Copper Kettle - Dubuque

I digested my disappointment and waited 3 weeks before writing this review to make sure it was not a rush decision out of the moment. Copper Kettle is a nice place with great atmosphere that could really be something, however, this is Dubuque, Iowa and not San Francisco or New York City. My biggest issue is with the value of the meals: 1. The food is of okay and average quality; nothing to really complain about but also nothing to rave about. 2. Portions sizes are on the smaller end which is unfortunately not at all reflected by a lower price. 3. The prices are absolutely ridiculously high for the quality of the food and the size of the meals, though their July 2024 prices for beer on tap are very fair; no complaints on that end. Our group of 4 felt cheated out of our money. In retrospective I should not have given a tip, but that's on me. I am particularly disappointed because my wife asked the waitress if their Fish Tacos would be gluten-free (they usually are) before ordering. The waitress went back to the kitchen to double check (very professional) and we placed our orders after this confirmation. When the meals came, my wife received a plate with the content of a taco for $17.95 before taxes with the waitress informing her that the cook now suddenly decided that the tacos were not gluten free. While this can happen, I think that paying full price for what is only a fraction of a complete dish, is NOT okay. My wife would have been happy to order a different dish if the kitchen had determined that this dish contains gluten when they waitress first checked-in with them and BEFORE we ordered. Alternatively, a salad option or a larger portion should have been served to justify a full price. Her uncle got a peppered Ribeye which basically was a piece of meat without anything. Again, at the premium of $32.95 I expect more than a piece of meat. Sure beef is not cheap, but if we wanted just a piece of meat, we would hit the local Hy-Vee and grill food ourselves. The coleslaw that came with my fish chips was literally two table spoons worth of slaw. Come on, salad in a farming area is not that expensive to source. We went later that week to L'Mays and Pepper Sprouts and had much better experiences at the same price point in both instances. This is really unfortunate, because the atmosphere and potential of Copper Kettle are absolutely great! You currently just do not get what you pay for, given that Dubuque is not a high-priced metro area in California or New York. There are definitely better dining options in town and we will have a hard time returning in the future. Maybe think of Copper Kettle as a really nice beer bar that also serves some bar-style food and you will be fine.

Food was good but could be better. Our server was great and swearing her butt of like the rest of us. Atmosphere could have been better if it wasn't so hot. Maybe the air was broken? ****** Mary was outstanding!! Would come back just for that.

We found this restaurant 6 years ago and drank the best ****** Mary drink we've ever had. We live 2 1/2 hours away so we don't make it up very often but when we do the ****** Mary is the only drink we order and has always been consistent until yesterday. Our first ****** Mary was sooo good! However, the second one was not like the first which was very disappointing. We've always bragged as to how consistent this drink is but definitely not yesterday. There were two bar tenders working and obviously the first one got it right, and the second did not. Drink was too spicy and had a greater after burn which led us to believe they were adding too much Habanero Infused Vodka. We've always recommended this place to our friends/family who visit Dubuque and we will be back but hope that the consistency of your ****** Mary drink will improve.

I ordered the cauliflower steak and my husband had the butternut squash ravioli. My food did not have much flavor until I added salt to it. The ravioli tasted like it was something bought and not made in house. Was quite disappointed as we chose this based on the reviews.

Been here a few times gave it one last try because family wanted to go as a group. It 's the last. Their burgers are sub-par, especially for the price. dry, overcooked, and toppings are NOT fresh. The worst is the meatloaf. DO NOT GET IT. $27 for two chunks of 'cardboard ' that were burnt and under a warmer all day. Was so dried out and hard even the sludge for gravy couldn 't help. Sent it back. She brought out another shortly after that was EXACTLY the same. Ate the veggies (edible, not great) and took the rest home for $27 dog food, as did another at our table. service was awful too. She was snippy from the start and we had to ask another server (multiple times) where ours was. it was not very busy at the time. Never coming here again and spreading the word. Get cheaper and better food service at the dives in town.