Paula's Cafe

Was near Valley Junction today running errands and a Google search for dining options led us here. Very nice Cafe with a good offering of Comfort Food options. We both had the Maid-Rites which were very good. We enjoy supporting local establishments and will definitely be back.

Paula’s is one of my favorite places to get lunch in Des Moines. Their Made Rights are fresh and delicious every time! They have great soup selection too, which you don’t always find any more. And the staff is so wonderful! They make you feel so welcome!

Great comfort food & the staff is so kind! Chicken salad sandwich and onion rings are so good! Don’t forget to order a chocolate malt. It reminded me of my grandmas!💓💓

Love this place. Especially on hot beef or meatloaf special days. The Maid Rites are perfect too. It's always busy during lunchtime, so you know it's good. The specials change summer and winter. Winter are my favorites. Highly recommend!

I have been in Valley Junction working remotely lately and needed a change in lunch venues. I have been in Paula's before and everyone is always so friendly. The decor is simple and gives you the small town diner feel. Today I tried the Friday Special and while the picture doesn't look that appetizing, especially since it is in a to-go container, don't be mistaken this meatloaf is awesome. For 9 bucks you this thick cut of meatloaf, a big mound of mashed potatoes smothered in beef gravy and a soda. It was a large portion and now I am ready for a nap. It was just just good comfort food. Yesterday, I had their Thursday special, essentially maid-rite loose meat mixed with Graziano's sausage on a hoagie bun, fries and drink for $9. The Graziano's sausage gives it a great flavor with just a little kick to spice up the flavor of the normal maid-rites. This place is a great value for your money, the food is freshly made, and the staff are pretty aweaome! Definitely worth checking out! Update Friday December 7th. I have been looking forward all week to be able to stop in for the meatloaf special, to find out the Friday special alternates. To say I was extremely disappointed would be an understatement. The only saving grace was today's Friday special was an amazing chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. The chicken was fried to prefection and everything smothered in gravy, the way it should be. I guess I will just have to come back next Friday.

This review is long overdue. I have been going to Paula's Cafe for lunch for awhile now. This place is extremely wonderful. Paula and her staff are always friendly, the food is top notch, service is fast and correct. Can't say enough good things about this place. Just remember to carry cash as they don't accept credit cards! Worth a visit, you won't be disappointed.

A very cool old timey diner with great prices, great food, and a laid back atmosphere. You can’t get a great sandwich anywhere nowadays for under $5. (Made-rite & pork tenderloin sandwich both 10/10 considering taste, portion, & price) Loose meat sandwich inspired me to go home & watch old episodes of Roseanne 😆

You can't go wrong with Paula's Cafe it's a Valley Junction Classic.

This ca-UTE unassuming cafe was the perfect stop. You can get your maid-rite fix and about a dozen and a half ways. (Maid-rite is a loose meat sandwich, for you out of towners.) The chocolate malt was perfect, the mac'n'cheese very yummy. The meal basket comes with fries a drink, and you get a side on top of that. I almost went for the chocolate pudding, even with ordering my chocolate malt, but decided to eat healthy today. Lol It's cash only (ATM is a short block away to the east.) The ladies running the place made my meal while I walked down to get some cash, and I didn't even ask them to! The malt was done getting mixed right when I walked in, and the lady preparing my meal off to the side knew it was for me. It felt very personable and comfortable

Great place to eat... food is delicious and friendly staff! Maid rite is delicious and fries are awesome!

The food is always made-right here!! The service is out of this world and the atmosphere is like coming home to grandmas for lunch. I just love everything they have to offer here. GET THE MAC & CHEESE! this was obviously a potato salad kind of day but you want regret the advice. P. S. Crispy fries just like McDonald's but healthier without all the salt

The place is quaint. It gives you a small town feel without the small town. It is a cash only joint so make sure you have the Benjamin's before you arrive. The Maidrite is spot on. It was so delicious. The soups are all homemade and so good! If you are looking for a quick bit to eat this could be your place plus they have amazing daily special too...

Love Paula's, little cafe in Valley Junction. Went again today, had tenderloin baskets - meaty pork tenderloin with fries and drink for $9.00! The tenderloin isn't pounded so flat that it looks like dinner plate, instead you see and taste the pork! Only open for lunch; which if I ran a restaurant I would do the same. Great small business; support them!

Went shopping in Valley Junction and was looking for a new place to grab lunch. We found Paula's from a Des Moines food review Facebook page. Such a good find! The maid rite sandwiches are great! I can't figure out what makes them so much better than the "norm", but they're delicious. They have that cooked in a really seasoned pan or cooktop vibe. Goulash is basic and fantastic. My wife really enjoyed her potato soup. And the fried pickles are a hit! We knew ahead of time, but beware that it's cash only. They have a sign that there's an ATM nearby if needed. Can't wait to go back for a tenderloin and to try more soups!

I love this place so much. 99% of the time I get a Cheese-rite (loose meat with cheese) with everything on it. If I feel like something different, I will get the Kay Dog (all beef hot dog with loose meat on top). The fries are delicious - hot and crispy, just the way they should be! I always make it a basket and get the fries and one of the sides (potato salad, baked beans, cottage cheese, mac and cheese, or chocolate pudding) with a fountain drink (coke products). Everyone is friendly and helpful. If you show up at 11:45-12:30, it can be very busy. Yes, it is true - they do not take debit or credit. Only cash or checks. Yes, they write things on PAPER - they don't have a fancy order system. Not spending a ton of money on things is what has kept them in business during and after a pandemic. It's a small price to pay to keep this small town gem open and I hope it lives on for many years! It's one of my favorite lunch places in the Junction! Try it! You'll like it! :)

What business in 2023 does not take credit/debit cards? Interesting too that orders are written on scraps of paper. Smell like tax evasion to anyone else?

Just like others have noted in their reviews, the hours for this place are bullsh*t. Don't post hours to the public that you don't keep. Big sign in the window said open 11 to 3 today. I was at their door before 2:30 and the place was closed.

Update Friday December 7th. I have been looking forward all week to be able to stop in for the meatloaf special, to find out the Friday special alternates. To say I was extremely disappointed would be an understatement. The only saving grace was today's Friday special was an amazing chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. The chicken was fried to prefection and everything smothered in gravy, the way it should be. I guess I will just have to come back next Friday.

This place is amazing. I went there for the first time and they have one of the best maid rite I've ever had. The lady behind the counter even took extra time to explain everything to me. Very cute decor and amazing customer service too. I'd definitely go back!

Went there Saturday around 1pm and it wasn't open despite the signage that they should be open. No sign on the door and chairs were on top of the tables. So really deserves zero to negative stars. Try Coopers

Meatloaf special on Friday is delicious with gravy on top. Owner is always there and very inviting.