Steakhouse primed for new owner

MINEOLA, Iowa — On Thursday nights during the spring, summer and fall, finding a seat at the Mineola Steakhouse is a chore. With parked bicycles stretching down Main Street, the weekly “Taco Ride” brings in customers all night.

But things are about to change for the restaurant, which year-round is a popular choice to grab a bite to eat or drink a brew.

Clint Howard said he is in the final stages of selling the 25-year-old restaurant that he has owned since February 1994. He didn’t identify the new owners, but said they are expected to take over April 1.

Deb Landes, steakhouse manager, said the restaurant is a place to gather for locals and out-of-towners alike, whether they made it in on a bicycle, tractor or car.

“A lot of people like to make the short drive through the country,” she said.

Landes, 51, started working at the steakhouse in September 2002, after first being a customer.

“I was down here visiting for dinner, and it happened to be a Thursday,” Landes said. “It was rather hectic. I thought it’d be a nice place to work.”

The steakhouse has seating for up to 200 people on busy nights. An additional 200 people can find a place outside when the weather’s nice.

The 37-year-old Howard says his prime rib keeps customers coming. Mineola Steak House Seasoning, a concoction of Howard’s, is used on the prime rib and “pretty much everything,” and is sold at Council Bluffs and Glenwood grocery stores.

Howard said he decided to sell to spend more time with his wife, Rebecca, and 11-month-old daughter, Emersyn.

“I promised my wife if we ever had children I wouldn’t work 18 hours a day,” Howard said.

He said he expects things to stay the same with the new owners. The Taco Ride, he said, isn’t going anywhere.

« Metro/Region

Share