Truly a Mason City icon! Any time I get to pay a visit to Northwestern Steakhouse I’m reminded why it’s one of my favorite eateries in the state. The steak is always cooked to perfection & the Greek spaghetti is a must! You won’t regret the wait to dine here!

More of a bar that happens to have food than a steakhouse and "fine dining". Minimal options on sides which include spegetti, potato, french fries and rice. Starch starch and more starch. There are 12 dinner choices, 8 steak 1 chicken, 1 salad, 1 fish and 1 shrimp. Your meal includes one side and a small salad. There are about 80 alcohol choices, soda coffee and instant tea. Steak was ok, I don't mind the prices but there are expectations of better food and options. Lower your expectations and it is an alright high priced place. Oh, you get your own personal spray bottle to sanitize your hands right on your table.

Our 1st time trying Northwestern steakhouse in Mason City, Iowa. I had a nice glass of wine as well as a Greek side salad. Wish I would have gotten some ranch (husband said ranch was great) with my side salad. Ordered a ribeye and the spaghetti side. Spaghetti was OK. I wish it would have had a little bit more butter or some kind of sauce . Ribeye was OK , pretty chewy (he was let down). It's super hard to get reservations / seating on a weekend, but service is on point.

Friends told us it would be pricey, but also the best steak we ever had, they were right. You have to get there when they open at 4:30 or have a reservation. 90 minute max time at the table because of the great demand. Homemade ranch dressing for their side salad is delicious as well. See pix of menu for pricing. With 20% tip our bill was $99.95

Does this place need yet another five star review? ABSOLUTELY. I moved to Iowa six years ago, and one of the recommendations I received was to visit Northwestern Steakhouse. So after six years of living in this great state, we finally made a small detour on the way home from Minneapolis. We were fortunate to make a last minute reservation on a BUSY Saturday night. This place is popular with travelers AND locals. Respect their reservation rules and policies. It’s not a big place and they do their best to accommodate the demand. This is not a traditional steakhouse. The cuts and sizes are pretty American with Greek style/flavors. Never had it before and it was effing delicious. We ordered the filet and ribeye. Both were cooked to perfect medium rare. The filet just melted in my mouth. It was the rice side that kind of stole the show. More addicting than crack. Service was phenomenal. We were seated almost 30 minutes after our reservation but enjoyed drinks upstairs in their lounge, frequently being checked on. We honestly felt like local regulars with how nice everyone was. Anne felt like the grandmother I never had. Highly recommend making a trip to Northwestern a priority. Mason City is a sleepy little town to me, and I’m glad I got past my biases for small town restaurants because this place is a GEM.

It def lives up to all of the great reviews. Tender meat, no matter what cut you get. The Rice has mint added, which sounds odd but is delicious! We got there right before 4:30 waited outside in a short line, but managed to get right in when they opened.

Make a reservation or get here early. Small place with limited seating. Ribeye was amazing as well as the Walleye.

If you have not been here. Go. Be sure to visit their website so you know how to reserve your spot. Over 100 years of incredible food folks. Worth it!! Recommend the Butter Noodles 😘

GO HERE!! Call ahead and make reservations - place was packed! We had a friend who ate just 'heated up leftovers' from Northwestern and wanted to try it for years based off LEFTOVERS. So you can imagine our expectations were high. All three of us ordered the filet and upgraded the $0.80 to get the spaghetti side (DO IT) and were just floored with it all. Truly the best steak I have ever had for the price - hands down. Will absolutely come back anytime we're in town.

This is the best steakhouse in Mason City and likely the best in the Midwest. It is popular, so reservation is best, but we were seated without a reservation promptly by arriving early in evening. If you have to wait, it will be worth it. Prices to reflect the quality of food, service and atmosphere and are a great value.

My ribeye and my wife's broiled northern were absolutely amazing! The bread they serve with a meal is heavenly, as soft as a cloud. The service and staff are friendly and super helpful, they're very customer service oriented. Thanks so much Northwestern Steakhouse – Mason City !

Great food! Large group (about 15) packed tight. Worked through it with no major issues. Wait staff was completely on their game. The filet was cooked as ordered and completely top shelf. Definitely returning!

I am from Texas…I was in the area on business and made a reservation on Saturday at 6:00. This is a local favorite and seems to have decent reviews. I have to say I was very UNDERWHELMED. No fresh brewed tea No appetizers Very cheap “cold” bread not heated at all. A spoonful of butter in a cheesy plastic container A salad served in an old wooded bowl (probably from 1978) with literally 1/4 boiled egg. My wife’s salad had 1 olive. They have no vegetables.. just baked potatoes, pasta, French fries. No vegetables meddly, no asparagus, no Brussels sprouts We ordered a steak but within a few minutes I asked for my check. There were a lot of people there but I’m sorry this place is stuck somewhere 60 years ago and obviously they and their customers like it. I really can’t see why anyone would consider this place. Just my opinion

I wasn’t sure about this place but hands down the best steak I’ve ever had!! My honey said he’s never heard someone moan so much while eating. I had Greek salad, spaghetti and ribeye. I am telling you it is absolutely delicious. The atmosphere is perfect. Sun lights but still light enough, great music, not too loud and excellent service.

Established 1920 it is a Mason City icon. A roadtrip worthy. One of the few places in the state that serves lamb chops, and they honor the cut. Cooked to perfection in a olive oil and spices mix. Make a reservation. The place opens at 4:30 and it fills up as soon as the doors open.

Tried to get a carry out order during regular business hours, called a couple times without an answer, then on the third call someone picked up and left the phone off the hook without saying a word for over a minute — i tried a couple more times and it was busy. Called again 15 or so minutes later, someone answered rudely, heavy sighing, asking “oh yeah, what do you want?!” - I asked politely for a carry out order, she said “just a second” and immediately put me on hold. I waited on hold for 13 minutes before finally giving up. Never had a restaurant treat us this rudely. They could have simply said we’re not accepting orders at the moment instead of wasting a good chunk of my evening.

I recently dined at this Northwestern Steakhouse, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. So The service was impeccable, with knowledgeable staff who helped us choose the ideal steak Now, about the star of the show—the steak. The quality and preparation were outstanding. Each bite was juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. The salads and sides were equally impressive, offering a variety of choices to complement the main course. The attention to detail and commitment to providing a top-notch dining experience was evident throughout. While it's a bit pricier, the value for the quality of food and service makes it worth it for a memorable night out. If you're a steak lover, this restaurant is a must-visit.

I have never once had a bad meal here. The steaks and Greek spaghetti are always absolutely amazing! Perfectly cooked steaks for our whole table. Seriously the best steak I've ever had anywhere!

Small. 1/3 seating is right by the door. Felt bad I had to check in right next to couples trying to enjoy their food. Friendly staff Food was underwhelming. Filet and Ribeye. Neither had much of any sear. As you can see in the photo they come out swimming in an oil bath. They were cooked correctly but I've had better steaks at chain restaurants. Their specialty side is spaghetti. It was butter noodles with a ton of parm cheese and garlic. They were dry yet oily. So the steak is dripping in oil, the side is oil, the bread was bland. For the money I would not recommend. They famously used to sell 25cent steaks 100 years ago to cement workers, the food tastes like they never elevated their their cooking once since then.

This is considered good food?? Is there another Steak House in this town or are people so deluded that this is good. Waited almost an hour for some thick very poorly cooked and lacking flavor steak and shrimp. Service was mediocre. I’m beyond disappointed that this is what Mason City considers good steak, for what your paying was not at all impressed. Do not recommend. For the plus, Mason City has decent water

Always worth the drive up from Des Moines. Get there early or make a reservation! The food is great and people line up outside the door about 20 minutes before opening. The steaks are always cooked perfectly and are well seasoned.

Fantastic meal! You have to get the Greek spaghetti as your side, it sounded odd, but it is amazing!

Love the food here don't get me wrong. Used to come quite a bit. Beat steak ever. We drive 45 minutes for it. But now they have made it so it's not possible unless we wanna camp out outside the place early. Can't make reservations like we used to and got there tonight to be told can't get in until 8. Its 5 right now.

I’m sad to leave a two star review! The food is AMAZING and always has been. I brought my boyfriend and family in to show him the famous steakhouse in my hometown. Like I said the food was and is still great but the service was some of the worst I’ve ever had anywhere. Our server never even checked on us and only came to the table twice the whole time we were there. Our drinks sat empty and dirty plates were not cleared. The second time I was literally just getting up to go find someone when she came back. I tipped less than 20% which is something I never do. I work in food service and know how challenging it can be but this was just unacceptable.

The Northwest Steakhouse is the best! If you’re visiting from out of town, this is a MUST visit! Such amazing steaks, chicken, and spaghetti! 🤤 This will forever be one of my favorite restaurants!!! The filet is so tender you can cut it with a fork! We love the nightly specials during the week!

Amazing staff and WONDERFUL food. We were from out of state and Northwestern Steakhouse was HIGHLY recommended by two people. When we arrived we were greeted and did not know we should have called ahead for reservations. We were squeezed in and the food lived up to exceed our expectations. If we are in the area we will be back and will tell our friends of our GREAT experience. The staff is also very kind to one another and work well together.

You will be so mad at yourself if you ignore my review! This is a steak lover's heaven! I had the best steak of my life...perfectly seasoned and cooked for the Gods! It made me do that little happy dance EVERYTIME I TOOK A BITE!!!!! The staff is kind and generous ...the chef's are magical...go here...or forever wonder where you'll find the best steak ever!

Was never a huge fan of steak until my sister took me there for my birthday years ago and I've been going ever since. Anyone who sees this is just a simple Bar is missing the point. They are focused on making the best steaks around and people come from everywhere just to wait in line to get some. The best Greek steak and spaghetti I've ever had.

This place is worth seeing if for no reason other than the history here. This is the real, original Mason City. It helps that the food is excellent and exceeds the standards of even highest priced steakhouses. The venue is small, make reservations if possible. The menu is small so everything is the house specialty. Seating time is limited, so take advantage of it to read the articles on the wall, look at the pictures, and ask your server for a history lesson. Try the spaghetti, you won’t regret it.

It was my first time at Northwestern Steakhouse and I had the Cobb Salad, Spaghetti and Top Sirloin. What a fantastic experience. The Sirloin was absolutely perfect. Perfectly aged, seasoned and served. What a fantastic crew. Unbelievable experience. I was lucky to experience a walk-in opening, I strongly recommend a reservation, because the place fills up quickly.