As Seen (and Eaten) on TV
As Seen (and Eaten) on TV
It’s no surprise TV producers flock to Iowa, a place known globally for feeding the world, to feature restaurants across the state. The following have earned coverage on some of the nation’s top food programs.OX YOKE INN
Amana: Located in a National Historic Landmark home built in 1856, the Ox Yoke Inn features family-style dining. Its honey apple pork was featured on a special “Pork Paradise” segment of the Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise” series. The Ox Yoke’s entrées come from old-world German and American recipes passed down from four generations of the Leichsenring family, the Inn’s owners. The hearty meals feature freshly prepared salads, vegetables, potatoes and bread.
MAID-RITE
70 locations: Founded in Muscatine in 1926, Maid-Rite was among America’s first fast-food restaurants and chain to offer a drive-through window. It earned a spot on the Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” series for its unique loose meat sandwich—a generous helping of ground beef sprinkled with a secret seasoning and served on a steamed bun.
JETHRO'S BBQ
Des Moines: A local Des Moines area chain, Jethro’s has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “United States of Bacon,” “Food Paradise” and “Man vs. Food.” They came to try a sandwich called the Adam Emmenecker Challenge— named after the most valuable player of the 2008 Drake University men’s basketball team. This behemoth includes a pork tenderloin, an angus steak burger, slabs of Texas brisket, apple wood bacon and fried cheese, finished with buffalo chicken tenders. The entire sandwich is smothered with melted cheddar cheese and white cheddar sauce and served with a pound of waffle fries.
B&B GROCERY, MEAT AND DELI
Des Moines: Home of the Killer Sandwiches, B&B is a turn-back-the-clock neighborhood grocery store that serves up fresh sandwiches. Featured on the Food Network’s “Outrageous Foods,” B&B’s Killosal includes deli meat, four one-third-pound burger patties, a giant pork tenderloin and cheese.
IOWA MACHINE SHED
Des Moines and Davenport: Recognized on the Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise” as the best breakfast in America, the Machine Shed prides itself as a tribute to the American farmer and has become a favorite among tourists and locals. Known for chocolate-covered bacon and monster cinnamon rolls, the Machine Shed brings the nostalgia of mid-century farming to life.
IOWA 80 AND GRAMMA'S KITCHEN
Walcott: A buffet full of home-cooked comfort food and 50-foot salad bar are the centerpieces of the Iowa 80 restaurant located in the world’s largest truck stop. Showcased on the Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise” segment on great truckstops, the show also featured Gramma’s Kitchen, just across the street. This restaurant has earned acclaim for its homemade meatloaf and pork tenderloin sandwiches.
HIGH LIFE LOUNGE
Des Moines: This bar on the edge of downtown Des Moines is a throwback to the sixties, complete with shag carpet, vintage wallpaper and wood ceilings. Featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” program, the High Life’s food and beer offerings remain true to the era. The menu features deviled eggs, Spam and egg sandwiches, and good old-fashioned pot roast.
ZOMBIE BURGER
Des Moines: This popular eatery is not for the faint of heart. Showcased on the “United States of Bacon,” Zombie Burger serves up a sandwich called the "Walking Chedd" (ched as in cheddar cheese). The sandwich features a bun made from deep-fried macaroni and cheese, bacon, a burger patty, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and more macaroni and cheese.