Dining At Iowa 80 Kitchen: Menu & Buffet Reviews
You know those road trips, the ones where the miles start to blur into a symphony of "Are we there yet?" and the car starts to smell suspiciously like a gym bag that's seen better days? Yeah, those. And at some point, usually when your stomach is rumbling louder than a diesel engine, you find yourself staring at the exit signs, desperately hoping for a beacon of culinary salvation. That, my friends, is where Iowa 80 Kitchen comes into the picture. It's not just a truck stop diner; it's a whole experience, a landmark that’s as much a part of the I-80 landscape as the cornfields stretching out to the horizon.
Think of it like this: you’ve been navigating the culinary wasteland of gas station hot dogs and questionable jerky for hours. Your taste buds are staging a quiet rebellion, and your internal compass is pointing towards anything that doesn't involve a plastic wrapper. Then, bam! You see the signs. Iowa 80 Kitchen. It’s like finding an oasis in the desert, but instead of palm trees, you’ve got a buffet line stretching out like a promise of carb-loaded happiness.
Now, I’m not saying it’s Michelin-star dining. Let’s be real. This is comfort food for the road warrior, the family on a cross-country adventure, or anyone who just really, really needs a decent plate of scrambled eggs at 10 PM. It’s the kind of place where the coffee is always on, the portions are generous enough to feed a small army, and the folks behind the counter probably know more about your hometown than you do, just by the sticker on your bumper.
We rolled in one sweltering afternoon, the kind where the asphalt feels like it’s about to melt. We’d been driving for what felt like an eternity, and the kids in the back were operating on a sugar-high-crash cycle that was starting to give me a headache. My husband, bless his road-weary soul, had that glazed-over look that meant he was contemplating eating the air freshener. So, when we spotted Iowa 80, it was like a divine intervention. A glorious, grease-scented intervention.
The Buffet: A Glorious Assault on Your Senses (in the best way possible!)
Let’s talk about the main event: the buffet. Oh, the buffet. It’s like a culinary United Nations, but instead of delegates, you have mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and a salad bar that looks like it’s been personally curated by Mother Nature herself. Walking up to it is an experience. Your eyes dart from one gleaming pan to another, trying to decide where to even begin. It's a strategic mission, folks. Do you go for the crispy fried chicken first, or lay the foundation with a mountain of fluffy mashed potatoes?
The sheer variety is enough to make your head spin. You’ve got your classic diner fare, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. We’re talking about those golden brown fried chicken pieces that have that perfect crunch, the kind that makes a satisfying sound when you bite into them. And then there’s the mac and cheese. Oh, the mac and cheese. It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and it’s the ultimate hug in a bowl. I swear, sometimes I think they bottle pure comfort and pour it into that mac and cheese.
The sides are where things get really interesting. You can find everything from sweet corn that tastes like sunshine itself to green beans that are surprisingly tender and not at all mushy. And the gravy! Don't even get me started on the gravy. It's the kind of rich, savory gravy that you want to bathe in, or at least pour generously over everything on your plate. My youngest, who usually turns his nose up at anything remotely resembling a vegetable, actually asked for seconds of the corn. That, my friends, is a buffet miracle.
We tried to be somewhat sensible, filling half our plates with the salad bar options. You know, for appearances. The salad bar is surprisingly robust. They have all the usual suspects – lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers – but they also throw in things like cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and a variety of dressings that range from your standard ranch to something a bit more adventurous. It’s a good place to pretend you’re making healthy choices before you dive headfirst into the dessert section.
My husband, who believes that a good meal requires at least three different types of starch, had a plate that looked like it was designed by a carb enthusiast. He had a bit of everything: a piece of fried chicken, a generous scoop of mashed potatoes, some stuffing (because why not?), and a side of macaroni salad. He was in his happy place, I tell you. He kept muttering about how this was "real food," the kind that sticks to your ribs and fuels you for the long haul.
The kids, of course, went straight for the chicken nuggets and fries. No surprises there. But even those were surprisingly decent. Crispy, not too greasy, and they disappeared faster than free samples at Costco. It’s a testament to the fact that even the simpler items on the buffet are done with a certain level of care. They’re not just an afterthought; they’re part of the whole Iowa 80 culinary mosaic.
The Menu: For When You're Feeling a Bit More Decisive
Now, while the buffet is undoubtedly the star of the show for many, sometimes you’re just not in the mood for a buffet. Maybe you’re feeling a bit peckish, or you have a very specific craving. That’s where the menu comes in, and let me tell you, it’s just as comforting and familiar as the buffet.
Think classic diner dishes. You've got your burgers, your sandwiches, your breakfast all day. It's the kind of menu that doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. It knows what it's good at, and it does it well. I remember my daughter, who is notoriously picky, scanning the menu for what felt like an eternity. She finally landed on the grilled cheese sandwich, and let me tell you, it was a masterpiece of melted cheese and perfectly toasted bread. Simple, yes, but oh-so-satisfying.
My son, on the other hand, is all about the pancakes. And Iowa 80 Kitchen does not disappoint. Their breakfast menu is available all day, which is a lifesaver for those of us who consider breakfast food a perfectly acceptable dinner option. He ordered a stack of buttermilk pancakes, and they were fluffy, golden, and practically begging for a pat of butter and a drizzle of syrup. He ate them with the kind of gusto that only a 10-year-old with a serious pancake addiction can muster.
My husband, ever the traditionalist, opted for a patty melt. And it was glorious. The rye bread was perfectly toasted, the onions were caramelized to perfection, and the beef patty was juicy and flavorful. He took a bite, closed his eyes, and let out a little sigh of contentment. That's the sign of a good patty melt, folks.
For me, I was craving something a little lighter, but still with that diner comfort. I went with the chicken salad sandwich. It was loaded with chicken, not too much mayo, and served on soft white bread. It was exactly what I needed – a familiar taste that hit all the right notes. It wasn’t fancy, but it was honest, and it was delicious.
The menu also features a good selection of hearty entrees, like meatloaf, pot roast, and various chicken dishes. These are the kind of meals that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, the kind that evoke memories of your grandma's kitchen. You can practically smell the roasting meat and simmering vegetables just by reading the descriptions.
The Vibe: More Than Just Food
Beyond the food, there’s something else that makes Iowa 80 Kitchen special: the atmosphere. It’s unpretentious, it’s welcoming, and it’s filled with people from all walks of life. You’ve got truckers fueling up for their next haul, families on vacation, and locals just grabbing a bite to eat. It’s a melting pot of America, all gathered around the shared love of a good, hearty meal.
The staff are always friendly, always efficient. They’re used to the fast-paced nature of the truck stop, and they handle it with grace. They’ll refill your coffee without you even having to ask, and they’ll greet you with a smile. It’s the kind of service that makes you feel appreciated, even if you’re just passing through.
There’s a certain kind of magic that happens at places like Iowa 80 Kitchen. It’s a place where you can shed the stresses of the road for a little while, sit down, and enjoy a simple, delicious meal. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life are the most straightforward. It’s comfort food at its finest, served with a side of genuine hospitality.
So, the next time you find yourself cruising down I-80, with your stomach grumbling and your spirits flagging, do yourself a favor. Take that exit. Head into Iowa 80 Kitchen. Whether you brave the glorious chaos of the buffet or choose a comforting classic from the menu, you’re guaranteed to leave with a full belly and a smile on your face. And who knows, you might even leave with a story or two to tell. That’s the beauty of Iowa 80. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a memory in the making.