Main Street Cafe – Council Bluffs, Iowa

When we’re looking for a Mom and Pop diner in America, we usually start looking in the old part of town. And the Main Street Cafe at 102 Main Street sounded like it might be exactly what we were looking for.

It was very early on a Saturday morning, and the streets of Council Bluffs, Iowa were deserted. It was a perfect time to cruise around and explore the beautiful old city.

And there it was…a very promising looking building…located (where else?) on Main Street!

The interior was pure Americana…and I wish that beautiful old front door could talk since I’m sure it would have tales to tell. 

Even though it was quite early in the morning there was already a large, round table filled with “locals”… men who were already solving the world’s problems. That is so common everywhere we go…and I only wish they were more successful in their problem-solving.

Someone has even created a beautiful mural on one wall, and if you look closely you can even read the sign painted into the mural that reads “Earl and Dianne’s Main Street Cafe Welcomes You”…

Our server was prompt and courteous, and our coffee cups were never empty. (A great combination at breakfast.)

Peepaw ordered his usual eggs and bacon…and of course…a pancake.

And I chose something called a Main Street Skillet…

The food was good, and as we ate I noticed some diners who entered the restaurant and kept walking toward what I thought was the kitchen. I later discovered that the Main Street Cafe is actually two large rooms that stretch all the way past the kitchen to the next city block! I took a walk into the back dining room to check it out…and there is even a loft in that room.

I’m told the loft housed the office of the restaurant owner at one time. (What a great way to keep an eye on the business!)

It’s not often you can enter a restaurant on one block, and exit on the next!

The eclectic restaurant is filled with antiques and “stuff”, but I must admit I was a little surprised when I stepped into the bathroom and found MANY sets of eyes staring at me! (Not what you’d normally expect in a bathroom.)

The Main Street Cafe turned out to be just what we were looking for. A Mom and Pop place with good food and friendly folks. What more could you ask for on a Saturday morning in Council Bluffs, Iowa?