Nice place with friendly staff. But did it live up to my expectations after all of the rave 5-star reviews? Maybe not... We sampled our way through the Reuben & Gobbler panini sandwiches with sides of chips and baked beans. Both were good, but neither was amazing. Typically I'd expect a panini to be oh so warm, melty, soothing (in a sandwich way). These were more what I'd title as toasty sandwiches... bread sizes were vastly different, which resulted in different portions. And on the Reuben specifically, where's the meat? The kids meals (and everything else) were very reasonably priced. But I was a little disappointed that the "treat" was a pack of fruit snacks at a place apparently known for their baked goods. Our toddler was unsurprisingly very pleased with the fruit snacks. I wanted to love it, but didn't. Ultimately it was an entirely adequate dinner. Good. Sadly not exceptional. read more

CLOSED PERMANENTLY as of last Friday according to sign on door. Had yesterday off so did the wife I decided we should drive up to Story Chitty and check this place out for lunch. 1215 pull up front sign on door states closed. I just looked at their website at the menu & hours would have been awesome of the owner to put something on the site about NOT BEING OPEN ANYMORE... read more

It was fine. Dawn is very nice as was the wait staff. We ordered burgers. They seem to be pre-formed patties and lower quality meat. I ordered mine medium rare. It was delivered medium well to well and both burgers were very dry. The salad bar has few selections over half are the dressing choices. If you want to do a great burger in Iowa then you have to grind your own beef, form your own patties and cook to order. We will try it again. read more

If you're looking for a distinctive, creative, and memorable meal in Story City, I would start here for lunches on Monday & Tuesdays, or lunches and dinners Wednesday thru Saturday. DBD is located in the heart of downtown Story City and is a great place to stop if you are visiting the retail district of my home town, or are willing to stray a mile to the west from I-35. They put a lot of thought in to their daily specials and they are doing it right with a lot of creativity and flair. The sandwiches here are particularly strong choices. In my past two visits, I've enjoyed a really solid crab cake sandwich and a southwestern beef brisket sandwich that combined a smoked-on-site brisket with an apricot chipotle sauce. They are working with some solid and unusual combinations for the area. This is family owned and operated and you can tell by the friendly demeanor of the staff. Oh yeah, Make sure to try the kettle cooked potato chips. read more

This is a great little gem of an eating establishment! My wife and I ate there last week and we were blown away by the service and the food! Our waitress was possibly the friendliest and most accommodating food service worker I've ever had the pleasure of being served by. When our entrées came out, the cook (chef?) brought it to the table and he too was amazingly personable and cordial. The people working here really seem to take personal interest in the customer's satisfaction We ordered an appetizer of "Queso Cheese & Bacon Fries," it is a simple dish, but every component worked well, the fries were hot and crunchy on the outside and tender inside, the cheese was rich and creamy with just a touch of spiciness, and the bacon was crispy! For dinner ordered the "Southwestern Brisket" sandwich. In true barbecue fashion the sandwich becomes a real mess on the plate, but the combination of flavors was unreal. Sweet, a bit spicy, smokey, and savory. There are three sauce components in this sandwich (bbq, chipotle mayo, and house-slaw) so there was a risk of the sandwich being soggy and droopy, but the pretzel bun they chose held up to the challenge very well, and the fact that they toasted said bun added some really great texture to the sandwich. My wife ordered the "Bourbon Chicken" and having tried it, I have to tell you that the chicken is amazingly moist, the skin was rendered beautifully and the bourbon sauce was delicious. We both subbed out our sides for a small serving of their "Bistro Mac & Cheese" and were pleased with the flavor of the cheese sauce as well as the texture of the noodles (so many places overcook their mac & cheese noodles, but they were perfect at Dinners by Dawn) Finally, at the suggestion of our amazing waitress, we decided to try their house made Carrot Cake for desert. The carrot cake was moist and the cream cheese frosting was beyond reproach! If you haven't yet enjoyed a meal at Dinners by Dawn, you are really missing out. P.S. Their hours are a little different than most restaurants, so definitely check before driving up there!!! read more

My husband and I decided to stop in on a whim, passing through town. All I can say is boy am I glad we did! They had the monthly all you can eat breakfast buffet for brunch and it was super fantastic! The caramel French toast was to die for, the On my way! lets were made to order and yummy, and the snickers latte was so fun and delectable! We left stuffed! The service was awesome and the atmosphere was great! I think we may go back with the kids next month. I can't wait! read more

What a gem of a place! You know you've come to a unique dining experience when there is writing on the big picture windows to welcome you in and then you open the door and you step back into the early 1900's. The old (and new) black and white photographs are full stories and I'd love to have heard about them but we were hungry so that will have to be for another day! We were warmly welcomed to a table and told about all the wonderful choices on the menu. I chose a Reuben with a side of chili, both were excellent and just the perfect choice on a cold Spring day. John had the Dani Burger which was highlighted by a side of homemade potato chips. He ordered the macaroni salad side but after talking with the owner Dawn, I wished he'd ordered the special homemade coleslaw that was her grandmother's. It was such a fun time talking with Dawn listening to her stories. All added to our wonderful dining experience. We definitely will be back! read more

We ate lunch and the food was very good. Very good menu, service excellent, unexpected menu with a good variety. Sarah had a Cuban, one of the best sandwiches she has had. Decor could use this help but still not bad read more

An excellent restaurant in Story City. I had a cup of soup to start. Very good and home made. Ordered a Rachel (turkey version is a Ruben) with fries. The sandwich was prepared well. Slaw was crunchy and fresh. Added the perfect touch. The best thing was the house fries. They were crispy golden brown on the outside, but the inside was white and fluffy like a perfect baked potato. I will definitely return to Dinners by Dawn. read more

Dinners by Dawn - Rachel and house fries at Dinners by Dawn. - Specialty Food Near Me - Story City, Iowa

Easily the best diner food I have ever eaten. I was visiting clients in central Iowa and figured the rating warranted a stop. It did not disappoint. The brisket was fantastic and the lava cake hit the spot. Server was friendly and attentive. 10/10 would return. read more

Just a mile off the freeway, this place is a must-visit. We happened upon it while on a road trip and had a delicious dinner. My wife had the southwest brisket sandwich, I had the roast beef special (beef, gravy, and mashed over Texas toast), my son had fish and chips, and my other son had Mac and cheese w chicken. All were rave-worthy. The salad bar at least had romaine instead of iceberg lettuce, but also featured some unique tastes like buffalo chicken & ramen salad (also amazing and like nothing I've ever had). They serve wine and beer (albeit a limited selection - would love to see a craft beer in the mix). Fantastic service, great prices, and we got huge chocolate chip cookies for the road that weighed about 3 lbs. and melted in our mouths. Highly recommend, we won't go past this place without stopping. read more

It was our first visit to Dinners by Dawn, and we were blown away by the food, the friendly wait staff, and welcoming atmosphere. I had the traditional Reuben sandwich and the soup of the day, turkey rice. Both were outstanding. The corned beef was tender and moist, stacked on a delicious marble rye. The soup was delicious as well, great flavor and seasoned to perfection. For dessert, I had the day's special, gingerbread cheesecake. It was heavenly! You can be sure if I'm ever back in Story City, I will be eating at Dawn's. read more

Just stopped here on my way through Iowa. Absolutely one of the best little local joints I've ever been in. It has the ambience of a cozy cafe. The service was attentive and friendly. The coffee was pretty good too. I had the BBQ Brisket Burger. It was spectacular; the bbq sauce was perfectly sweet, the bun was soft and delicious, and the brisket was nice and tender. The homemade chips and beans were great, and all served with a perfect little pickle to compliment the burger. My friend and his father had a couple different paninis and soup; both of them were raving over their meals as well. Overall, a delightful little place with simple classics done incredibly well. And to top it off, the bathroom was impeccably clean and pleasant. 10/10 would eat and pee again. read more

100 year old building on the Main Street. Tender juicy burgers and hot soup. Great stop just off the interstate. read more

Dinners by Dawn - Specialty Food Near Me - Story City, Iowa

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My wife and I ate at Dinners by Dawn last night. I had the Southwest Grilled Chicken Sandwich. It was great. I had the broccoli salad as my side, it was great too. My wife had the grilled cheese. She thought it was very good but would try something else next time. read more

Our dinner at Dinners By Dawn was a mixed experience. Seems like if you keep it simple with a burger or sandwich you're better off. My son ordered a burger and was satisfied. Another in our group was enjoyed the salmon salad. I ordered the smoked pork chop which was excellent but that's pretty much all I got. A plate with one pork chop on it. My trip through the salad bar was underwhelming to say the least. The salad bar items had not been restocked and we had to glean what little was left. The macaroni and cheese was also weak. Otherwise I liked the atmosphere and we enjoyed our server. If I stop in again I'll keep it simple with just a burger or sandwich. read more

This was by far the tastiest, most enjoyable meal we had during our week in the Ames, Iowa area. It was clear to us that Dawn has a real passion for her business, her staff, and the delicious food she offers. That mix makes for a great dining experience. My Santa Fe Turkey sandwich was generously made, fresh, and tasty. Same for the Turkey and Wild Rice soup. We shared slices of Gingerbread Cheesecake and Salted Carmel Cheesecake for dessert. Both were delicious. We will definitely be back! read more

Very friendly staff, nice high ceilings with ceiling fans, very clean, excellent Sloppy Joe special with homemade bbq sauce. Highly recommended! read more

Dinners by Dawn - Life's Sweet bar area - Specialty Food Near Me - Story City, Iowa

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Great unexpected find just a few minutes off I-35 in the small town of Story. Great hospitality, as we walked in 15 mins before closing and they graciously welcomed us in. The Southwestern brisket sandwich on the pretzel bun accented by a cup of ginger sweet potato soup is worth returning for! read more

I learned about this restaurant on Yelp and decided to give it a try. I checked out their website and the photos and menu made it seem like a nice place for lunch. It's a very nice looking business. The old wood floors and the old tin ceiling really give it character. It's very clean as well. My wife and I both really liked the food and thought it was especially good for a small town café. I didn't care for the Arnold Palmer drink very much because the tea tasted like it was instant. My wife said the coffee was very good. The prices were very reasonable and the service was impeccable. We'll definitely go back again. read more

To those who drive I-35 regularly, Story City is the place you stop to fuel your car and get kringla at the Kwik Star. Tonight we had a little extra time so drove a few blocks more into town and are so glad we did. I enjoy small town cafes, but never imagined a full blown great restaurant. Everything was great, but the chicken tortilla soup was especially amazing. read more

The food was good but the service was excellent. We were greeted by the owner which was very nice. And our waitress was outstanding! Her name was cynthia and she did a great job! A real beautiful soul which is rare to find these days! So thank you cynthia for making our lunch stop one to remember! Its very refreshing to go to a locally owned restaurant, have a good meal and meet such kind people! read more

Great service and excellent food. Just had the brisket sandwich, with homemade potato chips salad and a ceramsicle cupcake. Yummy! Great little town, so give this a thumbs up for ambiance. read more

Another great dinner @ Dawn's was had on Wednesday evening. Our food was very flavorful, hot, and served quickly with a pleasant smile. Family dining at its best. Terry Greenfield read more

The SW Brisket sandwich with NW sauce, and Cole slaw was the best sandwich I think I've ever had. The broccoli salad was also delicious. Dawn and her staff are delightful and attentive. This is a gem of a place. read more

Very nice home town place. I had the SW brisket sandwich. It was very good. Tender enough; the BBQ sauce and cole slaw really made it. Also had the three meat Italian soup. Looked like chili but a completely different taste. Very good. All of that and being called dear by the waitress 1/3 my age. Very charming restaurant. read more

We are talking five stars by small town standards. Had a Mexican salad and it was great. Hubby had a BLT on whole grain bread and he liked that, too. The special that night were sliders with a bacon jam. I didn't have it, but the folks nearby seemed to be enjoying theirs. Beer and wine on the menu, too. Fast, friendly service. read more

Top notch brisket. Best I've had maybe ever. Service very good. Really clean facilities.

Came to Story City for business today. Following my visit one of the staff at Town & Country Insurance suggested we try this restaurant for lunch. What a great suggestion. The food was great as well as the service. I'll be back again! read more

Great option for Story City. Food is fresh and the price is pretty good. Must try thier soup. The portion sizes are small though, so not a great spot for someone hungry. read more

I like the food at Dinners by Dawn. Today we came for the Sunday brunch buffet, and it is something we will look forward to again. For those that did not know about this, they have it the first Sunday of the month. read more

We stopped here because it received five stars from previous visitors. It did not disappoint. Food and service were both excellent. Great place to sop if you are driving through Iowa. read more

Dinners by Dawn - Soup and salad for lunch. - Specialty Food Near Me - Story City, Iowa

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Nice place in quaint town of Story City. Very friendly staff. Food was a little better than average. Worth stopping if you are in town.

Their new Parmesan house fries are amazing. Really good sandwiches and soups. And I love the monthly Sunday brunch buffet.

Thursday night is burger, brew, and unlimited fries. Burger was tasty and fries were terrific!

Tonight I ate the comfort food of the midwest beef country, the hot roast beef sandwich. It was a masterpiece to look at and to eat. Toasted Texas toast layered with succulent and tender roast beef with mashed potatoes on top covered in rich brown gravey. It was wonderful and made me feel like a kid again. Only served on special evenings, call ahead. read more

Amazing!! Great food, fun environment, and wonderful service! Worth the extra mile off of interstate!!

Very neat and nice cafe in downtown Story City. Dawn, the owner, will be out to check on you while you are enjoying your meal. The sandwiches are very good, and we have always enjoyed the variety of soups she serves. Also there are some solid salad choices. An enjoyable experience. read more

We found Dinners by Dawn on line while traveling through Iowa. Wonderful little gem in mid Iowa, Story City. Food was great from the main courses to the salad bar-which was not extensive but every item a tasters joy. Iowa wine was delicious. Owner Dawn spent time talking to us. She's a hand's on, hard working caring owner. So nice to see. Couldn't have been more satisfied with our dinner experience. Will try to get back for some of her specials. Sounds like the Sunday brunch and prime rib is worth traveling for. We will be back. read more

Delightful experience with friendly service, sandwiches a great step above the expected and kettle chips that are scrumptious when hot from the kitchen. We will be back! read more