New American restaurant · Waterloo, IA · reviewed since 2023
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%96+66.5Reliability 31%94+28.9Experts Score= 95Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.95SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#18 of 130 wedding caterersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 87%
5.0★★★★★86 Google reviews · 23 photos
99%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
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.
Score profile vs other wedding caterers
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: reliability.
Concept KitchenWedding Caterers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Concept Kitchen: 96/100 on this factor. Category median: 83.A
96
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Concept Kitchen: 94/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.A
94
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 99.–
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ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 95.–
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MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Concept Kitchen: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 40.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
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.
Recent reviews
Steven8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 days ago★★★★★
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.
MarieLocal Guide · 37 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 days ago★★★★★
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!
Anush5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
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.…
Courtney1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
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…
Kelli3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
They always love the food at concept, kitchen, and really appreciate the various gluten-free options.
Joseph1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
The MAC was pretty good however I with it was a little more overall good food and good service
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
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!
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
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
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.
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
