Shot Tower Inn — Restaurant in Dubuque

I’m not from Dubuque so I don’t know where STI sits in the realm of pizza joints in town. It’s been around awhile so I thought I’d give it a try. I’m also familiar with Shakeys Pizza and heard it was similar here or maybe the same recipe or something. First thing I noticed is how dated the place is. I like old school but in the restaurant biz a little spruce up from time to time can make the food seem better. Or maybe the dark wood and hard to see lighting is on purpose😳. You have to do some studying before you seat yourself as the place is layed out with areas that have a server and areas that don’t. I had to return to this sign twice to get my bearings straight. In my experiences places that have quirky guidelines tend to have issues in different aspects of their business. After locating a table a server dropped of a lunch menu and returned so after for my order. Small 2 topping pizza and a soda. All though busy for lunch my server was exceptional and did everything with genuine friendliness…..I think? Within five minutes my pizza arrived. How did they do that as their was no brick oven I noticed. The pizza was ok for being flashed cooked. Not hot nor cold just hanging in the lukewarm range. Toppings were good but the beef had that look that it was sprinkled on late on the process. The crust did have that Shakeys unique taste and feel. The sauce was sweet and my mind wandered to fast food pizza to P Hut, L Caesar’s or Chuck e Cheese. I’d maybe come back but their just wasn’t anything that stood out to keep from just trying somewhere else. My score card: Service A Food ...

Let me just say the waitress was very busy today she was the only one waiting tables. she wasn't very attentive to us but I know she was busy trying to take care of everything else so I gave her a pass on that. The food was pretty good we really liked the Reuben Pizza. However when we got our bill it was for $81 I gave her a debit card to pay for the purchase and when I got the debit card receipt it was for $91. She did not give me an itemized receipt when she brought me back the debit card receipt. and I asked her about it she said she had forgot to put our drinks on the bill and couldn't remember how many drinks we actually had and then told me that they charge a percentage to run debit cards. When I said that it was ridiculous to charge a percentage to run a debit card she copped an attitude. I asked to see their menu at this point. No where on the menu or bill does it say they charge a percentage. I, as a customer, already have to pay the employees of this establishment with tips because restaurant owners don't even pay minimum wage, but now I have to pay your card fees. That's a fee you take on as a business for your customers, not the other way around. Had the waitress told me there was a percentage charge when I handed her the card that would've...

The atmosphere is very dark and odd when it's midday. Old rustic feel. It was strange ordering our food at the counter instead of being waited on and when we sat down in the bar area where there was more sunlight, we were directed to go back and sit in the area by the order counter so we could hear the employee calling our order numbers and that they don't "allow" you sit at the bar side if you don't order from that side. Employees were not shy to share everything about their lives and personal finances as they discussed each amount in their accounts behind the counter to each other and discussed a $900 item by way of what appeared to be using the cashier for internet. Didn't seem appropriate use of the machine or their work time, but it was a slow time so to each their own. Also, since we were waited on, it wasn't clear to anybody on what to do with the dirty dishes when people finished eating and everyone was going to the counter to ask, instead of the employees just instructing as such when people order.

One shining light though was the Fried Ice Cream which was ultra yummy and I'd go back here just for this dish (NOTE: It could easily be a dish for 3-4 people and was only...