This place is great for craft beer. Both the selection (beers from around the US and outside the US) and service. Jack was awesome in helping me track down some specific beers I was looking for. They also sell many (most?) of their beers as singles for beer nerds like me that want to try a lot of different beers and breweries but not have to get a 4 or 6 pack. Small but well stocked and easy access from anywhere in Iowa City. read more

So I have been going to John's off and on for years, but lately I have noticed some definite improvements in the quality of food they are ordering (ie, groceries) which makes my heart sing. They have all types of food items like avocados, lemons, milk, organic beef, cheeses, cat food, garlic, along with a wine room (vinho verde) and everything else they have. This makes my life easier. read more

Lots of stuff packed into a small store. Was able to pick up a Jack 10 at a good price. Going to make this a regular check in.

One of my favorite local spots. A fabulous beer selection and really you can find just about anything here. I love coming here for my usual items as well branching out and trying new things. read more

See all

John's Grocery is an IC institution. Let me elaborate... BOTH the family-owned business and the building it lives in are. The building is only TWO years YOUNGER than the state of Iowa, having been built in the 1840s. STOP. Let that sink in a minute. And its namesake, John, took over said old-as-you-know-what building in the 1940s. WOWZA. That's some IC history right there folks. The beer room is sexy as hell. (Selection, selection, selection!) The grocery store itself is reasonably priced, available for online ordering and even boasts curbside pickup. Staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Parking is... well... not the best but doable. Plus, Northside's Oktoberfest is rad. (Which John's has a heavy hand in.) I recently had a party and needed beer. John's is communicative, upfront, professional and everything you could in a vendor. Doug, the grandson of John and the GM, personally dropped off all the items to my venue. He set it up, too. If you haven't been to John's, go. If you need a keg, call them. Period. End of stoy. read more

Great beer collection and great service. If they don't have it and they can get it, they will get it for you. Very difficult to walk through their beer rooms and not find something you like. They also have lots of snacks to help wash your beer down. read more

This place was referred to as Dirty Johns when I attended the University of Iowa in the late 1970s. And yesterday it still looked the same place from the outside. Even the neighbourhood hasn't changed all that much. On the inside you'll find a really a top notch wine and beer store that would give most California establishments a run for their money. The huge wine section is to the right when you come in, but I spent most of my time within both the warm and cold beer sections in back. The Belgian section alone made my head spin. And after way too much choice, I ended up with a much enjoyed and much appreciated 6 pack sampler of Millstream (Amana) that I took home to my parents. There's also a grocery store inside here somewhere and it's all packed tight and with a very knowledgeable and helpful staff to help you navigate it all. read more

John's Grocery - Grocery Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

Great selection of beer and some of the glassware for the various breweries. The staff is extremely helpful finding your favorites and making suggestions. They know beer read more

Best selection of craft beer in the Iowa City and surrounding area, wine selection is also one of the best and the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to choosing your beverage. read more

See all

Great beer and an good wine selection, but I've been bummed by the grocery selection. The cheese cooler could definitely use more diversity - majority of the cheeses are very low-key and safe, which generally translates to mean bland. I love that there are a couple local items in the cooler like dumplings from Dumpling Darling (all her dumplings are made in the kitchen above John's Grocery), some hummus from Oasis, and Iowa's AE Milk. Their bread is quite amazing too and made in-house! I wish there were more unique options for the rest of the grocery items though, like the chips, sauces, seasonings, soups, etc. Most of the prices are very reasonable, especially when compared to other groceries in the downtown area. read more

See all

I like to stop here when I am in Iowa City to peruse the beer section and see what they have. I do find them expensive and I don't always get the freshest beer, so you must check your dates - especially for those pesky IPAs that quickly lose their flavor. I usually find something really unusual and that makes it worth while to not get some good beer. Beer is so finicky. If I was a wine fan there is a whole other room with wine but I haven't checked in on it, I'm sure it's good though, if the beer selection is any indication. I love that I see East Grove Winery has selections here as they have been good friends of mine and it is good to see John's carrying items from all over Iowa. It's a cool place. I like buying and window shopping. read more

John's Grocery - Half of he beer room - Grocery Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

See all

I am very fond of this place... the beer selection! Mead! Wine! And... they sell food too! On my job interview, we made a detour to check this place out, because it is a highlight of the neighborhood! One of those special small businesses in Iowa City that I appreciate, especially when I desire an obscure beer! read more

I really feel like I'm stepping into a neighborhood store. I've gone In the past for tasting events and it was low key and a blast. If you find yourself in Iowa city looking for a different craft brew stop here they probably will have it. read more

Incredible, unsurpassed beer selection. Good wine selection. Cheese selection is okay, Hyvee and Pioneer Co-op have slightly better collections, but overall, it's solid. Aisles are pretty cramped and the selection of food is only a couple steps above your neighbor hood 7-11, but for sure a one stop shop for college students who need finals week food. The original John's grandson is the current proprietor of this establishment and aside from being a really nice guy, he really loves his beer. He's made some great recommendations and will try and get those beverages that you desire if they don't have them, though you if you go wanting at John's you're doing something wrong. An amazing selection of darks, lights, Belgians, German, really everything. They sell many bottle individually and in my opinion, it's totally work a couple extra bucks to sample some great brews at the same time! Overall - a must see for anyone who's even heard of beer, not necessary for those just looking for groceries. read more

Great selection of beers!!! It was my first time there and the workers were very helpful. Can't wait to go back.

I don't know if anyone except poor college students without a car really do any amount of regular shopping here, but that is really not what you come here for. Wally the wine guy will more than happily make suggestions and orders for special items for you. The booze selection is quite large for a shop this size, and the beer selection is unmatched in this area. Apparently, John's used to be a barbershop/saloon back in the old days. It was common knowledge that you'd best come get your haircut early in the day, before old Alberhasky had time to drink himself into a stupor and start giving dangerous shaves. Come visit this piece of historic Iowa City. You won't regret it. read more

John's Grocery - a man sitting on the sidewalk in front of a store - Grocery Near Me - Iowa City, Iowa

I've been coming here for a long time now. I have a work schedule that has me finding lunch early (10-10:30 am). I found that John's Groceries was cooking chicken. For a good month or two, I would stop and purchase my lunch. It is VERY EXPENSIVE CHICKEN!! $2/Piece!!!! It doesn't matter what piece. But, they have a box with "White meat" for 3 dollars more. Since when us a chicken wing white meat? Anyway... I stopped to get my chicken and now, there's a new cook. Ever since, I've complained twice: chicken is burnt and it's soooo greasy! Today, I went back (after skipping this the last 2 weeks), and, again.....chicken is greasy AF, burnt on the outside and undercooked (raw) in the center. Nobody knows how to change oil in a vat?? The chicken skin is burnt black and the olive is old and nasty. The rawness of the center passes me off!! If I must perform my services great - each time I do them, then, why aren't these places that advertise "FOOD" performing greatly each and every day?? I won't go back. read more

Great beer selection! Lots of single can/bottle options. Friend chicken is crunchy and moist. Would recommend trying! read more

Always a must-stop when heading to Iowa City. Go for the beer. The selection will blow your mind. See Wally, the wine guy. Pick his brain for the perfect bottle, or at the very least, what to avoid. He's a gem. read more

I love John's. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They get customer service right: always available to help but never overbearing. The staff knows the product. Want to try a new bourbon? They'll do a great job recommending. Did you have a wine once and think it was probably red from the western hemisphere? Yep, they can probably help you figure out what it was. The wine, spirits and beer selections are the best in town with the most knowledgable staff. During COVID, they've started curbside pickup and are always excellent in helping to make and place orders by phone or online. read more

You can't find Goose Island or Bells in California and both breweries don't ship to residences. I even checked BevMo, no luck either. On Goose's facebook page, they mentioned John's as a way to order their beer and they ship to most states depending on state laws regarding alcohol. My God! On their website, they have the biggest list of beers that I have ever seen. I almost want to go to Iowa City to check out this place. BEER HEAVEN! I decided to order two 24-packs of beer (1 pack of Goose Island 312 and the other pack is split between Bells Amber and a Goose Island seasonal pack which is a sample variety of their beers). When calling John's keep in mind about the time difference because they don't take orders after 3PM CT. No online transactions. Also it is recommended that you order by 12 or 24 because of shipping costs. It's not worth buying if you want to order a 6 pack only. I placed my order and my beer came 4 days later through FedEx, which you need to sign and show proof that you are 21 or over. If you want to reminiscence about that long lost beer from back home or while on vacation and can't find it anywhere, I'm sure you can find it here at John's. read more

I love John's Grocery, it's a like a big city bodega in the heart of neighborhood Iowa City! My good friend used to live across the street so I remember going over for many a late night beer and chip run! The beer selection is out of this world and you will not be disappointed! They also have fresh deli stuff, and fruits and some select veggies as well! Huge wine selection too! Staff is always nice even with drunks running in and out for a 6 pack! This place makes me feel like I'm in NYC while in Iowa City! read more

Dirty John's, as it is called by the locals, has an amazing selection of alcoholic beverages. It is an alcohol connoisseur's wet dream. After a bite to eat at the Blue Bird Diner we walked across the street to see what the buzz was about, and why everyone says that you HAVE to go to Dirty John's. All three fellas behind the counter were quite friendly with hellos all around. As we stepped up into the wine area we approached a dude in a hat that only Iowa City honkies would wear with a gray braded ponytail snaking its way out the back. Side note: The wife and I have been on the hunt for a 2001 Sanford Pinot Noir for quite sometime now. Their winery/vineyard suffered a hostile takeover in 2002 and has not been the same since. I asked said dude if they stocked the 2001 Sanford Pinot Noir, before I could even finish my sentence he responded with, "2001?! 2001?! We don't carry that, we're not a museum" Instantly I was perturbed. If there is one thing that I cannot handle is poor customer service, and fools that think wine is so above everyone else. The wife and I have downed some pretty complex bottles of vino in our day and consider ourselves mighty educated oenophiles. Another side note: Anyone who smells the wine cork is indeed a douche bag. At one point wine drinkers would inspect the cork for sabotage (a second puncture) or for crystallization - the latte is more likely. After perusing their shelves and not being impressed I said, "Thanks for your help, we are off to the museum." Needless to say we wound our way back to their section of beer and discovered more ale than you could shake a bung hammer at. I highly recommend every section of the store over their wine department, unless you are able to slip in before the honkey arrives. read more

These guys have a great selection of beer. Oh, and they ship, even better. Yet, my 5-star review isn't even really because of the beer - it's the beer glassware for sale. I actually love beer glassware more than I love beer, and I'd been coveting the Matilda glass from Goose Island for a long time, but was never able to find it. Hell, I went to Chicago and still couldn't find it. Well, one bar I went to was serving Matilda in it, so theoretically I could have stolen it, but that's not my style. Even Goose Island itself didn't have the glass for sale. John's Grocery did. They don't anymore, as I don't see it listed on the website - but they did, and that's good enough for me. I am the proud owner of two sexy, sparkling Matilda goblets, glasses I never break out unless I'm actually drinking Matilda, or trying to seduce a woman ;) read more

Went in to buy some groceries today and had a question for the employees and the way they answered it was very condescending and rude. I felt like they treated me rudely because I was a college student and was not going to provide them with as much "business." Well they were right because I left without buying anything and took my business elsewhere. read more

I visited John's yesterday, just after arriving in Iowa City. Its beer and wine selection is absolutely incredible. Even better, my friend and I got sucked into an intense conversation with Wally, the wine guy, about Iowa wines and grape cross-breeding and life in California and how cold Iowa will be this winter. I will definitely be back. read more

John's is everything I could ever wish for in a grocery store; late hours, beer, wine and specialty cheese, and fun(ny) cashiers. The store is perfect for college students with efficiency kitchens--plenty of basic dry and canned staples, but also fresh fruit and vegetables, and a deli counter with Boar's Head products. The inside is pretty cramped, though, and there is limited selection on some items (I experienced a dearth of herbal tea), but to be expected considering the size of the store. read more

John's has a great beer and wine selection. They paid attention to beer when Iowa was a wasteland, and went out of their way to get great domestic and imports into the state. The nickname is "Dirty John's", not because of cleanliness, but because they used to sell Playboys and I think Penthouse up by the front of the store in a magazine rack that is now long gone. This was in the 1970's when Central Junior High was a block away, so the teenagers referred to it as such. Great find: Delaware County Meats Cottage Bacon. It's stupendous! Also, on the spirits front, one of the few places in Iowa you can buy Fernet. A great store. read more

We popped into John's late Friday night to grab some beer and were wowed by the selection. We picked out cans of the Dirty Blonde Chocolate Ale and bottles of Red Rambler, along with this curious jar of apple moonshine. Everything was top notch, and we were just floored by everything available in the cooler and the room temp part of the store. Boyfriend was also impressed by the service - he remembered the guy at the counter being particularly helpful and kind. Way to go, Iowa City, this place is tops. read more

Hands down the best beer selection in Iowa City. If you are looking for new and interesting brews this is the place to go. Also a decent wine selection and helpful staff. read more

The beer and wine selection here is simply beautiful. A large room for wine and 2 rooms for beer (one room is refrigerated). Beyond that the staff was extremely friendly and eager to help me in my selection. I bought a bottle of wine for my friend and a few beers for myself. I would definitely return to this place if I ever travel through Iowa City again. read more

You can't go wrong with John's. As an IC native I grew up coming here for lunch in the summer when my dad wanted to get rid of me. He would give me some cash and I would wander around before buying a sandwich and giant rice krispy treat. In college this was the perfect place to walk to for a bag of groceries. Now I appreciate the fantastic beer selection and friendly recommendations. read more

The fact that Dirty John's exists in the middle of Hawkeye country is hilarious. They import more beer than many liquor stores do in a much larger city. I love it. Unfortunately, being a poor college kid while in school, I wasn't able to fully appreciate John's for their huge beer selection. However, everytime I head back I make a point to stop in and grab a nice assortment of beer to support this fine establishment. Iowa City and Dirty John's go together. And I have the tshirt to prove it. read more

Nice little store with a great selection, would call it more of a liquor store than a grocery though as selection was small. Staff was friendly, yet store was clean and tide and they had many, many options of beer and alcohol all reasonably priced. Great for late night runs, and they have a very convenient parking lot around back. read more

Dirty Johns, not the dirty as in unclean, there is an old story behind that, and some adult magazines kids from a nearby school used to steal from the magazine deliveries in the morning setting outside (way way back in the day). I'll keep it brief. Tiny corner grocery store known for there massive beer selection (and stem wear right next door) and wine selection from a Very knowledgeable staff. Definitely best in IC and probably CR too (Benz would compete for wine, and close on beer). There is also a great lil deli with sides and lunch specials I usually go for. Deserts are decadent as well. I'll update this review more when I get time. Until then, Cheers. read more

The best beer selection I've ever seen, good prices. Basically you name it, you got it at John's. The wine selection and staff are second to none. It's also very nice that the wine is next to the cheese selection. On top of all that, the groceries are relatively reasonably priced, considering the location. There isn't another grocery store in downtown Iowa City (other than the Co-op and the bread garden, and those cater to the granola crowd (which I'm sometimes a part of)), so it's good to have John's. It's a staple of Iowa City, worthy of continued patronage for years to come. read more

About as good as it gets for beer in Iowa (or anywhere). The beer room is stocked with an incredibly diverse selection from all across the globe. Their Belgian wall--the first thing you see when you walk into the beer room in the back of the store--is a sight to behold. And if you turn to the right, you'll find a variety of singles that are reasonably priced and draw from some of the best rated breweries in the country. If Iowa beer is your thing, just go into the cooler room and you'll find growlers of pretty much any Iowa microbrewery that you'd want to try. My only complaint is that they could do better about announcing new beers, rare offerings, and so forth. They have a somewhat inconsistent social media presence, which hopefully will change. Also, unlike many beer stores on the east coast, they don't have anything on tap to try, making this more of a grocery than a beer store proper. Of course, that reflects its historical roots and doesn't diminish their selection. Simply one of the best high-quality beer selections that I have ever seen, anywhere. read more

Oh my god. Dirty John's is a beer lover's wet dream. Just elbow aside the reefer smelling hippies and you'll see a selection like no other. Well stocked and rotated, if they don't have it you don't want it. Peruse the Wall of Shame, or if you're one of the elite take a tour of the glasswear house. read more

Great selection of beers, good little deli and a lot of alcohol. Loved it back when i was in school and it's a must stop every time I am back in Iowa City. read more

I love John's Grocery - it's got the small-town market thing going for it without being cramped. It has a great wine and beer selection with knowledgable and friendly staff, and their deli is amazing. The only downside is a small parking lot, but even so; I usually find a spot. read more