Experience The Best Steaks In Iowa At These 20 Unforgettable Joints
Ready to chase the perfect sizzle across Iowa? From hidden small town gems to legendary downtown grills, these spots turn simple cuts into unforgettable memories. You will smell the char, taste the butter baste, and feel that contented hush after the first bite. Let this be your road map to the juiciest steaks in the Hawkeye State.
1. 801 Chophouse Des Moines
Step into 801 Chophouse and it feels like a classic celebration. The ribeye arrives glistening with butter, its edges crisp, center ruby and warm. You hear that knife whisper as it slides through, then a peppery hit lifts the richness.
Pair it with creamed spinach and a stiff martini, and your evening suddenly slows down. Service is attentive without fuss, perfectly paced for conversation. If you want a big city steakhouse experience in Iowa, this room nails it.
2. Iowa Chop House Iowa City
This place champions Iowa farms with a hearty, proud swagger. Order the sirloin or a bone in pork Iowa chop if you are feeling adventurous, then add roasted potatoes. The steak is seared aggressively, with a savory bark and a juicy core.
The vibe is rustic but polished, perfect before a game or date night. Local beers match the smoky flavors beautifully. You leave feeling connected to the land, satisfied and a little sentimental.
3. Archie’s Waeside Le Mars
Archie’s Waeside is a pilgrimage for steak lovers. Dry aged beef, cut in house, hits a blistering broiler that locks in concentrated flavor. You get that old school supper club charm, from relish trays to baked potatoes wrapped in foil.
It is indulgent but honest, no gimmicks. The prime rib sings with rosy tenderness and a beefy perfume that lingers. Bring an appetite and a friend who appreciates tradition.
4. Johnnie’s Grill Carroll
Johnnie’s feels like coming home hungry. The ribeye arrives on cast iron, crust crackling, juices dancing under the lights. You cut in and the center blushes beautifully, seasoned just enough to honor the beef.
Onion rings tower high, crisp and salty, the perfect sidekick. Servers remember your name and your drink, which always makes the steak taste better. It is a simple formula done right, night after night.
5. Northwestern Steakhouse Mason City
Here the secret is Greek inspired butter and spice. Steaks bathe in sizzling juices, then arrive fragrant with oregano and garlic. Filet mignon is tender enough to nudge apart, and the pan sauce begs to be swiped with bread.
Locals swear by the spaghetti side dressed in steak drippings. It sounds unassuming, but the combination is magic. You will plan your next visit before dessert even lands.
6. Rube’s Steakhouse Montour
At Rube’s you take control. Pick a thick cut from the case, season it, and hit the glowing grill with a satisfying sizzle. Friends gather around, sharing tips, flipping steaks, and swapping stories.
The baked potato bar and Texas toast make the spread feel generous. Because you cooked it, the steak tastes personal and perfect. It is messy, social, and exactly the kind of meal that becomes tradition.
7. Jess’s Steakhouse Fort Dodge
Jess’s delivers the steakhouse archetype with a grin. A T bone, char lined and proud, lands beside a loaded baked potato that means business. Butter melts into every crevice as you carve along the bone.
The salad bar is old school yet comforting, crisp lettuce and creamy dressings. Service is unpretentious and quick, so you spend more time eating than waiting. It is the kind of place that turns first timers into regulars.
8. The Big Steer Altoona
Prime rib is the headline, carved thick with a rosy center. Dip into warm au jus, then chase with a dab of horseradish cream. The bite starts buttery and ends with a satisfying zing.
Booths keep things cozy while conversations buzz around you. Sides are generous, especially the au gratin potatoes that comfort like a hug. It is a perfect pre or post casino stop that never disappoints.
9. Crawdaddy’s Grille Muscatine
Steak meets the river breeze here. A ribeye glazed with Cajun butter shares the plate with charred shrimp, bringing surf and turf energy. The seasoning tingles without overpowering the beef.
Sit on the patio at sunset and watch the Mississippi glow. Order cornbread and a cold beer, let the evening stretch. It feels like a mini vacation tucked inside a steak dinner.
10. The Twisted Tail Logan
The cowboy ribeye gets a smoke kissed crust you can smell from the door. Inside, juices run ruby and rich, pooling as you slice. A sip from the whiskey bar matches the steak’s depth perfectly.
Staff treat you like neighbors, not strangers. Country tunes hum in the background, setting an easy pace. It is the kind of meal that makes the drive worth it, every time.
11. The Cellar Corning
Down a set of stairs, you find a low lit haven. The filet mignon is velvet soft, draped in a glossy red wine reduction. Each forkful slips across your tongue, then blooms into quiet richness.
Garlic mashed potatoes offer comfort without stealing the show. Add a glass of cabernet and lean into conversation. It feels intimate, like a secret you are glad to share.
12. Joseph’s Steakhouse Des Moines
Joseph’s plays in the pocket between classic and modern. The bone in ribeye shows deep char, with fat that crackles and then melts. Truffle fries bring a crispy, earthy counterpoint that keeps you nibbling.
Servers guide you to the right cut and temperature, no guesswork needed. Cocktails arrive balanced and cold. For a downtown night where steak is the star, this is a confident bet.
13. Baxa’s Sutliff Store & Tavern
This riverside tavern surprises with serious steak. The strip is seared hard on a flat top, building a savory crust that stands up to butter. You get picnic vibes with real flavor.
Grab a spot by the windows and watch the water slide past. Waffle fries hit with cheese and bacon make a messy, happy side. It is unfancy in the best way, totally satisfying.
14. Steventon’s Steakhouse Le Claire
Order the filet Oscar if you crave indulgence. Tender beef crowned with crab and velvety bearnaise makes every bite feel celebratory. Asparagus adds snap, keeping things balanced.
The river view softens conversation, letting the meal breathe. Service is polished but friendly, guiding you through wine choices. By dessert, you are already plotting anniversaries and excuses to return.
15. Trostel’s Greenbriar Johnston
The New York strip shows confidence on the plate. A peppercorn sauce pops with heat, rolling across buttery beef. Scalloped potatoes layer cream and crunch, the ideal partner.
The room buzzes with regulars and clinking glasses. You can watch the open kitchen and trust your steak is in good hands. It feels like a neighborhood staple elevated just enough.
16. Lucile’s Steaks & Spirits Davenport
Lucile’s brings old world glamour to dinner. The porterhouse, sliced and fanned, offers filet tenderness and strip richness in one. Sea salt and butter finish it with shine.
Order a bold red and settle into the glow of chandeliers. Piano notes float, conversations soften, and the steak seems to slow time. It is a treat, worth every lingering minute.
17. Prime & Providence Cedar Falls
This kitchen cooks with precision. The wagyu flat iron is tender yet deeply beefy, seared to a lacquered crust. Roasted carrots add sweetness that plays well with the fat.
Grab a gin cocktail and savor the calm, modern room. Plates arrive artful but not fussy, letting you focus on flavor. It is a refined stop for steak lovers who like clean lines.
18. The Redwood Pella
Ribeye cap is the star if it is available. Rich and intensely marbled, it takes to a buttery baste like a dream. Mushrooms soak up the juices, a savory echo of the steak.
Pella’s small town charm sneaks into the experience, cozy and calm. Staff recommend thoughtfully without pushiness. You leave warmed by both the beef and the friendliness.
19. Cafe Beaudelaire Ames
Picanha brings a Brazilian twist to Ames. The fat cap renders slowly, basting the meat as it chars. Slices arrive juicy, perfect for a swipe of bright chimichurri.
Grab a caipirinha and let the night bustle around you. Farofa adds a nutty crunch that keeps bites interesting. It is casual, flavorful, and a welcome break from the usual steak routine.
20. Rudy’s Tacos Steakhouse Night Davenport
On steak night, the grill smoke carries across the room. Carne asada cooks hot and fast, getting that irresistible char. Squeeze lime, add salsa, and the flavors jump.
Street corn and a classic margarita round out the plate with sunshine. It is different from a traditional steakhouse, but the beef still shines. Come hungry and ready to toast to simple pleasures.
