Sutliff, IA: Johnson County

Where were you when you had your first breaded chicken gizzard? If you can’t remember then you probably never had one……or a giant basket of them waiting to challenge your jaw muscles. Not all diners enjoy this quintessential Iowa appetizer, but to the folks that can’t wait to sink their teeth into this crunchy organ, they tend to order it time and time again. I was about 9 years old when I dove into the deep end of the gizzard culture. And I was in my mid 20’s before I went for seconds. I’ve been on 100th helping and counting since, thanks to a little unincorporated town near Lisbon, IA called Sutliff, and the restaurant that’s been serving my family and others for over a million years. Or close to that.

What do chicken gizzards taste like? Well…..a lot like chicken gizzards. You’ll need to figure it out for yourself.

The county line destination of Baxa’s and the Sutliff bridge draws in countless travelers every year, from folks wanting to fish, dine, partake in some cold beer or just to head to the banks of the Cedar River and hit up some aquatic rec-time. The historic bridge stretches the length of the river. You can walk on its wooden planks or stop and take in the passing day on its several picnic tables.

From the looks of it, Baxa’s is hosting a local PTO gathering. (Pictured provided by Baxa’s Facebook page)

Customers of Baxa’s have thousands of dollars invested in to this historic landmark. So much that you can literally see the cold hard cash hanging from the ceilings. And there doesn’t seem to be a rush to collect on the return of these investments. Just as long as Baxa’s keeps pumping out the great food and good times!

I can see my dollar bills from here! Dollar bills from my first visit in the 80’s to the modern day Team Goodvin. The best savings account in Johnson County!
https://www.facebook.com/Baxas-Sutliff-Store-And-Tavern-266121951280/timeline/

Thee Baxa Burger. Worth the drive from anywhere and it’ll keep you coming back. The menu is full of house made selections and keeps up on some great specials.

We strolled across the bridge and ate ourselves silly at Baxa’s. And we’ll be doing it over and over again as we’ve done for years. The lively river town of Sutliff has lured in tourists and locals for years and years. It’s time you take the county road and see it for yourself. Tell us how the gizzards are, too.

A quiet river, a historic bridge and one damn happy family! At the Sutliff Bridge in Sutliff, IA.
https://www.facebook.com/Sutliff-Bridge-Authority-221625791188334/timeline/

Thanks for reading! -Team Goodvin