Unearth The Voyage
Hungry for the kind of cooking that feels like a hug from Grandma? Iowa’s soul food scene has been quietly simmering since the 1950s, and it’s ready for your fork. From crackling fried chicken to silky collard greens, these kitchens honor tradition with every ladle and skillet. Dive in to discover where nostalgia meets flavor, and where every bite tells a story passed down through generations.
1. Royceann’s Soul Food – Iowa City
Royceann’s Soul Food feels like a Sunday supper any day of the week. Crispy fried chicken arrives with a shattering crust, giving way to juicy, well-seasoned meat. Sides are stars: skillet cornbread, creamy mac, and peppery collards that taste slow-stirred with love. The family-style platters encourage passing and lingering. Sweet tea washes it all down, while peach cobbler seals the deal. Portions are generous, prices fair, and smiles come easy. You’ll taste recipes that feel inherited, not invented. One visit becomes tradition.
2. Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry – North Liberty
Sugapeach serves that craveable crunch: golden chicken and flaky catfish seasoned to the bone. The sides come classic and comforting – collard greens with soul, candied yams with a caramel kiss, and hushpuppies that stay light. Plates land fast, hot, and plentiful, perfect for families and road-trip detours. The spice rides mellow heat, never masking the meat. Expect friendly counter service and a playlist that nods to home kitchens. Finish with banana pudding if it’s on. This is a go-to for fried perfection and weekday pick-me-ups. Every bite hums with heart.
3. Vivian’s Soul Food – Cedar Rapids
At Vivian’s, the seasoning sings and the portions speak generously. Shrimp and grits arrive lush and buttery, with tender shrimp nestling in creamy corn. Oxtails, braised until spoon-tender, glide off the bone in a glossy, deep gravy. The fried chicken is crisp, juicy, and pepper-forward. Sides lean classic: mac that’s velvet-rich, greens with smoky backbone, and cornbread that holds together. Service is warm, pacing steady, and the room buzzes at peak hours. Expect leftovers. Expect to return. This is a reliable anchor for Cedar Rapids soul food cravings.
4. Pick Up N Go Soul Food – Waterloo
Pick Up N Go proves takeout can still taste like a slow Sunday. The fried fish arrives crackling-hot, flaky inside, perfectly seasoned, and never greasy. Collard greens carry a whisper of smoke and long-simmered comfort. Mac and cheese is creamy, clingy, and soothing. Orders are quick, accurate, and generous, making weeknight dinners effortless. The menu rotates enough to keep things lively without losing the classics. Sweet, tangy sauces add personality. Grab an extra slice of cake for later – you’ll want it. This is Waterloo’s dependable fix for soulful, box-to-table satisfaction.
5. Lo Gotti’s Soul Cafe – Cedar Rapids
Lo Gotti’s leans into comfort with smothered pork chops that cut like butter. Gravy is the headline – silky, savory, and layered with pan drippings. Collards and creamy potatoes play perfect backing vocals. Homemade sweet tea arrives in frosty glasses, balancing the savor with gentle sweetness. The dining room is intimate, the vibe unrushed, and staff treats regulars like kin. Expect daily specials that feel handwritten for you. Portions satisfy hearty appetites without showboating. It’s a hug on a plate, best enjoyed slowly. Bring friends, share bites, and settle in.
6. Bubba – Des Moines
Bubba marries Southern elegance with soul food heart. Fried green tomatoes arrive shatter-crisp with a tangy bite, while gumbo broods with deep roux and tender meats. Chicken and waffles mix crunch, spice, and maple warmth in a balanced duet. The room glows – perfect for date nights and celebratory brunches. Cocktails lean bourbon-forward, complementing the menu’s richness. Service is polished but personable, guiding newcomers with smart recommendations. Despite the polish, flavors stay grounded and familiar. Save room for pie. This is Des Moines’ dressed-up nod to beloved Southern comforts.
7. Good Eatin’s Soul Food – Des Moines
Good Eatin’s brings bold flavor and big-hearted portions to Des Moines. The fried catfish is perfectly seasoned, flaking clean beneath a crisp jacket. Spicy wings ride that just-right heat, sticky and addictive. Sides are plentiful: peas, greens, mac, yams – pick your comforts. Service is quick, upbeat, and ready with extra napkins. Expect lunchtime lines, moved along efficiently. Prices stay friendly for families. Grab extra cornbread to mop up sauces and gravies. This is weeknight reliable and weekend celebratory. You’ll leave full, happy, and planning your next plate.
8. Soul Ties – Davenport
Soul Ties changes it up with daily specials that feel straight from a family kitchen. One day it’s meatloaf with rich gravy, next it’s crispy chicken or tender pot roast. Sides are deeply familiar – greens, yams, cornbread, and buttery corn. The specials board keeps regulars guessing and returning. Portions are generous, flavors homemade, and the energy unpretentious. Service feels neighborly, with suggestions based on what’s freshest. Don’t skip dessert when cobbler appears. It’s the kind of place that remembers your order. Davenport’s dependable destination for soulful variety and comfort.
9. Mama Jean’s Kitchen – Waterloo
Mama Jean’s cooks like tradition never went out of style. Baked chicken glistens with pan juices, the kind you chase with cornbread. Mashed potatoes are buttery and hand-whipped, with gravy seasoned just right. Greens taste slow-stewed and comforting. Expect friendly conversation and regulars who greet each other by name. Portions reflect a grandmother’s instinct: feed them well. The menu keeps staples front and center, with occasional specials that sell out fast. It’s the kind of spot where time lingers. Bring an appetite and a little room for pie.
10. Harlem Soul Kitchen – Iowa City
Harlem Soul Kitchen channels uptown flavor with Midwestern warmth. The fried chicken’s crust is audibly crisp, seasoned with pepper and a hint of garlic. Red beans and rice come creamy, smoky, and deeply satisfying. Cornbread bridges sweet and savory, holding together without crumbling. The vibe is easygoing, music smooth, and service helpful. Portions favor sharers and leftovers. Daily tweaks keep the menu lively while honoring classics. Sweet tea or lemonade? You’ll want both. This is a reliable stop for hearty plates and neighborhood comfort in Iowa City.
11. G.G.’s Chicken & Waffles – Des Moines
G.G.’s specializes in that sweet-salty crunch you daydream about. The waffle is crisp-edged and tender inside, hosting juicy fried chicken with a seasoned crust. Hot honey or maple? Both shine, soaking into squares and crackle. Sides include grits, eggs, or bacon for serious brunch plates. Coffee flows, music lifts the room, and staff juggles crowds with grace. Weekends get busy, but the payoff is big. Kids love it, grown-ups linger. It’s a celebratory plate that still tastes homemade – brunch with a grandmother’s soul and a grandpa’s grin.
12. Big Mama’s Kitchen – Ames
Big Mama’s Kitchen in Ames is where comfort meets nostalgia. Founded by Miss Laverne, whose recipes have been passed down through generations, this spot is a local treasure.
Here, the fried chicken is crispy perfection with just the right amount of spice. A side of collard greens and cornbread completes the plate, making it a soul food staple.
The restaurant’s warm ambiance, with its checkered tablecloths and friendly service, transports diners back to a simpler time. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience filled with history and flavor.
