Z's Eatery & Draught Haus — Restaurant in Indianola

Next level food and service. You don't need to hit the big city to have it.

This isn't my first time at Z's and it won't be my last. This is no mere or average small town bar or restaurant. Don't let the rustic decor deceive you. If you walk into Z's, you could judge the decor. You could make the mistake of thinking this is some average small town restaurant. You'd be wrong.

I'm a foodie. I travel often for work, I've eaten at many a steakhouse. And I know very much that looks can be deceiving. If sit down at my booth it's Z's and close my eyes. I'm at any one of some very amazing steakhouses and eateries that I've visited. Z's menu is next level. They have taken the time to not phone it in. There's attention to detail in every recipe. The carefully assembled flavors here are well crafted and rival experiences I've had in much more expensive places.

That said. Z's is true to it roots. This is a Midwestern restaurant that is experienced and proud of where it comes from. The Midwest is a melting pot and we borrow from cultures around us. Z's understands that. But they take the recipes and make them true Midwestern. You order a steak here. You'll know it's from Iowa. From the fixin's to the service, Z's is a place you want to experience again and again.

Shout out to the wait staff as well. I came at not a busy time. But having kind of multiple New York restaurants, I appreciate our Midwestern culture. My waitress Cyndi, took the time to answer all my questions. She was knowledgeable about the menu and was damn efficient. We're talking genuine Midwestern work ethic here. She serviced three tables while answering my questions and the pacing was perfect. All my questions where answered, Menu items explained, and I saw people's drinks at tables serviced around me and I never felt she missed a beat. I was never kept waiting. This is a place that values their customers and they show it.

Did I mention full bar? With their own take on many cocktails. Seriously, I wish I had found this place previously.

Pictured is my order. Z's Gunpowder rub strip with blue cheese and bacon. Sauteed brussel sprouts (loaded). And Iowa mule to tie it all over. The steak was a little more done than I expected for ordering at medium rare. But I cannot fault this at all. It was still amazing.

This is a place where you can hit for dinner and you're not going to regret it. I've walked away just as satisfied as I have been walking out of steakhouses like Peter Luger's in New York. But considerably richer.

Welcome to the Midwest. Big taste. Quality service. In an unassuming but tasteful and thought...

Did not have a good experience overall. Our 4 top walked in along with a 3 top. Not sure where to go we all stood around for a time. Bartender aid seat yourself. We sat at booth and realized it was dirty once we sat down. No big deal. We waited for about 10-15 until we were greeted (not busy) - We shared one beer menu, beer took another 15 minutes at least. We ordered. I had been excited and suggested the place because of the interesting wing sauces. I asked the server how many wings came in an order she said 10 so i asked for 20 naked (no sauce) with 2 sauces and a rub on the side with ranch. Others got a steak, chicken sandwich and a philly. Food took another 30 minutes to come out. One check for refills which our server forgot for someone. Food arrives. Wings were sauced and only 16 total (so must have been 8 and 8 ). The gunpowder rub tastes like burnt cinnamon toast crumbs (it is the best one) the whiskey sauce was a cream based which I'm assuming was a mistake but I couldn't tell as it was completely tasteless and the raspberry chipotle is disgusting. It tastes like heavily chemicals and looks like a blood bath. The raspberry wings were cold as well. Others steaks were overdone. Philly sandwich was small, dry meat and congealed veggies and cheese. I might have been able to stomach some of this but the server never came back after dropping our food. Did not check on us, my ranch never came, so I'm just stuck eating some awful wings and my friends that live in town are apologizing since its their town and I'm apologizing since I suggested it. The table in the booth behind us flagged down their server and asked for their drink tickets and said they had been waiting over and hour and were leaving. Normally i would let any of these slide but as a whole this was terrible execution. The greeting, drinks, refills, food knowledge, putting in the order right, the delivery the followup the actual taste, the cleanliness, everything was bad. Bill with drinks was 110 and we would have been exponentially happier grabbing some fast food burgers and a six pack. I would save your money and...

A little south, but well worth the drive. We took our family of six to Indianola for quite possibly the best steak dinner of my life.

Husband ordered steak deburgo, 12yr old had chicken Alfredo, 5yr old got the kids mac n cheese, 13yr old had a burger (no pic) and I had a dry-aged ribeye prepared by owner and chef Wesley Zeitz. Phenomenal 👌

I'm a southern girl. I like my steak and potatoes and I love a strong drink. Paired the steak with the house specialty smoked old fashioned with Knob Creek Maple - deliciously sweet and smokey.

If you've never been here, their mac and cheese is renowned. It's a smoked gouda mac prepared in house and it's the stuff of pasta and cheese-lover's dreams. 🤤🤤

Husband's steak was medium rare, melty and savory and perfectly cooked. I like mine a little more done and got a medium preparation on the dry-aged ribeye. It had a dollop of what tasted like a herbed compound butter. It came out with a nice crust but literally melted in my mouth. I have every intention of taking part of it home for steak and eggs this morning... but I couldn't stop eating it. And then it was gone.

I have had some amazing steaks in several parts of the country and all over the state of Iowa. I'm telling you, you are missing out if you don't make the trip for one of his cuts of beef. Wes is sourcing all of his meat from farmers in the Warren County area. His product is raised and harvested locally and he is working magic in his kitchen. We always say to each other as we're leaving how we wish they were closer, how they have absolutely created a gem in Indianola, and how incredible the food is every single time. Portions are great, prices are right, and the quality of your meal is...