I know that’s a big claim to make – but I’ve eaten a lot of them in my day and these will live in infamy. Yes – you are about to find out where the best mozzarella sticks on the planet are located. Be patient my friends…you’ll know in a couple of paragraphs. ๐
First – I must say that I headed back home for my 20 year high school reunion last week and it was a fantastic time! I also ate out a lot – usually I hit up Carlos O’Kellys and Maid Rite but this trip – I decided to branch out and hit up some of my other favorites from my days of tearing it up in the big CR!
Also – I think I’ll be the #1 food blogger in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City when these couple of weeks have passed – there isn’t much competition and I think I have 8 restaurants that I went to!
Now – back to those cheese sticks. Where are they?
Yes – the Tic Toc – it’s a small, locally owned “bar & grill” near Mt. Mercy College. My bff Amy went there to school and introduced me to these amazing sticks many moons ago. When we got to town – we decided that was the first place to visit!
And the little nugget in the photo is her son – Tanner. He is a HAM – as you’ll see by the photos at the end. He was posing for me – the above is his “Yeah – I’m a cool tough guy” pose.
Here we are – Larry chatting with Amy’s hub and Tanner – very intensely focused on his DS while we wait for the cheesy delight!
It’s a cool little place – kinda dark – lots of wood – lots of regulars – love it.
Here they are…they may not look like much – but holy wow…they are AWESOME! Here’s why:
1. They’re huge – it’s like a 1/4 pound of mozzarella cheese in each stick – and even this cheesaholic only ate one!
2. Um – they came with ranch – duh.
3. They are BATTERED instead of breaded.
4. It’s a light fry on them.
5. They are not greasy at all!
So there you have it – the best mozz sticks in the USA!
Again – the ham – here he’s doing his rapper imitation.
The food at the Toc is pretty good too – Nick got chicken & ribs ($10.95) with a side of hash browns and beans…
I got the Patty Melt ($5.25) – it was delish – love the marble rye. I just love Iowa bar food – no idea why – it’s very comforting.
Amy got the french dip ($6.25) and enjoyed it…
We were all too busy catching up to really discuss the food – other than obsessing over the sticks.
And now – more “Faces of Tanner”
“Zombies Got Me” Tanner
“I’ve got muscles like Larry” Tanner
“Superhero Posing” Tanner
I love that kid – even more than the mozzarella sticks.
Why Should You Go? I would almost say make a special trip to Iowa for these sticks. And there is enough other great food along the way – it’s a great trip. And go see a Hawkeye game!!!!
Have you ever had Arthur's fried mozzarella? The pictures of these kind of reminds me of them! They're my favorite…darn it, now I'm hungry!
I was coming to mention Arthur's as well. Delicious.