We stopped there to try breakfast! We saw that they offer the loose meat as a breakfast meat so we tried it. It was reheated. It had that microwave taste that hamburger gets. We were very disappointed. We couldn't even finish the meat . The eggs and hashbrowns were good, as was the single pancake that I chose with my breakfast. I was surprised that you got one pancake whether you ordered the half or the whole. I would've expected two because I ordered the full order. The waitress was attentive. It has the same great set up: lots of schools around the Meat so. So if you go there for breakfast, do not get the maid rite meat.. read more

Outstanding breakfasts made by family of the owners of the old Midtown Cafe!! I cannot recommend highly enough, as they are the best breakfasts in Newton! Service is quick and friendly, and you can walk in however you please. Super casual and cozy. read more

Newton Maid Rite - Omelet with Hash Browns - Bakeries Near Me - Newton, Iowa

Worth a visit to experience an Iowa tradition. Got the basic maid-rite ground beef sandwich. It was fine, if I go back it will be with cheese. The service was efficient, place was clean. Pies looked good. read more

Service was great. Atmosphere fun but maid rite meat was dry and not hot. Then they put cheese on it that was not melted I regularly visit maid rite near Missouri . Border and never had issue. read more

Soo this is one Classic Loose Meat Lovers Local' has been a Favorite of my Unlce Billy for Ages and every time I walk in the back door I can just see him sitting in a counter stool with a piping cup of joe!! Love the memories and they are still loading up that great loose hamburger on pellowey soft buns soo when you go to take your first bite all the extra meat comes falling out the other side...that's what the plastic spoons are for! Don't come in this place extra hungry or you will be over~ordering...Ohh Well who cares there are extra sammies, fries, onion rings and super thick shakes. DON'T forget all the toppings!!! My Family had no problem with the extra extras' in front of them, me too. I did get away without pie even though all I heard people ordering all around was the pie!! Soo I took a picture instead and it's a bute!! Come to the Real Deal!!! TownSquare Newton. read more

Newton Maid Rite - Classic Pie Presentation - Bakeries Near Me - Newton, Iowa

See all

Good staff! They were so nice!!! Nothing wrong with this place such good food tried there chicken loved it!!!!

Well we have been coming for here years because these sandwiches are awesome .Came here for a Saturday lunch today and was disappointed in the service.There's a 14 year old boy working there which is great but he's just learning to work and the owner lady is being really rude to him and the other employees.We sat there for 5-10 minutes before someone said anything to us.The young man was helpful as he knew how to be despite the boss lady getting all over his every move.The food was still great. read more

When we to return home to Newton, we have certain restaurants on our list to check off. Maid Rite is at the top of the list and never has disappointed us. They serve the same meat sandwiches since we were teens. Glad it's still here and part of our memories. read more

Maid-Rite is an Iowa tradition. This place is a pleasant trip into nostalgia, with their traditional fare. This place is a prime example of this historic chain! They treat you like family. read more

I worked at this Maid-Rite for 8-9 years during high school and college, through the 1970s, and have eaten here a few times over the years when I was back in Newton and Dan Holtkamp (my former boss) still owned it. Although the layout of the restaurant and the loose-meat sandwiches are all iconic, customer service was the cornerstone of what Dan stood for and expected of his employees. I was thus enormously saddened and disappointed by my experience yesterday. It started fine, sitting in a booth in the back, with a tall guy who appeared to be the manager taking our order and delivering our food -- he was friendly and competent, albeit a bit disheveled in dress and appearance. But, at 4:00, when we were partway through eating, he let us know that his shift was ending, but that there were three other employees and he would have them take care of us going forward. For the next half hour plus, those three studiously ignored us -- they would start to check the back room, or walk between the front room and the kitchen entrance and by the drive-through window, all the while looking down or away to make sure and avoid any eye contact. We wanted refills on our drinks and to find out what pies they still had but couldn't get their attention, even with fairly loud "hellos" and "excuse me's." Finally, one of them came back and asked if we were done and they could clear our table. We said we had been waiting for refills and dessert, and cluelessly, he just said he'd go see and get back to us. We placed an order for pie, which he brought, and then we sat there for another twenty minutes after eating it with the same lack of attention. The woman working there walked by us at one point and as an aside asked how we were doing, and when I said we had been feeling kind of abandoned, she laughed and said she didn't know we were here, and walked on. Finally, when the guy who appeared to be the assistant manager was once again in view at the drive-through window (he had been there a few times and ignored us every time), I asked him who we were supposed to pay -- instead of saying something like, I'm happy to take care of that, he said, in a rude tone, "anyone," like it was a stupid question. We then went through a weird exercise of him trying to figure out what we had ordered and then giving us a figure, and treating us rudely when I tried to ascertain how he came up with it -- he was basically just arrogant. Overall, after a good start, it was just a miserable experience, particularly given my history at the Maid-Rite and knowing how important great customer service had always been there. Dan would have been appalled. It just left me very, very sad. read more

Whenever I am in Marshalltown around lunchtime, I always go to Taylors' Maid Rite your food right away. If you're in a hurry it's a great place to go. The only thing I don't like is they do not serve french fries. read more

The food was great but felt a little uncomfortable with the lady working there being rude to all the staff.. was very unprofessional and felt bad for the staff. read more

The food is overpriced for what you get. The staff was very awkward to the customers but had no problem talking amongst themselves. A little confused why the loose meat was room temp when it got to us. It wasn't horrible but definitely not an experience that makes me want to come back. read more

5 stars? HELL YEAH! If I was a local, I would eat here at least once a week. This diner, my words, was so good on my recent trip to the Midwest, I ate here twice. The second time the own spent several minutes speaking with me. That's small town local, all day long and much appreciated. Loose meat, tenderloin, and pie. So good! EAT HERE! read more

Maid-Rite is ultra no-frills small town fast food. The sandwiches really aren't much tastier or more special than chain fast food, though the loosemeats are a sort of unique take on the ground beef format. I'd say it's worth it for the experience, but really, the only real leg up that they have is that by stopping in at a local chain, you don't feel quite so bad about global deforestation and homogenization of food sources and all the other things that you might be thinking about while eating your Whopper. I probably wouldn't go out of my way for a Maid-Rite, but I gues it's something you should try once in Iowa, anyway... The service was fast and helpful (not exactly friendly, but efficient), though we realized later that we were overcharged by $1. Not a big deal, but I guess it pays to check. read more

Newton Maid Rite - Classic Maid-Rite sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Newton, Iowa

See all

Maid-Rite is a long-standing Iowa chain, as I understand it, open since 1926. This particular location has held onto it's classic charm and appearance. When you walk in, it feels just like you've walked into a roadside diner from the past. The menu is very no-nonsense and everything is very reasonably priced. Breakfast offerings are your basic eggs, meat, toast and potatoes. (And this particular location offers the absolute best donuts ever.) My husband and I stopped here after a visit to the Maytag Cheese headquarters in Newton, where we met the owner - unbeknownst to us, by asking if there were any good joints around town to stop in for breakfast. I'm glad we asked - this was the perfect fit for our mood and our tastes. We each had a basic breakfast of eggs and meat and were completely satisfied. The owner, kind as he is, gave us some donuts for the road. I can't even begin to tell you how good they were... wow. The standard donut will never be the same after tasting these treasures - I mean wow. It won't be often, but when we make the drive to visit our family in Iowa from Kansas, we'll definitely be making a detour to visit here again. read more

See all

Whenever I get back to Newton, I eat here as often as I can. It's unique, a real treat, a comfort food. Wonderful. As I've heard it, this was the #2 original Maid-Rite franchise in Iowa, and they still make the sandwiches the original, simple way, which is great for those of us who grew up on them. The newer stores have some sort of "sloppy-joe" seasoning/sauce in the meat. Not here. And from what I understand, that's why this place is now called "Dan's" rather than the "Maid-Rite" -- they refused to change the recipe to tow the corporate line. Last I heard, they still buy the beef locally and grind it themselves. It's as good as it gets. read more

As someone who grew up in Newton and didn't move until I finished high school I must admit that the ONLY restaurant that I miss in Newton is Maid-Rite. It's one of those places that you don't appreciate until you don't have it anymore. Seriously, growing up in a small town you just assume everyone has it just like you. Everyone had a small hamburger joint (kinda hamburger...) right? Heck they even have a competitor right next door that sells the same thing! Who knew? Actually, Newton had Maid-Rite before they had McDonald's and trust me...if I had the choice today between McDonald's and Maid-Rite there wouldn't be a choice. I'd be scooping up the left over meat with the spoon they give you in a heart beat. A spoon with your hamburger (kinda hamburger...) is something you may just go your whole life and not experience. Fries and milk shakes are good also. Service is fine. Just like any small town they go through people as people move on. Just sit down at the counter and enjoy the experience and forget about the world and talk to the folks sitting around you. They'll talk back - trust me. I left Newton over 20 years ago with no intent to ever come back. But whether for funerals or marriages I get pulled back occasionally and I never miss out on the opportunity to stop and have a Miad-Rite hamburger (kinda hamburger...) And every time I go in I can't help but think back to when I was a kid and how simple things used to be. How many places offer up that on their menu? read more

OK, the Maid-Rite discussion always brings out the range of reactions of "it's WHAT?" from non-Midwesterners to eye-rolling nostalgia from former Midwest residents when it comes to "loose meat" sandwiches. All I know is that when I return to Newton on my infrequent trips there, the FIRST place is think about and dash to is the Maid Rite. Admittedly, it might be steeped in the nostalgia of having sat in the Maid Rite with my pals when I was a fledgling middle school brat. But I have to say there is something beyond the memories when it comes to eating a classic Maid Rite. It is SO midwestern. Simple, to the point, nothing fancy, yet another great Iowa beef experience. One of the laws of great beef is that it SHOULD be simply presented and Maid Rite is that to the core. Plain white buns, loose meat, mayo, pickles and for Gawd's sake, NO Ketchup! Heresy. I love going back here and often dream of the sandwiches to the point of inquiring about West Coast franchise plans. The Maid Rite, for better or worse, is deep in the fabric of my soul, my memories and my taste buds. read more

This was my first Maid-Rite experience, and overall, I'd say it was a good one. I went for the Cheese-Rite with onions, pickle and mustard. That's a pretty safe bet for a first-timer, I'd wager. The sandwich has been aptly described elsewhere as a sloppy joe without the sloppy, and that goes a long way toward capturing the essence of it. The finely chopped and mildly seasoned ground beef is generously scooped onto a bun, and a spoon is provided to return the inevitable spillage to its rightful home. I think mine could have used a little more salt, but that's a matter of personal preference. I liked the small-town-diner feel of this place very much. There's plentiful parking outside the rear entrance if you can't grab a spot on the street. It's worth a try. Loose meat sandwiches are a long way from my favorites, but I'd stop again. read more

Man that is some loose meat! I'd drive all the way to Iowa to get this treat. Not like any sandwich you've had before. This one will have you asking for at least one more. There are only two choices: plain or with cheese. You can certainly add any condiment you please. I like mine with cheese, a side of fries, ketchup, and onion. You may like yours plain, with mustard, and a bag of Funyuns. read more

Provided an order in no way resembling my clearly stated request. I waited 15", and when I called to complain (I got takeout) after I got home, the owner was both unapologetic and very clear that he did not care about his inferior product, the time I had to wait for it, or the fact that I was unhappy with what I got. Apparently I should just put up with his kitchen help not being in the mood to give me what I asked, and paid, to have. I finally complained enough to have the owner offering to replace the order. I just will not return, even to have the order replaced. Anyone that disinterested in my business doesn't need it, apparently. And I certainly have no interest in paying for bad food from someone who doesn't care. read more

The atmosphere and building is great - a real throwback. The sandwich, though, had no flavor at all compared to other Made-Rite's I've had. Waitress forgot my order of fries. read more

This is #2 Maid Rite franchise in Iowa, but #1 in excellence and consistency of making the traditional Maid Rite sandwiches. Simple, satisfying, delicious loose meat sandwiches with plenty of beef spilling out the bun to scoop up with the spoon to complete the meal. And the pies...locally made, are delicious! And the malts are real, malty and rich and thick. We never miss a Maid Rite when we're in Iowa, and Dan and his staff never disappoint. read more

Poor service! I sat and waited and watched three workers find anything they could do besides take my order. Plus. Workers take cash, make sandwiches one after another, pour drinks and don't use gloves and dont wash hands..... read more

One my favorite stops for a quick and easy lunch when I just need something fast for lunch. Their Maid Rite loose meat sandwiches (I typically get your standard Maid-Rite with onions, pickles and mustard) are some of the best I've had and I really enjoyed their french fries. The service is always quick, prompt and kind. You can't go wrong! read more

I was born in 1968 and grew up in Newton with this place as a Maid Rite. Roughly every couple of years I come back to visit family and I always try to stop back here. Today I ordered two MaidRites and it was so bad I didn't want to eat the second. Something has happened to the meat. It seems to come from a different part of the cow now with a different fat ratio. read more

There is nothing like a good small town dinner. Dan's is just that. Great food and fresh baked donuts where a great treat.

Let me put this a simply as possible. Without an exception, when friends and family return to Newton for a visit the very first place they go for a taste of home is Maidrite. The beef burgers are as good as they get, the malts are rich and in my case chocolatey, and the chili will keep you warm through the entire high school football game. They close at 7:00 PM during the week and earlier on Saturday. Closed Sundays. read more