episode 1: the northside

discovering the northside

In the premiere episode of Blend, Nate Kaeding explores Iowa City’s vibrant Northside neighborhood, a community where history and innovation meet on every corner. The journey includes stops at Dave’s Fox Head, the oldest bar in Iowa not on the Mississippi River, and John’s Grocery, an iconic neighborhood institution beloved by locals for decades. Nate then ventures into the Northside Historic Beer Caves, a hidden underground marvel 30 feet below the street that reveals the area’s rich brewing history. The episode also features The Webster, an upscale farm-to-table restaurant that has earned national recognition from the New York Times and USA Today as Restaurant of the Year, along with Lucky Star Farm, showcasing the local producers and farmers who supply the region’s acclaimed restaurants with fresh, quality ingredients that make the Iowa City dining scene truly exceptional.