The Other Place

Delicious. I had a taco sub (which sounded so odd that I had to try it). It was soooo good. My father got the Ruben (which I tried and it was very tender). My mother got the pork tenderloin which was huge and delicious. My husband got spaghetti and said it was some of the best spaghetti he had. So we all had a variety of food and all of it was awesome!!!

Not Impressed.
I’ve been to the OP several times over the past fifteen years. Every experience can be summed up like this: great atmosphere, decent food (very hit or miss — don’t bother with salads, veggies, or pasta — stick to sandwiches, pizza, and beer) and TERRIBLE service.
I can’t express how terrible the service is at the OP. I was a waitress for ten years. I know how busy a sports bar can get, how deep in the weeds the kitchen staff can be, and how annoying customers are. But, that doesn’t give you (as a employee) the excuse to lose your damn mind and manners. Our last waitress shouted/​barked at us the whole time, acted like we were an extreme inconvenience at all times, literally threw down our food (had to wipe some of it off the table) and practically ran away, never brought drinks or silverware, took 25 minutes to get our check, and only acted pleasant when the check was delivered. Although this scenario was pretty extreme, I’ve never had a trip to the OP where the waitstaff impressed me.
Why keep going back? Meh, it’s decent food and one of the only «little bit of everything» resturants in Clear Lake.

I’ve been a few times now and I still not don’t know why everyone raves about this place around here. I went back a few times thinking I ordered the wrong thing but each time I got the same disappointing bar food with the same lame environment. I kept saying to myself I wish I had gone to the «Other Place» besides this place! If you notice all the 5 star reviews this place is getting to. Think about it, who gives a sports bar 5 stars in the middle of Iowa, just sayin?

Great place to start off the night or go for some good recovery food. Great pizza and sandwiches!

Wow!!! Plenty of room, quesadilla was HUGE and the grinder pizza is a must try!!! Wait staff was attentive and I couldn’t find a negative thing to say even if I tried!!!

Food was awesome. Waitstaff great. My mother and I had picked this place as we had just been riding through on RAGBRAI. Exhausted, hot and thirsty we were seated. My water bottle was on the table. All of a sudden the dark haired bartender gal came up behind me, and aggressively barked, «I’m gonna ask you to put away your water bottle or leave.» She then turned away and left. It was very unsettling. I am hypoglycemic and need to have my water with some electrolytes in it, especially after riding 40 miles. Luckily the sweet prompt waitress and great food saved what otherwise would have been a negative review. Get the vegetarian pizza!

I heard this restaurant was good so when I was passing through I decided to stop with my 2 kids and sister. Lots of seating and good for families and sports fans. I started with a side salad and it was terrible. Lettuce was about close to turning brown and it was very blah and boring. I had a hair in my salad! Next our group got the nachos appetizer to share and we barely touched it because it was so disgusting. There was chilly on the bottom which tasted like it was from a can and it was not even warm! The cheese was that super over processed cheese and it was really gross. They put iceberg lettuce on top that is close to browning and a small amount of sour cream. There were 4 of us and we couldn’t eat it. Even the kids wouldn’t eat it. Next we shared a pizza and the pizza was very good. Definitely not the best I’ve had but still pretty tasty. I was disappointed that they do not have kids sizes for soda unless you order a kids meal so when I got the bill I had been charged $ 2.25 for each child’s drink which they I could never possibly drink the huge cup that they brought them. Would have been nice to have a smaller size at a smaller price for the children. Our waitress was not very attentive. Took forever to get our bill. I hear the sandwiches are good but I am not sure I will be back.

Wide menu, quality food, plenty of seating, and a good place to see the game on multiple screens.

Good pie… the best pizza in the area. I had the new Ruben sandwich last night and I was very happy with the quality and the taste. The place seems to be busy but the service was very good. There was a minor mix up with my wife’s order but it was corrected quickly and professionally.
Lots of Tv’s to watch sports on, fun atmosphere.

The food was ok but I have never received such poor service. The 1^st food hit the table after 2 hours, the rest of the food came out every few minutes over the next 30 minutes, and half of the orders were wrong. When we asked to speak to a manager she told us there was nothing she could do about the wait and the timing of the food and we shouldn’t have come in on such a busy night. When we asked about the orders that were wrong she said that if she took them off our bill that the waitress would have to pay for them. We asked to talk to the owner who we knew was there, but were told he would not talk to us. I have eaten and received poor service at many places all over the country, but this by far was the worst experience I have ever had. If you ever have the opportunity to eat out in Clear Lake I would suggest you take your business somewhere else.

The Other place is a small chain of Iowa themed sports bars. Except for two locations in Johnson County, Kansas, the chain is based in Iowa.
The Clear Lake location opened in 1981 and, while renovated in the early 2000s, does show its age (aka ‘has some character’.). It’s a very spacious sports bar. The bar is in the center with booths on the far wall, and several tables & pool tables in-​between. Service was quick and friendly.
Our bartender mentioned that she was from Mason City. We were planning to head over there later in the day so we asked her what would be some good bars to visit while we were there.”
«Oh, I have no idea,» she said, «I’m not 21 yet. This is the only bar I’ve ever been in.»
Making this the first bar (that I’m aware of anyway) where I was served by a bartender who could not drink.