Grammas Kitchen & Checkered Flag

Phil Foster

2024-02

1.) Farm style restaurant, with a diner twist. They set the family-style tone nicely by starting with a pitcher of water for the table. Intended to keep your mason jar glasses full. Friendly waitstaff, with very hospitable treatment. We were not very hungry, so my wife and I just ordered some cheese curds. They were delicious, hit the spot, and made us excited to come back for breakfast. While we were paying for our meal, my wife inquired about an interesting beverage she saw in the fridge. The waitress popped it open and gave it to us to try; on the house. We exchanged pleasant conversation with the down-to-earth staff. I’ve heard great things about this place, and it’s no wonder why. This is a place we will certainly frequent.2.) My wife and I returned for breakfast. This time for the full experience. Seasoned waitress whose experience reflects itself. Top notch service from A-Z. We both had the Country Fried Breakfast. We chose the steak (they do offer chicken), their hash brown casserole, 2 eggs, with a biscuit and gravy. The steak was mouthwatering. Prepared from scratch, breaded by hand. The hash brown casserole was delicious and cheesy. The gravy actually contained meat, and had good flavor. The eggs were cooked properly; as ordered (unlike most places whose chefs don’t understand what over-medium means). 2 visits in, and many more to come. Highly impressed, and would rate this in my personal Top 10 highway restaurants in the Country.

wendy g.

2024-04

the carrot cake gets absolutely 5 stars!the best we have ever eaten.our server kat was nice.the gift store is cute!updated: we went back yesterday and had a double bacon colby bbq brisket burger • absolutely delicious! we highly recommend it!(since they didn’t have 1/2 & 1/2 last time, i just brought my own heavy cream which made my coffee delicious for their amazing carrot cake!!!)

Danielle Pena

2024-02

I was speechless and absolutely amazed with their famous Pork Tenderloin Sandwich! I highly recommend as I will be dreaming about this sandwich.The location was also in front of the "World's Greatest Truckstop" which was cool to check out.

MillsRiverLogisticsLLC Llc

2024-03

…More

James G

2023-07

7-7-23Excellent!What a great place!Amazing food!Inviting homey atmosphere!Awesome service! Kenzie is the best!Easy access off and on I-80!We will definitely be back when we travel though this way again!

James Hazlett

2023-08

This was my first visit to this establishment. The food and atmosphere were terrific. The service was really good, although my waitress forgot my jelly, but that's ok, she made up for it by keeping my coffee cup filled with hot, delicious coffee. Very well run restaurant, with kitschy appeal. If you're traveling through Iowa along the I-80 corridor, stop in and say hello.

Adam Irwin

2024-03

…More

Margot Garcia

2023-08

…More

Sarah Van Houten

2024-04

I’ve only been here once and that will never happen again. I went last night (about 5:30pm) with my husband, two children and my best friend and her husband. We had an absolutely wonderful server. When my grilled tenderloin came out, there was a piece of metal in it (presumably from a grill brush) and I brought it to the server’s attention, who took it to get it remade. Things happen, it wasn’t that serious. After 10 minutes and me having no food, my daughter pulled a hair out of her mouth that was in/on her chicken tenders. We brought it to management’s attention and they said “I’m so sorry, I JUST had a talk with the kitchen about their hair”. Excuse me, what?! So, this is clearly a known issue and nothing was done to prevent it. Another 5 minutes later, I get my food again and they gave me this thin, oblong piece of pork tenderloin. I was annoyed but okay, whatever, I’m hungry. I ate a fry and they were cold. They didn’t even have the courtesy to give me fresh fries when they remade my sandwich. At that point, I went back to the manager and told them my new issue and that I didn’t even want the food anymore. Server was so polite and awesome but food (and management) need a lot of work.EDIT: I spoke with Nichole (gm) and she was so awesome, completely addressed my concerns with the situation and I will consider trying again after some time has passed.

Faith

2023-10

…More

John Johnson

2023-05

Thank all of you for a great meal and nice atmosphere. The place was organized and clean.The food was well prepared, served with a smile and delicious. Grilled chicken and avocado sandwich.Great choices on the salad/soup bar. I also enjoyed a cup of chili.Semi-truck parking too, can't wait to visit again.Parking: Semi-truck parking, plenty of room.

Joel Stuart

2024-04

…More

Jeff Bogdan

2024-05

after ordering a cup of soup and their advertised Tenderlion as seen on the Travel channel, we waited 30 minutes and no food or update what was going on. we finally searched for our waitress and could not find her, we told a person who we thought was a manager to skip the soup and what was going on with our order. the place was not busy. After waiting another 5 minutes, we finally walked out. can't review the food, we never got it. I wonder if the Travel Channel had to wait over 35 minutes for a cup of soup ?

Neill Estes

2023-05

Checkered Flag is a cool little bar with a surprising selection of bottled and canned craft beer. Would like to see more local beers promoted and on tap. Bartenders Katie, Savanna, and Paige keep the atmosphere welcoming and lively. They often stayed open late, depending on whether, to get us a meal and drinks. Generous portions and healthier food options from the kitchen are much appreciated.

Lori Needom

2024-04

We sat in the bar. Bartender was more attentive to the drinkers. Took forever to get our order taken. Had to ask the server from the dining room to check on the appetizer. When the bartender brought it out, it was barely warm. Ordered pizza. Pizza came out finally barely warm. Talked to the manager. She just defended the slow bartender. The manager said sorry, I'm short staffed, and she'd take some off bill. Nope, that didn't happen. I know damn well how hot my food is supposed to be. Will never eat on that side again. I took pizza home and heated it up in my oven so I could have hot pizza.

Wayne Vanzuiden

2024-03

Upon entering, you are cheerfully greeted by a friendly staff. Alexa was our server and she did a wonderful job of making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. The salad bar was fresh and tasty which did have a great chicken and rice soup. I had the smothered steak. I thought it would be ground beef. Nope! It was steak tenderloins and had great caramelized onions and mushrooms, layered on top with swiss cheese. Tasty. I believe we have found a new favorite restaurant when I am in the Quad Cities.

Tiffany Fletcher

2023-05

First time here and wasn't disappointed. I order the beef liver and onions and he ordered the meatloaf, with salad bar. The meal was delicious 😋. The staff and server was friendly the decor definitely had that country vibe. Overall the experience was great. Lots of great gift items available.

Kurt Ockelmann

2024-03

…More

ThumbWar

2022-05

Very nice and friendly staff but the food I received was not good. I got the south of the border skillet. The sausage was weird and burnt, and everything else just wasn’t good with it either. The biscuits and gravy were cold we I received it, and traveling on an 18 hour drive, it was a little upsetting not being able to eat some good food to start the day. Especially with no time to order anything else due to us needing to get on the road. The atmosphere was great though. The manager was also very nice and understanding and did not charge us for the meal.

RL S

2023-10

Gramma’s was recommended by one of the mechanics down at Speedco.I came in just before the dinner rush around 4:30. I almost ordered the all-you-can-eat cod, but ordered the brisket cheeseburger instead. The soup of the day was sausage and veggies. You could tell it was homemade. I didn’t want a side or fries. Everything was tasty and fresh!The server was friendly, very attentive, and on top of it! She was very busy, but managed to take care of me. I ended up only having a few bites and took a doggy bag with me.I grabbed one of those ginormous cookies at the checkout counter..which was delicious.I would definitely return and recommend to anyone else who wanted to try some homemade cooking.

Dwayne Manigo

2024-04

If you are a person of color be wary. For me it was not the waitress or hostess very nice place food was good it’s just I was sat in the back of the restaurant and separated from the other patrons. Also there was a table of I’m gonna say mature men and women joking racially and staring at me to the point where I ordered and didn’t feel comfortable so I changed my order to go. I went to the restroom and being stared at as I walk past and coming back they made a joke to each other “oh don’t go to the bathroom” I wanna say the waitress was nice and it wasn’t her fault I think it’s just we have to be careful of where we go because some people have not evolved

Heidi Reel

2024-03

…More

Christian Wietholt

2019-05

We stopped here on our way from Chicago and had a well deserved Midwestern meal after a long drive. The place was welcoming although the staff seemed a bit exhausted. I had the tenderloin sandwich, which was great. The salad and the kid's grilled cheese sandwich were also good. The atmosphere was welcoming and you almost felt at home. The bathrooms could have used some extra scrubbing though.

Colleen Brown

2024-05

…More

Josh Stepp

2022-05

Stopped in for lunch. It was like stepping into my great grandmas kitchen. Very unique theme. Love it. Service was quick. My wife ordered the grilled chicken, and I went with their “famous pork tenderloin.” The wife said her sandwich was very good. Nice n juicy flavor. My tenderloin was awesome. It was the perfect size. Great flavor. The breading was just right. Didn’t need any condiments to add flavor it was just perfect! Would definitely stop again!

Olivia Sebolt

2024-03

…More

Tailor varner

2024-03

…More

Emily Minkler

2024-03

…More

moparman 33

2024-05

…More

Pat Mck

2024-01

As most places today, the quality of service has drastically declined. The quality of food has also declined. This used to be a very good place to eat, not so much anymore. Expect to wait long period of time for everything. To be seated, take your order, actually get your food, wait to pay out. Two times in a row they have sucked. There will not be a third.