I would like to review the food, but after waiting 45 minutes, we were then told that the average wait time from ticket to table was ONE HOUR and that our food was still another 20 to 30 minutes away. (Keep in mind they didn't come by our table to explain the delay. We had to flag our server down to find out where are meals were.) Because we were on a schedule, we had to leave. Then they charged us for our coffee and soda.
(1)
Alice F.
My first visit to Newtons was a year and a half ago, and I was really looking forward to a return visit for one thing, the pork tenderloin. The tenderloin is still fabulous and as big as a platter, but I'm docking a star because of cleanliness. I had dirty silverware, the water tasted like something had been washed in it, and my table was sticky. Watching staff wipe down the table next to me, I almost said something about the very cursory nature of their cleaning. I'm kind of disappointed since the food is really good, and wines by the glass are cheap ($3.50 for me) on wine Wednesday. My (second) server was also really chipper. I'll come back, but hope they work on cleaning.
(3)
Taggert M.
Excellent pork sandwiches. Come with an appetite because you will not leave hungry. Decent service. I would recommend this to all who love a pork sandwich. The ONLY way to eat it is with pickles and ketchup.
(4)
Garrett D.
Large concert in town and wait was out the door and once seated it took sometime but it was worth it. Service was excellent
(5)
Huong D.
This was a great place to stop in Iowa after passing by so many gas stations and greasy diners. I wouldn't consider this a diner at all- there are salads and healthier options such as salads and the soup of the day- tortilla soup today. The BF did have the infamous tenderloin and said it was "good" and especially for the price! We would definitely come again if we are passing by!
(4)
Sid E.
Fabulous!! Great food, great service, great prices. Everything that other reviewers said about waiting times was blatantly false. Our food arrived quickly and was our best meal in Iowa this year (other meals were mostly around Okoboji). I highly recommend the pork tenderloin which is more than even a Coney Island hot dog champion could eat in one sitting. The sweet potato salad is to die for and the caprese sandwich was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend Newton's.
(5)
Jeff S.
Went back a second time, it was busy and the kitchen was super slow...make sure you have plenty of time if you give it a try. We loved it. Got right in, service was prompt and friendly, food was great. They were able to accommodate special dietary requests, definitely recommend and for sure would go back! Ask for Aaron.
(4)
Deborah F.
After eating here twice this weekend, I am confident that this restaurant has the largest portions I have ever encountered. Be ready to bring home leftovers or ask the staff which dishes can be shared. Speaking of staff, just have to give a shout out to Marvin who was an outstanding server. The food is excellent! The atmosphere is even better. It is part throwback to an old Midwestern diner (most of the food), part Seattle-like hipster hangout (the staff), part Minneapolis cafe (the atmosphere). For Waterloo, the prices will seem a little higher, but not given the portions.
(5)
Kristin H.
This has been our go to place in Waterloo whenever we are in town.... But no more.... Some thoughts: If Newton's was located in Chicagoland, it would be closed because no one would tolerate the super slow kitchen. Thank God for Iowa nice and Iowans who are willing to wait and wait and wait for pancakes and eggs; not to mention the chaos of "seat yourself," the crowded tiny vestibule where you have to wait, and the front door that won't close causing a cold draft to continually fill the restaurant. Perhaps the only way to manage the terrible waiting game is to get drunk on all the bloody Mary's and mimosas the servers were so busy preparing ( as people were waiting for tables to be cleared). By the time our food did arrive, it was quite the surprise because so much time had gone by that I had forgotten what I had ordered. Three of us had traditional American breakfast with eggs and pancakes. The pancakes are amazing. I had a pulled pork sandwich that was good, but needed more BBQ sauce and I had to ask for pickle. Bottom line: Food is great, but the overall experience especially the ridiculous waiting and lack of concern for our waiting was not positive and we are reluctant to try again.
(2)
Kelly B.
Great food great service, the sweet potato salad is great. Sides of fries come in huge portions!
(5)
Alecia F.
The food is good but I would have to say, not worth the wait. The tenderloin was delicious but I've had delicious tenderloins elsewhere and not waited 30 minutes for it. And I have a problem when the food is served and looks very unappetizing, this goes for any place, I received hash browns that were obviously burnt(tasted horrible also, did gave them a chance) but still they came to the table. I shouldn't have to tell you something that you already see. The waitress gets a ding for that one too. Wrapping it up. +Good Food -Long Wait -Not Very Much on the Menu +Good Coca-Cola -Unmindful cooking staff and wait staff
(2)
Larry H.
Not very good. Angus burger was meatloaf dirty tables staff unprofessional. One male staff member shook his longer greasy hair over the entire counter several times. We training a must.
(1)
Raymond P.
Cute place. Very much an old fashioned diner. Food was above average (pork tenderloin) but there was too much of it. I mean seriously way too much. No you don't understand, it was embarrassingly too much. I am a big guy and I ate maybe a quarter of the thing. So a 5 for food taste but subtract one for the unconscionable waste of food.
(4)
Giocatore M.
Newton's Paradise Cafe is difficult to review. My companions and I enjoy a meal here from time to time, and each time we have a great time and enjoy our food. I really like it, and therefore my first instinct is to give Newton's 4 or 5 stars. But . . . In all honesty there is nothing wrong with Newton's aside from their reputation for being slow. My last visit saw the three of us waiting forever for our food, with my food coming out five minutes after my companions got theirs. The legendary monstrous tenderloin you have all likely heard about is no exaggeration; it could feed several people. The quality isn't bad, either, nor was it spectacular. Breakfasts at Newton's are decent, but don't expect to be wowed anymore than you would be at Ihop. It may not shine above the rest, but you will find some good, filling comfort food here. The atmosphere, here, is very nice and brings a sense of nostalgia to your dining experience. You can enjoy a Bloody Mary while you wait for your food, and the servers are attentive, friendly, and appear to enjoy what they are doing. If time isn't a concern, and you want a good hearty meal, you are likely to enjoy your visit to Newton's Paradise Cafe. And if you're going to try that tenderloin, bring an appetite!
(3)
Amber N.
We were driving thru Waterloo and stopped for lunch on Free Fry Friday. Our group of 4 started with the cheese curds which were good, typical fried cheese. We had 2 order the adult grilled cheese that is very very cheesy. Parm fries were delicious. Other adult tried the massive pork tenderloin with parm fries. It fills the plate and is good too.
(4)
Rick M.
The food was high quality and the service was very friendly and responsive! A nice diner atmosphere. I would highly recommend it!
(5)
Sara P.
I really like the atmosphere of this place & the grownup grilled cheese is really good! I prefer the lunch/dinner over the breakfast but all around a great place to eat.
(4)
Mark G.
Had a very nice lunch here, ended up trying the turkey wrap. I do not usually order wraps, but this one caught my eye because of the raspberry aioli! It was very good, tasted fresh and well put together and the sauce was really amazing. That was the best part for me, wish I could take a bottle home. Also had basil coleslaw which was an awesome change of pace from the regular coleslaw we get everywhere, real good stuff. Overall this was a nice lunch spot, will have to stop by again and try more of their menu.
(4)
Chase K.
Great food! Must stop by if you are downtown Waterloo! Great atmosphere and food! Must get the cheese curds and tenderloin! So good!
(5)
Alicia E.
We absolutely loved this place! We were visiting IA for NCAA baseball regionals and looked online for a place to eat. Great small diner atmosphere, very friendly wait staff, and amazing food! Everything was prepared fresh and had great flavor. The tenderloin is not only insanely big (could feed a small family) but is a great cut of meat as well. The roast beef sandwich was awesome, tender beef and comes with homemade au jus. Try the cheese curd appetizers- to die for! We would come back to this place in a heartbeat!
(5)
Alicia R.
Very poor service, understanding that it was Mother's Day a wait was expected. We were there at 9 when they opened, and yet by 10:10 we still hasn't been served. We asked our waitress how much longer and her reply was another 10-15 minutes! There were others that came in AFTER us who ate and paid for their meal while we sat waiting. We left!
(1)
Will T.
I could make myself steak and eggs in approximately 5 minutes, Newtons required 1 hour ten minutes, despite the place being nowhere near full, and flat out refused to give me the coffee I'd had for free when I said I couldn't wait any longer. Having lost almost an hour of my life waiting for these chumps to get their act together, a sincere apology and a complimentary coffee would have made me feel a little better about the experience, but instead here I am feeling angry and hungry and wishing this restaurant had never wafted into existence. Don't let them waste your time. Awful experience.
(1)
Tom R.
I said earlier that Newton's was back, but now it's back to lousy. The service and the ambiance are great, but the quality of the food has greatly declined. The pancakes were flat and glutenous, sausage was dry and tasteless. The previously amazing French toast was more like wonder bread painted with egg. The eggs were tasty and well prepared. The fries have a freezer taste. Processed cheese was melted onto processed appearing hash browns. Coffee was the same, but it was weak and thin. I don't recognize any of the staff from my last visit... Hmmm. I had thought about giving this place another chance. I did. No more. Sad.
(2)
Robbie G.
Absolutely the best breakfast anywhere. Homemade biscuit unlike anywhere. Homemade jams jellys. All ingredients sourced locally. Erica, our waitress was so delightful and attentive. Don't miss this gem of a place.
(5)
Vince L.
What a pleasant surprise. Our first choice was closed so we came here. The place was bright, clean, and inviting. The staff was very energetic. We were seated quickly, explained the specials, left for a moment (our request) then ordered. Did not take long to get the food. All three of us enjoyed what we got. We will stop there next time passing through!
(4)
Tim S.
Sad to see the quality going downhill. On my last visit we stopped in at lunch for a quick wrap and bloody mary. My veggie wrap was bland and the parmesan fries were clearly just cooked from frozen and tossed in parmesan. The bartender doubled as our waiter, although she did a decent job, she was visibly annoyed with an elderly man who was sat next to us. The bloody mary's were still delicious, though.
(2)
Brianne H.
We love Newtons! The tenderloin and Bloody Mary are seriously amazing! The Parmesan fried are ok but still a good finger food. Service is decent. The only issue we have encountered is finding a table to sit at! Definitely try the tenderloin, you won't regret it! (Ask for an extra bun!)
(5)
Valerie C.
Great lunch in Waterloo! Vegetarian friendly and good sized portions. I had the caprese sandwich and sweet potato salad. Let's just say they were perfect. Even the kid's portions are big! The food takes a bit if time, but that's because it's fresh and good. Be prepared to entertain kids during the wait, but it's well worth it.
(5)
Andrew L.
If you like old fashioned diners, this is your place. They serve breakfast all day. HUGE Iowa tenderloin. Menu is somewhat limited but what they make is fantastic. Ate breakfast here on a Sunday. Big portions, reasonably priced. Very nice, cozy atmosphere . Eclectic servers with a warm smile and great service. If I lived here, I would never eat breakfast anywhere else.
(5)
Rachel C.
What a great spot for lunch! I went there and had the biggest tenderloin I've seen in my life! I cut it in to quarters, and 1/4 of it was plenty for lunch, so I took the rest home and had 3 more meals! I wish I'd gotten something healthier, but I made my choice when I saw the tenderloin. They're not a diner with nothing but sammiches on the menu - they also have salads and breakfast items that are great whether you're looking to go low-carb, paleo, or whatever. For a farm-to-table spot, they're also remarkably affordable. It's a great local spot that defies the negatives of diner food while retaining all the positives. As a person who's big on fries and unconventional dipping sauces, I'd like to make a pitch for their aioli. It's not exactly unconventional, but if you're looking for a HFCS-free alternative to Heinz, it's a great option!
(4)
Jim A.
LOVED Newton's! But the tenderloin ended up being "FOUR" sandwiches it was soooo BIG! Sweet potato salad was AWESOME! Server Brandon was great and had a good sense of humor. Also had the Rueben and cheese curds. Gotta admit, reuben needed sauerkraut and the cheese curds were overcooked causing half of them to be "empty" (cheese leaked out in fryer). I'm sure that isn't a regular occurrence but mgt, should point this out to the kitchen team.
(4)
Lucie O.
I love this place again, must be new management. For breakfast try the Monte Cristo! To die for:)
(5)
Paula G.
Although I have really enjoyed coming to Newtons, the service is sooooo slow. So slow, that I can't bear coming here anymore. Once it wasn't even crowded and it still took 45 mins to get our food. With impatient kiddos, that long of a wait is just out of the question for us. Food is enjoyable, however.
(3)
Natalie D.
Had the BLT before on the pretzel bun but leveled up today and had the turkey wrap. With the candied walnuts, it is mind blowing. Really enjoy the atmosphere as well. The wait staff is attentive but not overbearing. Inside is really cool - used to be an old jewelry store. Food is awesome and the coffee is quite good as well.
(5)
Rob C.
This was a ego inflated lazy chefs promise land. After eating here for awhile (the food was decent breakfast diner fair). & becoming friendly with the staff I was asked to invest 500 thousand dollars into a new venture with the head chef b. really? In dumpwaterloo iowa? really? I'm from LA I can spot a poser a mile away. This was your basic diner run wild. I personally saw said chef at 8:18pm get a lap dance from his European girl friend in the corner of the dinning room. After that show would you want to come back & eat here? We didn't either & no I did not invest my money with this small town clown. I heard it has a new owner good for them I wish them all the luck!
(1)
Heidi B.
Delicious food! I love their breakfast, especially the giant pancakes!
(5)
Larry R.
Great atmosphere...totally unexpected when walking up to the place. Unique spin on some traditional fare. Had the pork tenderloin sandwich...nice. Nice selection of craft beers. Will try this place for breakfast the next time we are in town.
(5)
Vincent C.
My Second visit, or should I say "second chance"! A second chance to make up for the last over done pork tenderloin. It is always a plus for a restaurant to be consistent but consistently bad is not a plus. I have been to Newtons twice, as I am on a vigil to seek out Iowa's best Pork Tenderloin. Don't let size fool you as this is one of the biggest. But be warned it will be over cooked making it one of the toughest. Fool me once, fool me twice, but not three times. Vincent
(2)
Bob K.
Impressed. Massive and delicious Caprice sandwich and delicious coke slaw for $7.95. Deal of my day today. Healthy choices available as well as tasty vegetarian options!
(5)
Amy P.
Pleasant experience. Reasonable wait for food, pleasant waitress. Food was delicious and high quality. Nice atmosphere. I would definitely return. We ordered the Reuben and a burger with fries both were good.
(4)
Scott C.
Very Tasty! Food was served hot, fresh and fast. Potions are HUGE! One tenderloin will easily serve two people. The Angus burger was cooked perfectly and very juicy. OH! And the onion rings are fabulous. Next trip through will make it a point to stop here again!
(5)
Jean F.
Beyond slow. Seat yourself on a busy Sunday is not what I would do. Do not like sitting down at a dirty table and then waiting 45 minutes for food. Food was ok, nothing spectacular.
(1)
Daniel H.
Super good food and the portion size of the pork tenderloin sandwich was awesome. And the service was better than I have received in some 5 star restaurants. Our server said that she was moving to Portland Oregon in the upcoming months and that is sad as she will not be there to give us the great service we had today.
(5)
Philip H.
We were passing through Waterloo, IA and decided to have dinner at Newton's Paradise Cafe based on its Yelp reviews. We were not disappointed... this place it great! Our waiter was friendly and efficient, taking our drink orders (draft beer) and giving us some time to review the menu. We ordered and shared a salad and a Reuben sandwich. According to our waiter, we could get free fries with the sandwich because it was Friday, which was a nice plus. The fries were dusted with thinly grated Parmesan cheese. All of this was delicious and filling. Newton's is a friendly place in downtown Waterloo and I'm anxious to return.
(5)
He And She I.
The staff here is incredibly helpful, and the menu is inventive. I wish they still served grits, but I'm not griping enough to drop one star. This is a downtown bright spot.
(5)
Paul S.
Pretty decent concept... Just poorly poorly executed. We walked into the restaurant behind a mass of people waiting to be greeted by someone, anyone who worked at this establishment. The couple in front of us just sat at an unclean random table out of frustration. They had to wave down a server to be noticed. No hostess. No manager on duty. Wobbly table. Dirty floor. Coffee = brown water. Out of 2 of the 4 sides. Empty water glass. Oops, we forgot the pesto on your turkey pesto wrap. Big time fail.
(1)
Jessica G.
First things first!!! Best bloody Mary ever!! Love the fresh grilled asparagus and bell peppers that garnish the delicious drink as well as all the other goodies i.e.bacon, pickle, olives, celery!!! YUM!! Their food is also fantastic!! Servings are huge and the servers are fun and friendly!! Love bringing visitors to this trendy spot. Makes waterloo a little less dull!!
(5)
Amanda B.
Food here is not that great and they charge too much. I ordered the biscuits and gravy to go and I specifically asked for sausage in my gravy (something they up charge for) I got home and no sausage. I've been there for lunch once and dinner once and didn't have a great experience then either. The waitstaff is not attentive and getting a drink refill is nearly impossible. One woman when I was there was served raw chicken and the waiter told her that was the way it was supposed to be. When she sent it back and ordered a ruben instead they still charged her for the chicken unbelievable! I would say pass in this place there are a lot better options in the Cedar Valley.
(1)
Tim W.
We found this diner for breakfast and chose it based on Yelp reviews. We were steered right. The food is very plentiful and more importantly very, very good. The prices are a terrific value. The biscuits are both huge (really huge) and excellent. An order of biscuits and gravy would feed my wife for about three days, and my excellent breakfast with just one (gigantic huge) biscuit along with an omelet and sausage was substantial in all good ways. This gets 5 stars from me as it was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. I will be back on my next visit to Waterloo.
(5)
Lisa L.
I brought my mother to Newton's yesterday after hearing about it on IPTV. What a delightful spot in downtown Waterloo! First things first. I like the decor and atmosphere at Newton's ... a little bit diner, a little bit bistro and a little contemporary with some cheery, yet warm furnishings and decorations. I could see myself being comfortable here for pretty much any meal of the day and I love the big windows that enable you to watch the street happenings. Tyler, our server, warmly greeted us and took our drink orders .. just hot tea for moms and water for the both of us. My mother and I are both fans of the tenderloin sandwich so of course, we zoned in on Newton's $9.99 sandwich. We're always hesitant about ordering them at restaurants because sometimes you get a sandwich with a lot of filler. Based on the menu description that their tenderloins are "breaded fresh daily", I felt confident that I would get a quality sandwich. And Tyler, who had an excellent command of the menu, further assured us that the sandwich was made with pork from a local locker, pounded, seasoned and breaded each day. Pork tenderloin sandwich it is, with a side of onion rings. The food arrived quickly and I couldn't believe what was put on the table. Based on Tyler's description and suggestion, we ordered 1 sandwich to share and holy crap, thank goodness we did. That sucker was huge .. really, enough to feed a small family. I was expecting to get one big sandwich that we would cut in half ourselves, but that's not how they do things at Newton's. They actually cut the tenderloin in half and fix two sandwiches. two buns with two pieces of meat plus some pretty greens, sliced Roma tomato and some very thinly sliced onion. And speaking of onions .. Newton's onion rings are JUMBO .. wide slices with the same crispy breading (Panko, I think) that they use for the tenderloin, and served with a side of Chipotle dipping sauce. That sauce was the only thing that was a little off for me. I think it was prepared with just some sour cream and a little minced chipotle chili with adobe. it lacked something and that thing is just a touch of mayo, which was added to the leftover sauce after I got home. The food was hot and delicious. That tenderloin was probably one of the best I've ever tasted. Not in a state fair concessions kind of way, but prepared with a bit more care and attention to detail. Although the loin was pounded quite thin, it was very juicy with no dryness whatsoever. The meat was fork tender, seasoned perfectly and beautifully crispy, fried to perfection. My only minor complaint is with the bun. It's really such a good sandwich in every way possible, but the buns we got were pretty tired and wrinkly. A homemade, or at least a little more fresh bun, toasted would have taken the sandwich to an even greater level of ZOMG! But again, minor, and the sandwich was still spectacular. And, how 'bout we got 4 meals out of it. I've been in Atlanta for the last 29 years and have only recently returned to Iowa for good. I'm really excited to start exploring and trying some of the local food spots, and I'm very happy that Newton's was one of my first tries. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to returning.
(4)
Sarah C.
Back for a second visit! I over-ate at lunch so tonight I went with the spinach salad with a little grilled chicken on the side. The berries in the salad were nice and fresh and I really liked the balsamic dressing served on the side. One of these days I need to try breakfast for dinner!
(4)
Jennifer L.
We came in and sat in the very back. After 5 minutes of a speaker screaming at us and no attention from the wait staff we decided to go and sit up front - sadly next to another speaker. We sat for another 5 minutes before we were greeted and given menu's. We ordered a la' cart and I had two eggs over-easy, wheat toast and hash browns - Husband had 2 scrambled eggs and a bowl of oatmeal. 10 minutes after we ordered our waiter came back and asked us what we had ordered again as he forgot. We were in there for over an hour before our food got to our table. The food was mediocre at best. The service was poor. The music was loud. The place wasn't very clean. We had to ask for a spoon to eat the oatmeal with. We were given one refill of coffee. The only thing fast to our table was the bill - presented three bites into our meal. Skip this place. They are more concerned with their image (or what they perceive is their image) then a quality dining experience.
(1)
William B.
Worst food downtown Waterloo, I don't know what this wanna be hipster hang-out is doing in the kitchen, but I don't think you can call anything I ordered from Newton's "food". We heard their service was awful so we'd save ourselves the chaos and order it to go. They say everyone can make breakfast food but they managed to botch every dish. What is this weird taste in my spongy syrup-less french toast? Why is this bacon raw? Brown chewy eggs? This toast sure looks a lot like hashbrowns... and tastes like $hit.
(1)
Buzz G.
Great tenderloin and great service.
(4)
Ryan P.
Great service, atmosphere and food. Love the breakfast. I wish they would bring back the breakfast burrito. It was to die for. Highly recommended.
(5)
Solfrid T.
We are in town (Cedar Falls) visiting family, and ventured over to Waterloo yesterday, looking for a place to have lunch! We were hoping to find a "non chain, one of a kind" place that served great food :-) we were fortunate to notice the "newton's Paradise Cafe as we were driving past! I ordered the spinach salad which was outstanding as well as the creamy potato mushroom soup that my husband ordered!! Also, our waiter was outstanding in every way! Keep up the good work!!! We will be back!!!
(5)
Kathy H.
Just drove an hour and a half for the best tenderloin sandwich in Iowa. WORTH THE DRIVE
(5)
Travis C.
I was in town running the backline gear for Irish Fest and this place was one of the four I could use my meal vouchers at. Let me say I'll be back on my own when I'm footing the bill. I had the tenderloin for dinner one evening. Now.....I'm a bit of a connoisseur of the breaded pork tenderloin and this sucker was right up with the best I've ever had. The next day I had the biscuits and gravy for breakfast.....killer! Good stuff Mainard!
(4)
Kris M.
Originally from Waterloo and back in town for a few days I went with my parents to Newton's. Arriving at about 12:30 on a Monday the place was mostly full, as expected, but we were able to find a table. We sat at the front of the restaurant (which has plenty of windows for people watching). Our server came over right away, took our drink orders and returned quickly, taking our order as we were ready. After that things slowed down, which surprised me as I had ordered a breakfast sandwich (breakfast is served all day) of egg and bacon on English muffin, my dad got the reuben and my mom the roast beef sandwich. During the wait my dad commented that from the times he had been there before the wait was not unusual but something that should be expected in coming here. Overall I didn't have any complaints about the food, the cleanliness of the establishment or necessarily about the service, from the standpoint of our waitress. I was however disappointed in how long it took the kitchen to turn the orders around and my mom was disappointed that they had taken the sweet potato fries (which she thought were great) off the menu.
(2)
Jann B.
Fantastic. We went for lunch on Saturday and changed our plans so we could be back for breakfast on Sunday. The pulled pork sandwich was outstanding, but the biscuits and gravy were even better. The steak with the steak and eggs was cooked a perfect medium rare. The Bloody Mary was as good as all the reviews had made it out to be. We will definitely be back on our next trip.
(5)
Estee M.
Really enjoy Newtons every time! Love love turkey wrap with fries. Great place for a brunch on the weekends! Make sure to try their bloody mary!
(4)
Jami Jo H.
I had to update my review. The owner was kind enough to message me to let me know there are evening hours and they are open on Mondays! They are very accommodating at Newton's. Being a 3rd shifter, sometimes you want something other than breakfast after work. They gladly made a tenderloin for my friend and a burger for me at 7:30. I've recently tried their breakfast and it is fantastic. The biscuits and gravy are wonderful, and the pancakes are perfection. 5 stars just doesn't do it justice!
(5)
Amber W.
Was in town for the weekend visiting family and partied pretty hard with friends from highschool Saturday night. Had a lovely walk through the quiet streets over the bridge from West 4th to East 4th to pick up my rental car I left the night before outside Jameson's. Checked my trusty Yelp app from my phone to try and find good eats that wasn't fast food to soak up this hangover that temporarily took over my small body, and ta da! This little slice of Heaven was like a beacon of vintage light with it's outdoor sign... I stepped in and sat at the bar to place a to go order, as the husband's hangover was a lot more hostile than my own and he was currently being held hostage in our hotel room gripped with dehydration and persistent nausea. (We party hard in the 'Loo don't we?! -not many people can hang with the corn-fed Mid-Westerners when it comes to a night of reckless intoxication...) So I sat down and was promptly taken care of, place a to go order and got coffee while I waited. I didn't expect conversation so I started reading my Nook, but low and behold, the staff was super friendly. Chatting me up as though I was a regular, asking about what I was reading, making small talk about tattoos ( a few of us had this in common ). It was a lovely experience. The diner itself was clean and updated, the menu was fresh, and I must say, when ordering breakfast food to go, the containers matter. Breakfast food is usually kind of greasy and can get messy. Their to go containers were super quality and they also offer home made jams which were really tasty :) I would definitely recommend checking this place out, either to go, or take the time to eat in. The staff is great, the atmosphere is great, and its supporting a local business in Waterloo, which is refreshing.
(5)
Mike G.
Definitely hit and miss with the service. At times appear to be understaffed. When food arrives at the table though I have always been impressed with the taste, texture and temperature. Recently I have tried there new pulled pork sandwich, easily the best I have had in the area. Couple the sandwich with there coleslaw and cottage cheese and it will be hard to beat. I will definitely come back for future lunches.
(4)
Erik D.
The food was excellent. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich (it was bigger than my head, really!) and my partner had the filet oscar. His filet was tender and good, and not over-cooked; my sandwich was well-seasoned and wonderful. You cannot get that sort of thing in Minneapolis. The only quibble we had was with timing of the service; seemed like a lot of people sat at once and it overwhelmed the waitstaff and the kitchen. Both waitstaff and kitchen were working hard, we could tell, so it's not that they were lazy or rude. But it did take 'em a little bit to catch up. I give our waitress credit for making sure we had full glasses as we waited, and I saw her head to the kitchen a few times to check on the status of our meals and make sure things were progressing. So: one star down from "amazingly fabulous" for that small bobble. But the food, the food! The food was just great. If we lived in this area we would definitely come back. (Get the tenderloin!)
(4)
Jim K.
We were driving across Iowa, and I was reminiscing about pork sandwiches of old when lunchtime brought us to Waterloo, IA. Based on fellow Yelpers reviews, not only did Newtons have the sandwich, it also did other things well. The food was a solid 4-4 1/2 stars, but the service by Joseph, and a stop by from the owner, Blake made our visit here an easy 5. Since we had a party of 7, we got to tour the menu pretty good. The stars were the massive breaded pork sandwich, stone ground grits, and the fresh made peach tea. The tenderloin was a solid cut of meat, no fat or gristle, and was cooked to a nice crispy brown. The grits were thick and hearty, and the peach tea, though maybe a bit sweet for some palates, was very flavorful. Just mix it with regular tea for a subdued sweetness. There is no real kids menu, but they will half anything, portion and price, and also have nuggets and grilled cheese not on the menu for the little one whom desire it.
(5)
Shaan P.
Food is excellent. But like most of the other comments, service could be better.
(4)
David S.
My wife and I love this place! It's great to have a diner in downtown Waterloo that serves fresh, local food at reasonable prices. The service is always friendly too. I've only had lunch there so can't speak for breakfast, but I've had nearly everything on the menu and enjoyed them all. The tenderloin is huge and can be shared with one or two other people. The restuarant is clean, bright and the noise level isn't too bad even when they're busy. I've taken my parents and in-laws there and they were satisfied too. I'm not sure about breakfast and dinner hours, but I know they're always open for lunch everyday. Be sure to stop by if you're in town, one of the best local places in the area.
(4)
Michelle E.
Originally from Waterloo we were back in town for a family gathering, restaurant came highly recommended for breakfast. It was just OK, very limited menu - we were told we could order whatever we wanted since they were a scratch kitchen, however they didn't have anything in the kitchen that we requested so had to stick with the bland menu. Most of the food was good in our party of 11, however I found a hair in my hash browns - ewwww! We had a pleasant waiter but the food was slow to get to our table. We were looking for a gem like The Bluebird Diner or Hamburg Inn in Iowa City - this isn't it!
(3)
James O.
Stopped in with the family while visiting in town for the local Irish fest (out-of-staters), as the place had come highly recommended. We ended up getting very friendly service in a very untimely manner. Left waiting for an hour before anyone could be spared to make a drink order, though I believe this was a circumstance of the unexpected crowd (as the place is not very large). That being said, once a waiter did make it our way, he was very friendly and accomodating (for our party of a dozen or so spread around tables). Food was good; I stuck to the waffles, which were as nice as I could hope for, but was unimpressed with the fresh OJ. While my experience left something to be desired, I still think I'd return and anticipate the quality shown in other reviews here, just try not to catch them at a peak hour.
(3)
Kenneth S.
Have been to this restaurant 3 times, 1 during lunch, and 2 during breakfast. The Lunch service was great. I ordered their Tenderloin sandwich and it was very good. My guest enjoyed her wrap as well. For breakfast its a different story. The first time I ate there was on a Saturday and the restaurant was empty. Ordered the Biscuits and Gravy. The portion size was great, the biscuits very tasty. Enjoyed the sausage that was mixed into the gravy as well. The very next day I took my wife to eat here and it was a completely different story. There was a 15 minute wait to be seated. It was obvious that the restaurant could not handle the rush. Once we were seated it took about 5 minutes just to have the service staff to give us the menu. In another 5 minutes we finally got coffee and a couple waters. We had to stop the server from walking away again and said that we were ready to place our order. I ordered the Biscuits and Gravy again and my wife ordered just the basic eggs and hash browns with bacon. The time it took to get the order from the kitchen was acceptable. We did have to flag down the wait staff just to get a refill for our coffee. Once the food came I noticed that there was no sausage cut up in the Gravy and there were puddles of grease on the plate that could have been cleaned off before serving. My wife's meal was good but she did feel that the hash browns were way to greasy to eat. While we were dining we watched two different groups that got seated and then just up and left as the servers never returned. If you can get to this restaurant while its not busy, you have a much better chance to enjoy your experience.
(3)
Jared r.
I really really really want to like this place. Here's the good: Ambiance is great. 50s diner meets modern, meets cool hang out. The staff is young with a touch of urban attitude, but too cool for pop culture. I like it so far. The food was dynamic...meaning the presentation made me say wow, from the portion size to the look. The selection was similar to their look, crossing boundaries, blending classic midwest comfort with modern twists. Basil coleslaw, and sweet potato salad, Rubens with bacon, etc. But they missed on quality control. No one to greet at the door, so getting to a table was a task. Ordering came quick, but the food took quite long to get to the table. After bringing some of the orders they realized they left out ingredients to some of the dishes.
(3)
John E.
The Iowa tenderloin and spinach salad were both tasty and good value. The tenderloin easily feeds two.
We are from out of state, our family recommend this place. I would say they need to increase portion size or use smaller plates. Not a very good value for the price. Very limited menu.
(2)
Craig M.
Massive hand-made tenderloin sandwich. I had to cut the meat in half and stack it and it was still twice as big as the bun. Good fries, too. I wish there was a slightly bigger beer selection, but they did have more than the usual macro offering.
(4)
Jonathan T.
I have dined at Newton's a number of times and have to say the service is excellent and sincere. The menu is great espcially the incorporation of local ingrediants--there is truly a difference in freshness at Newton's vs other places that order primarily from Martin Brother's--though perhaps I am fooled by presentation. The only reason did not give five stars is the price which is a little steep. However, I do not need bigger portions, just a slightly better price. In any event, I love the concept for fresh/local foods, the creativity in the menu. I recommend Newton's.
(4)
Chris F.
Excellent food. Best Reuben I've ever had. The service was very attentive. The menu is very Imaginative. I would highly recommend it to anyone. We were passing through Waterloo and found it on yelp. The owner/chef stopped by our table and talked to us. Everyone at our table enjoyed the food.
(5)
Alexa S.
Nice diner in downtown Waterloo. Great sandwiches and good coffee. Helpful servers. Check high chair clips if dining with a toddler. Love the coleslaw and sweet potato salad sides.
(4)
Ryan J.
Newtons Paradise had a traditional diner atmosphere, stylish decor, but mostly importantly great food!
(4)
Nicole R.
The pancakes are the best I've ever had, which is saying something. I had the berry ones and they didn't even need butter or syrup. AMAZING! The service was quick, but once emptied, my husband's coffee cup remained empty. I didn't like the coffee, but I'm a Dunks kind of girl. Also, we asked for butter, but didn't get any. And the check was dropped without asking if we'd like anything else. Nor did the server let us know if we should pay him or if there was a cashier. (There was a cashier it turns out.) So yeah, service not the best, but at least it was fast. Note: a lot of outside seating on the patio for nice days.
(4)
Nancy H.
Great food and service! Hubby had the tenderloin sandwich, and besides being huge, it had great meat and was lightly breaded. I had the smoked chicken quesadilla with three different sauces. Wonderful.
(4)
Kathy F.
We will be back. The next time we eat in Waterloo, we're going back to try another freshly prepared entree'. Although the menu isn't very large, the food that is served is presented very well. The service was good and the restaurant itself is very clean.
(4)
Mark A.
Not only do they cook with locally grown food but today they were selling produce from local farmers. We had a great lunch and then took home a zucchini and cucumbers.
(4)
Ben S.
This place is a gem in a city that is dominated by fast food and bad chain restaurants. I am also from out of state, and my family also recommended this place. As did 100% of Urbanspoon users when I checked. They are open for breakfast and lunch, and will be expanding to dinner soon. The menu is small, but it we had no problem finding something we wanted. This was really the only negative I can find here. The food was first rate, nothing that will get Zagat reviewed but it was tasty, fast and affordable. I was with a vegetarian, who had the berry pancakes and loved them. Expect real food here - bacon is thick cut and excellent. Eggs and hashbrowns did not disappoint. Service was ok...a couple small misses here and there but it was friendly. Get cream with your coffee even if you don't use it just to see the serving dish! Oh, yes, the plates are huge and rectangular, it was the first thing we commented on liking when we walked in the door and saw them at all the tables. As far as portion size goes, I was in a group of four and no one finished their plate. Breakfast was about $8 per person...same or better than the chains in town. I don't think there is anything on the menu over $10? I am confused by the previous reviewers critique. Try it once and I'm sure you'll be back. I'm in Waterloo once a year tops, but I will visit everytime.
(5)
Greg N.
Great lunches, with more than adequate portions for average eaters. Friendly and attentive staff. Be sure to have the potato salad--not too mustardy or mayonaise-y...just right and very tasty.
(4)
Nevin N.
Really good food. You can tell its all made fresh. We were there for lunch and it was delicious. We are already planning to go back for breakfast...can't wait to try it out!
(5)
Cathy G.
Visiting family in Evansdale and came across a review of this place and am sure glad we stopped by. This is the best restaurant meal I have had in many moons. The food, presentation and service was outstanding!!!! We had questions about the specials on the menu and the sous chef came out of the kitchen to answer our questions. The food is fresh and local, local farms provide many of the specials. I had osso bucco( an italian slow cooked on the bone pork) in the most delicious sauce of tomatoes,onions,celery and red wine. The portion was huge and all three of us tried and loved it. My daughter had a roasted chicken breast and prosciotto with luscious sauted mushrooms. It was served with a gorgazola risotto that was out of this world. My husband had ribeye the best he has had in years. Extremely tender and delicious. The chef owner alsi greted us and made sure everthing was perfect. The prices are extremely reasonable especially for the quality of the food. I wish I had this place where I lived, it is wonderful!!!!!
(5)
Arlene G.
We were on vacation and stopped in Waterloo for the evening. We rode downtown, looking for a place to eat. Being from the South we were looking for a good midwestern restaurant to experience. We saw Newton's Paradise Cafe and it was so charming we decided to check YELP to see the reviews. Glowing lunch reviews made us decide to go there for dinner. We were a bit surprised at the limited menu and the high prices for a place that looked like an old fashioned diner. We ordered our dinner...deciding to give it a try. My husband had the frenched pork rack and it was delicious, worthy of the price i might add! But I can only give the restaurant two stars because my open roast beef sandwich missed the mark! I received a plate that had a huge piece of focaccia bread with roast beef nestled inside the bun. Over the top of the sandwich...a glutenous gravy that was not appetizing at all. The mashed potatoes on the bottom were luke warm as was the whole dish. The rosemary in the bread and the flavoring in the gravy totally overpowered the beef. Being a true Southerner I did not complain....I was disappointed as I was looking for a nice hot meal after a day of driving. Our waitress was a bit condescending as she waited on us...so overall I cannot in good conscience give this restaurant more than two stars.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jeffrey C.
I would like to review the food, but after waiting 45 minutes, we were then told that the average wait time from ticket to table was ONE HOUR and that our food was still another 20 to 30 minutes away. (Keep in mind they didn't come by our table to explain the delay. We had to flag our server down to find out where are meals were.) Because we were on a schedule, we had to leave. Then they charged us for our coffee and soda.
(1)Alice F.
My first visit to Newtons was a year and a half ago, and I was really looking forward to a return visit for one thing, the pork tenderloin. The tenderloin is still fabulous and as big as a platter, but I'm docking a star because of cleanliness. I had dirty silverware, the water tasted like something had been washed in it, and my table was sticky. Watching staff wipe down the table next to me, I almost said something about the very cursory nature of their cleaning. I'm kind of disappointed since the food is really good, and wines by the glass are cheap ($3.50 for me) on wine Wednesday. My (second) server was also really chipper. I'll come back, but hope they work on cleaning.
(3)Taggert M.
Excellent pork sandwiches. Come with an appetite because you will not leave hungry. Decent service. I would recommend this to all who love a pork sandwich. The ONLY way to eat it is with pickles and ketchup.
(4)Garrett D.
Large concert in town and wait was out the door and once seated it took sometime but it was worth it. Service was excellent
(5)Huong D.
This was a great place to stop in Iowa after passing by so many gas stations and greasy diners. I wouldn't consider this a diner at all- there are salads and healthier options such as salads and the soup of the day- tortilla soup today. The BF did have the infamous tenderloin and said it was "good" and especially for the price! We would definitely come again if we are passing by!
(4)Sid E.
Fabulous!! Great food, great service, great prices. Everything that other reviewers said about waiting times was blatantly false. Our food arrived quickly and was our best meal in Iowa this year (other meals were mostly around Okoboji). I highly recommend the pork tenderloin which is more than even a Coney Island hot dog champion could eat in one sitting. The sweet potato salad is to die for and the caprese sandwich was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend Newton's.
(5)Jeff S.
Went back a second time, it was busy and the kitchen was super slow...make sure you have plenty of time if you give it a try. We loved it. Got right in, service was prompt and friendly, food was great. They were able to accommodate special dietary requests, definitely recommend and for sure would go back! Ask for Aaron.
(4)Deborah F.
After eating here twice this weekend, I am confident that this restaurant has the largest portions I have ever encountered. Be ready to bring home leftovers or ask the staff which dishes can be shared. Speaking of staff, just have to give a shout out to Marvin who was an outstanding server. The food is excellent! The atmosphere is even better. It is part throwback to an old Midwestern diner (most of the food), part Seattle-like hipster hangout (the staff), part Minneapolis cafe (the atmosphere). For Waterloo, the prices will seem a little higher, but not given the portions.
(5)Kristin H.
This has been our go to place in Waterloo whenever we are in town.... But no more.... Some thoughts: If Newton's was located in Chicagoland, it would be closed because no one would tolerate the super slow kitchen. Thank God for Iowa nice and Iowans who are willing to wait and wait and wait for pancakes and eggs; not to mention the chaos of "seat yourself," the crowded tiny vestibule where you have to wait, and the front door that won't close causing a cold draft to continually fill the restaurant. Perhaps the only way to manage the terrible waiting game is to get drunk on all the bloody Mary's and mimosas the servers were so busy preparing ( as people were waiting for tables to be cleared). By the time our food did arrive, it was quite the surprise because so much time had gone by that I had forgotten what I had ordered. Three of us had traditional American breakfast with eggs and pancakes. The pancakes are amazing. I had a pulled pork sandwich that was good, but needed more BBQ sauce and I had to ask for pickle. Bottom line: Food is great, but the overall experience especially the ridiculous waiting and lack of concern for our waiting was not positive and we are reluctant to try again.
(2)Kelly B.
Great food great service, the sweet potato salad is great. Sides of fries come in huge portions!
(5)Alecia F.
The food is good but I would have to say, not worth the wait. The tenderloin was delicious but I've had delicious tenderloins elsewhere and not waited 30 minutes for it. And I have a problem when the food is served and looks very unappetizing, this goes for any place, I received hash browns that were obviously burnt(tasted horrible also, did gave them a chance) but still they came to the table. I shouldn't have to tell you something that you already see. The waitress gets a ding for that one too. Wrapping it up. +Good Food -Long Wait -Not Very Much on the Menu +Good Coca-Cola -Unmindful cooking staff and wait staff
(2)Larry H.
Not very good. Angus burger was meatloaf dirty tables staff unprofessional. One male staff member shook his longer greasy hair over the entire counter several times. We training a must.
(1)Raymond P.
Cute place. Very much an old fashioned diner. Food was above average (pork tenderloin) but there was too much of it. I mean seriously way too much. No you don't understand, it was embarrassingly too much. I am a big guy and I ate maybe a quarter of the thing. So a 5 for food taste but subtract one for the unconscionable waste of food.
(4)Giocatore M.
Newton's Paradise Cafe is difficult to review. My companions and I enjoy a meal here from time to time, and each time we have a great time and enjoy our food. I really like it, and therefore my first instinct is to give Newton's 4 or 5 stars. But . . . In all honesty there is nothing wrong with Newton's aside from their reputation for being slow. My last visit saw the three of us waiting forever for our food, with my food coming out five minutes after my companions got theirs. The legendary monstrous tenderloin you have all likely heard about is no exaggeration; it could feed several people. The quality isn't bad, either, nor was it spectacular. Breakfasts at Newton's are decent, but don't expect to be wowed anymore than you would be at Ihop. It may not shine above the rest, but you will find some good, filling comfort food here. The atmosphere, here, is very nice and brings a sense of nostalgia to your dining experience. You can enjoy a Bloody Mary while you wait for your food, and the servers are attentive, friendly, and appear to enjoy what they are doing. If time isn't a concern, and you want a good hearty meal, you are likely to enjoy your visit to Newton's Paradise Cafe. And if you're going to try that tenderloin, bring an appetite!
(3)Amber N.
We were driving thru Waterloo and stopped for lunch on Free Fry Friday. Our group of 4 started with the cheese curds which were good, typical fried cheese. We had 2 order the adult grilled cheese that is very very cheesy. Parm fries were delicious. Other adult tried the massive pork tenderloin with parm fries. It fills the plate and is good too.
(4)Rick M.
The food was high quality and the service was very friendly and responsive! A nice diner atmosphere. I would highly recommend it!
(5)Sara P.
I really like the atmosphere of this place & the grownup grilled cheese is really good! I prefer the lunch/dinner over the breakfast but all around a great place to eat.
(4)Mark G.
Had a very nice lunch here, ended up trying the turkey wrap. I do not usually order wraps, but this one caught my eye because of the raspberry aioli! It was very good, tasted fresh and well put together and the sauce was really amazing. That was the best part for me, wish I could take a bottle home. Also had basil coleslaw which was an awesome change of pace from the regular coleslaw we get everywhere, real good stuff. Overall this was a nice lunch spot, will have to stop by again and try more of their menu.
(4)Chase K.
Great food! Must stop by if you are downtown Waterloo! Great atmosphere and food! Must get the cheese curds and tenderloin! So good!
(5)Alicia E.
We absolutely loved this place! We were visiting IA for NCAA baseball regionals and looked online for a place to eat. Great small diner atmosphere, very friendly wait staff, and amazing food! Everything was prepared fresh and had great flavor. The tenderloin is not only insanely big (could feed a small family) but is a great cut of meat as well. The roast beef sandwich was awesome, tender beef and comes with homemade au jus. Try the cheese curd appetizers- to die for! We would come back to this place in a heartbeat!
(5)Alicia R.
Very poor service, understanding that it was Mother's Day a wait was expected. We were there at 9 when they opened, and yet by 10:10 we still hasn't been served. We asked our waitress how much longer and her reply was another 10-15 minutes! There were others that came in AFTER us who ate and paid for their meal while we sat waiting. We left!
(1)Will T.
I could make myself steak and eggs in approximately 5 minutes, Newtons required 1 hour ten minutes, despite the place being nowhere near full, and flat out refused to give me the coffee I'd had for free when I said I couldn't wait any longer. Having lost almost an hour of my life waiting for these chumps to get their act together, a sincere apology and a complimentary coffee would have made me feel a little better about the experience, but instead here I am feeling angry and hungry and wishing this restaurant had never wafted into existence. Don't let them waste your time. Awful experience.
(1)Tom R.
I said earlier that Newton's was back, but now it's back to lousy. The service and the ambiance are great, but the quality of the food has greatly declined. The pancakes were flat and glutenous, sausage was dry and tasteless. The previously amazing French toast was more like wonder bread painted with egg. The eggs were tasty and well prepared. The fries have a freezer taste. Processed cheese was melted onto processed appearing hash browns. Coffee was the same, but it was weak and thin. I don't recognize any of the staff from my last visit... Hmmm. I had thought about giving this place another chance. I did. No more. Sad.
(2)Robbie G.
Absolutely the best breakfast anywhere. Homemade biscuit unlike anywhere. Homemade jams jellys. All ingredients sourced locally. Erica, our waitress was so delightful and attentive. Don't miss this gem of a place.
(5)Vince L.
What a pleasant surprise. Our first choice was closed so we came here. The place was bright, clean, and inviting. The staff was very energetic. We were seated quickly, explained the specials, left for a moment (our request) then ordered. Did not take long to get the food. All three of us enjoyed what we got. We will stop there next time passing through!
(4)Tim S.
Sad to see the quality going downhill. On my last visit we stopped in at lunch for a quick wrap and bloody mary. My veggie wrap was bland and the parmesan fries were clearly just cooked from frozen and tossed in parmesan. The bartender doubled as our waiter, although she did a decent job, she was visibly annoyed with an elderly man who was sat next to us. The bloody mary's were still delicious, though.
(2)Brianne H.
We love Newtons! The tenderloin and Bloody Mary are seriously amazing! The Parmesan fried are ok but still a good finger food. Service is decent. The only issue we have encountered is finding a table to sit at! Definitely try the tenderloin, you won't regret it! (Ask for an extra bun!)
(5)Valerie C.
Great lunch in Waterloo! Vegetarian friendly and good sized portions. I had the caprese sandwich and sweet potato salad. Let's just say they were perfect. Even the kid's portions are big! The food takes a bit if time, but that's because it's fresh and good. Be prepared to entertain kids during the wait, but it's well worth it.
(5)Andrew L.
If you like old fashioned diners, this is your place. They serve breakfast all day. HUGE Iowa tenderloin. Menu is somewhat limited but what they make is fantastic. Ate breakfast here on a Sunday. Big portions, reasonably priced. Very nice, cozy atmosphere . Eclectic servers with a warm smile and great service. If I lived here, I would never eat breakfast anywhere else.
(5)Rachel C.
What a great spot for lunch! I went there and had the biggest tenderloin I've seen in my life! I cut it in to quarters, and 1/4 of it was plenty for lunch, so I took the rest home and had 3 more meals! I wish I'd gotten something healthier, but I made my choice when I saw the tenderloin. They're not a diner with nothing but sammiches on the menu - they also have salads and breakfast items that are great whether you're looking to go low-carb, paleo, or whatever. For a farm-to-table spot, they're also remarkably affordable. It's a great local spot that defies the negatives of diner food while retaining all the positives. As a person who's big on fries and unconventional dipping sauces, I'd like to make a pitch for their aioli. It's not exactly unconventional, but if you're looking for a HFCS-free alternative to Heinz, it's a great option!
(4)Jim A.
LOVED Newton's! But the tenderloin ended up being "FOUR" sandwiches it was soooo BIG! Sweet potato salad was AWESOME! Server Brandon was great and had a good sense of humor. Also had the Rueben and cheese curds. Gotta admit, reuben needed sauerkraut and the cheese curds were overcooked causing half of them to be "empty" (cheese leaked out in fryer). I'm sure that isn't a regular occurrence but mgt, should point this out to the kitchen team.
(4)Lucie O.
I love this place again, must be new management. For breakfast try the Monte Cristo! To die for:)
(5)Paula G.
Although I have really enjoyed coming to Newtons, the service is sooooo slow. So slow, that I can't bear coming here anymore. Once it wasn't even crowded and it still took 45 mins to get our food. With impatient kiddos, that long of a wait is just out of the question for us. Food is enjoyable, however.
(3)Natalie D.
Had the BLT before on the pretzel bun but leveled up today and had the turkey wrap. With the candied walnuts, it is mind blowing. Really enjoy the atmosphere as well. The wait staff is attentive but not overbearing. Inside is really cool - used to be an old jewelry store. Food is awesome and the coffee is quite good as well.
(5)Rob C.
This was a ego inflated lazy chefs promise land. After eating here for awhile (the food was decent breakfast diner fair). & becoming friendly with the staff I was asked to invest 500 thousand dollars into a new venture with the head chef b. really? In dumpwaterloo iowa? really? I'm from LA I can spot a poser a mile away. This was your basic diner run wild. I personally saw said chef at 8:18pm get a lap dance from his European girl friend in the corner of the dinning room. After that show would you want to come back & eat here? We didn't either & no I did not invest my money with this small town clown. I heard it has a new owner good for them I wish them all the luck!
(1)Heidi B.
Delicious food! I love their breakfast, especially the giant pancakes!
(5)Larry R.
Great atmosphere...totally unexpected when walking up to the place. Unique spin on some traditional fare. Had the pork tenderloin sandwich...nice. Nice selection of craft beers. Will try this place for breakfast the next time we are in town.
(5)Vincent C.
My Second visit, or should I say "second chance"! A second chance to make up for the last over done pork tenderloin. It is always a plus for a restaurant to be consistent but consistently bad is not a plus. I have been to Newtons twice, as I am on a vigil to seek out Iowa's best Pork Tenderloin. Don't let size fool you as this is one of the biggest. But be warned it will be over cooked making it one of the toughest. Fool me once, fool me twice, but not three times. Vincent
(2)Bob K.
Impressed. Massive and delicious Caprice sandwich and delicious coke slaw for $7.95. Deal of my day today. Healthy choices available as well as tasty vegetarian options!
(5)Amy P.
Pleasant experience. Reasonable wait for food, pleasant waitress. Food was delicious and high quality. Nice atmosphere. I would definitely return. We ordered the Reuben and a burger with fries both were good.
(4)Scott C.
Very Tasty! Food was served hot, fresh and fast. Potions are HUGE! One tenderloin will easily serve two people. The Angus burger was cooked perfectly and very juicy. OH! And the onion rings are fabulous. Next trip through will make it a point to stop here again!
(5)Jean F.
Beyond slow. Seat yourself on a busy Sunday is not what I would do. Do not like sitting down at a dirty table and then waiting 45 minutes for food. Food was ok, nothing spectacular.
(1)Daniel H.
Super good food and the portion size of the pork tenderloin sandwich was awesome. And the service was better than I have received in some 5 star restaurants. Our server said that she was moving to Portland Oregon in the upcoming months and that is sad as she will not be there to give us the great service we had today.
(5)Philip H.
We were passing through Waterloo, IA and decided to have dinner at Newton's Paradise Cafe based on its Yelp reviews. We were not disappointed... this place it great! Our waiter was friendly and efficient, taking our drink orders (draft beer) and giving us some time to review the menu. We ordered and shared a salad and a Reuben sandwich. According to our waiter, we could get free fries with the sandwich because it was Friday, which was a nice plus. The fries were dusted with thinly grated Parmesan cheese. All of this was delicious and filling. Newton's is a friendly place in downtown Waterloo and I'm anxious to return.
(5)He And She I.
The staff here is incredibly helpful, and the menu is inventive. I wish they still served grits, but I'm not griping enough to drop one star. This is a downtown bright spot.
(5)Paul S.
Pretty decent concept... Just poorly poorly executed. We walked into the restaurant behind a mass of people waiting to be greeted by someone, anyone who worked at this establishment. The couple in front of us just sat at an unclean random table out of frustration. They had to wave down a server to be noticed. No hostess. No manager on duty. Wobbly table. Dirty floor. Coffee = brown water. Out of 2 of the 4 sides. Empty water glass. Oops, we forgot the pesto on your turkey pesto wrap. Big time fail.
(1)Jessica G.
First things first!!! Best bloody Mary ever!! Love the fresh grilled asparagus and bell peppers that garnish the delicious drink as well as all the other goodies i.e.bacon, pickle, olives, celery!!! YUM!! Their food is also fantastic!! Servings are huge and the servers are fun and friendly!! Love bringing visitors to this trendy spot. Makes waterloo a little less dull!!
(5)Amanda B.
Food here is not that great and they charge too much. I ordered the biscuits and gravy to go and I specifically asked for sausage in my gravy (something they up charge for) I got home and no sausage. I've been there for lunch once and dinner once and didn't have a great experience then either. The waitstaff is not attentive and getting a drink refill is nearly impossible. One woman when I was there was served raw chicken and the waiter told her that was the way it was supposed to be. When she sent it back and ordered a ruben instead they still charged her for the chicken unbelievable! I would say pass in this place there are a lot better options in the Cedar Valley.
(1)Tim W.
We found this diner for breakfast and chose it based on Yelp reviews. We were steered right. The food is very plentiful and more importantly very, very good. The prices are a terrific value. The biscuits are both huge (really huge) and excellent. An order of biscuits and gravy would feed my wife for about three days, and my excellent breakfast with just one (gigantic huge) biscuit along with an omelet and sausage was substantial in all good ways. This gets 5 stars from me as it was one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. I will be back on my next visit to Waterloo.
(5)Lisa L.
I brought my mother to Newton's yesterday after hearing about it on IPTV. What a delightful spot in downtown Waterloo! First things first. I like the decor and atmosphere at Newton's ... a little bit diner, a little bit bistro and a little contemporary with some cheery, yet warm furnishings and decorations. I could see myself being comfortable here for pretty much any meal of the day and I love the big windows that enable you to watch the street happenings. Tyler, our server, warmly greeted us and took our drink orders .. just hot tea for moms and water for the both of us. My mother and I are both fans of the tenderloin sandwich so of course, we zoned in on Newton's $9.99 sandwich. We're always hesitant about ordering them at restaurants because sometimes you get a sandwich with a lot of filler. Based on the menu description that their tenderloins are "breaded fresh daily", I felt confident that I would get a quality sandwich. And Tyler, who had an excellent command of the menu, further assured us that the sandwich was made with pork from a local locker, pounded, seasoned and breaded each day. Pork tenderloin sandwich it is, with a side of onion rings. The food arrived quickly and I couldn't believe what was put on the table. Based on Tyler's description and suggestion, we ordered 1 sandwich to share and holy crap, thank goodness we did. That sucker was huge .. really, enough to feed a small family. I was expecting to get one big sandwich that we would cut in half ourselves, but that's not how they do things at Newton's. They actually cut the tenderloin in half and fix two sandwiches. two buns with two pieces of meat plus some pretty greens, sliced Roma tomato and some very thinly sliced onion. And speaking of onions .. Newton's onion rings are JUMBO .. wide slices with the same crispy breading (Panko, I think) that they use for the tenderloin, and served with a side of Chipotle dipping sauce. That sauce was the only thing that was a little off for me. I think it was prepared with just some sour cream and a little minced chipotle chili with adobe. it lacked something and that thing is just a touch of mayo, which was added to the leftover sauce after I got home. The food was hot and delicious. That tenderloin was probably one of the best I've ever tasted. Not in a state fair concessions kind of way, but prepared with a bit more care and attention to detail. Although the loin was pounded quite thin, it was very juicy with no dryness whatsoever. The meat was fork tender, seasoned perfectly and beautifully crispy, fried to perfection. My only minor complaint is with the bun. It's really such a good sandwich in every way possible, but the buns we got were pretty tired and wrinkly. A homemade, or at least a little more fresh bun, toasted would have taken the sandwich to an even greater level of ZOMG! But again, minor, and the sandwich was still spectacular. And, how 'bout we got 4 meals out of it. I've been in Atlanta for the last 29 years and have only recently returned to Iowa for good. I'm really excited to start exploring and trying some of the local food spots, and I'm very happy that Newton's was one of my first tries. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to returning.
(4)Sarah C.
Back for a second visit! I over-ate at lunch so tonight I went with the spinach salad with a little grilled chicken on the side. The berries in the salad were nice and fresh and I really liked the balsamic dressing served on the side. One of these days I need to try breakfast for dinner!
(4)Jennifer L.
We came in and sat in the very back. After 5 minutes of a speaker screaming at us and no attention from the wait staff we decided to go and sit up front - sadly next to another speaker. We sat for another 5 minutes before we were greeted and given menu's. We ordered a la' cart and I had two eggs over-easy, wheat toast and hash browns - Husband had 2 scrambled eggs and a bowl of oatmeal. 10 minutes after we ordered our waiter came back and asked us what we had ordered again as he forgot. We were in there for over an hour before our food got to our table. The food was mediocre at best. The service was poor. The music was loud. The place wasn't very clean. We had to ask for a spoon to eat the oatmeal with. We were given one refill of coffee. The only thing fast to our table was the bill - presented three bites into our meal. Skip this place. They are more concerned with their image (or what they perceive is their image) then a quality dining experience.
(1)William B.
Worst food downtown Waterloo, I don't know what this wanna be hipster hang-out is doing in the kitchen, but I don't think you can call anything I ordered from Newton's "food". We heard their service was awful so we'd save ourselves the chaos and order it to go. They say everyone can make breakfast food but they managed to botch every dish. What is this weird taste in my spongy syrup-less french toast? Why is this bacon raw? Brown chewy eggs? This toast sure looks a lot like hashbrowns... and tastes like $hit.
(1)Buzz G.
Great tenderloin and great service.
(4)Ryan P.
Great service, atmosphere and food. Love the breakfast. I wish they would bring back the breakfast burrito. It was to die for. Highly recommended.
(5)Solfrid T.
We are in town (Cedar Falls) visiting family, and ventured over to Waterloo yesterday, looking for a place to have lunch! We were hoping to find a "non chain, one of a kind" place that served great food :-) we were fortunate to notice the "newton's Paradise Cafe as we were driving past! I ordered the spinach salad which was outstanding as well as the creamy potato mushroom soup that my husband ordered!! Also, our waiter was outstanding in every way! Keep up the good work!!! We will be back!!!
(5)Kathy H.
Just drove an hour and a half for the best tenderloin sandwich in Iowa. WORTH THE DRIVE
(5)Travis C.
I was in town running the backline gear for Irish Fest and this place was one of the four I could use my meal vouchers at. Let me say I'll be back on my own when I'm footing the bill. I had the tenderloin for dinner one evening. Now.....I'm a bit of a connoisseur of the breaded pork tenderloin and this sucker was right up with the best I've ever had. The next day I had the biscuits and gravy for breakfast.....killer! Good stuff Mainard!
(4)Kris M.
Originally from Waterloo and back in town for a few days I went with my parents to Newton's. Arriving at about 12:30 on a Monday the place was mostly full, as expected, but we were able to find a table. We sat at the front of the restaurant (which has plenty of windows for people watching). Our server came over right away, took our drink orders and returned quickly, taking our order as we were ready. After that things slowed down, which surprised me as I had ordered a breakfast sandwich (breakfast is served all day) of egg and bacon on English muffin, my dad got the reuben and my mom the roast beef sandwich. During the wait my dad commented that from the times he had been there before the wait was not unusual but something that should be expected in coming here. Overall I didn't have any complaints about the food, the cleanliness of the establishment or necessarily about the service, from the standpoint of our waitress. I was however disappointed in how long it took the kitchen to turn the orders around and my mom was disappointed that they had taken the sweet potato fries (which she thought were great) off the menu.
(2)Jann B.
Fantastic. We went for lunch on Saturday and changed our plans so we could be back for breakfast on Sunday. The pulled pork sandwich was outstanding, but the biscuits and gravy were even better. The steak with the steak and eggs was cooked a perfect medium rare. The Bloody Mary was as good as all the reviews had made it out to be. We will definitely be back on our next trip.
(5)Estee M.
Really enjoy Newtons every time! Love love turkey wrap with fries. Great place for a brunch on the weekends! Make sure to try their bloody mary!
(4)Jami Jo H.
I had to update my review. The owner was kind enough to message me to let me know there are evening hours and they are open on Mondays! They are very accommodating at Newton's. Being a 3rd shifter, sometimes you want something other than breakfast after work. They gladly made a tenderloin for my friend and a burger for me at 7:30. I've recently tried their breakfast and it is fantastic. The biscuits and gravy are wonderful, and the pancakes are perfection. 5 stars just doesn't do it justice!
(5)Amber W.
Was in town for the weekend visiting family and partied pretty hard with friends from highschool Saturday night. Had a lovely walk through the quiet streets over the bridge from West 4th to East 4th to pick up my rental car I left the night before outside Jameson's. Checked my trusty Yelp app from my phone to try and find good eats that wasn't fast food to soak up this hangover that temporarily took over my small body, and ta da! This little slice of Heaven was like a beacon of vintage light with it's outdoor sign... I stepped in and sat at the bar to place a to go order, as the husband's hangover was a lot more hostile than my own and he was currently being held hostage in our hotel room gripped with dehydration and persistent nausea. (We party hard in the 'Loo don't we?! -not many people can hang with the corn-fed Mid-Westerners when it comes to a night of reckless intoxication...) So I sat down and was promptly taken care of, place a to go order and got coffee while I waited. I didn't expect conversation so I started reading my Nook, but low and behold, the staff was super friendly. Chatting me up as though I was a regular, asking about what I was reading, making small talk about tattoos ( a few of us had this in common ). It was a lovely experience. The diner itself was clean and updated, the menu was fresh, and I must say, when ordering breakfast food to go, the containers matter. Breakfast food is usually kind of greasy and can get messy. Their to go containers were super quality and they also offer home made jams which were really tasty :) I would definitely recommend checking this place out, either to go, or take the time to eat in. The staff is great, the atmosphere is great, and its supporting a local business in Waterloo, which is refreshing.
(5)Mike G.
Definitely hit and miss with the service. At times appear to be understaffed. When food arrives at the table though I have always been impressed with the taste, texture and temperature. Recently I have tried there new pulled pork sandwich, easily the best I have had in the area. Couple the sandwich with there coleslaw and cottage cheese and it will be hard to beat. I will definitely come back for future lunches.
(4)Erik D.
The food was excellent. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich (it was bigger than my head, really!) and my partner had the filet oscar. His filet was tender and good, and not over-cooked; my sandwich was well-seasoned and wonderful. You cannot get that sort of thing in Minneapolis. The only quibble we had was with timing of the service; seemed like a lot of people sat at once and it overwhelmed the waitstaff and the kitchen. Both waitstaff and kitchen were working hard, we could tell, so it's not that they were lazy or rude. But it did take 'em a little bit to catch up. I give our waitress credit for making sure we had full glasses as we waited, and I saw her head to the kitchen a few times to check on the status of our meals and make sure things were progressing. So: one star down from "amazingly fabulous" for that small bobble. But the food, the food! The food was just great. If we lived in this area we would definitely come back. (Get the tenderloin!)
(4)Jim K.
We were driving across Iowa, and I was reminiscing about pork sandwiches of old when lunchtime brought us to Waterloo, IA. Based on fellow Yelpers reviews, not only did Newtons have the sandwich, it also did other things well. The food was a solid 4-4 1/2 stars, but the service by Joseph, and a stop by from the owner, Blake made our visit here an easy 5. Since we had a party of 7, we got to tour the menu pretty good. The stars were the massive breaded pork sandwich, stone ground grits, and the fresh made peach tea. The tenderloin was a solid cut of meat, no fat or gristle, and was cooked to a nice crispy brown. The grits were thick and hearty, and the peach tea, though maybe a bit sweet for some palates, was very flavorful. Just mix it with regular tea for a subdued sweetness. There is no real kids menu, but they will half anything, portion and price, and also have nuggets and grilled cheese not on the menu for the little one whom desire it.
(5)Shaan P.
Food is excellent. But like most of the other comments, service could be better.
(4)David S.
My wife and I love this place! It's great to have a diner in downtown Waterloo that serves fresh, local food at reasonable prices. The service is always friendly too. I've only had lunch there so can't speak for breakfast, but I've had nearly everything on the menu and enjoyed them all. The tenderloin is huge and can be shared with one or two other people. The restuarant is clean, bright and the noise level isn't too bad even when they're busy. I've taken my parents and in-laws there and they were satisfied too. I'm not sure about breakfast and dinner hours, but I know they're always open for lunch everyday. Be sure to stop by if you're in town, one of the best local places in the area.
(4)Michelle E.
Originally from Waterloo we were back in town for a family gathering, restaurant came highly recommended for breakfast. It was just OK, very limited menu - we were told we could order whatever we wanted since they were a scratch kitchen, however they didn't have anything in the kitchen that we requested so had to stick with the bland menu. Most of the food was good in our party of 11, however I found a hair in my hash browns - ewwww! We had a pleasant waiter but the food was slow to get to our table. We were looking for a gem like The Bluebird Diner or Hamburg Inn in Iowa City - this isn't it!
(3)James O.
Stopped in with the family while visiting in town for the local Irish fest (out-of-staters), as the place had come highly recommended. We ended up getting very friendly service in a very untimely manner. Left waiting for an hour before anyone could be spared to make a drink order, though I believe this was a circumstance of the unexpected crowd (as the place is not very large). That being said, once a waiter did make it our way, he was very friendly and accomodating (for our party of a dozen or so spread around tables). Food was good; I stuck to the waffles, which were as nice as I could hope for, but was unimpressed with the fresh OJ. While my experience left something to be desired, I still think I'd return and anticipate the quality shown in other reviews here, just try not to catch them at a peak hour.
(3)Kenneth S.
Have been to this restaurant 3 times, 1 during lunch, and 2 during breakfast. The Lunch service was great. I ordered their Tenderloin sandwich and it was very good. My guest enjoyed her wrap as well. For breakfast its a different story. The first time I ate there was on a Saturday and the restaurant was empty. Ordered the Biscuits and Gravy. The portion size was great, the biscuits very tasty. Enjoyed the sausage that was mixed into the gravy as well. The very next day I took my wife to eat here and it was a completely different story. There was a 15 minute wait to be seated. It was obvious that the restaurant could not handle the rush. Once we were seated it took about 5 minutes just to have the service staff to give us the menu. In another 5 minutes we finally got coffee and a couple waters. We had to stop the server from walking away again and said that we were ready to place our order. I ordered the Biscuits and Gravy again and my wife ordered just the basic eggs and hash browns with bacon. The time it took to get the order from the kitchen was acceptable. We did have to flag down the wait staff just to get a refill for our coffee. Once the food came I noticed that there was no sausage cut up in the Gravy and there were puddles of grease on the plate that could have been cleaned off before serving. My wife's meal was good but she did feel that the hash browns were way to greasy to eat. While we were dining we watched two different groups that got seated and then just up and left as the servers never returned. If you can get to this restaurant while its not busy, you have a much better chance to enjoy your experience.
(3)Jared r.
I really really really want to like this place. Here's the good: Ambiance is great. 50s diner meets modern, meets cool hang out. The staff is young with a touch of urban attitude, but too cool for pop culture. I like it so far. The food was dynamic...meaning the presentation made me say wow, from the portion size to the look. The selection was similar to their look, crossing boundaries, blending classic midwest comfort with modern twists. Basil coleslaw, and sweet potato salad, Rubens with bacon, etc. But they missed on quality control. No one to greet at the door, so getting to a table was a task. Ordering came quick, but the food took quite long to get to the table. After bringing some of the orders they realized they left out ingredients to some of the dishes.
(3)John E.
The Iowa tenderloin and spinach salad were both tasty and good value. The tenderloin easily feeds two.
(4)Lindsay M.
Oh my goodness! This is the perfect addition to Downtown Waterloo! It seems to revamp the area. And it's locally minded, which makes it even better. Everything you will eat at Newton's is "local and fresh," good 'ol home grown. Blake, the owner/manager of Newton's restaurant, buys from local farmers and spends many days at the Farmer's Markets in the area. I accompanied Blake to the Farmer's Market in Waterloo on Saturday AM. He is a local hero. He purchases all of his fresh produce from these famers in the area which just puts back in to the local economy. Great idea! Newton's was a jewelry store until Blake took over. He totally revamped the interior with great décor, fun colors and local art work. The old spinning sign out front formerly read "NEWTONS-WATCHES-DIAMONDS" now reads "NEWTONS-PARADISE-CAFE". This old building has been totally restored and is in great condition! Let's get to the food. Only having been open for two weeks, I wasn't sure how the food at Newton's would be... I was thoroughly pleased with everything I tried! Each morning the biscuits are handmade, the pancakes made fresh. All of the produce is straight from the farm and the flavor just pops in your mouth. Keys: *fries are addicting with their parmesan oregano seasoning *pork loin sandwich is to die for and it will shock you at the size - it's massive! *fresh made biscuits; flakey, warm and flavorful *turkey wrap; bacon and almonds complement each other so well! Newton's is currently only open for breakfast and lunch... the line goes out the door often. So, head over there early and make sure you are HUNGRY!
(5)Angela M.
We are from out of state, our family recommend this place. I would say they need to increase portion size or use smaller plates. Not a very good value for the price. Very limited menu.
(2)Craig M.
Massive hand-made tenderloin sandwich. I had to cut the meat in half and stack it and it was still twice as big as the bun. Good fries, too. I wish there was a slightly bigger beer selection, but they did have more than the usual macro offering.
(4)Jonathan T.
I have dined at Newton's a number of times and have to say the service is excellent and sincere. The menu is great espcially the incorporation of local ingrediants--there is truly a difference in freshness at Newton's vs other places that order primarily from Martin Brother's--though perhaps I am fooled by presentation. The only reason did not give five stars is the price which is a little steep. However, I do not need bigger portions, just a slightly better price. In any event, I love the concept for fresh/local foods, the creativity in the menu. I recommend Newton's.
(4)Chris F.
Excellent food. Best Reuben I've ever had. The service was very attentive. The menu is very Imaginative. I would highly recommend it to anyone. We were passing through Waterloo and found it on yelp. The owner/chef stopped by our table and talked to us. Everyone at our table enjoyed the food.
(5)Alexa S.
Nice diner in downtown Waterloo. Great sandwiches and good coffee. Helpful servers. Check high chair clips if dining with a toddler. Love the coleslaw and sweet potato salad sides.
(4)Ryan J.
Newtons Paradise had a traditional diner atmosphere, stylish decor, but mostly importantly great food!
(4)Nicole R.
The pancakes are the best I've ever had, which is saying something. I had the berry ones and they didn't even need butter or syrup. AMAZING! The service was quick, but once emptied, my husband's coffee cup remained empty. I didn't like the coffee, but I'm a Dunks kind of girl. Also, we asked for butter, but didn't get any. And the check was dropped without asking if we'd like anything else. Nor did the server let us know if we should pay him or if there was a cashier. (There was a cashier it turns out.) So yeah, service not the best, but at least it was fast. Note: a lot of outside seating on the patio for nice days.
(4)Nancy H.
Great food and service! Hubby had the tenderloin sandwich, and besides being huge, it had great meat and was lightly breaded. I had the smoked chicken quesadilla with three different sauces. Wonderful.
(4)Kathy F.
We will be back. The next time we eat in Waterloo, we're going back to try another freshly prepared entree'. Although the menu isn't very large, the food that is served is presented very well. The service was good and the restaurant itself is very clean.
(4)Mark A.
Not only do they cook with locally grown food but today they were selling produce from local farmers. We had a great lunch and then took home a zucchini and cucumbers.
(4)Ben S.
This place is a gem in a city that is dominated by fast food and bad chain restaurants. I am also from out of state, and my family also recommended this place. As did 100% of Urbanspoon users when I checked. They are open for breakfast and lunch, and will be expanding to dinner soon. The menu is small, but it we had no problem finding something we wanted. This was really the only negative I can find here. The food was first rate, nothing that will get Zagat reviewed but it was tasty, fast and affordable. I was with a vegetarian, who had the berry pancakes and loved them. Expect real food here - bacon is thick cut and excellent. Eggs and hashbrowns did not disappoint. Service was ok...a couple small misses here and there but it was friendly. Get cream with your coffee even if you don't use it just to see the serving dish! Oh, yes, the plates are huge and rectangular, it was the first thing we commented on liking when we walked in the door and saw them at all the tables. As far as portion size goes, I was in a group of four and no one finished their plate. Breakfast was about $8 per person...same or better than the chains in town. I don't think there is anything on the menu over $10? I am confused by the previous reviewers critique. Try it once and I'm sure you'll be back. I'm in Waterloo once a year tops, but I will visit everytime.
(5)Greg N.
Great lunches, with more than adequate portions for average eaters. Friendly and attentive staff. Be sure to have the potato salad--not too mustardy or mayonaise-y...just right and very tasty.
(4)Nevin N.
Really good food. You can tell its all made fresh. We were there for lunch and it was delicious. We are already planning to go back for breakfast...can't wait to try it out!
(5)Cathy G.
Visiting family in Evansdale and came across a review of this place and am sure glad we stopped by. This is the best restaurant meal I have had in many moons. The food, presentation and service was outstanding!!!! We had questions about the specials on the menu and the sous chef came out of the kitchen to answer our questions. The food is fresh and local, local farms provide many of the specials. I had osso bucco( an italian slow cooked on the bone pork) in the most delicious sauce of tomatoes,onions,celery and red wine. The portion was huge and all three of us tried and loved it. My daughter had a roasted chicken breast and prosciotto with luscious sauted mushrooms. It was served with a gorgazola risotto that was out of this world. My husband had ribeye the best he has had in years. Extremely tender and delicious. The chef owner alsi greted us and made sure everthing was perfect. The prices are extremely reasonable especially for the quality of the food. I wish I had this place where I lived, it is wonderful!!!!!
(5)Arlene G.
We were on vacation and stopped in Waterloo for the evening. We rode downtown, looking for a place to eat. Being from the South we were looking for a good midwestern restaurant to experience. We saw Newton's Paradise Cafe and it was so charming we decided to check YELP to see the reviews. Glowing lunch reviews made us decide to go there for dinner. We were a bit surprised at the limited menu and the high prices for a place that looked like an old fashioned diner. We ordered our dinner...deciding to give it a try. My husband had the frenched pork rack and it was delicious, worthy of the price i might add! But I can only give the restaurant two stars because my open roast beef sandwich missed the mark! I received a plate that had a huge piece of focaccia bread with roast beef nestled inside the bun. Over the top of the sandwich...a glutenous gravy that was not appetizing at all. The mashed potatoes on the bottom were luke warm as was the whole dish. The rosemary in the bread and the flavoring in the gravy totally overpowered the beef. Being a true Southerner I did not complain....I was disappointed as I was looking for a nice hot meal after a day of driving. Our waitress was a bit condescending as she waited on us...so overall I cannot in good conscience give this restaurant more than two stars.
(2)