Reviews of Schera's - Algerian American Restaurant & Bar (Restaurant)

Caroline Fantz

I went here with my grandma on a snow day, they were closing down early but opened up everything for us. Oh, and the food is delicious!

Kelly Larson

Absolutely delicious. A rare gem in Northeast Iowa. The view and the food were exceptional. I will be back - again and again!

Greg Knoke

Great selection of beers and lovely view of the river from the patio in the back.

Ryan Young

We waited 45 minutes for our food, at which point we were told the fryer was not working. When the food did arrive, my tenderloin was room temperature. I've eaten here before and the food and service were good, but this was enough to keep me away for a while.

Bridget Nulty

Love this spot! Great for lunch or dinner. Clayton county’s finest

Suzanne Pike

Best food I have had in awhile!

alyssa steffensmeier

We had baklava, schwarma, and samosas! All of it was very good! Very unique and delicious food!

Jeannette Hoth

Good food & great service.

Hanna F

Amazing food and great selection of wine and beer etc. We will definitely be back!

Josh B

Amazing food (camel Burger)and great beer and wine selection. Weather permitting the back patio along the river is great

David Rockwell

Favorite place to eat in Iowa!

Adam Ross

Great food and a superb, very rare beer list.

Mikalai Paulavets

Disappointed by the food and the amount of time it took to deliver the food. I was the only person in there for lunch- I should have known better.

Erlend Egeberg Aasland

Friendly staff, great food, nice beer/wine/cocktail selection. Highly recommended!

Pat Taylor

Magnificent food and equally fantastic people

Brandon Pecinovsky

I've lived in multiple states and this small town in NE Iowa has THE absolute best food that has crossed my tongue . The ambiance and culture are perfect especially with the patio on the river. I will never come to this town without eating here.

Robin Lickel

Fun service, flavorful dishes. Worth driving from far away.

Andy Johnson

Great patio over looking the Turkey River

Stan Moellers

There at 6:00 on a Saturday evening. Told by the waitress that the kitchen would be closing shortly.

Carol Olberding

I am very torn on how to rate this place. The food, waitress, and beer selection were excellent. We have been told for well over a year that this is the bar to go to to try interesting, different beers. Being beer connoisseurs, we made this a special place to go and we’re very disappointed by the beer service now that we’ve been there. The bartender, Lee, was a total sweetheart and was very accommodating, but the owner, Brian, was a total jerk. I asked him how his flights worked since I am a frequent beer drinker and he replied with an attitude and a surly reply, “you pick the beer and then drink it.” He even berated my choice of beers in my flight by saying they didn’t go well together (I know my beers and I know what I wanted to try... hence a FLIGHT). Trying to make conversation, I asked him what he liked and he scoffed that if he didn’t like it he wouldn’t serve it. So he didn’t give any helpful recommendations or talk about his selection at all. The food was hot and fresh. We trusted Lee’s recommendation and ordered the Algerian sampler appetizer as well as the shawarma plate with the Algerian soup as a side. EXCELLENT FOOD! But to be a beer lover with the intent of going to a place famous for their selection, we were sorely disappointed by the service and beer recommendations.

Casey Wellman

So many delicious beers on tap.

Darren Cole

Very good ethnic food and a surpring find in small town Iowa.

Kathleen Bonjour

Small, quaint and full of atmosphere! The Falafal pita was wonderful (though I substituted the cucumber sauce from the Gyro for the tahinni sauce)! The lamb and beef gyro was flavorful with the meat tender. We felt both meals were very satisfying and totally worth coming back for! The staff was friendly and very helpful. Can't wait to go back!

Roxanne vv

Top rated restaurant. Best food and wine

Kathleen Skemp Zimmerman

We visit relatives often in Elkader and this our go to place for lunch. It has a broad selection from standards to Algerian. I enjoy the Shwarma, Falafel and the Pork Tenderloin sandwiches. The beer menu is truly outstanding. I appreciate a place that doesn’t just go for the microbrew of the hour and has interesting beer and imports. They also have small sized beers that I appreciate for lunch.

Beverly Kilman

4 1/2 stars! We felt adventurous and ordered the Algerian Combo Platter. The za'atar and samosa were 5 star. The patio dining was so enjoyable.

Zach Gardner

Beer paired dinners are the best. Camel burger is worth a try.

Michael Shubatt

I am not from Elkader but go there for work occasionally. I stop at Schera's every time. The food quality, ambience and service are all excellent. Sitting out on the patio in warm weather is a great experience. My favorite dishes are the gyro and the tilapia sandwich. Oh, and make sure you get the sweet potato fries. Best I've had.

Mike Gauley

Enjoyed this place. Waiter was very helpful and the food very good. I tried the Cajun fries and a camel burger. Some of the best fries I've ever had and the burger was thick and full of flavor.

Lucas Henriksen

My all time favorite restaurant

Nick Canney

The list of beer you're given when seated is unreal for this little town. Then I was given the bottle and glass to pour it in which read "The Red Monk" and it all became clear. Had no idea going into this restaurant that it was owned by the same people who run the great Des Moines establishment. I saw an episode of Iowa ingredient detailing their menu and whatnot and put it on a list of must try restaurants around Iowa. Since I was passing thru to do some trout fishing I had to stop in. Service and food were phenominal. I had a pita, sesame seed, herb blend (including sumac!), and cheese along with olives for a starter. It was so fresh on this 90 degree day. The lamb tagine is making me sweat but has the best smoked paprika I've ever tasted. I would highly recommend if you're ever near Elader. Back to my dish!

D Stark

Good and service were impeccable! Had a great time!

donald maas

Great food and beer bar in Northeast Iowa

Tim McMillin

I love this place. A great blend of American standards and more exciting Algerian options. Great service, too. An Elkader treasure.

Randy Nading

Great place to eat in Elkader. Definitely going again.

Jean Rosenstiel

Wonderful food and charming lady serving us

N. L.

Excellent Algerian food. Top notch beer list.

Sean Acton

Fresh mushrooms, great salmon and pretty good service.

Jake Dale

First time here for zwanze yesterday. They force you to buy a shirt $15-20 and lunch $25 if you want premium pours. My lunch amounted to a piece of dried out chicken barely bigger than a chicken nugget with a scoop of couscous and tomatoes and lettuce. Other people had a bigger and better piece of chicken but also joked about needing a second lunch after the event. Pours were light 4oz and expensive $7 compared to zwanze events in Louisville. I did appreciate being able to buy on site rare bottles for $50 and bottles to go even though some were falsely advertised. Overall 2 of us spent almost $900 but this morning we all get an angry email from them about a stolen 'damn' sign which 'ruined the evening and great job.' Don't yell at all your customers to try to get at one thief. I'm sure when you count the money you'll feel better than I did after lunch until I got home and ate some protein powder haha.

Zaakary Barnes

This is a fantastic blend of Algerian and American food. Definitely try the Bourek!

Gold Osburn

Best food best prices best people if I have to say anything more that is best about this place your head will explode

Steven Niewoehner

Great food and craft beers

Jacob Boyd

Amazing restaurant surprise in rural Iowa. Affordable prices for exceptional food!

Todd Sprague

Awesome restaurant with a beautiful patio that is right on the river! Great view of the Stone Arch Bridge! If you like craft beer, they easily have the best selection in the area.

Jerry Ketoff

Great authentic food. Nice atmosphere.

matt shaffer

Best food and drink selection in the county!

Lauran White

An intimate atmosphere and food that delights, no matter what's on the menu

Anna Saturn

This place is the best for people who want a change in food stuff is just added on to stuff we eat!

Sara Klosterboer

Everything on the menu is fantastic, the beer selection is great, and the service is unbeatable. I would definitely make Schera's a destination restaurant!

Dorothy Desouzaguedes

A gem of a restaurant in rural Iowa. Wonderful, simply prepared food. Beautiful setting. We enjoyed a lovely late-summer lunch on the riverfront patio. The beer selection is astounding. Charming service.

Kellie Olsen

A great find! The food was fresh and perfectly spiced. We had such a wonderful experience we are looking forward to our next adventure through northeast Iowa.

Therese Whitmer

Yummy! You should go!

Jon Haack

I stopped by for lunch on Wednesday, received prompt courteous service. The burger was great, with flavorful, lean patty. And the side of Algerian lentil soup left me wanting to buy a gallon and stock up.

Julie

We were at Schera's for the Valentine dinner, and had a great meal! We've also been there in the summer, and really enjoy being able to sit out back overlooking the river.

Margaret M. Whitson

We were excited to discover this restaurant in Elkadar. It sounded so unique and interesting. We arrived right after opening and were told there was a party on the patio until 6 pm. We asked if we could be seated out there after the party. Never happened. We wanted very much to try absinthe and ordered three. They brought out the bottle, water, sugar cube and lighter. Ran out of absinthe halfway through the second drink being made- no other bottle. Wanted to order the Saturday special -not available. Our secondary choice was no longer on the menu. The food served was just nice, service was slow, overall disappointing. We wondered if the party was primary. We would give it another visit.

Nolan Monaghan

Decent food, kinda messy. Decorations just seemed, off

Marcia Powell

Love the Algerian food here as well as the atmosphere. There is no bad choice, but I enjoy the cade as an appetizer. Patrons who desire a collection of good regional and national beers will find this place to be a delight to the palate.

Raelene Parker

Lack-luster. Menu selection: pickled vegetables, Algerian Flank Steak, Veggie Couscous. Beverage: Specialty beer and a Pimms cocktail (Cost 50$) I was initially excited about finding a diverse menu in the small town of Elkader. This style of food is among my favorites, so I was rather disappointed when the food not only lacked quality, but lacked the depth of flavor profiles that this type of cuisine has to offer. The positives: The atmosphere was very nice and there are a great assortment of craft beers and top-shelf liquors on hand. The Pimms cocktail was refreshing and light. My sister ordered the Veggie Couscous and enjoyed every bite. The Dijon sour cream was delicious. The flank steak was cut and cooked perfectly. The negatives: The bottom of our bread came with the bottoms burnt black. I didn't want to complain, so I turned them over so the waitress could see the charred bottoms. She cleared the plates, obviously seeing that the bread was inedible and said nothing. The pickled vegetables were not good. Soaking anything in vinegar and calling it a pickled is an injustice to the art of pickling. The most significant case in point was the Kimchi. No garlic, no chili just cabbage/veggies who's dominate notes were raw ginger and vinegar. The Algerian coleslaw was bitter. The flank steak was cooked properly but the seasoning tasted as if they just cooked the steak and then sprinkled it with a raw curry powder. The chef must have been home ill that night, because the food tasted like some highschool kid was in the back cooking and had no idea what this type of food should even taste like.

Alex Rogers

A hidden gem in NEIA

jrglenn2

Schera's is the bomb... thanx for bringin some extra class & diversity to E-TOWN

Kurt Hageman

Camel burger and gyro wrap were good, service a little slow with only 1 waiter but overall a good experience on a beautiful day.

Matt Janssen

I stop by here every time I pass through northeastern Iowa. I love the town, and I really love the food at this place. The appetizer sampler is a great way to start. They also have a diverse beer selection.

Uwe Jens Rudolf

Enjoyed our anniversary on the deck overlooking the river! Delicious ethnic food (Algerian) with excellent service at very reasonable prices

Donna Pfaltzgraff

Service and hospitality was great.

Drew Guttormson

What a wonderful gem in NE Iowa. The building is classy inside with a old/vintage bar & hardwood floors. Nicely decorated and feels clean. The staff is super friendly. One of the owners waited on us and the other stops by every table before you leave & chats for a bit. Sincerely nice people. My GF and I both had the falafel. She had the gluten free variety which means it comes without the pita [she really wished they had a gluten free pita] on a bed of lettuce [nice looking lettuce]. Quality ingredients were used when preparing our meals - very fulfilling. Their beer selection is very impressive[a whole menu full of selections] I didn't have any but will next time. The prices are very reasonable for food and drinks. Great people...great food...I was super happy with my experience here!