Smokestack — Restaurant in Dubuque

We rolled into town around 8pm on a Thursday night feeling hungry and thirsty. By the time we checked into our hotel and pulled up a list of possible places to eat, there were only 2 options left that weren't fast food. We tried the other first only to find that the internet lies, and its kitchen was closed. Inching closer to famished, we plugged the address for The Smokestack into our GPS and crossed our fingers.

We almost didn't make it in since the entrance wasn't where we expected and we had to search around the building on foot through the dark streets of an unfamiliar city. We breathed a sigh of relief when we found our way in and were given a table and menus. After a long debate over our relative level of hunger and willingness to consume carbs, we ordered fries with garlic and asiago, Fried Brussels Sprouts, and a White and Green flatbread pizza. As we were waiting for our dishes in what felt very much like a brewpub retrofitted into an old warehouse, some local musicians started playing the blues.

With some seriously good music, the other tables filled quickly, and despite fatigue from a long road trip and hunger, we found ourselves slowly savoring our food so we could listen to just one more song. The venue was definitely loud, and pretty high-energy, so not what we were aiming at to relax over dinner after a long drive. However, every morsel was tasty and the Fried Brussels Sprouts were out of this world. All-in-all, we are definitely fans, and if we ever find ourselves back in Dubuque,...

I went to the Drag show. The seating arrangment was gawd awfull. Poor guy in a wheelchair was crammed in...There is a brick wall that really disrupts alot of the view as the performers tend to be further back on stage. When I arrived early all seating had been taken however there was floor space to put chairs in. We asked and the guy said that was it. Needless to say standing for me was not an option. I even witnessed a broken metal chair. Maybe you should sell tickets to this show since it is so popular at $15. Seems $10 is cheap for a drag show. Also the performers were not all drag as implied. Lip syncing was not the best. If anyone pulled off drag it is this guy I am posting. This person showed a quality and could go far in classy drag venues!...

Started the night with a 5$ cover which I was surprised with. I take it most other people were too and that was why it was fairly empty. Or, because of the show going on. The bouncer also used a metal detector (never experienced this even in Madison where I live). He also was particularly fond of my butt, but what ever, I'm a dude and laughed it off. It could be jarring for others. The rap show opened with what I thought the best act was so again a little backwards. So, I grabbed a single drink for the entire night a 4$, less than half of a standard pour, gin and tonic, with no garnish made sure I didn't order another. The space is great. Second and third floors are very cool - but completely empty. A nice escape with a great view, from a...