3 Exceptional Iowa Restaurants To Try When You're Dining On A Budget
By Raymond Goldfield|Published February 22, 2022
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
You’re driving your way through Iowa, but that wallet is feeling awfully light. The good news is, Iowa has some of the country’s most diverse and delicious dining – and you won’t have to break the bank to fill that rumbling in your stomach. These are three of the must-visit restaurants you shouldn’t miss the next time you’re visiting the state’s biggest cities.
Located in the heart of Iowa's biggest city, the Des Moines-based A Dong Restaurant is a staple for hungry diners. Their authentic Vietnamese fare has been packing them in since 1989
Their specialty is the rich beef pho. Made from a slow-cooked broth, rice noodles, and your choice of toppings including beef, chicken, and seafood, it's the perfect warming meal - with most options just over ten dollars.
If you're not in the mood for pho, they have an extensive traditional and vegetarian menu. Specialties like this roasted quail over rice are delicious and surprisingly affordable.
When the road takes you to Cedar Rapids and you're looking for something to fill you up, you won't do better than Scott's Family Restaurant. This diner-style place has been family owned and dishing up big portions for almost ten years.
Scott's Family Restaurant specializes in traditional American dishes, such as this rich breakfast skillet with a side of fruit. Most options for breakfast and lunch are around ten dollars or less.
Scott's does a brisk business in take-out among its customers. If you're in a hurry to get back on the road, they'd be happy to pack up your breakfast platter to go.
Zeke's specializes in massive portions of flavorful meats, like this barbecued beef over rice. Every dish comes with unique sides like the Hawaiian-style macaroni salad and an egg roll.
If you're in the mood for lighter fare, Zeke's offers a salad menu including favorites like this fried shrimp platter with a flavorful blend of greens. All of Zeke's oversized plates are around the fifteen-dollar mark.
Have you had the opportunity to try any of these three Iowa restaurants? Let us know your favorite dishes or any other Iowa budget eats you want us to cover in the comments section below. Be sure to check out the menus at A Dong Restaurant, Scott’s Family Restaurant, and Zeke’s Island Cafe before your next visit.
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