An Iconic Eastern Iowa Diner Has Had Lots of Famous Customers

There's nothing like going out to eat at an old-school diner!

I recently came across an article from the website Only in Your State that mentions a restaurant here in Eastern Iowa that I've somehow never heard of before! It's called Ross' Restaurant, and it's had quite a few celebrity guests over the years.

Ross' Restaurant in Bettendorf is a popular diner that got its start in 1939. The first location was in Toledo, Iowa, but it eventually moved to the Quad Cities. The original owner Harold "Lyle" Ross retired back in 1975 and today it's owned by Cynthia Ross-Freidhof and her husband Ron, so it's still in the family! It has stood the test of time because of its "quality, homemade food at reasonable prices." The official website reads:

"Ross’ Restaurant’s farm-to-table offerings and vintage style have made it a must-stop destination for Presidential candidates and celebrities alike! We have been a Quad Cities icon, a classic diner that also serves vegan, vegetarian, and farm-fresh meals."

Some of the celebrities that have visited the famous diner over the years include Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Bette Midler, Bill Murray, Keith Urban, Will Ferrell and more! It has also served three sitting presidents and a number of other well-known politicians.

One of the things that Ross' Restaurant is known for is the "Magic Mountain." Ross' original Magic Mountain consists of grilled Texas toast covered with loose ground beef and piled high with either hash browns or fries and cheese sauce. Other options include the Mac & Cheesy Mountain, the Poutine Mountain, the Morning Mountain, the Volcano, the Tipsy Rooster, and Cockadoodle Doo Mountain. If "Mountains" aren't really your thing, there are plenty of other menu items to choose from! The breakfast menu offers Ross' Biscuits & Gravy, Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, the El Grande Breakfast Burrito, and a variety of omelettes and crepes, while the lunch menu features salads, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and home-cooked comfort meals. You can check out the full menu online HERE.

Have you ever visited Ross' Restaurant? Tell us about your experience in the comments!