red's public house

Had to fly into Cedar Rapids on a Sunday evening, which was delayed past nine. Connection woes put the bosh on eats in airports. I made a half dozen calls to downtown restaurants that showed up on Trip Advisor. Looked bad...galleys all seemed to close at 9:00. Not Reds. Kindly fellow on the phone said, "No problem, dude, we serve till closing." When's closing? "Around 2:00". Gol!!!! The place itself is 70's-sports-bar-basic but who cares? The kindly fellow in the grill turfed up a blue cheese burger on a fresh bun with reasonably crisp lettuce and tomato. Draft IPA was under market price, so I had two. Other customers seemed to be enjoying each other's company on a cold sabbath evening. And I didn't have to go to bed hungry in the heart if the nation's breadbasket.

Went there for a lunch date on her lunch hour.I was there 1st.Got some ice tea.When she showed up it took 30min and me cornering a waitress to get something to eat.She ordered a Caesar Salad.Looked good.Drizzled with bottled Caesar salad dressing...It was cool.She said it was good...but it had tomatoes in it? Her Ruben sandwich was small..and that was good with her...you know women.She said it was good.For me..I would rather have Hard Jewish Rye for a Ruben....she had no complaints.I ordered the 3 cheese Quesadillas.It came with a service of sour cream...great.It also came with salsa.The salsa was good....I would buy it.But I would prefer if they had minced some Cilantro and mixed it in the salsa and let it sit over night.Maybe even some cumin...just a little.Something that would set them apart from everybody opening cans and calling it Mexican food.I am also from Dallas and I LOVE TexMex food.There is NOTHING like that around here.TexMex has more Chilli Powder....more Cumin.More Garlic powder.MORE spice.Not HOT...MORE flavor.Nothing the chain restaurants offer :-(I would still go back to Red's....if I didn't have another choice...maybe a packet of instant oatmeal?