Google reviewers rate Concept Kitchen five stars based on eighty-six reviews, with the owner responding to eighty-eight percent of feedback. Customers frequently highlight the rotating menu, local ingredients, and specific dishes like mac and cheese and tacos. Staff accommodate dietary restrictions such as gluten-free and vegetarian needs through careful preparation and communication. While some note that service takes longer than expected, diners generally consider the high-quality food and attentive service worth the wait.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 86 reviews (99% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 86 Google reviews (77 with written comments, 17 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 88% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 30, 2026.
Service: Wedding Caterer serving Waterloo, Iowa.
Data from Google, last updated November 2, 2026.
Star ratings
86 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars8599%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star11%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 77 written reviews
100%praise
Praise40100%
Complaints00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Would recommend1333%
Quality & results820%
Staff & attitude718%
Communication513%
Price & value38%
Honesty & trust38%
Speed & response13%
What customers talk about
We read 77 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“I highly recommend you try the burger if you like burgers.”
“Truly a fantastic experience, both in service and taste, and we will exuberantly be back to dine again.”
“The bartender in the brewery was friendly and helpful.”
“He explained the Concept Kitchen and how it worked.”
“Be patient, it takes a little longer than expected, but SOOOOO WORTH IT!”
“The chef (yes, he is an honest-to-goodness chef) creates dishes here you will not find anywhere else in the Cedar Valley.”
“We visited Concept Kitchen for the first time in early May and we immediately knew we had found a hidden gem.”
People customers mention
Valley12 reviews
Falls11 reviews
Mac6 reviews
Clint6 reviews
Brewing3 reviews
Brewery3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Concept Kitchen is all about the food, with a weekly menu of local ingredients. Located in Second State Brewing, this is a fantastic departure from the typical brew pub grub. Ordering is off a paper menu at the counter. Again, it is all about the food and well worth it.
Meal type: Dinner
Price per person: $20–30
Group size: 3-4 people
Wait time: No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians: Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings: Not sure
Parking space: Plenty of parking
Parking options: Free street parking
M
Marie PabstLocal Guide · 37 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Marie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Blown away by the complexity of the scallop dish! Six nice sized and well prepared! Excellent value at $32. Be patient, it takes a little longer than expected, but SOOOOO WORTH IT!
E
Elyse4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Elyse has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My girlfriend and I were vegetarian. We both really wanted to try them out but weren't sure if they'd be able to accommodate us. But they were more than able to, not only through omission but substitution. We got the ramen with TVP instead of chicken and 2 orders of tacos with cactus and potatoes instead of meat. The cactus campechano tacos were both our favourites. We're definitely going back!
Price per person: $50–60
Recommendation for vegetarians: Highly recommend
C
Courtney Maassen1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Courtney has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Definitely Cedar Falls’ best kept secret. We’ve been coming here for over a year, and it’s consistently the best food ever made, even compared to coastal cities. Owners are the most wonderful people, and it’s truly a joy coming here. Their standard menu with tacos and Mac and cheese is delicious and the best in the state, but our fave is the rotating menu feature. Here’s some pics of some previous features from their rotating menu.
Meal type: Dinner
Price per person: $20–30
Group size: Suitable for all group sizes
Wait time: No wait
C
Colton Didier1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Colton has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The MAC was pretty good however I with it was a little more overall good food and good service
Price per person: $1–10
Noise level: Moderate noise
Wait time: No wait
Seating type: Indoor dining area
Response from the owner · a month ago
Joseph thanks so much for writing us a review and for the feedback. It was nice cooking for you. Let us know next time you are in, and we will make sure you love your Mac and cheese.
L
Larry Balik4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Larry has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Some of the best food I’ve had in 20 years. The chef, a former best Iowa chef award winner, is excellent. He knows food and kept gluten & sulfites, that my wife cannot have, out of her food.
Meal type: Dinner
Price per person: $20–30
Group size: 2 people
Parking space: Plenty of parking
Response from the owner · a month ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. It was a pleasure cooking for you, and we look forward to sharing a table with you again.
Clint and Jen
