Bev’s on the River
Bev’s on the River
1110 Larsen Park Road
Sioux City, IA 51103
With our dining experience dwindling down to within its final days, we began to up our class with our restaurant selection. We all met at Bev’s on the River, located on Park Road in downtown Sioux City. Before I even walked in the door, I let loose a sigh of relief that I had worn a collared-shirt and a pair of shoes that weren’t open-toed. In a classy joint like this, we made a group decision that we absolutely had to order some appetizers, and there were two items that called my name.
Blackened Sirloin Tips
Blackened sirloin tips. The name says it all. It’s almost impossible not to at least hit a ground-rule double on something like this, but Bev’s absolutely knocked it out of the park. The beef itself was tender, flavorful, and juicy. It was cooked to perfection, and the garnishes around it just made it that much better. The dipping sauce was outstanding, accenting the sweetness of everyday ranch dressing with a light kick.
Artichoke and Spinach Dip
This dip was about as solid as it gets. I’m not a big fan of spinach or artichoke, but the way this dish was thrown together made them both work. The melted cheese on top tied the entire appetizer together, and the Italian bread was outstanding. The outside edge was flavorful and crunchy, and the inside was soft and flavorful. After getting my fill of the appetizers, I figured I’d have to move on to the main entree at some point. When the waitress wandered back around, we all put our orders in, and after much debate, I settled on the Country Fried Steak. My love for southern comfort food pointed a finger this way, and my mind took off in full sprint. The pre-dinner salad was excellent. The main critique I had was that the cheddar and broccoli soup was a little light on the cheddar…and broccoli. The bread stick that accompanied the soup, however, was interesting and unique, as it somewhat resembled a doughnut in its consistency.
Country Fried Steak
Country Fried Steak. Even the name makes my mouth water a little. This was an absolutely outstanding selection off the menu. The entire presentation put a smile on my face, as the hulking slab of home-breaded steak sat atop the gigantic bulge of mashed potatoes, with gravy drizzled all over both. The potatoes were very clearly home-made, as they melted in my mouth and had the pleasant taste of butter and love. The steak was a knockout. Granted, if you fry anything, I’m probably going to enjoy it, but this was exceptional. The breading had a full flavor, and the meat was tender and delicious. My review: while Bev’s may be out of my average comfort zone, I could definitely picture myself bringing a date here. This place would be the perfect setting for a date in Siouxland.
PS: The dessert changed my life for the better. Double chocolate cheesecake. Do it.
Double Chocolate Cheesecake