About a 40 min drive from West Des Moines, but definitely doable if you want to step outside of the metro a little. Tojo's is a cash or check place (no cards). There is an ATM available on site. It's obviously a mostly local spot, but I've heard their tenderloin is legendary. It's literally labeled "famous" on the menu. Jamaica is a small town (193 people as of 2021) with a Main street composed of less than ten or so buildings. Tojo's sits right across from their post office. It's easy to find. When you enter the restaurant you step through the outside door into a mud room, and then through another solid door to the dining area. It's seat yourself. Our server and the cook were at a table visiting as we walked in and greeted us right away. It's seat yourself. We picked a booth and sat down. Seating here is a mix of booths along the wall, tables and chairs, and stools at the bar. It's an old school rural Iowa bar and grill and it's got typical laid back old school rural Iowa ambience. We both had to do the Famous Tenderloin. We also ordered Nashville hot cheeseballs and mushrooms along with our drinks. Our drink orders were taken right away and our food orders shortly after. Everything hit the table fresh out of the fryer hot after a short wait. If you're a tenderloin fan this is a must try and you need to make the drive. Plate sized, a little thicker, and the breading brings Nick's or The Lucky Pig to mind if I had to compare it to others. You're asked if you want onions, pickles, lettuce, and tomato. Mustard and ketchup are provided on the table. Mayo is available if you're a sick person (like my gf). Lol Unless I can get a little chili and cheese I stick to the holy trinity. Onions, pickles, and mustard. A surprise was the Nashville hot cheeseballs. For cheeseballs these bring the heat. Unlike pepperjack, jalapeño, and other variations of cheeseballs the spice is in the breading. It builds. One...you can taste it. Two...it's really obvious. Three or four in a row...FIRE! It's not going to torch you but you're definitely going to feel the burn. I mentioned it's cash or check only right? We paid and continued on our trip up to our destination in Carroll. We reached our first stop and we were missing a wallet... A quick phone call revealed it had been left in Jamaica. They'd even already made a Facebook post trying to locate us! A couple of quick questions to identify it and they let us know it was secured and we could pick it up on our way home. Most of us carry our lives in our walllets and our phones anymore... We changed plans and headed right back to grab that wallet and ended our trip in Jefferson rather than Carroll before heading back to the metro. Side note: If you're into antiques and thrifting check out Gilroy's Antiques in Jefferson. The owner is 95, sweet as apple pie, and will unfortunately be closing her business next summer. Art deco glass, vintage dinnerware, vintage tools, smalls of every kind, furniture, etc. A real hidden gem of a shop. I'm thankful to the staff at Tojo's who took care of us today...above and beyond. Definitely a five star tenderloin and service! https://www.facebook.com/Tojos-Bar-Grille-308512123061732/?mibextid=LQQJ4d read more

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I have wanted to stop here for a while but I don't always have a reason to go to Jamaica, IA. Actually, I had no reason to go here...until now. On a bike ride recently, off the beaten path, we found ourselves in Jamaica, IA and decided to give it a try. This is another AWESOME Iowa hidden-gem. There is something so seductive about being able to drive to a tiny town, not far from DSM, and eat some of the best food that not many others know about. Yes, I used the terms "seductive" and "food" together We walked in with every intention of ordering 2 of the prize winning tenderloin sandwich. Upon entry to a small, dimly lit bar with mismatched tables, chairs, booths and a long bar, we popped a squat at the bar seeing as how most of the tables were taken. After sitting down at the bar, I immediately noticed (through the open kitchen) a gigantic prime rib under a heating lamp. The massive mound of meat was literally calling out my name and saying "EAT ME, J!" Figuring that the prime rib knew best, as my love for this cut of steak gets me every time, so we opted for a small prime rib dinner and a tenderloin sandwich. The prime rib dinner on Friday nights comes with a choice of potato side, Texas toast and a salad. The options are only large prime rib or small prime rib. I ordered the "small" prime rib. Here is where the excitement, amazingness and mouthwatering enticement comes into play. Their "small" prime rib was easily 2 pounds of meat. Rare just how I like it, and an amazing dry rub on the outside, au jus serve directly over the meat (instead of as a side, which is fine by me), this was quite possibly one of the best prime ribs I have ever had. And to find it at this little hidden gem, off a beaten path, in a small town with not much else, this find was even more exciting. The pictures I took do it no justice; it is about 2in thick and a foot across. As big as it is, the flavor is just as massive. I opted for curly fries, which were phenomenal. Not soggy or overlooked, they were perfectly golden brown and not greasy. House salad was basic but great. Tenderloin sandwich was also spectacular. I understand why it's award winning! Not pounded flat, the size of a dinner plate, and loaded with L.T.P.O. as an option, this sammich is worth the drive (or bike ride) from Des Moines! In fact, I'm already planning my next visit. Service from bartender was very fitting and enjoyable. She was server, bartender, part-time cook, bus girl...everything, and all with a great attitude, big smile and welcoming personality. If you haven't tried this place, you are actually missing out on an experience. Looking for something to do one day, hop in your car, motorcycle or on a bike and get out to Tojos. $43.00 for all that food and 2 cold beers (which we didn't even drink because we wanted to savor the belly room for more food!)!!! Worth every penny. read more

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Small town dinner with great service. Thursday's Italian grinder and potato salad is WONDERFUL. Can't go wrong!

The food & service is amazing!!! Only open til 2pm for lunch & opens back up around 5pm for dinner service. This is a cash only institution, they do have an ATM inside read more

This little gem is just a block off trail and somehow I've never stopped here. Drinks were served in ice cold frosty mugs and hit the spot. The burgers were amazing - hand made patties that felt homemade and altogether just perfect. Owners were super welcoming and funny. Will certainly be stopping by next time were on the trail. read more

You gotta stop in for breakfast on Saturday morning! The biscuits and gravy always sell out.

Fun little hometown bar and grill. While I am not a regular at this spot, you can definitely tell there is a crowd that frequents Tojo's. I am glad for a yummy place to meet a friend for dinner in between where we live. Would recommend if you're in the Jamaica area! read more

Tojo's is a friend to all cyclists! We had great sandwiches, fried everything, and beer. If you're riding on the raccoon river trail and do not stop at tojo's, you're a fool! The bartendress filled our water bottles with ICE! Friendly! Loving! Wholesome! Go to tojo's! read more

Tojo's was happy to deliver our food to us outside in the park next door. The staff were very hospitable and friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed my Ruben sandwich. We were biking on the Raccoon River Trail and this was the best stop of the day. read more

Best afternoon of my life. Do you like biking? Do you like fun? Get yourself to Tojo's on the Raccoon River Trail. The staff will treat you real good. read more

When we got our food in the past it was burnt hamburgers and buns. The cheese curds were greasy. The owner who is a cousin of my husband and does not like me said she would spit in my food if we came back. read more