The Best Between Bread-Iowa’s Sandwich Masters: Locale 4, Oakland Mills

Oh, the places the Iowa rivers can you lead you. On the banks of the Skunk you can find yourself in Butch’s River Rock Cafe in tiny Oakland Mills… 1529 253rd Street

Just down the road from the city of Mount Pleasant is the small unincorporated community of Oakland Mills, right on the mighty Skunk River. Up from its banks is plenty of camping, disc golf, picnic areas, a historic walking bridge, and one of Iowa’s best destination eateries. You can’t have a traveling sandwich competition without a stop at Butch’s River Rock Cafe!

Butch’s was nice and cozy with a lot of comfortable sunlight peaking in through the windows. It has the feel and look of a hunting lodge with its own fireplace, antique tables, furniture and decor all over the dining area. I felt that I should have grabbed a Catfish from the nearby river with my bare hands and presented it to the cooks for barter. I instead ordered off the menu. And how ’bout that menu!

Sweet mother of roadside Iowa, we have a giant menu here!

This is just 2/3 of the menu of homemade creations at Butch’s. And the server will let you color wherever you want on the menu too! Cuz I asked that’s how I know. Seriously…Check this out! Everything from traditional to peanut butter on what! Butch’s has won the state title for best breaded pork tenderloin in Iowa, but they’re not stopping there. Cheese burgers with glazed donuts or waffles for the buns and offered with toppings like with mac and cheese, ham, and bacon were getting served up all over the place.

Monie ordered the grilled pineapple burger seasoned with brown sugar and topped with bacon while Leah tackled the cowboy burger with melted American cheese, bacon, smoky BBQ sauce and crispy onion rings. And we’re talking fresh ground beef y’all! Gigi ordered Butch’s homemade crabcake sandwich with a spicy chili sauce on the side with Charlie gett’n after some tender chicken fingers and their really cheesy and bacon-covered Mac and Cheese. And yes, there is always room for a slice of homemade pie, especially when its Peach-Raspberry. State law I believe. But what did JayJay order? The sandwich that is up for The Iowa Gallivant’s championship in December… That’s what I ordered!

img_4865-1 — The large steak knife sticks out like a harpoon and you’re going to need it!

Introducing Trevor’s Stacker! Butch’s famous breaded pork tenderloin with Iowa ham, shredded cheese, American cheese, and bacon. Keep both hands on the sandwich at all times, ladies and gentleman. It’s huge, served incredibly hot, and half of a hog was slaughtered to make this marvel. As we ate our meals we gazed at all the plates being brought out to the customers. One culinary wonder after the other. We happily paid for out bill and took a much needed walk around the recreation area. 58 degrees in February and officially taking advantage of that.

I wish there were more rec areas just out the door after you’ve had 4 beautiful sandwiches, chicken fingers, homemade coleslaw, onion rings, steak fries and delicious pie. Look, there’s our dog, Tippy! Sorry, I get distracted easily. A Carp just poked it’s head up, too! The Skunk River was roaring and we soaked in the free Vitamin-D from the afternoon sun. A lap around the old wooden bridge and a few muddy shoes with full bellies equals a full day. That’s just how I was raised.