This isn’t a James Beard Award winning restaurant. You may spend more gas money getting there (depending on how far you are willing to drive) than you will on lunch. You won’t agonize over the menu, as the options are quite limited. They don’t take reservations, and no one cares what you are wearing. Taylor’s Maid Rite in Marshalltown is just a hometown mom & pop joint that’s been offering pretty much the same choices since 1928. Yet, somehow, we don’t seem to get tired of their amazing and legendary maid-rite sandwiches and delicious milkshakes or their fast and friendly service.

Pull up a seat at the counter and check this place out.

Sandra Taylor Short and her husband, Con, are still serving the sandwiches and shakes that her great-grandfather served when he bought this Maid-Rite restaurant from the original franchise owner for $300 in 1928.
Taylor's Maid Rite/Facebook
In 1958, the original owner's son, Don Taylor, built the current location across the street from his father's original store. Mr. Taylor ran the store himself until he died in 1973.
Here at Taylor's Maid-Rite, the Iowa beef is ground fresh (on-site) every day.
Todd C./Yelp
The ice cream is homemade and the employees still use the original recipe. You can get a slice of fresh-baked pie, as well.
William O./Yelp
The finely ground hamburger that is the heart and soul of a Taylor's Maid-Rite sandwich is what people come back for again and again.
Dave C./Yelp
Todd C./Yelp
The ground beef is served with pickles, mustard, or chopped onions. A big change happened in this small restaurant, recently. Ketchup is now available (after 86 years of telling people No) upon request.

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If you are far away from your Iowan home and craving a Taylor's Maid Rite, or if you'd like to share the joy with someone who isn't within easy driving distance, you have options.
David W./Yelp
Taylor's Maid-Rite/Facebook
The good folks at Taylor's understand how compelling these sandwiches can be. Now, you can send this Midwestern tradition anywhere. That's right. Taylor's will ship their Maid-Rites.
Midwest Living Magazine named Taylor's Maid-Rite sandwiches, "The king of the loose meat sandwich."
Taylor's Maid-Rite/Facebook
If you decide to come into Marshalltown to see what all the fuss is about, go ahead and order two. You'll be glad you did.
Please remember to order a milkshake, as well.
Lisa O./Yelp
They are almost as famous as the sandwiches, here.
These scrumptious sandwiches have been featured on Public TV's "Sandwiches You Will Like" series, Travel & Leisure Magazine, Every Day With Rachael Ray, Tastes Of Iowa, and Burgers Iowa Style.
Lisa O./Facebook

If you were hoping we’d have a high-flying super-fancy option for you here, don’t be sad. Just give Taylor’s Maid-Rite in Marshalltown a try. It’s an Iowan hometown tradition in the heart of the state that won’t disappoint. In fact, you may find that you have a new appreciation for old-time small-town Midwestern diners that serve some of the best food in the land.

Are you from another part of Iowa and wishing we would feature an amazing mom and pop joint in your town? Please tell us about your favorite hometown restaurant!

Here’s an article featuring great small-town restaurants from all over the state that you’ll want to visit:

Most People Don’t Know These Small Towns In Iowa Have AMAZING Restaurants

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