*Earlier this fall we had the great pleasure to be Hosted by O’Brien County Economic Development. Some of the meals, lodging and products were complimentary. The views in this blog post are of our own. Now, let’s gallivant!
Miller Park is just a short distance from the main business district of Sanborn and right next to the local golf golf course. Filled with campsites along with this amazing cabin that’s ready for your next gathering. Especially if you’re looking to organize a golfing trip in 2026 and beyond! Click here to make your reservation.You’ll have all the modern perks in this cabin while being surrounded with fantastic woodwork and views of the golf course through every window. Flat screen TV with plenty of channels to get your surfing taken care of.A full kitchen that can get your party prepared for your company. There’s also a master bedroom, more beds on the second level, and a full bathroom. Like most of Iowa’s city, state, or county parks with cabins, you’ll need to remember your own bedding, towels, and bathroom needs. The golf course view from the front patio of your cabin getaway in Sanborn, Iowa.
Local lockers and meat shops are absolutely crucial to our state’s local economies and supply chain. Especially in our rural communities. The Cut Meat Market happens to be one of those much needed businesses.I was put to work by the crew of The Cut when this Charolais steer was ready for slaughter. The Cut is a locker service and they also sell their own beef as well. Their family farm is right here in O’Brien County with the cattle being raised just a few miles away from the market. That means you’re eating local, shopping small and you know right where your meat is coming from that got here with an incredibly low carbon footprint from farm to the cash register.Yup, we need to check on those cows! The Douma family farm is just a short drive from their operations in Sanborn. Great job, ladies!
Break Time: Coffee-Up in Paullina, Iowa
I need a large ice coffee and I mean NOW! I mean, please. Double Dose Coffee on Main Street-Paullina had that request on the ready!
The entire Wilson family has a hand in everything they produce, build, fix, grow, harvest and everything that goes into operating an incredible organic farm. They will also give you a bevy of agri-knowledge in there own wholesome way. A theme you’ll experience in O’Brien County and throughout Northwest Iowa.The fresh eggs are plentiful here and the Wilson kids know just how to gather them up.Piggy-piggy-piggy…..Come and get your chow! The livestock gets taken care of by grandpa and the grands at Seven W Farm.There will always be a reason to check on the cows at any farm. The pastures seem to be endless at Seven W Farm while your imagination absorbs every acre.
Mark your calendars for every Thursday at Sheldon Livestock because they’ll have the auctions humming along and Wanda’s cooking in the kitchen!The special on this day was all beef meatballs with a creamy gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, buttered bread and I added a cinnamon raisin roll with cheese. That’s some stick to your ribs Northwest Iowa cookin’ right there, folks!Sale barn meals are some of the best places to find local comfort food so I highly recommend you stop by some of them when you’re traveling. One of Wanda’s specialties is the hot roast beef sandwich. An Iowa staple and they have a tasty one here in Sheldon.Holsteins, Black Angus, Red Angus, Herefords, Limousins, Jerseys…..Collect the whole set! Excellent for stocking stuffer, too!
Just outside of Sanborn is this haven for buying local and shopping small. The Solsma crew are pros when it comes to the seasons and making sure they are stocked up with plenty of Iowa products.There will always be room in my pantry for anything jarred from our local retailers.You know there’s a wine lover that could use more bottles in their collection. This is just a very small sample of what Solsma’s has to offer.
Iowa is the number one egg producer in America and we need ways to get them delivered throughout the country. I had the pleasure to get a ride from Derek in one of the Double H big-rigs for an egg run to Harris, Iowa and look at this haul! These eggy delights were packed and ready for their own trip to Kansas….I got dropped off back in Paullina though. Can you imagine me on a delivery all the way to Kansas and back????
The Wing-Ding course is always an important start to your memorable meal at Jay’s!We’re traveling throughout all of Iowa’s 99 counties and ordering a special in each one. Our O’Brien County special was this juicy and delicious French dip sandwich at Jay’s! So beefy and I ordered those Western Iowa hash browns because this entire region knows how to make them perfectly.
Bedtime: Back to the Miller Park Cabin in Sanborn
This sunset was just a few minutes from suppertime at Jay’s and right outside the front door of the cabin. That was a full and rewarding day with the O’Brien County horizon capping it off.
Wakeup and Milk the Cows: VanEss Dairy in Paullina, Iowa
A big time dairy producer in rural Paullina that’s a major employer in O’Brien County and delivers a trusted product year after year. That’s VanEss Dairy!You’re doing a great job keeping America fed, ladies! Your favorite cheese, sour cream, ice cream, gulp of milk and many more dairy products could have had their origins right here at VanEss.
The fresh salad bar was loaded with all my favorites at Legacy’s. Including some homemade pickled cucumbers! I believe the locals called them pickles.The Legacy Burger for all you BBQ sauce lovers like me. Topped with crispy bacon, melted cheese and crunchy onion rings. More Western Iowa Hash Browns!
Let’s Get Cultured: AMPI Dairy in Sanborn, Iowa
More cows! This one at AMPI was the most docile out of all herds I met in O’Brien County.It was a great time meeting the mad scientists at AMPI. Making the cheese from the local dairy products isn’t the only process it goes through. Many steps of testing by these professionals is what keeps these products safe and enjoyable in the long run.Let’s just say I brought home a few “samples” from AMPI. Dinner Bell Creamery is the leading brand that gets produced on the daily at AMPI and we had a delicious time cooking and consuming their butter and cheeses.
One More Meal for the Road: The Grain House in Sanborn, Iowa
They brought out the bulk of their menu at The Grain House. Beautiful flatbreads, their signature Monte Cristo croissant sandwich, crisp potato chips with their famous house made sauces. This was quite the treat and atmosphere in Sanborn!
These folks are ready to get your fridges and freezers packed at Friedrichsen’S. They have a lot of cuts and products to choose from including their legendary hot dogs. One of the many ways you can treat yourself at Friedrichsen’s. 30 day aged New York Strip steaks! This is quite the delicate process and it gives the beef a flavor you can’t duplicate without aging. These folks are another group of professionals that you’ll meet when you’re touring O’Brien County!And now for all of us who seek murals and public art. You won’t have any problems finding it in O’Brien County!
There’s been plenty of times we’ve wandered into O’Brien County, but not quite like this during previous gallivants. We got in touch with the very human element that helps this entire planet get fed and operate. Agritourism is an amazing way to educate yourself during your free time while enjoying the rural wonders here in Iowa. We’ll see you on the farm, Gallivant Nation!
