You walk into a room where the air is heavy with the scent of sizzling pork and the kind of steam that only comes from a flat-top grill working overtime. There’s a sign hanging up that says, "Just Like Home: You Don't Always Get What You Want." It’s not corporate branding; it’s a warning and a promise all at once. This is the Grove Cafe Ames, a place that hasn't changed its vibe much since the Truman administration, and honestly, that’s exactly why people love it.
It’s small. Kinda cramped, actually. You might find yourself squeezed into a vinyl booth that’s seen better days or perched on a low-slung stool at the counter. But that counter is the best seat in the house. You get a front-row view of the "theater"—Larry Goodale or one of the crew tossing eggs and flipping pancakes that are, frankly, terrifyingly large.
The Pancake Situation You Aren't Prepared For
If you order a "short stack" at most diners, you get two or three modest circles of batter. At the Grove Cafe Ames, a single pancake is essentially a weapon. It’s an inch thick in the middle and spills over the edges of a standard dinner plate. Most people can't finish one. I’ve seen Iowa State students—kids who look like they could eat a whole cow—stare down one of these things and eventually just give up.
One of the legendary moves here is the Raspberry Rhubarb pancake. It’s not just a fruit-topped flapjack; the sauce is homemade and has that perfect tart-sweet balance that cuts through the heavy, buttery batter. Larry makes the sauce himself. No cans, no weird industrial preservatives. Just real food.
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A History That Sticks to Your Ribs
The building at 124 Main St. has been feeding people for over a century. It started as the Iowa Cafe back in 1912. Then it became the Grove Cafe in 1948. Larry Goodale bought the place in 1977 and has basically lived behind that grill ever since.
There’s a specific kind of magic in a business that refuses to modernize. They don't have a flashy website. They don't do "deconstructed" avocado toast. They don't even take credit cards.
Important Note for First-Timers: The Grove Cafe is strictly cash or check. There is an ATM nearby, but save yourself the fee and hit the bank before you show up.
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What to Eat if You Aren't a Pancake Person
While the pancakes get all the Instagram glory, the rest of the menu is solid, "grandma-style" cooking.
- The Country Platter: This is the heavy hitter. It’s a mountain of hash browns, ground beef, and eggs. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to take a four-hour nap immediately afterward.
- Cinnamon French Toast: Thick slices, lots of custard, and plenty of cinnamon. It’s simple, but they don't skimp on the butter.
- Omelets: They use locally sourced eggs and the hash browns are cooked until they actually have a crust. None of that soggy, pale potato nonsense you get at chain restaurants.
The coffee is basic, hot, and keeps coming. The waitresses are fast, sometimes a little blunt if it’s busy, but always efficient. It’s a well-oiled machine that runs on caffeine and grease.
Why This Place Still Matters in 2026
In an era where every restaurant feels like it was designed by a marketing firm to be "Instagrammable," the Grove Cafe Ames is refreshingly ugly. The floors might be a bit scuffed. The decor is a mishmash of local history and quirky signs. But it’s authentic.
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It’s where Iowa State alumni bring their kids to show them where they used to nurse hangovers in the 90s. It’s where the "morning regulars" sit at the counter every single day, talking about the weather or the Cyclones' latest game while Larry flips their eggs exactly how they like them.
Survival Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive Early: Especially on ISU game days. If you show up at 10:00 AM on a Saturday, expect to wait on the sidewalk.
- The Counter is King: If you're solo or a duo, grab the stools. Watching the kitchen is half the fun.
- Check the Specials: Larry often has daily lunch specials like meatloaf or hot beef sandwiches that are worth skipping breakfast for.
- Mind the Hours: They close early. Weekdays they're done by 2:00 PM, and on weekends they shut it down at noon. Don't be the person walking in at 11:55 AM expecting a four-course meal.
The Grove Cafe Ames isn't trying to be the best restaurant in the world. It’s just trying to be a good neighbor that serves a lot of food for not a lot of money. In a world that's constantly changing, there’s something deeply comforting about a place where a pancake is still the size of a hubcap and the owner is still the one cooking it.
Go to the bank. Get twenty bucks. Park on Main Street. Order the pancake. You probably won't finish it, but you'll be glad you tried.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify your cash: Check your wallet before heading to Main Street; remember, no cards are accepted.
- Plan your timing: Aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday morning if you want to chat with the regulars without the crowd.
- Check the game schedule: If Iowa State has a home game, add 45 minutes to your expected wait time.