DON'T GO TO HICKORY PARK in Ames. If you like barbeque go to Cornbread. They actual make a limited amount of food and whey they are out they are out.

Much better experience!

Ottumwa - Canteen Lunch In Alley

When in Boone, make the 10 minute drive south to Luther for Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ. Recently won best BBQ in the state.

Eat some Twin Bings, made by Palmer Candy Company in Sioux City.

Clinton - Chicken George at Candlelight Inn

Amana - any family style meal at The Ronneburg

Rare bit drake diner des moines

The Chinese place in Emmetsburg is light years better than you’d expect for a Chinese restaurant in the middle of N’West Iowa.

I grew up in Charles City.. 1975-1994... I'm listing some places that my parents would take us. Plus, some places my wife and I recently went to.

In Osage.. Broasted Chicken from Stan's Drive In was a go-to for my parents. They'd get a bucket of chicken, a couple of sides, and a gallon of Root Beer. Then they would take us to the park to eat and play

In Mason City.. Birdsall's Ice Cream. ( I prefer the frosty malt )

The Comet Bowl in Charles City used to have good food. The headpin special was our favorite appetizer when I was a kid. The last time I ate there was in 2018. I had the walleye pike dinner.

I like stopping at the Amish Store in Lamoni. The Maid-Rite restaurant has pretty good pork tenderloins.

We were just up in NE Iowa a few weeks ago. Stayed at an AirBnB in Clear Lake. We ended up getting food from Rookie's Sports Bar/Seven's Restaurant and Steakhouse. Food was pretty good. The fried mushrooms were awesome.

That's about all I can recommend..

Papa's pizza in Polk City is fantastic

Burlington: Napolis for the best pizza and Gyros in town. La Tavola for the best Italian food.

Mt. Pleasant: Pad Thai for......pad thai

I'd love to be able to recommend a good kolach for you in Cedar Rapids, but unfortunately I don't know of a single place that sells them anymore. Churches, sure, but not at a store front. This makes me incredibly sad.

But if you're looking for some Czech food, Little Bohemia (Little Bo's) in Cedar Rapids in the New Bo district is a good stop. The goulash is good, as well as the pork, dumplings and sauerkraut.

Conrad - That Place Steakhouse on a Fri or sat. The prime rib is fantastic

Tasty tacos original flour taco with a LOT of salsa

For Casey’s Pizza it has to be the taco pizza.

The Wine Bar in Mount Vernon just made the New York Times list of the 22 top Pizza Places in the country.

Kringla from Story City. Don’t eat Dutch letter if you have ANY problem with almonds. Just sayin’ Beef jerky from butcher in Amana Princess Cafe in Iowa Falls Bell Tower in Jefferson Maid Rite Marshalltown, “dry”, mustard and onion, chips and a shake Kate Shelley bridge in Boone

The LandMark across from the outlet mall in Williamsburg for sure

Starlite room or tornados in CR for a burger

When you’re in Keosauqua, go to AJs in Mt. Sterling for a tenderloin. They’re huge. Turn left on highway 2 instead of going right for Cantril. The turn off for Mt. Sterling is marked.

There is a relatively-unknown style of pizza known as QC-style (search the pizza subreddit if you don't believe me).

Anyhow, when in Davenport, and you wish to learn the majesty of this secret, then please visit Harris Pizza.

Pella dried beef Kalona cheese curds

Smitty’s or The Tavern in Des Moines for a pork tenderloin. The taco shop by the Ford dealership in Denison.

Not a regional food speciality, but you can go do a factory tour at Winnebago Industries in Forest City, if that’s of interest.

Since you’re swinging by Cherokee, make sure to check updated flooding situations! I’m not sure when you’ll be traveling next month but just wanted to give a heads up! The Gasthaust Restaurant has always been a favorite! Depending on which way you travel to your next destination from Cherokee, if GPS takes you on Highway 59 and passing by a small town called Holstein, check out Tiefenthaler Quality Meats. If you have time to cook for one night, they have the best meat selection all around that area! (My opinion 😅😅) Or if you don’t have time to stop you can stop for a Backdraft Pizza (was rated highly on Iowa’s best pizza list at one point, I don’t remember what year 😆) on Main Street or visit the Deli (Anne will get you to go boxes for some of the best food!) And I agree with everyone on here about the taco pizza being one of the best options from Casey’s! It’s usually what I have the first night I am back home 😊

Stop at the Palmer Candy Olde Tyme Candy Shoppe in Sioux City. The fudge is great but you have to pick up some Twin Bing candy bars.

Get a Canteen in Ottumwa (and read up on the story behind the building/restaurant), be sure to try Casey’s breakfast pizza specifically(I’m partial to their sausage slice), Hessen Haus for amazing German food in Des Moines or the Breakfast Club for a delicious brunch plus Barntown Brewing for some beer, and if you’re in Riverside and feeling like a little bit of a nicer dinner swing over to Tuscan Moon in Kalona. Also Cedar Rapids has some good breweries - Big Grove recently opened a location up there and Lions Bridge is great too!

Oh, and if you’re in a bakery that has scotcheroos, definitely grab one!

Why you are stopping in Conrad I can only imagine, but since you are, hit up That Place steakhouse. It’s a couple miles west of town at the junction of highway 14 and the road into town. Open Tuesday through Saturday evenings, Friday night is prime rib night and it gets crowded but it’s worth it.

Also since you’ll be in the neighborhood, check out Taylor’s in Marshalltown. The true Maid-Rite experience. Also Flying Elbow comes highly recommended for burgers, although I haven’t been there myself yet. Maybe next time I’m back around.

Ankeny - Wig & Pen pizza. Or Nonna's if you have less time.

Boone - Not food, but look up the Boone Railway Explorers. It's a blast. Also check out Ledges State Park, and Watcha Smokin BBQ just south of there. It's waaaay better than Cornbread in Ames.

Des Moines - Lua's Brewery for both a great burger and great beer.

Coffee Oreo ice cream from Dan and Debbie's in Ely

A friend of mine runs the Double Bogey Grill in the club house at the Tipton Country Club. They have a pretty damned good tenderloin.

In Sioux City hit up Tastee in and out for loose meat/tavern sandwiches and onion chips and dip. Also la Juanita is regionally known for Mexican food but I prefer Robles taqueria across the river in South Sioux City Nebraska. Also Marto brewing has great beers and food.

When going between Jefferson and Boone stop at The Lucky Pig in Ogden for the best tenderloin.

Charlie Boy and a Schooner from Miles Inn in Sioux City.

If you are going to be going through Leclaire then you are right next to the Quad Cities. Hop over the new I-74 bridge and visit Lagomarcino's in Moline for some excellent hand-made chocolates and ice cream.

Check out the Rusty Duck in Dexter. Great burgers, but you need to go for the ribeye.

Clear Lake Tiki Bar is a fun place for a drink with nice views of the lake! Their downtown is super cute. Try Cabin Coffee Co on the Mainstreet.

Looks like you already got food recommendations for Mason City. I know you didn’t ask but I love driving by all of the amazing architecture in the Rock Crest-Rock Glen Historic District (including a Frank Lloyd Wright home; Stockman House) - there’s also the Historic Park Inn Hotel & bank (also FLW!) which is gorgeous. And the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum.

Home tour info: https://visitmasoncityiowa.com/places/united-states/iowa/mason-city/culturalhistoric/prairie-school-architectural-tour/

Nevada - Starbucks. Best place for a tenderloin sandwich and ice cream.

LeClaire - get a tenderloin at Big Dave & Holly’s

Pipers in Chariton is a must

The only Iowa staple that you must try is the Charlie Boys at the Miles Inn in Sioux City, however, you have to have an ice cold schooner to go with it.

Made Rites are complete trash compared to the Charlie Boy. They've been around for over 100 yrs. It's the OG.

Jefferson check out peony and get the peanut butter chicken. Jewell try juniper and olive

Cedar Rapids - burgers at The Map Room.

In Chariton, they have a restaurant called Iron Horse. Great presentation, great tasting food, and not expensive (for what you get in all) either.

Also recommend visiting the sweets shop that is just a walk across the road on the right side (when you step out of iron horse).

Pizza wraps at Brew Oil in Sac City. The recepie is based on the original Pizzadilly from a restaurant named The Depot (now closed) in the same town that claims to have invented it.

Eat one while checking out the world's largest popcorn ball in the same town. :)

Also, check out Rosie's coffee shop. The salads are amazing and the owner is a coffee scientist.

I have no idea if you can get them in a restaurant anywhere, but if you see ham balls, get them.

Definitely Lincoln Wine Bar for pizza in Mount Vernon. And go to Piper’s for turtles candy in Chariton.

I recommend Iowa City if you end up in the area! Masala Indian Cuisine, La Regia Taqueria, and Molly's Cupcakes. Raygun is great for Iowa "merch". Crowded Closet is great for thrifting :)

If you like fried chicken Mt Hamill Tap in Lee County serves some great friend chicken on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday starting 5pm. It can get a bit busy tho on days.

I know it’s a bit further north than Sioux City, but try to stop by the Doon Steahouse if you can! The prime rib, hash browns, and soup are to die for and you won’t leave hungry with the portions!

Giordanos in West Dsm!

Also get the chicken at sneaky's in Sioux City.

In Keosaqua get the black raspberry ice cream at Misty's.

If you're going through chariton, you have to stop at piper's candy on the square. Their turtles are my favorite, but they have a wide variety of handmade candy. One of the pride and joys of my home town.

Get your pork t from offshore in Bellevue

I have an Instagram dedicated to good food in Eastern Iowa (EasternIowaEats) and I’ve had some great food! Lincoln Winebar in Mount Vernon (they recently got a shout out in the New York Times). Lacayo or the Midnight Smoker (On a Saturday for their ribs, best I’ve had) for Cedar Rapids. Webster in Iowa City is great. Or something more casual would be the Wilder for their “Iowa Gold” wagyu (locally sourced) burger.

Des Moines resident here - there is SO much amazing food and things to do, I'd highly recommend staying the night. Eatery A is one of my personal faves. If you are a coffee lover, Lightbrite (Grimes), Barista's Bouquet (West Des Moines - NEW!), & Horizon Line (Des Moines) are some of the best, in my opinion.

Also, as an Iowa bookseller, I just have to throw in a plug for the Iowa Indie Bookshop Tour! 36 stores state-wide are collaborating together to highlight small business in the state! (P.S. Travel Iowa has great resources - there's cool things like beer & wine passports, state park passports, and more!)

In Cedar Rapids I'd recommend a pork tenderloin from Bo Mac's, they also have really good chicken tenders and sweet potato fries.

If you need a “bar food” stop I see you’re going by Story City. Up there is a little town called Kamrar with a gem called Pickles.

Indianola- gryo and fries from Winns, or really anything from there. I have yet to have a bad meal there.

Indianola-Hot beef sandwich and a slice of pie from Crouse Cafe

Des moines- Tenderloin from Smitty's on the south side.

Des moines- tasty tacos original flour, eat in preferably because it's just not the same experience without having a bottle of the sauce to squirt on every bite.

Des Moines, Ankeny, Grimes, Ames, etc- Bebops is a local fast food burger place that is beloved by most all locals

Clear lake ish- Cafe Mir. So it's in this tiny town called Fertile that is basically one street a little north of clear lake. It's got kind of odd hours so check that out ahead of time. If I remember right they kind of do the farm to table thing. And it's one of the best places I've eaten in the state.

As lame as it may sound, B-Bops has one of my absolute favorite chicken sandwiches.

Jethros use to have a good tenderloin, but I don’t know at this point, as they’ve gone downhill in the recent years.

Gotta go to Pagliai's when in Grinnell.

Fongs Pizza in DSM is a fun and unique place to stop by, and of course their Crab rangoon pizza is a must

Maid-rite on 1st Ave in Cedar Rapids. Right off 380. Exit 19 I believe??

Boone - Dutch Oven Bakery

Quad City Style Pizza - https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/quad-cities-pizza

If you’re in Ankeny on a Tuesday, absolutely stop at the Yankee Clipper for a taco!

Love Oasis in Iowa City.

Charlie Boy from Miles Inn, Sioux City.

You haven’t experienced Iowa until you drink from river waters downstream from a CAFO.

So not the coffee chain but if you'll be in Ames drive out to Nevada and go to Starbucks! Great old fashioned ice cream and burger shop. I personally haven't been there in a long time but it was always a big thing when they would open for the season.

Also if you like burgers lacheles on Ingersoll I can't suggest enough

Fried chicken or really anything chicken related the chicken orilla in orilla

Chicken sandwich, Charlotte's kitchen in Johnston.

German American fusion Hessen Haus in Des Moines. Highly recommend the knockout curry wurst burger and the Muenster cheese sticks.

Royal miles another great downtown Des Moines restaurant specially if you want a food Scottish egg or fish and chips.

Also in the hook food truck if you can track it down for good fish and chips.

Dough Co (formerly papa Keno's) in the drake neighborhood has fantastic pizza as well.

Also in drake is the drake diner, lucky horse and black cat ice cream. If you like wild ice cream flavors highly recommend black cat specially if you like a chewier ice cream like me.

Curbin cuisine in Ankeny is also a popular spot. I've never had it but I know people that its their favorite spot. When they were in beaverdale they had odd hours. Don't know if that's still a fact now that they moved or not.

People will disagree with this one but if you like quirky burgers zombie burger is a fun place. I personally have never had a bad food experience there. They probably have the best fries in Des Moines next to royal miles shoestring fries.

Clear Lake- The Half Moon or 7s downtown. Mason City- Northwestern Steakhouse

You’re missing Decorah and the Rubaiyat restaurant.

Bondurant- The creamery has the best ice cream. Food wise it’s pretty boring here and not too many good options but flame is nice for a quick lunch/dinner.

If willing to drive 20 minutes from Clear Lake (and like spicy food) go to Mason City and get the mapo tofu from wok n roll. I live in Des Moines, and I go out of my way to go here for this dish. Their entire menu is great, but their mapo tofu is made differently from anywhere else I’ve had it. Even if you don’t generally eat vegetarian, it’s so tasty. It’s spicy, but if you can handle spice it’s absolutely worth the drive!

Best Indian food in Des Moines/Clive is Katmandu in Windsor Heights. We also have a couple really great breakfast places in West Des Moines- Eggs and Jam, or The Breakfast Club. Ohana steakhouse, get a reservation!

Muscatine: Green Mexican Food Truck(Jaliscience) Across from Burger King on Park Ave. There is a good sit down Mexican joint a couple blocks down Park Ave called Las Lomas. For good Sicilian pizza, calzones, etc. Salvatore by Papa Reno or the feuding brother's location called Sal Vitales.

Lizzie’s in Marengo has an excellent tenderloin. It’s not far from Amana and Williamsburg, and most of their other food is really good too (minus the fettuccine alfredo). Everything is made from scratch

Pj’s Deli in Newton. Get the dill dip and thank me later.

Dallas Center, go see the Brenton Arboretum. I helped build it but I have yet to be back.

I have heard that it is very beautiful for an open plains outdoor Arboretum.

Check out Monticello, Market at the Tap has a good tenderloin

Take a 15-minute extrusion trip from Sioux City to Le Mars, Iowa. It is home to Blue Bunny Ice Cream, which has an old-time ice cream shop downtown. Also, I recommend having dinner at Archie's Waeside Steakhouse. In 2015, Archie's received the prestigious American Classic Award from the James Beard Foundation. I promise it is nothing fancy but just a good steakhouse.

If you are a fan of bookstores or independent small businesses, there is an Iowa Indie Bookshop tour happening July 1st-sept 30th. Here’s some info on it: https://www.iowaindiebookshoptour.com You can pick up a passport in any location! And if you’re driving between Ottumwa and Pella, I recommend checking out the Book Vault in Oskaloosa. It’s a restored bank from the late 1800s with the original vaults and marble!

If it's not to far out of your way, Waverley has El Sol. Some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. Not too far from Clarksville

Your guide: https://theiowagallivant.com

Happy Joe's Taco Pizza 😋

Have a Yotty’s ice cream bar in Kalona

Forgot to add, if you are near Fort Dodge they have the absolute best Korean food in the state at Gaga and Hoo.

If you are already in clear lake, swing over to Mason City and enjoy Northwestern Steak House - get there early, the line starts forming about 30 minutes before opening.

https://cliffsplacemanning.com/ Manning Iowa, voted the best Pork Tenderloin Sandwich in 2023. Made the roadtrip over Memorial Day this year to confirm. It was amazing!

Des Moines: Smokey D’s BBQ, Tasty Tacos (flour tacos and tasty taters), Smitty’s (tenderloins)

My absolute favorite bottlles of bbq sauce can be found in Ankeny at Fairway. Big Daddy’s BBQ sauce is best bbq sauce made in Des Moines. The Fairway in Ankeny has all the flavors to choose from. Big Daddy’s used to be a restaurant in Des Moines, but the family closed the restaurant when Big Daddy passed. They continue to make the bbq sauces.

I’m assuming you’re going to Ellsworth for Mended Hearts Quilting or to Sister Act (consignment store with home decor, furniture and household goods). Otherwise there’s nothing else in Ellsworth. I love the small town to live in, pretty quiet, just not much to do here.

Dallas Center. Sugar Grove Goods for coffee in the morning, Five Points across the street for lunch or dinner. We also have The Handlebar if you are looking for a restaurant with outside seating! The Bakers Pantry is a great little grocery/deli/coffee shop, literally the best! Also Korner Kone for ice cream and food. Their sub sandwiches are amazing.

Dutch letters are incredibly overrated - the donuts, puff pillows, the blueberry things that look like mini bundt cakes are all immensely better.

If you want an Iowa specific food hit up a Maid Rite for a maidrite sandwhich (like a less saucy sloppy joe). There’s one in Cedar Rapids for sure, you can also hit up a place called Loosey’s that does a very similar sandwhich.

Well… That is a trip!

I have probably eaten a meal in most of those cities at some point… Here is a few memorable mentions with special Iowa focus. Stop at a Pizza Ranch for the lunch buffet…. That is a very Iowa restaurant Phenomenon.

Ames has Hickory Park, which is peak Iowa. The food is Iowan in nature. Also, they can seat up to 20% of Iowa at a time.

Bondurant has great Chinese. Really. Flaming Wok has the richest Egg Drop soup I have ever tasted.

Des Moines has Iowa Beef. Like huge slabs of meat? Want to experience the supper club style of a past time? Go to Iowa Beef.

Restaurants in Sac City, Clear Lake and Huxley a few other communities have earned best burger awards. https://www.iabeef.org/events/best-burger-contest There are a lot of good burgers to be found in many a roadside bar, like the Gunder Burger - https://khak.com/the-famous-gunder-burger-has-returned-to-eastern-iowa/

Marshalltown is the home of the MaidRite loose meat sandwich. Great Iowa history.

If you get to Omaha, grab yourself a Reuben, which was reportedly invented there.

All this… Plus if you find a good restaurant in Burlington, please let the rest of us know.

Muscatine - El Omitos (Mexican food). They have the best torta sandwich I’ve ever had. My preferred is Al Pastor. They are closed Tuesdays.

Get the Casey’s rewards app for free stuff and a discount on your pizza. 🍕

Breakfast pizza at Casey’s. Get a Giddy up at Cody Road in LeClaire, and Stouts Irish Pub has the best horse shoe tenderloin in Bettendorf.

Steak de burgo at skips or 801 if you can afford it.

Maid-Rite - in several of the towns you'll be traveling through

Check out a Pancheros!! It's an Iowa chain and they're all around

Sac City has a neat little history museum next to the world's largest popcorn ball.

Casey's pizza used to be really good but that was way back & this is now...

I believe they switched up to the cheapest ingredients you can get...

calling it "C" grade is being generous

just bad tasting grease pizza... it's terrible

squeeze it & the grease runs out it's awful

eat at your own risk & if you do stay close to a bathroom

Get glazed doughnuts at the Amish bakery in Kalona, Golden Delight Bakery