its a good size, with a little curvature from the frying process. Only a small amount of fat wasn't trimmed off before cooking. Oil from the sandwich soaked through the two wrappers around it into the brown paper to-go bag. Served on a toasted bun. 8/10.

Price: $4.25
Also on the menu: During the week there is a pizza, salad, soup buffet. There is also the usual assortment of fried stuff, including cauliflower.

Service: I think its just two guys running the entire operation when I stopped in. That includes baking pizza and running the bowling area.

Ambiance: You are asked to wipe your feet upon entry, something other establishments should require as well. There is a dining area walled off in a corner, and tables in front of a big screen TV and the bowling lanes. The thunder of bowling balls is a constant. There were a couple families eating pizza with kids running around.

Final Thoughts: I hadn't walked into a bowling alley in years. After finding this tenderloin, I have to make the rounds to each one in town to see if others make their own. Its definitely worth the stop during the drive from Des Moines to Ames or Boone.