A Hidden Gem: A Look at Nodo Downtown
by Maddie Silverstein
Photos by Gabby Estlund
Photo by Gabby Estlund
Glimmering with string lights in the middle of downtown, the neighborhood favorite sandwich shop, Nodo, provides the hospitality and charm that is expected, and oftentimes reflected in Iowa City culture. Located on 5 South Dubuque St., surrounded by competing sandwich shops, and sticky-floored bars, lays the illuminated Nodo with eclectic furniture, ambient lighting, and local artwork hung on their deceptively white walls. Greeted by the sounds of classic rock songs of the 1980s and the smell of sourdough bread, Nodo emulates a familiar and relaxed atmosphere co-owner and operator Josh Silver describes as “a place I’d want to be.” The lingering lunch crowd occupies the stainless steel tables and leather chairs with their soups, salads, and sandwiches off of the infamous 23-optioned menu. Silver sits at the high-top wooden booth with a phone in one hand and the other resting on the shining countertop.
Josh Silver, a midwestern restaurateur, is emblematic of all the components found within his restaurant. Merging together unique interior design elements and classic rock songs of the 20th century demonstrates Silver’s knowledge and confidence as a restaurant owner. He’s been in the foodservice industry long enough to know what works, what doesn’t and what he can put his own twist on. The diversified scenery and decoration of the local artwork and his own personal music collection not only invites the space to the artists of Iowa City but also compliments his own tastes.
Nodo Downtown’s menu
Photo by Gabby Estlund
Gesturing to the space, he explains that he opened the doors to the Downtown location in 2013, two years after the original Nodo opened on North Dodge Street (a location-centric play-on-words: North+Dodge). Nodo’s namesake and atmosphere not only works within the context of the small community, it also is representative of the Iowa City culture and its relation to the Midwest at large: the integration of fresh and local throughout the menu and the small city, cozy feel of the restaurant’s interior. Growing up and living in Los Angeles, I am constantly surrounded by restaurants who claim to have “the best new thing” in terms of menu items. However what these restaurants have in allure and hipness, they lack in personability, charm, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. These quintessential Midwestern values are what make Nodo a hidden gem tucked between the coasts— and between downtown bars. After noticing somewhat of a cult following, made up of Iowa City natives and off-campus dwellers, as well as increased popularity at the Northside location, Silver offered an expansion plan for Nodo. He pursued a space for hosting large parties, catering, serving wine and beer, and most importantly: somewhere to continue the success of the classic sandwiches with fresh ingredients. Now, located on one of the busier streets of downtown, Nodo attracts not only local businesspeople but college kids alike by combining all of the necessary classics of a sandwich shop while also showcasing his own vision.
With a restaurant that has as wide of a menu and interior design-variety as Nodo does, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was some kind of underlying theme or brand vision that ties everything together. I asked Silver if he could list a few descriptors of what exactly the Nodo brand is, he explained that it’s “unique, delicious, and keeping things as natural as possible.” Silver feels passionate about fresh ingredients while also maintaining feel good, cheesy favorites. We discussed the importance of organic products, but with the understanding that being organic does not always constitute a mouthwatering sandwich. Some of the menu options, like the #9 grilled cheese or #23 pulled pork, combine childhood favorites with fresh flavors and textures to take these classics to the next level.
Nodo strives to provide an inviting atmosphere to uphold a good first impression through nostalgic music, a gallery of local art hung on the walls and the positive attitudes of the small staff. Silver says that he wants customers to be “impressed by the warmth” the employees and ambiance bring forth; the food is a supplement to everything else.
Seemingly, though, Silver takes pride in this fact of knowing that the food of Nodo has spoken for itself and that its reputation and fame from the word-of-mouth promotion beats the opportunity of becoming a household name. This sense of pride is comparable to the reputation and brand that Iowa City emulates as a whole: warmth, charm, and filled with local treasures that are hard to find anywhere else. Iowa City is one of the many hidden gems of the midwest, cultivating the “Great Small City for the Arts” mantra while still being tethered to the glitz and glam of Big 10 University culture. It does not strive to be something that it’s not and takes immense pride in the quirkiness and charm it and its residents possess. Both the city and Nodo divert from the mainstream through the embodiment of their charm and willingness to exist in both trendy and traditional realms.
