Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill — Restaurant in Cedar Falls

While in Cedar Falls I needed, scratch that wanted to find a good place to eat and after doing my usual research settled on Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill. Expectations were high as it was listed as the number one restaurant in Cedar Fall on two different sites and near the top on another, plus recommended by a local. A sure thing right? I guess it is true, there is no thing as a sure thing. The atmosphere was fun, the menu intriguing and unfortunately it all ended there. The service was almost average and the food disappointing. I was able to try three dishes one being the Smoked Salmon Wrap the menu described it as having red onion, diced cucumbers, hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, with dill vinaigrette and kale. As per the rest of the dishes I tried that evening many of the ingredients listed on the menu were lost. My expectations right or wrong were for the salmon to be in tact not mushed up or ground, almost 24 hours later i’m left scratching my head as to where was the egg and the kale?

The next dish was the Whiskey Rib Wrap which claimed to be baby back rib meat, (pulled pork) habanero jack cheese, crispy fried onion straws, spinach, spicy coleslaw topped with bourbon bbq sauce. I found the meat and the onion straws, but as dry as the wrap was I seriously think they forgot the spicy coleslaw and bbq sauce.

Being a glutton for punishment I noticed a family member was not finishing their Cedar Smoked Sockeye Salmon and when I asked how it was, they replied would you like to try it and I agreed. I thought perhaps wraps weren't their thing and a main entree may be different. Again unmet expectations. The menu said grilled over a cedar plank, it should have said killed over a cedar plank, as it was extremely dry. When it said seasoned it should have said blackened as the dry rub spices practically fell off the salmon.

From the moment I saw Whiskey Road’s menu I was salivating over the bread pudding description, I mean come on bourbon, bacon and ice cream by the end of the evening I was tired of being disappointed and could not bring myself to order it. Perhaps it would have redeemed the whole experience, but I was not willing to...

Extremely poor managerial service ( young long haired know it all manager/ looked like a modern day caveman). I was with a group of six young professionals. We came two hours early to see a cover band that was in the area. The waitress( fantastic service) told us that we would be able to go to the other side with no problem. We sat there for one and a half hours eating and enjoying ourselves. Concert started and we were refused to enter the concert. I politely asked to talk to the manager. He came over and I kindly acknowledged what was going on. We waited for two hours in his establishment and asked to go over to the concert as we were previously told would be fine. Instead of providing quality service he responded with sorry we are full but it seems like you were enjoying your self since you are slurring. (I had two beers and he was calling me a drunk). I don't care the level of intoxication it is highly unprofessional to call any paying customer let alone six patrons a drunk after two beers. Zero type of reimbursement was offered. After wasting two hours in a bar to see a concert well waited for. We left immediately and went to another bar that offered exceptional customer service. Whiskey road has lost my business due to this gentleman manager that offended myself and others in the party. I hope that others do not waste their time at this...

When we're in Cedar Falls, we usually try to eat at a downtown restaurant, and last Wednesday we paid a visit to Whiskey Road. Always plenty of parking, just be prepared to: 1) feed the meter during necessary times, and 2) walk a couple blocks, as this is a very busy business district. BUT IT'S WORTH IT. I chose the Tenderloin, and my wife chose the Fajita Pita. Both were excellent! We each got a house salad for our side, and they too were very, very good. One thing I really liked about the Tenderloin, and you'll be able to see it in the photo, it wasn't smashed paper-thin like some restaurants seem to think is necessary. This Tenderloin was moist (not greasy), chewy, and delicious. Rachel was our waitress, and she took GREAT care of us. We watched her running around, as they were very busy, and she still made us feel like we were the most important customers of the noon hour. So management, I hope you take note and pass along our thanks to her.

OK, I know you're waiting for it. The restroom review. We travel lots, and I try to make note of the condition of the restrooms, particularly those in dining establishments when we are on the road. Whisky Road scored a 5-star rating for cleanliness, and that's a hard thing to do, considering the number of people they must have had come through prior to us that day.

Good job,...