The Blue Heron — Restaurant in Mason City

We have dined here dozens of times since they opened. Always great food and great service. Our last experience really left us a bit salty. We walked in, waited a minute or so to see if someone was to seat us or we seat ourselves as they were quite busy. No one that walked by said or suggested they would seat us. So we walked back to the end of the bar near the back seating area. Again we hesitated as we were unsure if we needed to be seated or just sit anywhere. Several employess walked by and said nothing about it. So we sat at the only available table. A waitress came to the table , suggested the special and took our drink order. She later came back and took our order without any issues. As we waited for our food we were "informed" that our table should not be sat at in the future unless we were going to be a party of 5 or more. Ok thats cool. But i guess in the future maybe a card on the table stating that would be nice, or maybe had the waitress been aware she could have suggested we sit at the bar until another table opened up. Which we would not have had an issue with. We found this quite rude...all of us. Had we not already been waiting for our meal quite honestly I think we would have just gotten up and left. We frequent this establishment often, we are great tippers and have left many fabulous reviews for this place. Our food was great as always and our waitress stephanie was sweet as pie. But this little hiccup really left us in quite a fowl mood. Maybe even after we had left...instead of coming over and ruining our evening...you could have just taken note to maybe make a place card stating....table reserved for at least 5 or...

Was excited to meet family from Minnesota. We are from Des Moines. Celebrating my birthday meal. We were excited because it was a cafe setting that was open 11 to 9. Wanted comfort foods. Going for lunch instead of a steak house type dinner. We all were there around 12:20pm parking lot full. We were excited. Ordered what looked amazing online their bbq chicken. Was even their Saturday special. Server quickly said we don’t serve until 3pm. I seen where online their steak and shrimp was Wednesday at 4pm. So was very disappointed! Then seen they had soup of the day. Nope no soup. Yes, service was good, burgers and sandwiches were good. But we were excited for the food we could not have. Cafe comfort food. Server was nice and checked on us. Wish she would have had a plan B once we said what we were looking for instead of saying we don’t have it and would check back to see what we decide. We were not looking for anything fancy. Just cafe comfort food. Make sure to wear something warm. Air conditioner...

Few years later and still one of our regular "go-to" places when we're in town! Great service. Tasty Food! Decent prices. . In town from NW IL to visit family. This placed popped up when we searched friday fish fry, had alot of high reviews and lives up to all of the 5 stars! The Deep Fried Cod was delicious, 3 Large Fillets, (i started eating before the pic, one fillet was cut in half so kinda hid it in the middle) and the picture does not do justice to the baby red potatoes they were soo good! Meal came with Texas Toast and a side Salad. It was alot of food for the price. We always try to eat local and this was exactly that. Local owned, has a very welcoming family atmosphere. The service was great, she was attentive and very friendly. The owner seems to make her way around and stops and speaks to every table. Felt the pride in ownership and making sure everyone left full and happy. They speak to everyone like they're a local regular, even when it's your...