Rube's Steakhouse & Lounge

I dined at Rube's as part of a wedding rehearsal dinner.  It's a fun place that's a little different and unique and I'm surprised I haven't seen it more often.  Basically, it's a grill your own steak place.

Normally, you go to the front and choose your meat from a large case.  Since we were a large group our meat choices were limited but we still had plenty to choose from:  ribeye, strip steak, bacon wrapped filet, pork chop or swordfish.  

While milling around waiting for the meat to arrive, a waitress ran drink orders.  Some folks ventured to the massive charcoal grill and slapped down thick slices of Texas toast.  Melted butter and various spices are available to brush on.  I did the traditional garlic bread and it was addictive.  It was funny to watch.  Someone would grill a slice of bread, scarf it down, and be back at the grill doing four at a time.  Yes, it was that good.  

After selecting a choice of meat, people gathered around the grill and started grilling their steak.   There's all manner of spices and rubs to add to your steak, plus you can ladle melted butter over it.  Don't get carried away, though, and over spice your steak.  These are good cuts of meat that don't need any enhancement.  Grilling can take a little time, but that's what makes this a fun group experience, bonding at the grill.  

There's also a small bar with potatoes and baked beans, plus a small salad bar that could be described as minimal at best, pathetic at worst.

Normally I like my food to come assembled, which is why I love fajitas but don't order them often.  I heard a number of people comment that they weren't wild about cooking their own food.  But overall, I'd say everyone had fun doing it.  

It was a unique and memorable evening.

We ventured here with a good sized group of 12 on a Friday night.  We had a reservation but I really do not think it was necessary as there were still plenty of empty tables.  There was a bachelor party (great place for this) that came in while we were there but there is a back room that they were able to stay in.   Our waitress did a nice job with keeping our group all straight and guiding us through the entire process.

The men and some of the ladies got some large beers but they do also have wine at decent prices.  After drinks were delivered, our waitress took us all up to the meat case to explain the steak and side options along with their prices (prices are also on a board above).  With a large group, I will say it was a bit hard to all fit around the case but luckily I didn't need to listen past the smallest option.  Our waitress then called on each of us via our ticket number that she had assigned each of us.  A guy behind the meat case put our choices on the plate and handed it to us.  Then we proceeded to the large grill to cook everything and also get garlic bread (Texas Toast with butter and garlic powder) going.  I have been to other 'cook your own steak' places, just not in Iowa.  I have always paid the extra to have them cook the steak but deciding to try it out this time (probably because everyone else was doing it).  They have some spices you can add to your steak if desired.  The grill gets sooo hot to the point that it was almost unbearable to stand near it.  My face got so warm and it took me quite a time to cool off later.

After the steaks and garlic bread were done, we ventured to the salad and potato bar.  Do not expect much from the salad bar as it is rather basic with lettuce and some toppings.  There were a few potato options which were fine for me since I knew my steak would mostly fill me up.  Once back at the table, it was a normal meal.

Overall, it was a nice time and I actually found the prices to be reasonable.  I believe we will go back sometime.

This is a cozy fun restaurant, I like that it is kinda away from things, but not too far away. This place is a steakhouse where you pick your own meat, sides, rub, and grill it yourself, yes it is different and yes it is fun.  They have quality choices of meat to choose from, also has salad bar that is all you can eat. Can be a little pricey, depends on how you feel about paying the price and cooking yourself.  If your looking for something different with a group a friends this can be a nice change up.