Food & Drink

While small businesses throughout the country have struggled since the onset of the global pandemic, it is the restaurant industry who seems to have taken the brunt of the hit. With the continual variation of rules and regulations, they have had to roll with the punches to keep their doors open. Many have added delivery options, as well as online ordering and the opportunity for contactless pickup.

Through it all, the many restaurants of Clear Lake have powered through, adjusting to the guidelines set in place by the State of Iowa to ensure the safety of both their patrons and staff. They have done everything in their power to make your dining experience a pleasant one and look forward to serving their many seasonal visitors and guests to the Lake!

This guide shows a comprehensive listing of the many options for dining in Clear Lake during your visit. And remember, you can always order take-out to enjoy your meal at home!

CASEY’S PIZZA & DELI

202 Highway 18 W • (641) 357-1693 • caseys.com Casey’s isn’t just a gas station and convenience store, it’s the fifth largest pizza chain in the U.S.! Try a taco pizza, or their satisfying breakfast pizza. The stores also offer made-to-order sub sandwiches, freshly baked donuts, pastas, soft-serve ice cream and more. CAVU PATRIOT WINGS

9184 265th Street • (641) 357-9464 pwcavu.com Arrive by land or by air, CAVU is the ultimate morning, noon and nighttime dining destination for locals and travelers alike!

DISTRICT ROCK ‘N ROLL GRILL

619 Buddy Holly Place • (641) 357-1222 surfdistrictgrill.com The District Rock ‘n Roll Grill was created to offer a UNIQUE Clear Lake dining experience that ROCKS!

GE-JO’S BY THE LAKE

12 North 3rd Street • (641) 357-8288 gejosbythelake.com Handmade specialties prepared the old-world way with family recipes that have been handed down for generations! GeJo’s is famous for their hand-stretched, made or order pizza, authentic pasta dishes and 18-ounce Italian margaritas. Dine on the patio overlooking city park and the lake, and enjoy a variety of homemade sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes or mouthwatering pizza. BENNIGAN’S GRILL & TAVERN

2023 7th Avenue North • (641) 357-2366 bennigans.com This high-energy restaurant and tavern has a sleek new look to go along with their innovative menu, which incorporates chef-driven food with Emerald Isle favorites, such as the Turkey O’Toole, savory “Oh Baby” back ribs and world famous Monte Cristo.

COOKIES, ETC

217 Main Avenue • (641) 357-1060 cookies-etc.com These warm-from-the-oven cookies made from family recipes are legendary. The giant cookies are baked fresh all day and will wow you with seven different flavors. Try the ice cream sandwich, a generous scoop of ice cream nestled between two huge homemade cookies, and enjoy malts, sundaes and generous ice cream cones. Order cookies to be shipped nationwide for friends, family and clients. Cookies, etc., home of the cookie ATM, is a must stop in Clear Lake!

HALF MOON INN

701 Buddy Holly Place • (641) 357-9339 A family operation since it opened in 1972, the relaxed atmosphere of this steakhouse is where the locals go for a great meal. Steaks, fish, chops, ribs and more are prepared to order in this Quonset hut. The food is fresh and portions are generous, like the pile of food on the combination platter and their homemade ranch dressing. Be sure to try the crispy hash browns. Cocktail hour specials from 4:30-6:00 pm CABIN COFFEE COMPANY

303 Main Avenue • (641) 357-6500 cabincoffeecompany.com Launched in 2002, this western-styled coffee shop’s motto is “Just Be Happy and Have Fun!” Stock up on fresh roasted coffee to brew at home or grab a latte for the road. The menu is as fresh as the coffee, with bakery items and healthy lunch favorites. If daily features and rotating menu items don’t draw you in off the sidewalk, the aroma will!

CULVER’S OF CLEAR LAKE

1204 North 25th Street • (641) 357-0757 culvers.com Using fresh, never frozen 100 percent Midwest beef, the signature ButterBurgers are seared to perfection and served on a lightly buttered toasted bun. Frozen custard is made fresh in the store throughout the day, using real Wisconsin dairy, cold-pressed vanilla and Dutch-blend chocolate. Try the Flavor of the Day!

K&B EMPORIUM & ANNA’S BALLROOM

8 North 4th Street • (641) 357-4047 kandbemporiumandannas.com Anna’s Ballroom features fine dining using ROK Service, where you cook your meal on a hot stone. They have handcrafted weekly drink specials and a seasonal patio. Café options are available on their lower level; including sandwiches, ice cream, baked goods and more. The retail wine cellar is open with the same hours as the café.

LAKE TIME BREWERY

801 Main Avenue • (641) 357-2040 laketimebrewery.com Creating beer snobs one pint at a time since its first pour in 2013, this brew pub has 10 specialty and seasonal local craft beers on tap at all times. The atmosphere is just what you’d expect in a lake town, relaxed and inviting, with an outdoor patio with bright Adirondack chairs when the weather allows. Sample a flight of brews, or try a pint of the local favorite, Sandy Bottoms.

PAPA EVERETT’S PIZZA

910 US Hwy. 18 East • (641) 357-4040 pizzaclearlake.com Locally owned and operated since 1988, Papa Everett’s continues to serve up the same handcrafted, delicious pizza with the French bread crust! They also offer hearty pasta dishes, wings, and salads, plus dessert pizzas!

RUMORZ

1210 South Shore Drive • (641) 357-1035 Fun bar with a great staff that welcomes you like family. We have a side room great for parties and meetings. Certified angus beef is all we allow on our grill so we can guarantee you the best burgers in town!

Featured listings are anchored in the community as members of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

LAKESIDE LANDING

1603 South Shore Drive • (641) 323-5695 stayclearlake.com Conveniently located on the shores of Clear Lake, The Landing is a large lake front bar and grille, with perfect views of the water. We have a large dock where you can conveniently tie up your boat during the day or evening to stop by for great food, unique drinks, and an unbeatable atmosphere! MCDONALD’S RESTAURANT

2 Plaza Drive • (641) 357-6502 • mcdonalds.com The largest in Iowa since its 2013 renovation, this contemporary location offers free Wi-Fi, plasma TVs, a two-lane drive-through and a comfortable dining room to enjoy your favorites or relax with a McCafe menu item. Head to the golden arches for their signature french fries, Big Macs, salads, sandwiches, wraps and desserts! MUSKIE LOUNGE

702 East Lake Street • (641) 829-3850 Rich’s Muskie Lounge is a family owned and operated restaurant located on Clear Lake. Stop in for our fish fry, burgers, sandwiches and more. Or just stop by for a drink on the lake at our outdoor bar, open every weekend of the summer. Come as you are.

PERKINS RESTAURANT & BAKERY

1207 North 25th Street • (641) 357-7558 perkinsrestaurants.com Breakfast is available all day, with a huge omelette selection as well as fresh griddle favorites. Lunch and dinner favorites with crisp salads, a towering club sandwich and comforting entrees are served with a selection of sides. Gluten-free options and a 55-plus menu. Open 24 hours Friday-Sunday.

SEVEN STARS FAMILY RESTAURANT

2309 3rd Avenue South • (641) 231-8026 This down home eatery features satisfying comfort foods in a cozy café. Serving breakfast all day, they are famous for their “Country Hash Browns” grilled with bacon, diced ham, onions and peppers and topped with American cheese. Hearty entrees that stick to your ribs are joined by a variety of sandwiches, salads and seafood to round out the menu. Check the board for their daily specials and pies of the day. PM PARK & TIKI BAR

15297 Raney Drive • (641) 357-1991 • pmpark.net Located on a sandy beach under mature oak trees, this hotspot is busy from sunrise to sunset. Serving breakfast every day, they are known for their “Everything Hash Browns” and whimsical menu, like the Shorebird sandwich. Dine inside the historic and charming restaurant, or settle in at one of the colorful picnic tables on the lakefront lawn. Try to complete the 2-pound Tiki Burger challenge!

SEVEN’S STEAKHOUSE

307 Main Avenue • (641) 357-0106 sevensrestaurantandsteakhouse.com This steakhouse doesn’t end at beef: almond crusted walleye and pecan chicken are also local dinner favorites. Sit at one of our tall booths and enjoy a lunch with friends, or stop in for one of our hearty breakfasts. Daily features and nightly specials. ROOKIES

307 Main Avenue • (641) 357-4629 rookiesrockinsportsbar.com Pull up a stool at the huge two-sided bar or gather with your group at the front of the bar and socialize while you look out on Main Avenue. Another section has even more seating and three pool tables. Daily happy hour with food and drink specials and a jukebox plays your favorite hits every day and night

SIMPLY NOURISHED

1419 Main Avenue • 641-357-4444 bewellnessclearlake.com Simply Nourished is North Iowa’s leading independent and locally-owned all organic and natural health market. Enjoy delicious organic, gluten-free lunchboxes, salads, sandwiches and more at their dine-in deli, or take it to go! Call for curbside pick up and/or catering.

food & drink

SOUTH SHORE DONUT COMPANY

1205 South Shore Drive • (641) 357-8005 southshoredonutco.com You won’t want to miss this beachy shop that offers award winning gourmet donuts and a crazy delicious lunch menu featuring homemade soups in a bread bowl & Mixwich sandwich creations. In addition to their fun donut flavors, they also serve sweet treats like soft serve ice cream, shakes, and edible cookie dough! STARBOARD MARKET

310 Main Avenue • (641) 357-0660 With 25 signature sandwich recipes plus build-yourown options, this deli is a destination in itself. The regionally famous hand-crafted soups have everyone trying to crack the recipes. The glass case is full of colorful salads and mile-high desserts made in-store daily. The scratch-made cookies and bars beckon you with their soft sweet chewiness. Weekly summer series gourmet supper club and daily specials, boxed lunches and catering available.

TACO JOHN’S

2905 4th Avenue South • (641) 357-0900 tacojohns.com Serving craveable food with real ingredients fused with bold Mexican flavors dubbed “West-Mex,” they’re famous for Potato Ole’s, tacos and burritos. Always adding new flavors, like the TJ Baja Boneless Wings, they’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. TAP’D

313 Main Avenue • (641) 357-8273 tapdclearlake.com 24 of Iowa’s Best Craft Beers on Tap! Enjoy the rotating selection of craft beer, along with signature cocktails and a full bar. The newest cocktail lounge at the lake, Tap’d is the perfect place for your next night out! SUBWAY

210 Highway 18 East • (641) 357-2442 subway.com Serving fresh, made-to-order sandwiches on freshly baked breads for a fast healthy meal in two Clear Lake locations. Daily specials and monthly featured menu items.

THE OTHER PLACE

200 Highway 18 West • (641) 357-8118 theotherplace.com Known for signature crisp pizzas with loads of fresh gooey cheese, this family friendly sports bar also offers oven baked subs, Mexican specialties and Italian favorites. Their huge outdoor party deck with an exclusive menu is a summertime favorite. Check out their lunch specials, happy hour Monday-Friday and daily deals. SUNSET SHARKYS PUB & GRUB

12 South Shore Drive • (641) 357-4275 sunsetsharkys.com A new pub in Clear Lake with a relaxed atmosphere to meet friends & family and enjoy the view of the lake from their outdoor tiki bar with an ice cold drink and a BITE to eat! Sharkys bring the tropics to Iowa with a Margaritaville feel and state of mind of being on vacation. Make this place your watering hole home away from home. Meet Sully the Shark and enjoy live music on the weekends, plus special events!

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS

219 Main Avenue • (641) 357-7964 Not your grandpa’s VFW, the bar, nicknamed “The Bunker” offers happy hour daily from 3-7 p.m. and every Sunday specialty garnished Bloody Mary’s starting at 9 a.m. with their special recipe Bloody Mary’s like you’ve never seen before (think cheeseburger sliders & chicken-n-waffles). Weekly taco night every Thursday from 5-7pm makes this a downtown hotspot welcoming young and old.

ARBY’S

1212 North 24th Street • (641) 357-3462 • arbys.com AZZOLINA’S HOLE IN THE WALL

425 Main Avenue • (641) 357-1740 CASEY’S PIZZA & DELI

6 Plaza Drive • (641) 357-4202 • caseys.com EL LORO

1205 N 25th St • (641) 357-3045 • elloromexican.com FIDDLERS LOUNGE

468 North Shore Drive GYRO PLACE

800 Main Avenue • (641) 357-2525 SCOOTERS COFFEE

1903 US Highway 18 East • (641) 210-6404 SHAO TING GUO

200 7th Avenue North • (641) 357-1683 SOUTH SHORE SWEET SPOT

5269 South Shore Drive • (641) 357-9338 SUBWAY

2411 Highway 18 East • (641) 357-7511 TROPICAL SNO

North Shore Drive VIKING DRIVE IN

3 South Main Street, Ventura • (641) 829-3514 WENDY’S

1302 North 24th Street • (641) 357-0811 • wendys.com

‘S best

Iowa’s Best Cocktails To-Go: K&B Emporium

Their bagged cocktails are sold in reusable to-go bags so you can enjoy from the comfort and safety of your home.

Iowa’s Best Cookies: Cookies, Etc.

Their sugar cookie was also named “Best Cookie in the Midwest” by Midwest Living Magazine.