Taking a Trip

So I'll admit that I haven't eaten the food yet. In fact, I just recently heard of the place. We'll call this a food preview--and perhaps an analysis of, you know, stepping outside of downtown Iowa City for a good meal.

A coworker, who lives in Tiffin, Iowa (just a few miles west of Coralville), recently argued that John's Ice Cream Store & Restaurant has the best pork tenderloin in Iowa. Now, I'm no expect on the tenderloin, but I've had them a time or two, and I'll admit: They're tasty. But am I going to go all the way out to Tiffin just to try one? Of course not.

As it turns out, however, Tiffin is about a three minute drive from the Coral Ridge Mall. Literally. If you're brave enough to venture down Hwy. 6 (past the mall, past Lowe's), you'll find small-town Iowa in all its glory: A gas station, a neighborhood, and a restaurant/ice cream joint. For a city-dweller, I get a kick out of such places.

Last weekend I made the journey to Tiffin in search of the alleged "best tenderloin in Iowa," and was disappointed...not at the food, no, but because I didn't even get a chance to eat there. It seems that Tiffin natives, unlike their Iowa City counterparts, don't need their local eateries open at 3 AM. It's a shame, I know. Now, I didn't expect them to be open at 3 AM, but the late evening hours seemed appropriate; unfortunately, they were closed when I arrived. So what's a food writer to blog about? Dairy Queen? I think not!


I was wholeheartedly against the trip when I first heard about John's. Sure, it might be good, but I'm not going all the way out there for food. As it happens, it's not that far away after all. See, in the land of fast food (that would be downtown Iowa City, folks), we're afraid to step outside of our comfort zone and try something different. Hopefully we've done that on occasion here at Lord of the Fries, but I really wanted to review an eatery outside the borders of our sheltered university community--somewhere accessible, mind you, but not a regular destination for UI students.

So here's my promise: I'll go to John's before next Wednesday and report on the food. I'm excited to try it now, even if I'll have to drive just to get there (Has anyone checked gas prices lately?) But if I'm going to go, you need to go too. No, not to John's (though you can if you like). Try something other than downtown Iowa City or Coralville. When you're hungry and on the road, stop at the first place you see, especially if you've never tried it. Thai? Give it a try!

Next week: John's Ice Cream Store & Restaurant. In case you'd like to beat me to it, the directions area displayed below for your convenience:

231 W Marengo Rd, Tiffin, IA (Find your way to Hwy. 6, head west, and keep going!)
(319) 645-2558



UPDATE: John's doesn't seem to be open when I can make it out there, so I've replaced my journey this week with a "take to the yard and grill" piece. I still haven't given up home, though--this weekend could (finally) be the one.