Iron Rooster- Annapolis — Restaurant in Annapolis

We came here for dinner because the menu options suited both of us and the menu was a unique flair on original food and we wanted to try something a little different but also that was familiar. This restaurant is located in the heart of Annapolis and the City Docks which is where we wanted to go for a little date to walk around and relax during the weekday which was a neat location for us. They serve breakfast all day as well as some other items. They do not have a huge dinner menu that is separate from the items that they serve all day but their entire menu at breakfast, lunch, or dinner is big enough to satisfy most people. We had great service. Décor was suited to the theme – roosters. Great vibe and atmosphere. You can sit inside, outside, and upstairs. We didn’t ask to sit upstairs (forgot to ask actually) but upstairs offers views of Ego Alley/City Dock. They have a general store next door that you can check out as well that has local vendor items, Maryland and get roostarts to go. We ordered: Brussels sprouts – were good, Iron queso – really good, Smoked brisket chili – good about what you would expect but good, Roostarts (jumbo Pop Tarts) we got the Oreo and mixed berry one. The mixed berry one had a filling and he liked it but I thought it was a little too tart for me but I usually feel that way with a lot of fresh blueberries in any dessert. I enjoyed the Oreo one much better. The oreos and crème were on top and not a filling. I would order the Oreo one again. Chicken and waffles – the waffle is a cornmeal waffle and wasn’t really my style but they cooked the waffle perfectly and the chicken was marinated, cooked perfectly, crispy and delicious. I did get the black pepper pan gravy on the side since I don’t care much for black pepper or gravy but my boyfriend did like the gravy. I swapped out the home fries for mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was nothing special and I prefer a boxed mac and cheese that we make at home. It did taste a little better once I added some salt. If I came back I would probably see about getting the Belgian waffle. I did like the bourbon syrup even though I do not like bourbon it was not a strong flavor. French toast – it was brioche bread flavored with apple and vanilla bean egg batter. It was cooked perfectly and good for what it was but was not my cup of tea so-to-speak. I think a lot of people would enjoy it. I knew I preferred normal plain brioche French toast over all the French toasts I have tried but I wanted to try something different. I did not care for the spiced maple bourbon butter but I am not a huge spice fan and do not like bourbon. My boyfriend really liked the butter. I got an order of bacon and it was cooked perfectly and crispy. Overall the food was good, some of it wasn’t really my preference but I can see going to eat here again and trying out some...

My husband and I have been trying different restaurants in the DMV area and after a bit of research we decided to give the Iron Rooster a try. It exceeded our expectations. I made a reservation, which you have to do a day in advance if using OpenTable. We got a great table upstairs overlooking the streets below, great for people watching. Our waiter Luis B greeted us quickly with water for the table and a smile. He went over the popular menu items and happy hour menu right off the top of his head without skipping a beat. We had the cauliflower bites for an appetizer. They were good crunchy outside, cooked but not mushy inside. I am not the biggest cauliflower fan and I ate several. My husband had the chicken benny, hollandaise, poached eggs, black pepper gravy, fried chicken strips served on top of a cross between an english muffin and a biscuit. I had the southern parm hoagie which is how it sounds, chicken parm on a rustic hoagie roll, marinara, provolone cheese, and bacon. Everything tasted fresh nothing had that frozen taste. The portions were big you definitely won't leave hungry. The only things I think could be improved is the seasoning was mild. We would have preferred a more peppery gravy and the bacon could have been more crispy, but those are personal preferences and I can understand how that may not appeal to everyone. I absolutely feel like I could have asked for both to be fixed and they would have done it gladly it just wasn't enough of an issue for either of us. Luis suggested we try a RoosTart which is their version of a pop tart they make fresh daily and the flavors change. We picked a mixed berry but took it to go because we were stuffed. Let me say this I am glad we didn't start with that because we wouldn't have eaten anything else. I was expecting a pastry with filling but this was actually like a tart with a crackery textured crust with delicious fresh berry filling and topped with sugar icing. I could have done without the icing even though I eagerly ate it but it is perfect for someone with a sweet tooth. Everything was reasonably priced, we were surprised it wasn't more for all we had. All in all it was a great experience we will 100% go back and make sure you try a RoosTart it's worth blowing...

Stopped by here early one evening during the Christmas season midnight madness events as it has a great location near everything and a very large delicious looking menu. They had the place nicely decorated for the holidays so that it was very festive, and the host / hostess were very friendly and helpful in getting us a table upstairs looking out over the alleys of the city. They had a nice menu of seasonal drinks and a full cocktail list, as well as wine and beer. The food menu is very large and features breakfast all day too. Unfortunately, things were less incredible from there out. The prices are really pretty astounding. For example, I got the breakfast combo at $16 which literally only includes 2 pancakes, 2 sausage, and 2 eggs. At your local breakfast places, this will run you about $8 or is known as Grand Slam at Denny's and includes 2 more pieces of meat for $10. Shrimp and grits bowl was $26. Cocktails run $10-14 and the prices on the menu exclude all alcohol and sales taxes, making them much more than that. The food and drink quality was average but definitely diner quality and not up to the level of the price point. Our server was robot-like efficient and delivered our food fine but was not particularly friendly and ignored attempts at casual friendly conversation. The star of the evening though was definitely the giant Pop-Tart, which was more fairly (but far from cheap) priced at $11 and was nicely presented and delicious and actually tasted JUST like a pop tart. Big fan of that creation. Overall, I realize food is more expensive in the city and that they probably have a big investment in their real estate and real estate taxes being in the heart of Annapolis, but I just can't imagine making much effort to go here again, although happy to stop in if visitors are really passionate about trying it. Now, ordering a giant pop-tart for takeout, that might just be the best option...