If you find yourself assembling an Iowa restaurant bucket list, you’re going to want to take some notes about the places listed below. None of them are particularly fancy, but each spot has earned its place in Hawkeye State foodie culture, and any meal served up in these kitchens is worth the drive, no matter where you started your journey. These hole-in-the-wall spots may not look like much from the outside, but it’s the delicious food that keeps Iowans coming back, year after year! Did you grow up dining at any of these spots?
- Belmond Drive-In - Belmond
Belmond Drive-In/Facebook This restaurant in Belmond (which opened in October of 2014) may be new, but they have the pork tenderloin game figured out - they even won the Iowa Pork Producers’ Association’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest in 2015. If you love a good drive-in, read about our other favorites right here.
- Rube’s - Montour
anothertom/Flickr In 1973, Rube’s was the first of its kind - a grill your own steakhouse in the tiny little town of Montour. Since then, Rube’s has become a favorite through generations, known always for their award winning steaks and unique atmosphere. Check out what makes Rube’s so special.
- George the Chili King - Des Moines
Tyrgyzistan/Flickr George The Chili King Drive-In has been serving great food in Des Moines since 1952. They first opened as a diner and drive-in with carhop service, and that’s how they’ve remained all these years. Now, 61 years later, they are the only one left in the area! Read more about the history of this legendary drive-in here.
- Morg’s Diner -Waterloo
Morg’s Diner Morg’s is a tiny little place on Mulberry Street that offers big servings and low prices on all the classics. The diner is very old school, but in the best way - including the jukebox at every booth. Be sure to try their pecan pancakes. See what makes Morg’s a neighborhood favorite!
- Townhouse Supper Club - Wellsburg
Tonwhouse/Facebook Located in the tiny town of Wellsburg, the Townhouse Supper Club offers a massive pork tenderloin, with a taste just as big. The sandwich, which won the 2006 IPPA Best Tenderloin award, is a must-try for ’loin-lovers in Iowa. If you love supper clubs, take a peek at some of our favorites, here.
- Northwestern Steak House - Mason City
Mark Chernesky/Flickr It may not look like much on the outside, but Northwestern is truly a hidden gem. Since 1920, Northwestern has been serving the best Greek steaks in the Midwest. You may have to wait a bit for a table, but just know that it will be worth every second. This landmark spot is so worth a visit - read more about it right here.
- The Fort Diner - Fort Madison
Daniel Holt/Flickr The Fort is one of those great ma and pa places where you can go to get breakfast all day, and is the perfect spot to go for those Sunday brunches with the family. Come dine at The Fort - read more about it right here.
- Lansky’s - Council Bluffs
Trip Advisor For over 20 years, Lansky has offered fast casual dining in a carryout and catering capacity. Lansky’s offers Philly steak sandwiches, freshly made pizzas, deli sandwiches and homemade pastas. Good cheesesteaks? I’m in. Read more about Lansky’s right here.
- Breakfast House - Cedar Rapids
Yelp The Breakfast House is a family business passed on for 30 years and it really does belong on any Iowa restaurant bucket list. You can enjoy all of your favorite classic comfort foods here, as well as some unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. Read more about this morning marvel here.
- Sneaky’s Chicken - Sioux City
Yelp Sneaky’s Chicken has been a part of the Sioux City restaurant scene since 1979. Since then, Sneaky’s has served their delicious chicken dishes to thousands of customers. Find out their secret to sneaky success - read more right here.
What are some more delicious, hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Iowa? Be sure to nominate your favorite small-town restaurants right here, so we can check them out and report back on the best dining rooms in the Hawkeye State!
Belmond Drive-In/Facebook
This restaurant in Belmond (which opened in October of 2014) may be new, but they have the pork tenderloin game figured out - they even won the Iowa Pork Producers’ Association’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest in 2015. If you love a good drive-in, read about our other favorites right here.
anothertom/Flickr
In 1973, Rube’s was the first of its kind - a grill your own steakhouse in the tiny little town of Montour. Since then, Rube’s has become a favorite through generations, known always for their award winning steaks and unique atmosphere. Check out what makes Rube’s so special.
Tyrgyzistan/Flickr
George The Chili King Drive-In has been serving great food in Des Moines since 1952. They first opened as a diner and drive-in with carhop service, and that’s how they’ve remained all these years. Now, 61 years later, they are the only one left in the area! Read more about the history of this legendary drive-in here.
Morg’s Diner
Morg’s is a tiny little place on Mulberry Street that offers big servings and low prices on all the classics. The diner is very old school, but in the best way - including the jukebox at every booth. Be sure to try their pecan pancakes. See what makes Morg’s a neighborhood favorite!
Tonwhouse/Facebook
Located in the tiny town of Wellsburg, the Townhouse Supper Club offers a massive pork tenderloin, with a taste just as big. The sandwich, which won the 2006 IPPA Best Tenderloin award, is a must-try for ’loin-lovers in Iowa. If you love supper clubs, take a peek at some of our favorites, here.
Mark Chernesky/Flickr
It may not look like much on the outside, but Northwestern is truly a hidden gem. Since 1920, Northwestern has been serving the best Greek steaks in the Midwest. You may have to wait a bit for a table, but just know that it will be worth every second. This landmark spot is so worth a visit - read more about it right here.
Daniel Holt/Flickr
The Fort is one of those great ma and pa places where you can go to get breakfast all day, and is the perfect spot to go for those Sunday brunches with the family. Come dine at The Fort - read more about it right here.
Trip Advisor
For over 20 years, Lansky has offered fast casual dining in a carryout and catering capacity. Lansky’s offers Philly steak sandwiches, freshly made pizzas, deli sandwiches and homemade pastas. Good cheesesteaks? I’m in. Read more about Lansky’s right here.
Yelp
The Breakfast House is a family business passed on for 30 years and it really does belong on any Iowa restaurant bucket list. You can enjoy all of your favorite classic comfort foods here, as well as some unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. Read more about this morning marvel here.
Sneaky’s Chicken has been a part of the Sioux City restaurant scene since 1979. Since then, Sneaky’s has served their delicious chicken dishes to thousands of customers. Find out their secret to sneaky success - read more right here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 118 E Elm St, Montour, IA 50173, USAAddress: 5722 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310, USAAddress: Morg’s, 520 Mulberry St, Waterloo, IA 50703, USAAddress: 520 N Adams St, Wellsburg, IA 50680, USAAddress: 304 16th St NW, Mason City, IA 50401, USAAddress: 801 Ave H, Fort Madison, IA 52627, USAAddress: 1131 N Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503, USAAddress: 820 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, USAAddress: 3711 Gordon Dr, Sioux City, IA 51106, USAAddress: Belmond Drive-in, 215 River Ave S, Belmond, IA 50421, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Iowa restaurant bucket list February 25, 2021 Kim Magaraci What are the most iconic restaurants in Iowa? Iowa’s most iconic restaurants include steakhouses, small-town bars, and country kitchens. Breitbach’s is the Hawkeye State’s oldest restaurant, and it’s an indisputable part of the Balltown community. Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, in Maquoketa, is a landmark that reminds many Iowans of summer days out in nature. Other spots that are representative of Hawkeye State cuisine include Fong’s Pizza in Des Moines, Hickory Park in Ames, The Hamburg Inn No. 2, and Canteen Lunch in the Alley, in Ottumwa. Do any Iowa restaurants serve the world’s best food? Iowa’s best restaurants are known for serving up the world’s best breaded pork tenderloins. Whether you visit a small town ice cream parlor, like Goldie’s in Prairie City or a tucked-away tavern, like St. Olaf’s Tap, you can find BPTs in all corners of the Hawkeye State, and they’re leagues above any tenderloin you’ll find elsewhere, no matter how hard you look. Where are the best bakeries in Iowa? If you ask around, you’ll find that several spots in Iowa make delicious baked goods. Perhaps the most famous bakery in Iowa, Jaarsma’s Bakery, can be found in Pella. Every year, thousands of visitors who are in town for Tulip Time stop by to try their legendary Dutch Letters. Be sure to take some time to track one down and you’ll finally understand what the hype is all about!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Iowa restaurant bucket list
February 25, 2021
Kim Magaraci
What are the most iconic restaurants in Iowa? Iowa’s most iconic restaurants include steakhouses, small-town bars, and country kitchens. Breitbach’s is the Hawkeye State’s oldest restaurant, and it’s an indisputable part of the Balltown community. Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, in Maquoketa, is a landmark that reminds many Iowans of summer days out in nature. Other spots that are representative of Hawkeye State cuisine include Fong’s Pizza in Des Moines, Hickory Park in Ames, The Hamburg Inn No. 2, and Canteen Lunch in the Alley, in Ottumwa. Do any Iowa restaurants serve the world’s best food? Iowa’s best restaurants are known for serving up the world’s best breaded pork tenderloins. Whether you visit a small town ice cream parlor, like Goldie’s in Prairie City or a tucked-away tavern, like St. Olaf’s Tap, you can find BPTs in all corners of the Hawkeye State, and they’re leagues above any tenderloin you’ll find elsewhere, no matter how hard you look. Where are the best bakeries in Iowa? If you ask around, you’ll find that several spots in Iowa make delicious baked goods. Perhaps the most famous bakery in Iowa, Jaarsma’s Bakery, can be found in Pella. Every year, thousands of visitors who are in town for Tulip Time stop by to try their legendary Dutch Letters. Be sure to take some time to track one down and you’ll finally understand what the hype is all about!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Iowa’s most iconic restaurants include steakhouses, small-town bars, and country kitchens. Breitbach’s is the Hawkeye State’s oldest restaurant, and it’s an indisputable part of the Balltown community. Bluff Lake Catfish Farm, in Maquoketa, is a landmark that reminds many Iowans of summer days out in nature. Other spots that are representative of Hawkeye State cuisine include Fong’s Pizza in Des Moines, Hickory Park in Ames, The Hamburg Inn No. 2, and Canteen Lunch in the Alley, in Ottumwa.
Do any Iowa restaurants serve the world’s best food?
Iowa’s best restaurants are known for serving up the world’s best breaded pork tenderloins. Whether you visit a small town ice cream parlor, like Goldie’s in Prairie City or a tucked-away tavern, like St. Olaf’s Tap, you can find BPTs in all corners of the Hawkeye State, and they’re leagues above any tenderloin you’ll find elsewhere, no matter how hard you look.
Where are the best bakeries in Iowa?
If you ask around, you’ll find that several spots in Iowa make delicious baked goods. Perhaps the most famous bakery in Iowa, Jaarsma’s Bakery, can be found in Pella. Every year, thousands of visitors who are in town for Tulip Time stop by to try their legendary Dutch Letters. Be sure to take some time to track one down and you’ll finally understand what the hype is all about!
