Have you ever heard of Gunder, Iowa? It’s a tiny town way up in the corner of North East Iowa, hours away from the nearest city. If you haven’t heard of the town, you’ve probably at least heard of a “gunderburger,” which is an enormous burger invented and served up only in this tiny, rural, Iowa town. Talk about middle of nowhere – Gunder, Iowa doesn’t even have a zip code. Read about why it’s so worth it to drive all the way out here for an absolutely perfect burger.

The Irish Shanti is a pub that's home to the Gunderburger - invented in the 1970s to put the town on the map!
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
It's currently located at 17455 Gunder Rd (rural Elgin) Gunder, Iowa 52141. The town's population is only 27!
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
The cozy, homestyle restaurant is welcoming, and you'll make friends with the staff while you browse the menu.
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
Every Gunderburger - like this "loaded" one with mushrooms and swiss - is handmade with one pound of fresh Iowa beef from Elgin.
Facebook / The Irish Shanti

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You can always enjoy a classic Gunderburger, piled high with cheese, tomato, onions and lettuce. These burgers are enormous!
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
If you're feeling adventurous, try their Gunderburger of the day. If you're lucky, you'll stop by when they're serving their mouthwatering Prime Rib burger.
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
Surprisingly, the peanut butter bacon Gunderburger is delicious, too!
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
If you've really worked up an appetite from the drive, try your hand at the infamous Gargantuan Gunderburger. It's the largest cheeseburger you'll ever see!
Facebook / The Irish Shanti
Facebook / The Irish Shanti

The Irish Shanti’s hours are seasonal. Right now, for winter, they’re open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, their hours are 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. On Sundays, you can dine here from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Do you have any other favorite, middle-of-nowhere Iowa restaurants or destinations? Check out our list for some ideas: 9 Places In Iowa Way Out In The Boonies But So Worth The Drive

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