Loud, packed and delicious, Hickory Park is an Ames and ISU staple. College students (and their fam) fill the joint on the weekends, and everyone else packs the place every other day of the week. (Good luck getting a table during an ISU home football game). What drives them in like cattle is the smoked meat. Sandwiches are cheap and plentiful, most entrees are big enough for two. Save room for dessert (if you can) and choose from more than 100 sundaes and other cold treats. Just be willing to take a number and wait a few. Totally worth it.

See more: Ames restaurants, Dessert restaurants, Barbecue restaurants, American restaurants