Mike Molstead Motors

A pizza being served

Image via Pixabay.

When the family is complaining that they’re hungry and you just don’t have the energy to come up with a good meal at home, take everyone out to one of the many family restaurants here in Charles City, IA. We’ve put together a list of our favorites for your convenience.

Read the rest of this entry »


The 2023 Ford F-150 is a versatile pickup that aims to meet every need with its available four-wheel drive, luxury comforts, and pioneering technology. Along with many different performance options, including a V6 that can tow up to 14,000 pounds, this edition offers eight different trim levels that are each distinctive and offer their own mix of impressive styles and features.

Read the rest of this entry »

The fresh flavors of Mexican food are hard to beat. If you are looking for great Mexican restaurants and places that serve delicious Mexican food, we can give you suggestions for a few great spots here in Charles City, IA. Put the family in your Chevy Equinox and have dinner out tonight!

Plaza Mexico

The Plaza Mexico is at 701 S Grand Ave and open from 11 AM until 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday nights. This is a beloved local institution that’s perfect for family meals and offers great service. Their salsa and chips are particularly beloved here, and people most often rave about the great service and the great prices, especially if you have hungry kids to feed.

Try any of their carnes plates, especially the steak jalisco and their unique Plaza Mexico Carnes, which is bacon-wrapped shrimp with carne asada, rice, and beans. Kids’ plates include chicken nuggets and chicken breast for any who don’t want the Mexican offerings, like a quesadilla, mini burrito asada, tacos, and lots more.

Read the rest of this entry »

You can’t go wrong with the 2022 Ford Maverick. This compact crew-cab pickup features lots to love, including robust engines, a polished exterior and interior design, and reliable driver-aid features. Here are some of the most important details about this new truck.

1. Exterior and Interior

The new Ford Maverick has a height, length, and overall width with mirrors of 68.7, 199.7, and 83.5 inches, respectively. It comes in XL, XLT and Lariat trim levels. It also features multiple exterior color options, including cactus gray, carbonized gray metallic, iconic silver metallic, oxford white, velocity blue metallic, area 51, and more. Your ’22 Maverick has a seating capacity of five with four full-sized doors and a spacious back seat. Interior features include a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, electric power steering, overhead console with storage, single-zone front air conditioning, and air filtration.

Read the rest of this entry »

In the mid-size SUV vehicle class, the Chevy Traverse is a standout. With style and performance, along with more cargo space than its competitors, the Traverse is a contender.

The spacious Traverse offers room for your friends and your gear, along with the capability of pulling or going off-road. This mid-size SUV can truly take you wherever you want to go.

Room for What You Need

The Traverse brings a whopping 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space with both back rows of seating folded down. With smart access features such as Second-Row Smart Slide Seating that allows easy access to the third row and the Power-Folding third row, Traverse is configurable to suit where you’re going.

You can readily access the rear cargo bay without rearranging your load via the Hands-Free Power Liftgate. An easy kicking motion over the projected Chevy logo on the ground triggers the sensor to gently lift the rear door for you.

Read the rest of this entry »

Charles City, IA, has some great options for burger lovers. Whether you’re dreaming of a classic cheeseburger or something a little more adventurous, this small town has got it on the menu. From family-owned diners to trendy gastropubs, there are plenty of places to satisfy your burger craving. Get ready to sink your teeth into the city’s best burgers that will leave you wanting more! 

1. Pub on the Cedar

At Pub on the Cedar, the name says it all. You can try their delicious bourbon burger or customize your own with options like five types of cheese, sauteed onions, bleu cheese crumbles, or jalapenos. It’ll all be served on a toasted brioche bun for a burger you’ll never forget!

But it’s not just the food that makes Pub on the Cedar a great spot. With a beautiful location along the Cedar River, the outdoor patio seating area is a great spot to enjoy your meal and soak in the view. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, Pub on the Cedar, at 101 N Jackson St, is sure to leave a positive impression.

close up photo of a burger in charles city, IA
Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re looking for a way to spend an afternoon that’s both relaxing and also exciting at the same time, then a great place to start is by exploring one of the many parks in your area. Visiting these spots is not only enjoyable but healthy too! Here are some of our favorite places near Charles City, IA.

Kate McLeod Park

This is a park that’s located in Charles City. Here, you can enjoy many different amenities and activities. Firstly, there is a walking trail that goes through the park. This trail is about a mile long and is absolutely beautiful, with a lot of trees and flowers along the way. If you want to get some exercise and are up for some hiking, this trail is for you.

Next, there is an open green space that is located in the middle of the park. This green space is great for flying kites, playing Frisbee, or even just relaxing while reading a book. There is also a playground in this area, which is great for kids who want to play on the equipment or even just run around on the grass.

park near charles city IA
Read the rest of this entry »

When exploring rugged trails, few SUVs can offer the versatility and ruggedness that the 2023 Ford Bronco does. Along with plenty of off-road enhancements, this edition delivers comfortable seating inside and a wide array of tech features to make road trips and everyday commutes fun for everyone.

Performance

This edition of the Bronco gives drivers a choice between three powerful engines. A 300-horsepower 2.3-liter engine is the base option, while a 330-horsepower 2.7-liter and a 3.0-liter with 418 horses are available if you need more strength.

In addition to both seven-speed manual and 10-speed automatic transmissions as options, the four-wheel drive comes standard, as do many other trail-tackling features, including an adaptable terrain management system known as G.O.A.T. modes and a specialized off-road suspension system with four different settings.

2023 ford bronco
Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re looking for a delicious pizza to order for dinner tonight, why not take a short drive out of Charles City, IA, and visit one of the best pizza joints? Whether you’re in the mood for a classic margarita, a delicious barbecue chicken pizza, or a unique gourmet creation, these restaurants offer something for everyone. So hop in your car, fire up the GPS, and let’s go on a pizza-eating adventure!

Cedar River Pizza Co.

First, let’s start with Cedar River Pizza Co., located at 223 3rd St SE in Charles City. Cedar River Pizza Co. offers a wide variety of specialty pizzas, as well as a selection of appetizers, salads, and desserts. A popular item on the menu is the Cedar River Signature pizza.

This delicious pizza is topped with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, red onions, and mozzarella cheese. Another delicious option is the Meat Lovers pizza. This pizza features pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham. And if you’re in the mood for something a little more unique, try the Hawaiian pizza (pineapple and ham) or the Hawaiian BBQ pizza (pineapple and BBQ chicken).

pizza in charles city ia
Read the rest of this entry »

 Your braking system requires regular servicing to maintain its edge, or problems can develop. If you need a brake repair in Charles City, IA, your Chevy dealer can help. These are a few warning signs your brakes need to be checked.

Leaking Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is essential for the braking system, as it generates the hydraulic pressure that allows your brakes to work. The fluid is stored in the brake fluid reservoir and released into the system by the brake master cylinder. The cylinder also controls the pressure in the system to enable the fluid to work effectively.

A leak can be difficult to detect, as brake fluid is slightly yellowish and looks similar to cooking oil. This can make it difficult to see under certain conditions. If you don’t see a leak, you’ll detect it by a weaker response when you hit the brakes. A low brake fluid level increases your braking distance, which can be dangerous. We’ll examine the system to find and repair the leak then we’ll refill the brake fluid.

brake repair
Read the rest of this entry »