Short's Burger & Shine

So many burgers, so little time! Walking into Short’s Burgers & Shine, it has an intimate feel for a long skinny restaurant and bar. The wait staff were friendly and attentive. There are so many burger options to choose from! I really enjoyed that there were so many options on the menu, and that I found plenty of burgers that I would like to try for future visits if I were to come back. The food itself was pretty darn good! My burger was thick and delicious. There was also a heaping pile of fries for a side. I did try the shorts sauce and I liked it more with the fries than my burger. However, if you do want a side of ranch or other condiments they are at an extra charge. I also loved the amount of big TVs throughout the restaurant. I happened to stop in for the second half of an intense Iowa basketball game, and it was so great to have such a nice view no matter where I was in the restaurant. If you’re traveling to the area or if you’re a local, this Iowa City staple should be on your must try list.

It’s downtown, the food I received was below mediocre, I got the tingley and substituted the burger for chicken, that may be my fault and I will return to get a burger but the chicken is completely unseasoned though it was cooked very well, most of the fries were chewy and undercooked and one of them was to the point of raw potatoes, the green chili sauce is practically flavorless, the guac is mostly avocado taste which to me is perfect but others may prefer otherwise, the ranch is comparable to hidden valley, lettuce was slightly wilted but nothing egregious, mango sauce was exactly what i expected and was pretty good, I’d give the cooked fries a 4 star but so many were so undercooked it’s an overall 2 for the fries, the chicken was literally plain chicken which id score a three stars for the sandwich overall, servers did their job but the tables are really dirty which is not good, decoration of the place was really nice, will try burgers at other location. This place was not worth the $20 you pretty much have to spend

What a wonderful place this is. I have never seen a larger choice of burgers and beers than what they have. The quantities are huge and unless you are really starving, I’m not sure you can finish one whole thing. The food is delicious, loved it. More than that is the company of people working there. A big shout out to Ryan, Nick and Lindsy for a great conversation. You guys are really cool and I thoroughly enjoyed being there. Would definitely recommend everyone to go at least once.

Visited the restaurant early afternoon for a late lunch and was not disappointed. A lot of burger options on the menu, as well as other items. Service was great and staff was friendly. Ordered the Burnside burger and food came out quickly and was very good. The burger meat itself was tasty and wasn't just covered up by the other ingredients. Fries were also good.

Been at Shorts before and the burgers were bigger and better tasting. This time in (Feb '23) I was disappointed. Burger was smaller, bread is different. The fries were still good.

The quality of the food has tanked since eating here over a year ago. Stale buns, frozen patties (yes, frozen), and an absurdly small amount of bun spread that seemed like a joke. My husband ordered medium rare and I ordered well done and they came out the same). Thank heavens for their signature sauce to mask the burger taste. Such a shame because the burgers used to be top notch.

This place is the new bar for which I will measure burgers. The menu is simple and direct, they aren't trying to give you a big decision, it is really just which fantastic burger you want. They have several delicious options and I was able to sub the meat for a black bean patty which was great! The fries were fresh and excellent, served with a side of garlic aoli they immediately started the meal off on the best foot. I customized my burger with pepper jack cheese, guacamole, and the garlic aoli sauce. They come with basic toppings (lettuce and tomato) standard as well. The burger was absolutely delicious. If I lived anywhere close this would be my go-to place to eat. They have a bar section as well, I can't attest to the drinks, if they are anything like the food though I'm sure it is top notch!

Food was very good. I got chips and salsa with mine and it was a very refreshing salsa. I would recommend it if you’re near campus. I got a burger with Swiss, bacon, and garlic Aïoli. ‘‘Twas really good!

This is your basic chz burger..... Shorts's version = one pickle, a small tomato and a dash of lettuce. After adding my own LTP I couldn't eat the burger because the untoasted bottom bun was so soggy it fell a part in my hands. This is kind of pathetic. I should have just made my own burger. I ate the rest with a fork because I was just That hungry. Disappointing. At least McDonalds gives you two pickles lol.

I don't live in Iowa City anymore but whenever I'm back for work, Shorts is a place I make sure to stop by. They usually have one of my favorite beers on draft--Blonde Fatale. Their menu has a variety of burgers which can all be subbed out for grilled chicken or a veggie patty. Their fries are some of my favorite I've had, and I love to have a good dipping sauce with my fries so I usually ask for the garlic aioli. They also have shorts sauce on the table which is mildly spicy with good flavor. The restaurant is small and dark, so if you come during busy hours you may have to wait a bit for your table.

People were really nice. Our order didn't go through and they didn't tell us for a while which was fine we weren't in a rush. Burgers were really greasy and but overall not a bad place

Places that don't try to do much, always have my heart. Short's Burger and Shine is one of those places. With two dozen burgers, a dozen chicken sandwiches and nearly half a dozen black bean burgers on the menu-- all with freshly cut, homemade fries-- Short's puts out perfectly cooked, tasty as hell food. The beef is never frozen and from a farmer in Columbus Junction. The 30 taps feature Iowa craft brews. They definitely emphasize LOCAL. My last trip here a few things stood out. 1) This isn't REALLY a spot for your kiddos. Chicken Fingers don't live on this menu, milk isn't served and there isn't a cute page to color while you wait. 2) They do have beer specials! We came on a Friday around 4:30 and Exile was discounted. 3) A craft beer batted tenderloin was added to the menu. I without a doubt need to try this bad boy! This small burger joint's motto is the same as it's namesake: Expert Workmen Best Materials Used Prompt Service. It truly does not disappoint.

THICK, perfectly medium pink (you specify your desired doneness), juicy burgers were the craving of the day. And such inventive topping combos to choose from! Note: For anything in the 'Burger' section of the menu, you can sub the beef for chicken or black bean burger. The beef patties were HUGE - probably 1/2 pound . And no skimping on the toppings here so go there really hungry or split with a friend. They were messy, drippy, and once you pick the sucker up, you hang on for dear life so the bun or toppings don't slide off. To me, this is the way a truly great burger needs to be! So, prepare yourself - lots of napkins are your friends... Burgers come w/hand cut fries that are beautifully browned. Unfortunately, I opted for carryout so I knew the fries would not be very crispy due to steaming a bit during transit. I'd recommend eating fries there on-site as they will be MUCH better. So why 4 stars vs. 5?? The burger was begging for a better sear and was barely browned.

The burger was perfectly prepared and the portion size was very good for the price. The french fries were absolutely some of the best.

Short's always has great food. check out their East-side location or in Marion. Choose a burger to tame your hunger. Their fries are some of my favorite..

Yummy! This place was cute, especially with the outdoor seating. The happy hour on drinks was really good too! $4 off all cocktails or half priced beer

Best burgers in Iowa City...well the best I've found thus far. What's the best burger there?...well just order one and that's probably it. I've tried 4 or 5, but my fav is the Chili burger...the chili is infused with the cheese so your chili doesn't just soggy up the bun or plop out. I go to the Capitol restaurant and am met with warm greetings and excellent customer service. This location is where I take visiting out of state family and friends. If you want a great burger at a fair price, come check this place out!

Server was very nice. But the burgers were dry as I've ever had (think well done X10) and the server never even asked how we wanted ours cooked...guess that's not an option here. Most burgers, and there are a lot of em, are between $14-$16. Way too much for what you get. Just make sure to get lots of water to wash it down. Fries were ok. Better burger alternative? Wendy's!

Never had a burger that wasn't good here. But there are many and I've not had them all. Great hand if your seeking a casual and tasty meal. Drinks are good but a little too sugary for my taste. Next time I'll try the Short's whiskey and see what that's all about

Great experience at Short's, came in on a Friday night and was able to get seated within 10 minutes. Started off with an order of cheese fries which are a must try. After that I ordered the 1006 Melrose plain aside from ketchup. I was curious to see if there was a difference in the burger from the one I had at Stella. For being the same burger there was a slight difference, the burger at Short's had a little more flavor to it. Aside from the food the atmosphere was very fun here and the service was top of the line.

Not a place I'd go back to anytime soon. The service was good and the vibe was fine but the food was pretty bad if I was being honest. I got the Bacon Bbq cheeseburger and it was just bad, the bacon was burnt, the veggies were soggy and rotten and the BBQ sauce was awful, even the burger meat tasted weirds and the bun was stale and fell apart. Pretty disappointed in the food tbh.

What can I say other than I ordered what was supposed to be a tenderloin, but was pretty much burned black. I would personally be embarrassed to serve this sandwich to a customer. Besides the food being bad, the service was extremely slow as well. This place only serves sandwiches, which to my knowledge don't take that long to prepare.

I was REALLY surprised at how much I liked Shorts. I've passed by it for years and always assumed it was just a bro hangout serving greasy burgers. I have no problem admitting I was wrong. Stopping by on a Sunday afternoon afforded a little bit of a wait and with the front doors open, it was really hot and stuffy inside, but once we sat down and ordered our food, things started to turn around. the atmosphere is quaint but not so loud that you cant hear anything. The service was quick and our drinks were always full. But, lets face it, if the food isnt good, whats it matter? Well, dont worry. the food was GREAT. I ordered the Hancock and it was amazing! i will say that the bun was VERY dry and not particularly flavorful. in fact, about half way through I just took it off and set it aside. The best part of the meal though was the fries....man...I am still thinking about those. They also seem to have a really good selection of beers on tap. Combine the good food with a great beer selection...well...I think I just found a new favorite place!

Visiting from out of town. This place was great. Such awesome waitstaff! Local beers were great. Burgers were giant, fries were killer. Good Covid precautions. Totally recommend.

If you ever find yourself in the Iowa City area, I would recommend going to a different restaurant than Short's Burger. Some positives: the menu was extensive. There is a wide array of options for both burgers and other food options. The drink menu was also robust, with beer, wine, and cocktails. However, that's where the positives end. The service was subpar, with our burgers taking an hour and a half to come out. The waiter was nice enough about the delay, but no sort of service recovery was offered. The food was blah, with the burger not having much taste.

We love all the short brand locations. They have the best bean burgers and fries in town. Great staff at every location. Especially love love the manager at Hudson he is the best!!!!

If you are looking for a burger this is the place to go! They have a a huge selection of gourmet burgers, chicken burgers, and bean burgers. You can definitely create your own and add another patty. First time and don't know what to try?? - The Dundee - bacon, mushrooms and fried egg if you love a little runny yolk - The Essex - melted brie cheese with bell peppers is an amazing combo. Tons of local Iowa beers on tap that you can purchase at 5oz, 11oz, or a pint. Perfect for tasting a few!! 5 stars for food and amazing service. They accommodated our large group of 12 on a Friday night. The downtown location is small compared to their sister restaurant stellas so we were lucky to snag their back table. They have a happy hour and I definitely will think of Shorts when searching for that Friday afternoon spot.

It's a burger joint, and when you bill it as such you best bring it time and time again with passion and variety. Short's does not fail to deliver the goods. Burgers are cooked to a perfect medium, slightly pink and juicy. Mine was with bacon and guacamole and garlic aioli; my son the BBQ burger with bacon and cheese. Great burgers would have been sufficient, but this establishment has fresh cut fries with some seasoning that makes you a damn addict and craving eating more even after the plate is empty. Needless to say, I will definitely be back. Oh, and don't question the choice: get the damn double!

I've been coming to Short's for three years now and absolutely love it. The burger menu never ceases to surprise me and the quality has been very consistent. The service is very good and has a kind and attentive staff. I would recommend Jack for a server, handsome man that basically runs the show when he's in town. Overall very pleased and will be back for more!

If you are visiting or live here locally. This is a great place to try! Looking for something more than just a standard burger with ketchup and mustard? You have found a restaurant sure to please any burger eater. My recommendations: try the pesto aioli, it is divine on literally anything. I prefer to get my fries a little extra crispy since they aren't always very crispy. They are fresh cut and when they are crispy they are fantastic. Order the onion rings, they are incredible... you will not regret it. Tighter quarters here if you were hoping to bring a large group I would probably look for another venue that would be more conducive, but if you are looking for a place for a dinner date or even a couple friends this location will fit the bill. Speaking of the bill, Shorts is reasonably priced and you will leave fulfilled.

I have been going to Short's for the past 4 years, and it is consistently the best place in Iowa City to get a delicious burger with amazing fries. I have never been disappointed by Short's. It's too cramped for big groups, but great and intimate for up to six people. I have had a lot of different burger flavors, and whoever is cooking knows what they are doing because the toppings are cooked perfectly whether it's bacon, mushrooms, or onions. The fries are addictive, no other way to say it. I love Short's!!!

Best burger joint in Iowa City. There. I said it! And I stand by it. Stella is Short's sister restaurant and they both are FANSTASTIC. These burgers are insanely good, you wonder how they're not outlawed because they are downright naughty. I love both Short's and Stella (nearer to Kinnick Stadium on the west side of Iowa City). You can always catch some college kids grabbing a quick bite between classes. It's a tight space, so if you have a bigger party, head to Stella. Expect a wait at both places though at dinner time, but do it guys. It's amazing. What do I eat here? Other than anything I can get my hands on?! Well, lemme tell ya. The burgers are amazing and my favorite is the Larchwood. I mean, it's got nice melty cheese, grilled peppers, this incredible red pepper mayo, and fries for days. It's perfection and it's only 9 bucks for a giant burger. What about their veggie burgers? Yes. Do it. They are pretty dense, but they're made in house and they can be subbed in for any other burger. Drinks? Duh. Moscow mule here is a must. Any ciders and anything on tap, you'll love. Bottom line: go here if you like burgers. You will get a whole lotta burger and you will be a happy camper. What to try: larchwood, Essex (it has Brie!), their fries with meat and meltyyyy cheeeese. Water rating: 8/10 yum perfect

A really good burger place in the downtown. The burger with egg is so juicy! The sauce is salty and garlic, which makes the burger tastier.

Cool bar downtown Iowa City and near campus. Locally sourced ingredients (including bread) which delivers with great flavors! Delicious burger options or choose black bean burger and chicken if you desire non red-meat fare. Highly recommend this place!

Great Defiance burger! The mushrooms perfectly cooked. I added provolone cheese for more yum. Loved the fries too. I really appreciated that our chomp order did not include utensils or napkins or condiments. We have those at our home.

Random trip to Iowa city and been wanting to eat a burger but I didn't realize that this place is burger genius! The selection is phenomenal and it wasn't like the boring combination it was well thought. Burger and Beer, ofcourse! They made sure beer selection didn't get left out. I can't remember what I had but the fact that the menu says it all - made it fun and easier to choose.

Burgers here are fantastic. It's one of the few places we've been where you can really dress a burger how you like it and they do it really well! The fact that you can get a burger with multiple meats on top means you won't leave My wife and I have officially made Shorts our "let's go grab a burger" spot. The fries are excellent- paired with the spicy BBQ sauce and they're money. Beer selection is decent, not great, but the ones they have are primarily from localish breweries and offer some good local flavor. Waiters and Waitresses here have consistently impressed us - good recommendations. Baxter - Awesome. Dundee - Legit. Working on them all.

There was a huge choice of burgers that included vegetarian/vegan so if you're looking for a burger place, it's a great choice. One downside of this was the amount of flies at this restaurant. If you looked away from your burger for a second, there was a swarm of flies on your food before you even noticed. The service was super quiet and shy but overall 3/5 stars :)

You gotta love Short's for picking one thing, and doing a great job at it. I've been visiting this restaurant for several years, and it's always a favorite to re-visit when friends from college come back to town and want to re-live the good ol' days. I have many favorites depending on what I'm in the mood for. If I'm going for a burger, I love the Thornton, Maynard, or the Larchwood. If I'm feeling chicken, I like the Palo Alto or the Cerro Gordo. But, honestly, you can't go wrong - and DO NOT skip the fries! They're killer with the Short's sauce. This place tends to get BUSY on the weekends so be prepared to wait, or kill some time by grabbing a great local brew at the bar. ENJOY!

The black bean burger Is very overrated. Okay food, nice seats. After reading a few reviews raving about the black bean burger here, I had to come try it myself. Unfortunately, the experience was very underwhelming. The black bean patty had a really mushy consistency, which made the burger fall apart pretty quickly, and wasn't very flavorful. They give you a fairly generous portion of fries, but their fries are also poorly seasoned and are too thin. That said, they have beautiful outdoor seating right by the street and the service was very friendly. Probably will not be back for the food, but the experience may be better for those who eat meat.

Heres the thing I love this location. Its a cheers bar. Its tiny and orginal. So the food seems to taste better. Try all the shorts burgers eat all the fries with shorts sauce and ranch.

Delivery food is always hard. Especially for things cooked to a specific temperature. But as soon as I opened the boxes, I was pleasantly surprised. The fries were delicious and the burger was still pink inside! Just like I like it. Good quality ingredients, still hot. Soooo good one of the best burgers I've had.

I stopped here during a long drive up from Missouri to Minnesota. I'm glad I did! They had a great happy hour burger special: I got a double patty burger and fries for $10. The burger tasted great, the portion of fries was generous, and their selection of Iowa beers was plentiful. This is place that I would definitely stop at again when making the same drive. I don't know much about Iowa City, but this place is located in the main part of town right by the university. I anticipate that it gets packed during the school year and that if you during a home game day parking might be hard to find. Plan ahead for that. However, if you are ever driving through Iowa City, I definitely recommend you stop here.

This restaurant is a true staple of Iowa City. A tap list that seems to go on and on. You can also find almost any burger to satisfy your craving. I was in the mood for a summer beer and patty melt and boy did they deliver. I got the honey wheat from Kalona Brewing. About the time I started my 2nd, a heaping patty melt and mountain of fries came to me. Cooked just how I like it, piping hot, and mouthwatering. I can proudly say I went home with a full stomach and happy.

Short's burger is in our neighborhood and every time the food is not worth the money we paid. Over cooked meat or old meat and fries are burnt to a crisp. Do not recommend this place at all.

It's so so for me. I've eaten here a few different times and always felt my burger was missing a little something to give me the flavor I want. Kinda like a seasoning missing to give it that great taste. They do offer a wide variety of burgers if you are looking for options.

People love Shorts. I like Shorts just fine, if I'm in the mood for a decent burger and fries. If I want a great burger and fries, I'll head somewhere else. Things I like about Shorts: They have a lot of burger options. Some of those options are interesting. All of them are available on a chicken breast (which are actually pretty good and juicy, which is not my general experience with chicken breasts) or veggie patties. Things I don't like about Shorts: They make their own ketchup which, in my experience, ranges from fine to really terrible. I've had it a few times where it's like 90% vinegar and it's just awful. Stop it, Shorts!

This place had some of the best burgers ever. I ended up taking half of my burger home and eating cold the next morning for breakfast and it was still amazing. The seating is sparse so be sure to go early and get good seats.

As many already know, Short's and Stella are sister restaurants and therefore offer many similar menu items. If you're not convinced, they serve a mean burger! There are so many on their menu, I will fight you if you can't absolutely find one to your liking! This place downtown is on the small side, when the weather is good (like 4 months of the year), there is a "patio", which is really like 2 small table seating 2 maybe 3 if needed. There are a few booths that seat 4-6 comfortably, depending on your tolerance of personal space. Lastly there is seating at the bar. This place is always packed on Mondays, and for good reason too! They run a special, which is $6.99 burgers after 5pm, almost half price of what they usually cost. My friends and I, being obvious cheaps, usually go on Monday. Part of the reason I took off a star is the customer service and crazy wait on Mondays. This is the reason why I frequent Stella more than Short's. But nevertheless, Short's is good for their burgers and if you're feeling like a little something extra, their Moscow mules are bomb too!

I had the Dundee burger.......OMG!!!! Awesome burger!!! Without a doubt the best burger I've had in the state of Iowa. Service was awesome as well. The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable about the several different beers they had on tap. Definitely will return and enjoy another burger!

We stumbled in to this place by pure accident. We thought we were going in to the Clinton Social Club (next door) but a crowd of people in front blocked that entrance and we glided in here. It couldn't have worked out better. They gave us the patio spot on a busy Saturday night, overlooking the capital building and allowing us to be a part of everything going on around us. The hand-cut fries were awesome, like if you were to make them at home only better. I had a giant burger after a long day of riding and my buddy had a veggie burger. Our waitress was awesome, and all in all, this is a recommended spot to grab a huge, filling burger.

Where's the beef? It's right here. This place did not disappoint. Usually the Press Citizen's 'Best Of' name's the Hamburg Inn best burger each year--I swear they've won it more times in a row than Ohio State has won or shared the Big Ten title. But alas, the torch was passed this year and I showed up one day at 11:30am to taste locally raised Iowa fresh beef. I forget the name of what I had because all the burgers are named after Iowa bublmefuck Counties-- But it didn't matter. It was fu%$ing delicious. Medium-well cooked beef--seasoned with pixie dust from our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Topped with bacon, avocado and garlic ailoi on a Bread Garden produced brioche bun--are you serious? I love you 'Burg--but this is the place for burgers. The fries were a bit soggy but still tasty. The inside is the old Baldi's--lots of old wood and historic, charming ambiance. Thanks Kaeding for bring a gourmet burger gastro pub to Iowa City.

If only they had more seating! This place is amazing. Best burger I've had in a long time! Service was top notch. The beer choices are great. Tried several different ones. All good. The fries are thin and crispy and the burger is the perfect size. The bun does not disintegrate while you eat the burger. All in all a wonderful place. Will come again for sure!!!! Great experience. Highly recommended.

My husband and I stopped in last Saturday for lunch. We were seated promptly and the service was great. I loved the selection of burgers and sandwiches on the menu but I wasn't super impressed when I got the actual burger. I cant remember what mine was callled but it had jalapeno cream cheese, caramelized onions, and green chilis- THOSE were great, the burger was good, but the bun was dry and chewy. We both got a ton of fries but they seemed overdone and on the cold side, like they'd been sitting out for a while. I'm interested in checking it out again to see if maybe it was just a one-off.

Shorts has the best burgers in Iowa city! We got the center junction black bean burger and the Dundee burger. Both were so delicious, fresh and filling! Shorts has unique burger toppings so there is always something new to try. Their fries are also amazing, fresh and the perfect amount of crispy! My only suggestion would be bigger plates. The burgers are huge and always spilling off the plates.

I'm not much of a burger eater, but if I'm in the mood for one, it has to be top notch. In Iowa City, Short's is it! I've tried two burgers here - the Gravity & the Maynard. They were both deelish - juicy Angus beef & excellent toppings. But let's talk about why I really go here: The fries! Oh, the fries. Greasy goodness that is nothing without the infamous Short's Sauce. I am always tempted to steal the plastic bottle, but stop myself as to not rob the next patron of its' tanginess. If you are familiar with Chicago's Harold's Chicken, then imagine mild sauce...but smokier & with a hint more spice. That's the Short's Sauce. I love it!! They lose a star for not selling it in gallons to the public. I'd put it on everything!!

The Larchwood. Hands down one of my favorite burgers in the world! Short's is absolute awesomeness. Always packed full of people, you need to do your share of waiting before you can taste the sweet sweet beef/chicken/black bean deliciousness that is the Short's and Shine burger. They have pretty extensive menu. So you have lots and lots of choice in topping combinations. And the waitresses are absolute darlings! ALSO, on Mondays, you get a pretty awesome deal: all burgers $6.99. Whaaat!?! All in all, I adore this place!!!