*Earlier this summer we had one of the best ways to gallivant across Iowa! We partnered up with the Iowa Egg Council and the Iowa Soybean Association to highlight 24 ways to eat breakfast at each hour of the day throughout the state. Below are the restaurants we traveled to, and you’ll see just how tasty this eggy promotion was!
Taco time first thing in the morning! Seasoned ground beef with all those Mexican flavors and a beautiful cheese pull to go with this filling omelet. I could see why this was one of the most popular items on the breakfast menu.
Why oh why aren’t more restaurants offering breaded pork tenderloins at breakfast time? Good thing we have the West Side Family Restaurant around! Served over biscuits and hash browns, topped with eggs and delicious sausage gravy. That’s a skillful skillet!
9 AM: Breakfast Chimichanga at Birdie’s Bistro-Dubuque, Iowa
This was a first for me. I’ve had plenty of breakfast burritos, tacos and even a few quesadillas, but thanks to Birdie’s I can say I’ve had a breakfast chimichanga! Those potatoes were worth the drive to Dubuque on their own, folks….
10 AM: Hamburger Steak & Eggs at Crouse Cafe-Indianola, Iowa
When you want your hamburger and breakfast too….Crouse has you covered! Literally covered. Fresh hamburger patty griddled up with sausage gravy and eggs, and you know I put it between that buttery toast.
11 AM: Biscuits & Gravy w/ Eggs at Old Stone Bistro-La Porte City, Iowa
The iconic biscuits and gravy….Just beautiful! Made from scratch biscuits topped with rich sausage gravy and there was no one they were letting me leave without one of Old Stone’s famous cinnamon rolls. Those sunny side eggs found a home right on top of that gravy the way mama raised me.
One of those all-time classics. The haystack has everything you want in a breakfast meal in every bite. Sue-Z-Q’s does NOT skimp on the meat! Bacon, ham, sausage, cheese, onions, peppers, hash browns……
The Grove is one of the most legendary breakfast locations in the entire state with some of the greatest pancakes known to mankind. Just blueberry majesty and topped with plenty of butter and their homemade syrup. Perfect!
Nana Greer’s is directly off of Interstate 35 and its’s been an Osceola go-to for years. These will be some of the most gourmet slices of French toast you’ll ever experience, so start planning your visit.
3 PM: Apple Pancakes at Klunder’s Kafe-New Hampton, Iowa
Another one of Iowa’s famous scratch kitchens! Known for the homemade vibes in everything they do including this apple pancakes. This New Hampton institution has never let me down.
One of the oldest restaurants in Iowa is the Fort Diner in one of the oldest cities in Iowa. The classic compact diner has been feeding the masses since the 1940s and you’ll want pick up the restaurant and take it home with you. I love a good sizzled steak and eggs!
This spicy skillet came with….Spicy bratwurst! We need more places offering brats all day long! The cooking and flavors at Cuatlatl’s were some of the most unique of this road trip. Those were perfectly cooked over easy eggs…
6 PM: Eggs Benedict Flight at Lucky’s On 16th-Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Lucky’s on 16th taking us to Flight School! You get to choose what your flight variety will be for an Eggs Benedict adventure, and as you can see I was all over the place with mine. Crab cake, sausage gravy and breaded chicken with broccoli coming in hot!
You can’t make crepes without eggs! This Tipton crew read the room right and garnished my blueberry filled crepe properly. Sure, I’d love a breakfast sandwich on the side….
This college town has the goods on a late night gourmet breakfast. Pullman is a premiere Downtown Iowa City eatery that has comfort food locked in!
10 PM: Brunch Anytime Burger at The Wheelhouse Bar & Grill-Sioux City, Iowa (Kitchen open until 10:30 PM Friday-Saturday)
I LOVE fried eggs on my burgers, so I knew I was going to enjoy this juicy Brunch Burger! Tater tots, bacon and cheese to go with every beefy-eggy bite.
11 PM: Breakfast Burrito at Taqueria La Juanita-Storm Lake, Iowa (Open until 2 Am Friday-Saturday)
A breakfast burrito with chorizo and ham at one of my favorite taquerias in the state. Bring on that amazing salsa with every moment!
Midnight: Huevos Rancheros at Lina’s Mexican Restaurant-Des Moines, Iowa (Open late night Monday-Sunday)
Late night Mexican style breakfast is one of the best meals I can possibly crave. A Lina’s midnight run for huevos rancheros sounds like something I could get used to if I lived in Des Moines.
1 AM: The Big Scramble at Penny’s Diner-Missouri Valley, Iowa (Open 24 Hours Monday-Sunday)
Far Western Iowa has a 24 hour oasis when you’re getting those 24 hour breakfast munchies. The Big Breakfast Scramble is another one of those kitchen sink meals that will be sure to fill you up. MEATY!
2 AM: Nebraska Burrito at D’Leon’s Taco Rico-Council Bluffs, Iowa (Open until 3 AM Friday-Saturday)
Yes, you read that right. This small chain of Mexican restaurants originated in Nebraska, but I’m glad they made it east! This burrito is filled with steak, potatoes and eggs, and that green salsa is the truth my friends.
3 Am: Chilaquiles at Giliberto’s #12-Arnolds Park, Iowa (Open until 4 Am Friday-Saturday)
One of the largest portions we had during the entire promotion. These Chilaquiles are not just for the egg lovers…They’re for the Mexican food fanatics everywhere!
The World’s Biggest Truck Stop is home to the Iowa 80 Kitchen and these porkchops that you can order grilled or breaded. Just make sure you go dippin’ in those runny eggs!
Who would of thunk it…Iowa is home to the original hot mess! Thank you, Jerry’s Main Lunch! It’s like a made to order breakfast casserole that the locals and travelers have been ordering for decades!
Steak and eggs skillet style in Ottumwa with a seasoning I wish I knew. What a way to round out 24 hours of breakfasts in Iowa!
Thank you for cruising along this egg inspired road trip with us. I hope as many of you as possible can discover these places and Iowa as a whole. One breakfast at a time!
Be sure to stay updated with the Iowa Egg Council on their Facebook page! Stay updated with the Iowa Soybean Association on their Facebook page!
