Pete & Shorty's
Bar · Clarksville
Pete & Shorty's Opening Hours
About Pete & Shorty's
Established in 1934 by two local brothers, Pete & Shorty's has long served Clarksville as a beloved neighborhood honkytonk. Now under new ownership since 2017, the bar continues to offer an authentic atmosphere filled with character and cherished memories for visitors traveling along the Rolling Pra...
Established in 1934 by two local brothers, Pete & Shorty's has long served Clarksville as a beloved neighborhood honkytonk. Now under new ownership since 2017, the bar continues to offer an authentic atmosphere filled with character and cherished memories for visitors traveling along the Rolling Prairie trail. Guests consistently praise the friendly staff and perfect execution of signature dishes, including famous half-pound hamburgers, hand-breaded tenderloins, and renowned Bloody Marys. Whether dining in or picking up orders for a family outing, patrons appreciate the quality food and cold beers that define this enduring local institution.
What Customers Say About Pete & Shorty's
Pete & Shorty's is a beloved local bar known for its friendly staff, great atmosphere, and tasty food. Many rave about the walleye, ribs, and burgers. However, some customers have experienced inconsistent pricing, rude service, and poor food quality.
Popular Dishes
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Tip: Call ahead for to-go orders, especially the pork tenderloin, to ensure it's ready on time. Be aware that online prices may not reflect current in-house pricing.
Frequently asked questions about Pete & Shorty's
Pete & Shorty's Clarksville Reviews
It was a spur of the moment stop in for lunch. It brought back so my memories of the small town bars I grew up around. The music that was playing couldn't of been better. The staff was friendly and the food was spot on! Kudos to the ladies working that day!!
We are far from prejudice or racist. It clearly states on our front window no party busses allowed, without prior authorization. The sign has been up for over 5 years. When a bus full of minors pulls up and wants to use our restroom, steal things, break things and try to get served they will always be asked to leave! We appreciate all the good reviews! But if there is an issue of how things were handled. Please contact us directly so we may address it accordingly.
Saw a YouTube video about their pork tenderloin which tempted me to visit. I called my order ahead and it was done on time with perfection. I highly recommend the cheese curds, none of them made it home. We promised to just eat a few but it got out of control FAST. Also, When I walked into the bar- it smelled freakin amazing! The cook was making a roast for the next day. I was automatically ravenous. She, (cook/ bartender/ awesome lady, was very friendly and inviting. I will definitely be back again. I swear, I've lived in the area for a decade and never knew about these small town diners/establishments that knock out some dope food. The price was most agreeable for the amount of food ordered
Great food and service. Love the atmosphere.
We love riding the Rolling Prarie trail and stopping at Pete and Shorty's. Friendly staff, great food and cold beer. This establishment has been open a long time for a good reason.
Our food was to go as we were letting our son enjoy the nearby splash pad. We ordered the burger with egg on it, an appetizer with mix items and fries and tenders for our kid. The kid fries weren’t cool all the way through but the mix appetizer had a different kind of fries that were delicious. My husband really enjoyed the egg burger as he and I quote said “one of the best I’ve had”. My favorite part was the beer recommendation, it was mango flavored which we immediately got more from the store bc it’s super refreshing so thanks for the suggestion.
Went here Friday night they had walleye or ribs all you eat. Choice of potato and coleslaw ,cottage cheese pea salad. I had fish 4 huge fillers w/lite breading. Daughter in-law had ribs said they were red excellent. Amy did a great job waitressing and bartending. Highly recommend
Update: We stopped through and had one of their amazing bloody Mary's and The Kramer, the olive cream cheese spread is so good. Thanks, Amy!! Your service was awesome ❤️ Pete and Shorty's is a nice little bar in Clarksville Iowa. If you're hungry for some fish they have a fish sandwich called the Big Bob I would recommend I think they make their tartar sauce in house but I'm not 100% sure. My husband had the chicken strips & we both had a side salad.
We had one of the best 1/2# hamburgers we've had in a time here. It was $10 but we split it and more than enough. Light barbecue sauce with grilled onions on toasted Texas bread.
I was a craft vendor in front of Pete & Shorty's. The employees were selling food from the building next door to their main business. I love walking tacos. Especially when I get to add my own toppings. I paid only $4 for by far the best walking taco I have ever had. The bag of chips was specially for walking tacos and it was huge. I would say at least twice the size of most who sell walking tacos in the lunch bag size. I got to add my own toppings and as much as I wanted. The taco meat was amazing! I also like the fact that the jalapeños were chopped. I like jalapeños but I enjoyed them being chopped for the walking taco so I wasn't overwhelmed by the heat of biting into a large piece. The employees were extremely nice. If I lived closer I would patronize their main business.
Although the food IS good...they don't seem to know what their prices are...pricing online is NOT the same price inside the restaurant. Apparently they raised their prices, but failed to update online and you will pay the higher price. Also, prices seem to change depending upon who takes the order. Owner is NOT friendly, never smiles or makes small talk. Again, food is good, but I won't be back.
The food was normal bar food. But as a family of 6 and charged a gratuity, walking out with a $145 bill was a bit salty for the simple order we had.
Absolutely horrible! This place was recommended to us as we were camping in the area. My husband and I both ordered their walleye special and when it arrived we each took one bite and only one bite as it was horrible. It looked like they had taken fish from the freezer that was freezer burnt and threw it in oil. It even looked disgusting! When we politely mentioned it to our waitress (who was also very rude and acted like everything was a burden to her ) she acted like we were crazy. Told us they serve over 40 lbs a week and this fish had just came in on Thursday ( this was Friday). Then she proceeded to tell us she would give us a togo box! No apologies nothing!! We had to pay over $50 for fish we didn’t eat! ( This did include an appetizer and a couple nonalcoholic drinks but still outrageous!) I will never go back and I will tell anyone I know who is going near here to stay clear of this place!
I ordered here alot, since moving to town and I go off the prices they have in the photos online because I do Togo. They charged me 19.50 for the loaded hash with 1 extra egg. And online the picture shows 10 dollars for the full order. It's false advertising and it's ridiculous. My mom called for me to bring it to there attention and the lady was rude and it was the owner herself. Banned from there now but I don't even care won't waste my money there anymore. They need to either remove the photos or do something because if I would have known that was the price I wouldn't have ordered it.
Absolutely HORRIBLE staff. Amy was so rude & it’s very evident why you can’t leave reviews on their (multiple) Facebook pages. She had zero flexibility & refused to reason on an event. Would not allow for carry out (which makes absolutely no sense). Such a shame that a local business is acting this way in a small town & also in regards to high school kids. Absolutely disgusting. Her position should be reconsidered.
Burger made with a frozen patty that tasted old and was drenched in grease and what I assume is teriyaki sauce . Jalapeños are squishy and also seem old or just poorly cooked. The hash browns where not done and also soaked in grease. No plastic fork or anything given in this to go meal . Plenty of other places in the area that offer higher quality ,better preparation and better service for the same price or less . This place was good years ago but no longer will be the last time I get food from here .
This place is normally great from what I hear but last night it was awful. The food was terrible and the waitress was rude. I ordered Shrimp and Fries, normally a decent meal. The shrimp were completely over cooked and the fries were old and reheated. We had a party of 7 and not one meal was good. Very disappointed because I’ve been to Pete & Shorty’s in Florida and it was amazing!
This business delivers to where I work for lunches. In the last couple of years the service has slipped and the food quality as well. At one time I ordered most days, now I hardly ever do. The last time I ordered I ordered a grilled chicken bacon ranch pita. It came with cold fried chicken that had been poorly de-breaded and barely de-boned. It was so greasy, I only ate the pita and tossed everything inside. I have had several orders messed up and several items forgotten. I feel as though the new owners don't care about the customer as much as the old owners did. It too bad.
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About Pete & Shorty's
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113 N Main St
Clarksville, IA 50619
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