Looking for something jazzy to do in the Quad Cities

OUTofTOWNHAWK said:
I looked at Modern Woodmen Park that looks great but Ill be there for the ball state game so it looks like they will be done. Unless they made the playoffs and they havent added that to the calander.
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My bad. I assumed you were coming for this week's game. Not sure about the playoffs - but I hope there are games, because I planned to take my kid for his birthday. EDIT -- they were eliminated from playoff contention. Maybe we should just go to the ball state game instead.

The brewery recommendations are sound (I like bent river ... but great river and front street are two blocks apart, so that's a better mini-crawl). If you prefer booze, there is a distillery in Leclaire (15 minutes or so east of davenport). Some people like that town (if you want to get your picture taken in front of the American Pickers shop). have your wife drive, though. Keystone cops.


So yeah. I didn't see any live bands that I consider must-sees. So just drink.

And, of course, taco pizza is claimed to have been invented by Happy joes.
 
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I grew up 20 miles north of Davenport. I always liked to go to the Filling Station for some good ribs. Enjoyed going across the river to the bars because they stayed opened until 3. Not sure if that is still the case. I haven't been there in a long time.
 
OUTofTOWNHAWK said:
Are these pizza places better than a taco pizza from Caseys?
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OOTH, I've never had pizza from Casey's so I don't know if you're joking or not. But Harris and Happy Joe's are very different types of pizza, but both very good. Happy Joe's had the "original" taco pizza, at least anywhere close to D-port, back in the 70's.

Anyway, my favorite is Harris (more of a greasy pie) , but HJ's (less greasy and large menu) is worth it also. You can't go wrong with either.
 
ArvadaHawk said:
OOTH, I've never had pizza from Casey's so I don't know if you're joking or not. But Harris and Happy Joe's are very different types of pizza, but both very good. Happy Joe's had the "original" taco pizza, at least anywhere close to D-port, back in the 70's.

Anyway, my favorite is Harris (more of a greasy pie) , but HJ's (less greasy and large menu) is worth it also. You can't go wrong with either.
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As a big fan of taco pizza I would like to try the original. Caseys taco pizza is very good. Sounds weird but one of my favorites. I think they used to have a BBQ beef that was good also.
 
OUTofTOWNHAWK said:
As a big fan of taco pizza I would like to try the original. Caseys taco pizza is very good. Sounds weird but one of my favorites. I think they used to have a BBQ beef that was good also.
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Happy Joe's actually has a crazy pizza menu. They have Canadian bacon & sauerkraut, taco supreme (has b.olives, onions, other things), matador - think taco pizza but with green chilies and no lettuce, tom's or chips. I worked for them all through HS and college, so, I essentially ate there for 8 years and is why I prefer Harris.
 
Happy Joe's taco is pretty good but the best pizza in the QCA is at Sports Fans and it's really not even close. A ton of great varieties and the crust is like a sweet sourdough. I highly recommend the garlic chicken with roasted onions & peppers -- marinara sauce, not aflredo. TV's everywhere. NTN trivia. Jars of Killians or bottles of Coors Light < $3. Great atmosphere and non-stop service. http://sportsfanspizza.com/ You'll thank me.

It's "downtown" Bettendorf, and walking distance to riverboat casino and a few other bars / resturaunts -- everything from dives to decent. If not in mood for za, check out Riverside B&G in strip mall, behind Sports Fans and across State St. (like 1-1/2 blocks). Recently opened and wife loves the "Daytona nachos".

As others mentioned, pretty decent live music scene -- check out The Village Idiot or 11th St Precinct, in E. Village, Davenport and / or, of course, The District in Rock Island. Catch the drunk bus - errrrr - I mean, "the Loop". City bus that runs weekend routes to drop you at all the entertainment areas on both sides of the river -- let them do the driving while you do the drinking.

Here's a couple resources for entertainment and event calandars:
http://qconline.com/getalife/events/cgi/date.php

http://www.rcreader.com/calendars/reader-music-calendar/

Enjoy and don't be late for Ball State.;)
 
I live in Durant, work in Davenport. Love the area.

East Village. 11th st Precinct pizzeria. Excellent. I also like the Woodfire Grill, downtown Davenport.
Directly to the east, tour around all the incredible homes up on the bluffs. There is another segment further to the west.
Channel Cat water taxi is unique. Gets you out onto the water. Has four stops.
Modern Woodmen Park...great place for a minor league game.
The Isle, Rhythm City and Jumers are the three casinos. Jumers is in Rock Island off of I-280. The other two are downtown.
See what's playing at the Adler or the Circa 21 in Rock Island.
 
MNHawkeyeFreak said:
I've heard Rudy's Taco's is good. Never been there, though. Came close last year when I took a wrong turn off 380...
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Another local place that has somehow been elevated to iconic status ... by the natives. Wife is a native; I'm not but have lived here over 20 years. Between Rudy's Tacos and Harris Pizza, near the worst Mexican and pizza, respectively, I've ever eaten.

Be thankful you got back on course or it might have turned into a very challenging drive back north.;)
 
we ate at rudy's a lot. Then I moved to texas and had the real thing. what can I say.

I've had a lot better pizza since I moved away but when I go back, its nice to go to those places. And Happy Joes and Rudy's taste the same way they did years ago. So once in a while its ok.
 
wow...didn't even hear about those commercials...something like that would make the news or FB or something.
 
NCHawker said:
we ate at rudy's a lot. Then I moved to texas and had the real thing. what can I say.

I've had a lot better pizza since I moved away but when I go back, its nice to go to those places. And Happy Joes and Rudy's taste the same way they did years ago. So once in a while its ok.
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Rudy's is hilarious. I don't know if it made its name in the decades before authentic mexican food was available, so people were just thrilled to be able to get tacos or what. But, the tacos are not better than you can make at home.

There are a multitiude of authentic mexican places in the area that should have long since put rudy's out of business ... but I guess there's always a market for americanized mexican food.

re: Pizza. I don't think harris pizza is comparable to rudys, because it's actually its own style. I grew up in the qc and in the chicago area, and I obvioiusly prefer chicago style pizza. But, the qc style is ok in its own right. (Agree with the Sports Fans recommendation -- accept I feel like the place smells funny. So get take out or have 6 beers before you show up).

I'm sure there's stuff to do ... but all I really do is go eating or go drinking. If you want to drop by and play bags in my drivewway, that's probably what I'll be doing.
 
If you're looking for a dive bar with great food, the Circle Tap at 1345 W. Locust St. always had excellent ribs and a cool atmosphere. Just east of St. Ambrose.
 
Most of the good spots have already been mentioned. I'll second Front St as the best brewery(Bent River close 2nd) and Sports Fans as the best place to drink, eat and watch sports. Being a local i will also plug Harris, Happy Joes and Franks for pizza. Favorite place to lose money is the Bettendorf casino.
 
Does Jim's rib haven in Rock Island still exist? I know at one point he had built a new building directly across from the "shack", but that was a while ago. Man, that was some good eating back in the day.
 
trj said:
Does Jim's rib haven in Rock Island still exist? I know at one point he had built a new building directly across from the "shack", but that was a while ago. Man, that was some good eating back in the day.
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Yep, still there and they also have a location in East Moline. It's BYOB though ... no liquor license the last time I was there.
 
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