First time ive tried quail and it was fantastic. Just like turkey but without the aftertaste. Comes with 2 quail and i split it with my girlfriend so we could try the deviled eggs. 2 types of eggs; one was kind of pesto flavored and creamy, the other had bacon and had more bite. The eggs change on a daily basis so ask what they are, ours were fantastic. Only negative comments was the green beans were a bit undercooked and bathroom is close tp patrons eating
(5)
Lois K.
First time at Pepper Sprout and it was amazing! The salads were really good to start us off. I had the Mac and Cheese - huge portion. I was full after eating about 1/3 of it but it was so good, I pushed on and ate the whole thing. My husband had the ribeye and he said it was the best he has ever had. Then we splurged and split the cheesecake ... yum, yum. From out of town, but will definitely go back when in the area.
(5)
Monica H.
In town for an event, first time visitor, probably the only time I will get to Dubuque. This place was heavily recommended by the proprietor of the B&B where I stayed. It was pretty good, but had an ambiance that reminded me of places I visited in the NYC area in the late '70s. I arrived early and had prompt and friendly service and enjoyed my meal. Salad and bread were nothing special. Can't comment on the regional menu because I had a steak, which was cooked perfectly medium rare. Seems to be more of a wine place but had a decent selection of craft beers in bottles. If they asked me, I would replace the Tiffany-esque candle holders with something else from the dollar store, and put fresh flowers in the vases. But this place is definitely worth a visit and I would try it again if I ever make it back to town.
(4)
He And She I.
We searched on Yelp for a new restaurant in Dubuque, and, once again, Yelp came through. I would agree that this is the best restaurant in Dubuque, at least that we've found. We've had good meals in other places, but this one is the best. The service is fast, efficient, and the servers are very knowledgeable about the daily menu offerings. The chef stopped by to chat ingredients. The bartender came to the table to make an alternate wine suggestion, with a free taste. Everyone in the restaurant worked to make the visit enjoyable. We loved it so much that, five days later, we were back again, to try some of what we missed the first time. And, once again, we were bowled over by the service and food. This restaurant is not pretentious, but a genuinely good taste of seasonal local offerings, worthy of five stars.
(5)
Robert P.
Great atmosphere. Great drinks and service. I loved the menu. Flat iron, lamb, duck confit , bruschetta, all good. Loved it. Feeling out of place in IA? Coming here feels like the best places in SoCal. Bad reviewers haven't ever been anywhere.
(5)
N M.
Always treated warmly and the food is made with care and great craft! Great Midwestern upscale fine dinning!
(5)
Josh M.
I can't even describe how amazing the food is here...choose the pheasant, pork, venison....oh gosh you can't go wrong. wine menu is solid...liquor selection is nothing special but adequate. THE FOOD!!! do it.
(5)
Cynthia N.
Kim, Pepper Sprout owner and chef, knows how much I love the cauliflower steak, and even though it's usually on the winter menu, made it especially for me. It was DIVINE. One of he best things I've ever eaten. When does a chef does something especially for a customer?? I love Pepper Sprout / they have everything I love, including s great bartender who makes divine martinis and wonderful wines. Sigh.
(5)
Austin W.
Hands down the best place in Dubuque, highly recommend.
(5)
Abhishek M.
I forgot to write a review right after I left and now infant remember the fish I got but it was certainly very tasty. I sat at the bar and made a good friend talking to a local banker. The 2 reasons for not awarding 5 stars- service and mixology. Service - I sat at the bar and literally, it took the bar tender (who may also be an owner), 10 minutes to acknowledge me or offer a menu or water. In addition, the chef brought my entree out and when she returned a second time with someone else's food, I gave her a compliment but she didn't respond or acknowledge it either. Weird! Mixology - as always, I ordered an Old Fashion and not only was the orange and cherry muddled, it also got a splash of soda. Given how simple it is to make a classic old fashion, why ruin it with soda??
(4)
Tom S.
I would highly recommend Pepper Sprout! They have a very nice wine list responsibly priced. Which pairs perfectly with the Baked Brie! It's sooo good. The Classic Caesar salad is not classic in my book and has quite a kick to it. The Chefs Choice for the night was a cole slaw and was delightful. My choice for dinner was the Louisiana Shrimp my wife selected the Summer Primavera. Each dish was devoured without complaint.
(4)
Andrea T.
Upon walking into what seemed like a narrow, small restaurant, you are greeted with a small bar to the right and hostess stand straight ahead. The main restaurant seating is behind the hostess stand and is larger than anticipated. We had a small group that came here for dinner on a Thursday night. We did not have a reservation and this seemed to be fine as we were seating right away. There were quite a few people in the restaurant with only a few empty tables. We were given menus to peruse and soon our waitress was there. We had to ask for a wine menu which I was surprised they had not given us one initially. Their house bottles of wine were $20 so we decided to split one. Looking at the menu, we found some unique American cuisine which was rather intriguing. We decided to start with the Bleu Cheese, Cheese Cake. When it came to our table, it didn't look like I had envisioned. Not that it was a bad thing as the appetizer was warm and delicious. It did not have a strong bleu cheese or beets flavor so it was rather enjoyable. For the main course I chose the special which was a Walleye encrusted with walnuts, covered in a sauce with (she said crab) but I believe it was crawfish. A choice of salad or soup comes with it and I opted for the salad. The salad of course came out first and it had a very nice Basil Vinaigrette. They also brought out bread which was ok. When our main dishes came out, they were HUGE portions (especially after the appetizer, salad and bread). The fish took up the entire length of the plate. The fish was rather enjoyable and had a slight spice to from the sauce. The only disappointment in this dish was that the green beans were not cooked enough and thus were very crisp. I was unable to eat all of my meal. The girls wanted to split a dessert so we had the chocolate mousse. It was light and airy as mousse should be. I only had a couple small spoonfuls but did enjoy it. Since there were so many interesting items on the menu and it was convienant to the hotels, if I am in Dubuque again, I would probably stop in.
(4)
Shane Z.
Don't come in here expecting fast service! Place looked nice on the inside, but even at night it was a little too dark in there. Staff was friendly, but the service was slow. I will take that as it is a limited menu and I don't think they have to cook it as it comes in. We had the deconstructed jalapeno popper dip as an appetizer. It came with some pretzel style bread sticks to dip in there. To me there wasn't a lot of flavor with this, but it was ok. It needed more jalapeno in there, there was no bite at all. I had their Caesar salad with my meal, not much to mess up here, but they do ask if you want anchovies on your salad (I declined). My main meal was the Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops. They were grilled and tasted really good. They almost fell off the bone. My meal also came with sour cream mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley and they were both excellent. I was happy with this restaurant and I will return again if I am back in the area.
The place has a nice atmosphere. I found the food quite tasty, and the portions filling. The staff there is excellent, they are very friendly and were very accommodating to the group I was eating with.
(5)
Brian K.
We were staying at the Hotel Julien just down the street and we tried Pepper Sprout on the recommendation of a store keeper we met in Galena. She was spot on! It was a nice place. The atmosphere was nice, service was good and the food was excellent. We had some mix up with the seating but either the hostess was new or they were working through some changes but they took very good care of us. Would definitely recommend this place for a special dinner!
(4)
May L.
I wanted to post a pictures of my entree, but it was so good I couldn't stop eating to snap a picture. They just launched their new summer menu, created by the chef/owner and you can taste summer all over the plate. Started with a salad with feta, cucumber, onions and a delicious strawberry dressing (like I said it taste like summer!!). I decided on the pepper crusted pork tenderloin that usually comes with a side of rice, but I asked to switch to mashed potatoes (I'm sure the rice would have tasted great too). The meat is covered in reduced cherries and it literally melts in your mouth and the cherries add a nice tang to it. The veggies on the plate were well cooked but still had a little crunch to them. Is your mouth watering yet?! The owner came out to each table and checked on her customer, super sweet and she has a great sense of humor. If you are looking for an amazing restaurant in Dubuque, you have to try this place!
(5)
Tanya R.
Best restaurant in Dubuque!!!
(5)
Mike B.
The food at this spot was good, for Dubuque IA. Our appetizer came out cold, which they promptly fixed. It had a good taste, it just wasn't executed in the BOH correctly. This is kitchen 101 stuff people! The Caesar was decent, and although they warn you about the garlic, for crying out loud, dial it back Chef!! The clam chowder was real good, a proper, just nape consistency, which is always nice to see. I had the Quail, good stuffing, seasoned well, done nicely. I would give this place 4 stars, but the server we had wasn't great, he actually seemed visible put-off when we did not order any alcohol. Next time, offer the table a drink menu, you'd be surprised what might happen! With all that said, this place is a worthy destination if you are in town, or perhaps visiting Galena.
(3)
Darcee N.
Dubuque is not an epicurean paradise but Pepper Sprout is a diamond in the rough. The food is generous and delicious, prepared by the chef who often greets guests at their tables. Local, seasonal ingredients are featured in a locale where there is so much abundance but not many restaurants feature that abundance. Pepper Sprout does and makes you feel at home in the Midwest.
(5)
Dan K.
Went to Dubuque for the film festival and not knowing the town found a lot of burgers and fries and beer joints. Not saying that in a bad way as I like all that stuff, but had to look hard to find much else. Enter Pepper. A block from the Holiday Inn we stayed in and highly recommended. Went the first night and it was pretty good. I think I had a steak thing with some smashed cauliflower underneath and went back the next night to have shrimp and scallops with the same cauliflower underneath. That was pretty good too. Waiters were very nice and helpful. Went away for a while a few times, but the place was really busy. Went out of the way to accommodate my travel companion's need for no wheat, dairy or soy, but weren't willing to steam some plain rice for him. All in all both nights were a good experience though and the people were nice. Definitely the best meal I had in Dubuque, but again I didn't explore every place in town, but I think I saw most of them. Nice town though with nice people. If I make it back to Dubuque I'd go back to the Pepper Sprout.
(4)
Ann Marie H.
Owner is unfriendly to the disabled. Refuses to be ADA compliant and threatened to shut down and sue if made to be compliant. Thinks that because they renovated an old building they are above the law and better than other restaurant owners. This is actually reflected in their cooking. Overly fussy, look at me quality, but the actual taste? Forget it. Pretentious, but without the chops to back it up. Wants to be a big city restaurant badly, but fails. Reminds me of a kid playing dress up. They think they look just like a princess in mommys dresses and heels, with lipstick askew, but really just looks foolish. Those who have actually been outside Dubuque know what kind of poseur place this is. Save your money. P.S. what is with the cauliflower obsession? Big sale at your distributor? Too much in the freezer??
(1)
Ryan C.
All-in-all a very good restaurant. My wife's dish was better than mine, she had something with shrimp, chorizo and cheddar grits, it was excellent. I had the Venison Tenderloin which was also very good, just not quite as good as hers. I do have to second what Elizabeth said a few reviews prior to mine. I ordered the Caesar salad, but was not warned about the garlic and she's not joking! I love garlic too, so I didn't think it'd be an issue, but I woke up with a strong taste of garlic in my mouth the next morning. However, that was my only complaint. The food and service were very good, four stars is deserved.
(4)
Tiffany L.
I went to Pepper Sprout with my significant other for a nice, upscale dinner while visiting the Galena/Dubuque area. I liked the decor and ambiance of Pepper Sprout, though the music didn't set the right mood (Led Zeppelin & Queen?--Really??). We were seated at the last booth in the rear of the restaurant, near the kitchen & restroom. I tried not to be bothered by this, until I realized there was an open staircase to the basement directly behind our table, so unfortunately a damp, musty stench permeated throughout our dinner. We ordered a chicken pesto bruschetta appetizer and it was delicious, as were the mashed potatoes. I got a simple ceasar salad but the dressing was overloaded with garlic. My boyfriend ordered the creole walleye, and he said it was far too spicy and hot for his liking, and he usually likes spicy dishes. We also got a slice of a blueberry lemon tart for dessert, but it lacked flavor and the lemon tasted synthetic. It wasn't absolutely terrible --the dishes just seem to need some tweaking--, but for this expensive price point I expected better.
(2)
Will W.
I've been here twice and both times the food service and facilities have all been excellent. Definitely recommend for a very nice dinner.
(5)
Ronald N.
Great experience. We were pleasantly surprised. When we saw the prices we were a little concerned, but it turned out to be well worth it. Friendly service, great atmosphere, and excellent food. I had a fantastic tuna steak and my wife had the cauliflower steak. Would definitely go back again.
(5)
Laura B.
I had heard about this place and was so excited to eat there. The atmosphere was very nice and the location was great. The staff was very friendly and accomodating but the food however was very bad. The soup was cold when it arrived and had to be sent back. It was watery and lacked flavor. The salad was so so. The cauliflower pasta dish was oily and not prepared well although the vegetables were al dente. The swordfish had a bad taste as well as the steak. Overall a huge disappointment. Would not recommend this place.
(2)
Andy M.
I don't like salads, but I LOVED the chef's salad with strawberry vinaigrette. I knew that we were in for a great meal from there. My duck was incredibly well seasoned and cooked. My girlfriends steak was absolutely 100% perfect. Some of the best food I have ever had. Service was also very friendly
(5)
Elizabeth J.
I have heard great things about this restaurant so maybe my expectations were a little high. The decor was very nice and the staff was very friendly! The waiter warned us that the Cesar salad was a bit garlicly and I didn't mind because I absolutely love garlic. What he should have done was warned us that everything the cook cooks is overloaded with garlic. The soup and cod cakes we ordered were so overwhelming with garlic that I couldn't really taste anything else. The duck with raspberry sauce my husband ordered wasn't med rare it was just plain rare. Needless to say it wasn't what I expected. Plates are around $20 to $25 which would be reasonable if they worked on improving the food a little more.
(2)
David J.
Yelp comes through again! I was passing through Dubuque tonight and was in the mood for a good meal - found Pepper Sprout with decent ratings and took a chance. So, I just polished of an amazing baked Brie appetizer and one of the best beef tenderloins I've ever eaten. Can't wait to pass through Dubuque again!.
(5)
Bob W.
Had an enjoyable dinner with my wife. She had the lamb, which is a favorite of hers and she enjoyed it very much. I had the stuffed quail which was also well prepared and tasty. Good attentive service and nice atmosphere. Some of the fine details aren't quite as creative as could be, but overall a decent experience.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy, Intimate, Romantic, Classy, Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Karl W.
First time ive tried quail and it was fantastic. Just like turkey but without the aftertaste. Comes with 2 quail and i split it with my girlfriend so we could try the deviled eggs. 2 types of eggs; one was kind of pesto flavored and creamy, the other had bacon and had more bite. The eggs change on a daily basis so ask what they are, ours were fantastic. Only negative comments was the green beans were a bit undercooked and bathroom is close tp patrons eating
(5)Lois K.
First time at Pepper Sprout and it was amazing! The salads were really good to start us off. I had the Mac and Cheese - huge portion. I was full after eating about 1/3 of it but it was so good, I pushed on and ate the whole thing. My husband had the ribeye and he said it was the best he has ever had. Then we splurged and split the cheesecake ... yum, yum. From out of town, but will definitely go back when in the area.
(5)Monica H.
In town for an event, first time visitor, probably the only time I will get to Dubuque. This place was heavily recommended by the proprietor of the B&B where I stayed. It was pretty good, but had an ambiance that reminded me of places I visited in the NYC area in the late '70s. I arrived early and had prompt and friendly service and enjoyed my meal. Salad and bread were nothing special. Can't comment on the regional menu because I had a steak, which was cooked perfectly medium rare. Seems to be more of a wine place but had a decent selection of craft beers in bottles. If they asked me, I would replace the Tiffany-esque candle holders with something else from the dollar store, and put fresh flowers in the vases. But this place is definitely worth a visit and I would try it again if I ever make it back to town.
(4)He And She I.
We searched on Yelp for a new restaurant in Dubuque, and, once again, Yelp came through. I would agree that this is the best restaurant in Dubuque, at least that we've found. We've had good meals in other places, but this one is the best. The service is fast, efficient, and the servers are very knowledgeable about the daily menu offerings. The chef stopped by to chat ingredients. The bartender came to the table to make an alternate wine suggestion, with a free taste. Everyone in the restaurant worked to make the visit enjoyable. We loved it so much that, five days later, we were back again, to try some of what we missed the first time. And, once again, we were bowled over by the service and food. This restaurant is not pretentious, but a genuinely good taste of seasonal local offerings, worthy of five stars.
(5)Robert P.
Great atmosphere. Great drinks and service. I loved the menu. Flat iron, lamb, duck confit , bruschetta, all good. Loved it. Feeling out of place in IA? Coming here feels like the best places in SoCal. Bad reviewers haven't ever been anywhere.
(5)N M.
Always treated warmly and the food is made with care and great craft! Great Midwestern upscale fine dinning!
(5)Josh M.
I can't even describe how amazing the food is here...choose the pheasant, pork, venison....oh gosh you can't go wrong. wine menu is solid...liquor selection is nothing special but adequate. THE FOOD!!! do it.
(5)Cynthia N.
Kim, Pepper Sprout owner and chef, knows how much I love the cauliflower steak, and even though it's usually on the winter menu, made it especially for me. It was DIVINE. One of he best things I've ever eaten. When does a chef does something especially for a customer?? I love Pepper Sprout / they have everything I love, including s great bartender who makes divine martinis and wonderful wines. Sigh.
(5)Austin W.
Hands down the best place in Dubuque, highly recommend.
(5)Abhishek M.
I forgot to write a review right after I left and now infant remember the fish I got but it was certainly very tasty. I sat at the bar and made a good friend talking to a local banker. The 2 reasons for not awarding 5 stars- service and mixology. Service - I sat at the bar and literally, it took the bar tender (who may also be an owner), 10 minutes to acknowledge me or offer a menu or water. In addition, the chef brought my entree out and when she returned a second time with someone else's food, I gave her a compliment but she didn't respond or acknowledge it either. Weird! Mixology - as always, I ordered an Old Fashion and not only was the orange and cherry muddled, it also got a splash of soda. Given how simple it is to make a classic old fashion, why ruin it with soda??
(4)Tom S.
I would highly recommend Pepper Sprout! They have a very nice wine list responsibly priced. Which pairs perfectly with the Baked Brie! It's sooo good. The Classic Caesar salad is not classic in my book and has quite a kick to it. The Chefs Choice for the night was a cole slaw and was delightful. My choice for dinner was the Louisiana Shrimp my wife selected the Summer Primavera. Each dish was devoured without complaint.
(4)Andrea T.
Upon walking into what seemed like a narrow, small restaurant, you are greeted with a small bar to the right and hostess stand straight ahead. The main restaurant seating is behind the hostess stand and is larger than anticipated. We had a small group that came here for dinner on a Thursday night. We did not have a reservation and this seemed to be fine as we were seating right away. There were quite a few people in the restaurant with only a few empty tables. We were given menus to peruse and soon our waitress was there. We had to ask for a wine menu which I was surprised they had not given us one initially. Their house bottles of wine were $20 so we decided to split one. Looking at the menu, we found some unique American cuisine which was rather intriguing. We decided to start with the Bleu Cheese, Cheese Cake. When it came to our table, it didn't look like I had envisioned. Not that it was a bad thing as the appetizer was warm and delicious. It did not have a strong bleu cheese or beets flavor so it was rather enjoyable. For the main course I chose the special which was a Walleye encrusted with walnuts, covered in a sauce with (she said crab) but I believe it was crawfish. A choice of salad or soup comes with it and I opted for the salad. The salad of course came out first and it had a very nice Basil Vinaigrette. They also brought out bread which was ok. When our main dishes came out, they were HUGE portions (especially after the appetizer, salad and bread). The fish took up the entire length of the plate. The fish was rather enjoyable and had a slight spice to from the sauce. The only disappointment in this dish was that the green beans were not cooked enough and thus were very crisp. I was unable to eat all of my meal. The girls wanted to split a dessert so we had the chocolate mousse. It was light and airy as mousse should be. I only had a couple small spoonfuls but did enjoy it. Since there were so many interesting items on the menu and it was convienant to the hotels, if I am in Dubuque again, I would probably stop in.
(4)Shane Z.
Don't come in here expecting fast service! Place looked nice on the inside, but even at night it was a little too dark in there. Staff was friendly, but the service was slow. I will take that as it is a limited menu and I don't think they have to cook it as it comes in. We had the deconstructed jalapeno popper dip as an appetizer. It came with some pretzel style bread sticks to dip in there. To me there wasn't a lot of flavor with this, but it was ok. It needed more jalapeno in there, there was no bite at all. I had their Caesar salad with my meal, not much to mess up here, but they do ask if you want anchovies on your salad (I declined). My main meal was the Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops. They were grilled and tasted really good. They almost fell off the bone. My meal also came with sour cream mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley and they were both excellent. I was happy with this restaurant and I will return again if I am back in the area.
(4)Frank V.
The four of us were really looking forward to our first dinner here. After asking the server about the bison stew special, three of us ordered it because it sounded great. The other entrée ordered was a spicy Italian pasta dish. While what we were served looked great, the bison meat was difficult to cut with a steak knife let alone to chew. We brought this to the attention of the server who just stared at us blankly. Not wanting to spoil our night out, we didn't make a fuss where we should have sent the three dinners back. We then ordered after dinner port (without finishing our entrees) and were surprised that the server came back with only one serving of port telling us "that's all that was left".
(2)Jesse G.
The place has a nice atmosphere. I found the food quite tasty, and the portions filling. The staff there is excellent, they are very friendly and were very accommodating to the group I was eating with.
(5)Brian K.
We were staying at the Hotel Julien just down the street and we tried Pepper Sprout on the recommendation of a store keeper we met in Galena. She was spot on! It was a nice place. The atmosphere was nice, service was good and the food was excellent. We had some mix up with the seating but either the hostess was new or they were working through some changes but they took very good care of us. Would definitely recommend this place for a special dinner!
(4)May L.
I wanted to post a pictures of my entree, but it was so good I couldn't stop eating to snap a picture. They just launched their new summer menu, created by the chef/owner and you can taste summer all over the plate. Started with a salad with feta, cucumber, onions and a delicious strawberry dressing (like I said it taste like summer!!). I decided on the pepper crusted pork tenderloin that usually comes with a side of rice, but I asked to switch to mashed potatoes (I'm sure the rice would have tasted great too). The meat is covered in reduced cherries and it literally melts in your mouth and the cherries add a nice tang to it. The veggies on the plate were well cooked but still had a little crunch to them. Is your mouth watering yet?! The owner came out to each table and checked on her customer, super sweet and she has a great sense of humor. If you are looking for an amazing restaurant in Dubuque, you have to try this place!
(5)Tanya R.
Best restaurant in Dubuque!!!
(5)Mike B.
The food at this spot was good, for Dubuque IA. Our appetizer came out cold, which they promptly fixed. It had a good taste, it just wasn't executed in the BOH correctly. This is kitchen 101 stuff people! The Caesar was decent, and although they warn you about the garlic, for crying out loud, dial it back Chef!! The clam chowder was real good, a proper, just nape consistency, which is always nice to see. I had the Quail, good stuffing, seasoned well, done nicely. I would give this place 4 stars, but the server we had wasn't great, he actually seemed visible put-off when we did not order any alcohol. Next time, offer the table a drink menu, you'd be surprised what might happen! With all that said, this place is a worthy destination if you are in town, or perhaps visiting Galena.
(3)Darcee N.
Dubuque is not an epicurean paradise but Pepper Sprout is a diamond in the rough. The food is generous and delicious, prepared by the chef who often greets guests at their tables. Local, seasonal ingredients are featured in a locale where there is so much abundance but not many restaurants feature that abundance. Pepper Sprout does and makes you feel at home in the Midwest.
(5)Dan K.
Went to Dubuque for the film festival and not knowing the town found a lot of burgers and fries and beer joints. Not saying that in a bad way as I like all that stuff, but had to look hard to find much else. Enter Pepper. A block from the Holiday Inn we stayed in and highly recommended. Went the first night and it was pretty good. I think I had a steak thing with some smashed cauliflower underneath and went back the next night to have shrimp and scallops with the same cauliflower underneath. That was pretty good too. Waiters were very nice and helpful. Went away for a while a few times, but the place was really busy. Went out of the way to accommodate my travel companion's need for no wheat, dairy or soy, but weren't willing to steam some plain rice for him. All in all both nights were a good experience though and the people were nice. Definitely the best meal I had in Dubuque, but again I didn't explore every place in town, but I think I saw most of them. Nice town though with nice people. If I make it back to Dubuque I'd go back to the Pepper Sprout.
(4)Ann Marie H.
Owner is unfriendly to the disabled. Refuses to be ADA compliant and threatened to shut down and sue if made to be compliant. Thinks that because they renovated an old building they are above the law and better than other restaurant owners. This is actually reflected in their cooking. Overly fussy, look at me quality, but the actual taste? Forget it. Pretentious, but without the chops to back it up. Wants to be a big city restaurant badly, but fails. Reminds me of a kid playing dress up. They think they look just like a princess in mommys dresses and heels, with lipstick askew, but really just looks foolish. Those who have actually been outside Dubuque know what kind of poseur place this is. Save your money. P.S. what is with the cauliflower obsession? Big sale at your distributor? Too much in the freezer??
(1)Ryan C.
All-in-all a very good restaurant. My wife's dish was better than mine, she had something with shrimp, chorizo and cheddar grits, it was excellent. I had the Venison Tenderloin which was also very good, just not quite as good as hers. I do have to second what Elizabeth said a few reviews prior to mine. I ordered the Caesar salad, but was not warned about the garlic and she's not joking! I love garlic too, so I didn't think it'd be an issue, but I woke up with a strong taste of garlic in my mouth the next morning. However, that was my only complaint. The food and service were very good, four stars is deserved.
(4)Tiffany L.
I went to Pepper Sprout with my significant other for a nice, upscale dinner while visiting the Galena/Dubuque area. I liked the decor and ambiance of Pepper Sprout, though the music didn't set the right mood (Led Zeppelin & Queen?--Really??). We were seated at the last booth in the rear of the restaurant, near the kitchen & restroom. I tried not to be bothered by this, until I realized there was an open staircase to the basement directly behind our table, so unfortunately a damp, musty stench permeated throughout our dinner. We ordered a chicken pesto bruschetta appetizer and it was delicious, as were the mashed potatoes. I got a simple ceasar salad but the dressing was overloaded with garlic. My boyfriend ordered the creole walleye, and he said it was far too spicy and hot for his liking, and he usually likes spicy dishes. We also got a slice of a blueberry lemon tart for dessert, but it lacked flavor and the lemon tasted synthetic. It wasn't absolutely terrible --the dishes just seem to need some tweaking--, but for this expensive price point I expected better.
(2)Will W.
I've been here twice and both times the food service and facilities have all been excellent. Definitely recommend for a very nice dinner.
(5)Ronald N.
Great experience. We were pleasantly surprised. When we saw the prices we were a little concerned, but it turned out to be well worth it. Friendly service, great atmosphere, and excellent food. I had a fantastic tuna steak and my wife had the cauliflower steak. Would definitely go back again.
(5)Laura B.
I had heard about this place and was so excited to eat there. The atmosphere was very nice and the location was great. The staff was very friendly and accomodating but the food however was very bad. The soup was cold when it arrived and had to be sent back. It was watery and lacked flavor. The salad was so so. The cauliflower pasta dish was oily and not prepared well although the vegetables were al dente. The swordfish had a bad taste as well as the steak. Overall a huge disappointment. Would not recommend this place.
(2)Andy M.
I don't like salads, but I LOVED the chef's salad with strawberry vinaigrette. I knew that we were in for a great meal from there. My duck was incredibly well seasoned and cooked. My girlfriends steak was absolutely 100% perfect. Some of the best food I have ever had. Service was also very friendly
(5)Elizabeth J.
I have heard great things about this restaurant so maybe my expectations were a little high. The decor was very nice and the staff was very friendly! The waiter warned us that the Cesar salad was a bit garlicly and I didn't mind because I absolutely love garlic. What he should have done was warned us that everything the cook cooks is overloaded with garlic. The soup and cod cakes we ordered were so overwhelming with garlic that I couldn't really taste anything else. The duck with raspberry sauce my husband ordered wasn't med rare it was just plain rare. Needless to say it wasn't what I expected. Plates are around $20 to $25 which would be reasonable if they worked on improving the food a little more.
(2)David J.
Yelp comes through again! I was passing through Dubuque tonight and was in the mood for a good meal - found Pepper Sprout with decent ratings and took a chance. So, I just polished of an amazing baked Brie appetizer and one of the best beef tenderloins I've ever eaten. Can't wait to pass through Dubuque again!.
(5)Bob W.
Had an enjoyable dinner with my wife. She had the lamb, which is a favorite of hers and she enjoyed it very much. I had the stuffed quail which was also well prepared and tasty. Good attentive service and nice atmosphere. Some of the fine details aren't quite as creative as could be, but overall a decent experience.
(4)Dori S.
About 7 years ago I was visiting Galena, IL and asked for a recommendation for the best steak in the area for a picky steak eater and the response was...the Pepper Sprout in Dubuque, IA. I am extremely lucky that I was pointed in the right direction as the Pepper Sprout served one of the best Filet Mignons I've ever had. No just good...but so mouth wateringly delectable that on a recent roadtrip I returned to Galena/Dubuque just to eat at the Pepper Sprout again. And they did not disappoint! For starters, I like my escargot the traditional way...swimming in individual mini-hot tubs of garlic butter, which I will later sop up with crusty French bread. When they are not served this way, I choke back a small tear. My escargot were served in a shallow bowl reclining in a slightly garlicy broth and topped with steamed, diced vegetables and shaved cheese. I choked back a tear. But once I dove into that little bowl of heaven I was amazed! The escargot were perfectly cooked, the veggies were a perfect accompaniment and the broth was delectable. SCORE! Next came the soup of the day, a potato pancetta cream soup. It was hearty, flavorful and not an overwhelmingly creamy suit but the perfect balance between tastiness and immediate heart attack. SCORE! Then it was time for what I came for...the filet! Purrrrfectly cooked medium rare, slightly crusty on the outside and a warm red center (my mouth is watering now just thinking about it). What is outstanding about this filet is that there is a slightly different flavor that I've not before had in Chicago, which I believe is the flavor of fresh red meat. So I had to ask, as I truly wondered, if the cow was just killed that day in back of the restaurant or what? Turns out the steaks are shipped in from some other state I've forgotten. Regardless, it is an outstanding and uniquely flavored piece of beef. SCORE! Décor is cute and comfortable, service was wonderful and bevvies were well made. Only wee complaint is that the restaurant knew we were driving in from Chicago to eat there, yet the chef/owner didn't stop by to say hello even tho she was on the floor speaking with guests. A guest services miss, but considering the food she prepared, she could have slapped me in the face and I'd still go back. Pepper Sprout is a great reason to plan a quick road trip from Chicago to Galena/Dubuque.
(4)Greg C.
Food is amazing. Atmosphere is phenomenal. Pricey, but worth it.
(5)