You KNOW that a restaurant is good when it withstands the tests of time! A new article from Love Food takes a look at the best hot dog joints across all 50 states, and the pick for Iowa is a place you may have never heard of before: Bob's Drive Inn.

Where is Bob's Drive Inn?

The reason Eastern Iowans may not know about Bob's Drive Inn is because it's located way over in Northwest Iowa. The unassuming restaurant opened at 23 5th Ave SW in Le Mars back in 1949, and it's been going strong ever since!

Bob's Drive Inn, Facebook
Bob's Drive Inn, Facebook
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Who is Bob?

According to a 2024 article from the Le Mars Sentinel, Bob's Drive Inn got its name from Robert "Bob" Kass, the restaurant's original owner. After Bob passed in 1982, the restaurant was taken over by his son Myles. Then, in 2002, Myles' son Nate became the eatery's owner, and he remains in that position today! The article says that the Kass family also operates other restaurants in the area, including Four Brothers Bar & Grill.

What Kind of Food Does Bob's Drive Inn Serve?

Well, since this article is about the best hot dog in Iowa, Bob's obviously serves some pretty darn good hot dogs! The article from Love Food says that the longtime eatery is best known for the "Bob Dog." It reads:

"This meaty explosion sees a wiener piled with mustard, ketchup, onions, and meat sauce. Locals say it’s seriously good – and best enjoyed with a side of cheese fries and onion rings. The Double Dog takes it up a notch, adding in another sausage."

Bob's Drive Inn, Facebook
Bob's Drive Inn, Facebook
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In addition to hot dogs that are loaded up with toppings, Bob's also serves chicken sandwiches, nachos, tenderloins, chicken strips, onion rings, salads, soups, and more. Oh, and ice cream, milkshakes, and root beer floats are on the menu, too!

READ MORE: A ‘Landmark’ Cedar Rapids Restaurant is Currently Up For Sale

When Can I Visit?

Bob's Drive Inn is currently open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., but they do close for the winter season, typically in late December until about mid-February. For more information about the restaurant, you can follow the official Facebook page HERE.

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