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Emily Carlson knows how to dig deep to find a story, and those skills also translate to hunting for the best food in town to satisfy a craving. The 28-year-old foodie spends her days (and many nights) as an on-air reporter for WHO-TV 13. But when she’s not on the beat, here’s where she likes to eat.
When she wants brunch …
Americana, 1312 Locust St. “Their Bombshell Brunch is by far the best deal in town. $22 gets you all-you-can-drink Bloody Marys and so much food you won’t be hungry for the rest of the day. My favorite is the grilled cheese station — I'm boring, just white cheese for me please — dunked in their homemade tomato soup. Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. Add in that marshmallow sweet potato cinnamon butter goodness, and eggs galore, and you have my Saturday afternoon tradition.”
When she wants Mexican …
Mi Mexico, 11407 Forest Ave., Clive. “All I heard about from my best friend was two words: ‘shaker margaritas.’ Truly, they’re the best in town. Add in salty chips with queso and the best spicy shrimp rice cheesy avocado goodness dish I’ve ever had. It’s not on the menu. If you go there enough, Jorge will cook you up everything you could ever hope for. I have a good time every time I visit.”
When she wants sushi …
Sakari Sushi Lounge, 2605 Ingersoll Ave. “This would be my favorite neighborhood bar, with some of the best sushi in town. The happy hour specials are great: $4 for spicy salmon and white tuna rolls are always a winner, but if you want to spend a little more, the Volcano has a crazy good honey wasabi sauce on it, and the Godzilla is a must if you're out for a 2,000- calorie sushi meal as mandated by my friends when we want to go all out. Here’s a secret: If you stay long enough, the crowd is thin enough, and the bartender likes you, they may get out the karaoke machine if you ask real nice.”
When she wants pizza …
Gusto Pizza Co., 1905 Ingersoll Ave. “This new hip spot is right across the street from Channel 13, which is very convenient on Monday nights, when their buy-a-pizza-get-the- second-half-off special is too hard to pass up. My favorite is the Soprano, but the boys in back are always coming up with seasonal specials that intrigue the taste buds — the pumpkin curry pie was a big hit with me.”
When she wants to impress someone …
Alba, 524 E. Sixth St. “The decor is hip, the bartender is always knowledgeable about their extensive wine selection, and their willingness to stay open just a teeny bit longer when you want to finish your conversation always garners a bigger tip. The best dish I’ve had in recent memory came from Alba: roasted quail with Brussels sprouts smothered in an out-of-this-world sauce. I’m always the one that’s impressed when I visit, but I always like when I’m not the one paying.”
