Tucked away in Albia is a restaurant that is President Barrack Obama approved as they are famous…read morefor their Iowa pork tenderloin sandwiches. What's that you say? Picture a buttered hamburger bun sandwiched by a giant plate sized fried pork tenderloin. The fried tenderloin is soo juicy and crunchy, unlike anything you've had before, and a nice tang from the mustard. President Obama came here in 2018 and the photo is proudly featured on their wall, but the real reason they're famous and have been for decades is their authentic Iowan classics like the pork tenderloin sandwiches and loose meat sandwiches. Also, don't forget their tots and fries with cheese, as they are always fried to perfection. Just like Iowa.

The pork tenderloin sandwich and onion rings were amazing and Sherry was awesome, highly recommend…read morethis place‼

Is this absolutely MY best (aka favorite) burger...? Is it the best burger I've personally had in…read moreIowa...? Probably not. BUT it is the best burger I've ever had out of a gas station in Iowa...! Actually... I'm not exactly sure which way this place actually goes... Is this a gas station that sells food... Or a restaurant that sells gas? Potato...potatoe! Lol And it IS a very good burger overall too...! But not only do they serve burgers... They have other menu selections... Mostly all deep fried and grill options... And ice cream! I've seen signs for Iowa's Best Burger Cafe for years while running back and forth on I-80 from the Des Moines metro... Kellogg is about halfway between Newton and Grinnell. We've never stopped here until this past weekend when we were on our way home from the What Cheer IA flea market... Iowa's Best Burger Cafe is just off the highway... The first thing I noticed as the GPS said our route was about to end... It looked like it ended at an Amoco gas station... Huh? And then I noticed the signage for the Iowa's Best Burger Cafe on the building... Oh... So we're here...? Not exactly what I expected..., but I eat at food trucks too so it wasn't going to stop me. I did glance at my girlfriend to see if I could tell whether she was feeling it or not... I think she was just really hungry at that point and didn't really care. Lol There's ample parking. As you enter the building it kind of looks like a standard gas station convenience store...until you turn and look to your Right. Red plastic booth seating. There are two counters and a case that sit adjacent to one another. The counter you order at also displays the ice cream. There's a case displaying some ready to eat options. The register is on a shorter counter closest to the entrance. It's an open kitchen. There is also another small room of seating further to the left as you face the counters. The tables are kind of faux marble. Napkins, salt, pepper, ketchup, and mustard are available in each booth. We were greeted as we walked and I let them know it was our first time there and we didn't know the drill. They let us know you order standing there at the counter. Take a seat. They bring the food out to you when it's ready. You pay at the register when you are done. Cash or card...and there is an ATM on site. They bus your table. There are a couple of menu placards on the counter where you place your order... The 16 flavors of ice cream selection are plainly labeled. The two ladies behind the counter were very helpful and were both personable! We ordered: 2x half pound burger combos (one with cheese, bacon, onions and pickles and one with cheese, onions, pickles, mayo, and lettuce) 1x upgraded side to garlic mushrooms 1x upgraded side to onion rings 2x fountain drinks (Coke products...comes with combo) 1x mozarella sticks 1x two scoop bowl of ice cream 1x single cone of ice cream The wait for food wasn't long. Everything was served hot and fresh! They'd asked us if we wanted ranch... My girlfriend always wants ranch! Not only did they bring us ranch... They brought us a HUGE squeeze bottle of ranch! This is how every restaurant should bring you ranch! While we dined in (as did a couple of other customers) most of the business appeared to be take out. One pro tip... The standard half pound burger comes with two patties. I heard a customer ask a guy, at the booth next to her, how many patties he had on his burger... Huh? He had four patties on his burger... A full pounder! So there has to be a way to add an additonal patty (or patties) too... If you want a bigger burger... Ask...! The bathrooms...not horrible. The food was all great. Good service. No complaints. I wouldn't hesitate to stop in here again! And I know what to expect next time...!

"I do not disagree with their name," says my friend visiting from out of state after enjoying his…read moreburger and fried mushrooms. I had the delicious BBQ pork burger with cheese and enjoyed its glorious Smokey flavor. I can't say I've been to that many burger cafe's but this was definitely a great experience. The staff/cook crew were extremely friendly. I was nervous by the long line, but they grilled the food up pretty quick and it was all fab. Enjoyed drinks came with meal. Definitely recommend!

A meal at The Highway Restaurant is always tasty and FUN! The staff are personable, welcoming, and…read moreaccommodating! It's a great place for Breakfast!!!

Great service, portions are huge. Food is great. I love breakfast and they serve it all day. Prices…read morearen't too bad either

Coming to visit family in Fairfield, I had heard of a newer cider brewery and restaurant that…read moreserved great food and cool cider flavors. That was underselling it - this cider house is awesome! I love that there are so many different fruit flavors in their ciders. My personal favorites were the watermelon and apricot. There is also a great selection of burgers all the way from your classic cheeseburger down to a no-meat burger, each with its own unique toppings. I got the 'Merica Burger and didn't even have time to take a picture because I just scarfed it down. They have a great selection of sides too - chips, slaw, potato salad, or a glass of your favorite cider! We will definitely be coming back to the Cider House every time we are back in town. Great food and great drinks!

I've been a few times. The ambiance is great, it's delightful to sit outside in warm weather, and I…read morelove that they support live music. My only complaint is that food service is kinda slow and the way you order food and drinks is kinda clumsy. It's almost like the food is an afterthought to what was originally intended to be a bar. I recently made the mistake of going on a Friday night at 7pm. They were busy and there were about 10 people ahead of us in the line. It took 30+ minutes to reach the order window, at which time we were informed it was an hour and a half wait to get our food. Why couldn't a manager or a staff member inform the people standing patiently (as the line was steadily growing) of the wait time before we got to the window? Completely unacceptable lack of customer service. Once you actually get your food, it's great, and the bar service is pretty efficient. Great selection of drinks.

I ordered a sirloin steak, it must've came from the oldest bull out in the field's Because it was…read morelike chewing shoe leather, i've eaten beef jerky with more flavor and and hell a lot more tender. should add more sides than just a salad bar and baked potato. expects yourself to cut it open and only gives you butter and sour cream no cheese or anything. you only get one trip to the salad bar, very very disappointing.

The food is amazing and the staff is always friendly and the service is great I recommend the…read moreboogie cut prime rib my wife prefers the filet but the food is always great and the service was amazing

Amazing food with the family. Real food at awesome prices. Family loves their meals. Definitely a…read moreplace to make as a regular food stop

Great service! Great food options! Cool atmosphere and clean…read more Will return when back in town!

We went there on a Saturday night to celebrate a birthday. Our group of 11 had a reservation and…read morewere quickly seated. I dropped a star because the menu has about stayed the same and they were out of one of the chicken dishes and it was only 6 PM. Our birthday gal wanted a simple pasta and they really don't just have that. I had a portobello fries and a hot honey chicken sandwich and both were very good. They were still tasty the next day. Hubby had a pork chop - - and it was delicious just like he remembered. The bread bowl is good and they graciously brought you more. A waitress was good - - she kept the children in the group full of!! It was a nice place to celebrate

Three of us had dinner on a week night. We started with the portobello fries…read more I had the white bean and collard greens soup. And then the fall salad The Portobello mushroom fries were amazing!! Crispy. This is a must order item! I was thinking about them days later! The fall salad with salmon was delicious and a large portion! the side of broccolini fulfilled my green requirement for the day! The panini looked amazing and I want to try it next time.

I need to go here more often and dine. Great food and clientele. Try out the fried bologna…read moresandwich.

A huge cheeseburger & fresh cut fries - fantastic! The service was friendly & attentive.read more

This local spot delivers on taste and service. Seems like everything is homemade , nothing frozen…read morecoming out of that kitchen . My entire family stopped in for lunch had a round of burgers, French fries and jalapeño poppers. The restaurant also has a bunch of fishing gear and bait you can buy at the counter. I feel like the locals would flock to this place just to hang at the bar and talk with the waitresses. Next time you are in Rathbun or hints hankering for a great burger. Stop in!

Second time around and they did a great job. The cleaned up the front porch with social distanced…read moredining. The breakfast menu was great with options and served promptly. The service was awesome so updating my review to five starts.

Stop in. Don't let the outside fool you. It's clean and great food inside. Prices unbelievably low…read more Get you some.

Good food, ok service & ambiance so so! Lots of locals, means it's good, and reasonably pricedread more