The Grove Cafe

First, I have to say we went here without researching it because we were in a hurry. We walked right in, and there WAS a line when we left, but I'll be honest, I have no idea why. The coffee was so weak you could see right through it. The food was mediocre at best. Totally unseasoned. However, the thing that appalled me was that this restaurant was absolutely filthy! I can't figure out how the health inspector doesn't close them down! The walls and furniture looked like they had never been wiped down and were covered in dirt. The vent above our table was black and caked with muck. There was a high chair that you couldn't tell its original color. Finally, the bathroom was down a set of steps in a basement that belonged in a horror movie, and the bathroom itself looked even worse!

I did not like being treated as if I was not a regular client. Asked to sit some other place to leave the table open for posible clientele. I was alone. However, I feel the cook would have been open to suggestions on food preparation.

Simply one of the best breakfasts on the planet. With quality food, warm engaging staff, and down to Earth pricing, you’ll walk out full and satisfied. We’ve already visited several times and will return to enjoy breakfast again and again. Rise and shine, folks, it’s time for a Grove Cafe breakfast.

The Grove is a chill, no frills breakfast location. Can be quite busy on weekend mornings around 10am, but is more of a local spot before then. Menu is simple but has options for everyone, and getting a cup of coffee to see what mug you get with is a good time. Make sure to bring cash (last time I went, cards were not accepted).

The best pancakes! Most people can't even finish 1, I always order a short stack with fruit ( I think only available on the weekends) and eat every bite! Waitress even complimented me today that my plate was the cleanest pancake plate she had ever seen. 😋 Other breakfast items look tasty, but I'll stick with pancakes!

All my life I have never ate at The Grove. Not because I didn't want to but the few times we attempted to it was to busy and we just did not want to wait All of the food was delicious, the only complaint that I have is that my hash browns were only half cooked. I took a bite and half of them were basically raw. The waitresses were super nice and accommodating.

We LOVED this place. It's a small town cafe with fantastic food trapped inside a college town. Go earlier than you planned and expect to wait your turn for a table. Don't be in a hurry. Our breakfast was far better than every other place in town, and we've been to nearly all of them. You have to try the pancakes. If you can sit so you can watch them cook it's a good show. I had the famous pancake, scrambled egg and ham. All cooked to perfection. Of course I only ate about 1/3 of the huge delicious pancake with homemade pancake syrup. Husband ordered ham and cheese omelet with homemade hashbrowns and toast. His food was also delicious. Portion size is perfect for a person of normal appetite, except the huge pancakes. Never mind the building, it's just very old. Service was excellent, friendly, and fast.

Maybe 3-4 tables in there on a Wednesday morning. The food was ok, asked for eggs over easy, they were over hard. Ordered a sprite, let them know that it needed to be changed(tasted like club soda). She apologized and was nice but never changed it or said anything else about it. Everything is so dirty everywhere that’s it’s one and done for me. The ceiling tiles, tables, and walls were all pretty gross. I like old diners but this wasn’t great.

They only accept cash, but that's no problem. Their prices are very reasonable. 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, hashbrowns, 2 sausage patties, and coffee for $12 and some change. Staff is super friendly.

Very kind staff, and good French toast! Cute atmosphere and overall very nice! Excited to come back!

Floor, counter and tables were dirty. Ordered 2 extra eggs with my scrambled eggs and was charged more than double the price of an order of scrambled eggs. The cook told me, with attitude, that it was because " that's a non-standard item!" My friend got pancakes because he'd heard they're good here. They were very dry and over-done, not flufgy at all. They were large, but that was their only good feature. We won't be returning.

Bring cash!! Cash only! We stopped in for a Sundays hankering of biscuits and gravy. Did not know it was cash only. Save yourself the extra atm fees and bring cash. Don't let that distract you from the tasty food this plays cooks up. Pancakes of the win. Def on my rotation of great breakfast spots.

Everything A Small Town Cafe Should Be We ordered pretty standard fare, but it was delish and exactly what we expected. The prices were great and the service was delightful. We've been before and we'll be back again. Love the Grove Cafe

Service was great- food was okay- however I made the mistake of going to the bathroom. It was in the basement. It needed a deep cleaning as does most of the restaurant.

This "Cash Only" Cafe is open for early breakfast and lunch on Main Street Ames. I read about years ago on Jane and Michael Stern's "Road Food" Book and only last Friday was able to come in for a mid-morning breakfast with my almost 93 year-old Dad. We managed to snag the last open booth and were quickly provided with coffee and menus. Dad had their big pancake (see picture), while I chose the French Toast special (also pictured). We enjoyed (but were not overwhelmed) by our food and the down home atmosphere and the local conversations. Note 1 The Grove Cafe is small and operates in pretty close quarters. Besides the front dining room and bar arrangement, take a trip downstairs to the bathroom. What I noticed was a tight back kitchen area, steep stairs, and limited pantry/supplies storage behind the rest room and under the stairs. Dad also told me that you can park behind the Cafe and come in through the back door. Note 2 I realize that "Cash Only" (or Check) can shock some, especially in this mostly cashless society. That's why I always keep a check in my wallet and check ahead if I think cash may be required. Note 3 Coffee. I grew up on Folgers, so I never expect freshly ground individual drip coffee in local "down home" Midwest joints.

What a great find! 4 of us all really enjoyed our breakfast at the Grove Cafe last Saturday. I have to say I think I "won" with the pancake of the day raspberry and rhubarb. So delicious!!! Service was friendly and efficient. Will 100% return when I come back to town! I look forward to it.

Owner was horrible to the young ladies working there. Belittled and berated them in front of customers. I felt so bad for them. Food was mediocre and the place was filthy, gross. I certainly wouldn't my daughter or anyone I cared about working there. How he is still in business is a mystery

Overall, I'm not sure why this place has some great reviews, but it's nice that some people like it. The service was curt, bordering on rude but we didn't have to wait too long for our orders and they were correct. The coffee was bad but I wasn't expecting it to be good. I ordered the French toast meal and it was ok but my dining companions were highly unimpressed with how their food tasted. So afterwards we went across the street to Morning Star and got friendly service and excellent coffee

As a college student, Grove Cafe was my favorite breakfast spot in town. I love sitting at the counter and watching everyone's breakfast be made. You truly get a classic diner experience here! Service is fast and the girls working are always so friendly. My only complaint is that the owner has been harsh to his young employees numerous times when I've visited. It's unnecessary and awkward for them and your customers. I would really like to see this change because they deserve better. If you can get past that, the Raspberry Rhubarb pancake is the star of the show. I love getting one and splitting it along with getting one of the omelettes. They food is always fresh and tastes just like home cooking.

The young man who served us also did the cooking. He did a fabulous job! The food was good and the service both prompt and friendly. This place is not posh at all - just your basic fare but it felt traditional and very American. We enjoyed it.

Great little place to go eat breakfast. Their hash browns are amazing. Not many places to sit but definitely worth the wait.

Great hometown old school Cafe with excellent food and atmosphere. The people are friendly the staff are professionals and the food is top notch.

We were in town to visit our daughter. On Sunday, we went out to breakfast and wanted to find somewhere we had not been. In searching on Yelp, Grove Cafe came up as highly rated. Listed as one of the top 20 breakfasts in the US. We waited about 15 minutes to get seated. The interior is quaint, evidence of the long standing business. Swivel stools line a long counter and booths are located on the walls. We were a table of 4. Service was quick and efficient. Our orders included the house special pancake, the veggie omelette, the muffin special and the 2 egg breakfast. All orders were correct and prepared as requested. The bacon was crispy as asked but it was so thin, it almost seemed like microwave bacon. The hash browns were dry and underwhelming. So though there were no glaring mistakes there were also no high points. Just meh. We wouldn't go out of our way to wait for this one again.

Very dirty. The food is precooked and reheated. There were flys everywhere. Andcthey only take cash.

Food was great. One of the best breakfast s in town. Hash browns where a little cold. Service was fast and friendly. The only big down fall is the place needs a fresh coat of paint and new carpet.

A fun, old-school tiny diner. Food was average but service was quick and it's a great diner experience.

Metiocre lousy food cooked by careless teenagers. I ordered the biscuits and gravy and couldn't finish it because honestly I would rather ingest cold air then eat something chewy and blah. I don't need a cafe to feed me unhealthy greasy garbage, I can go to a gas station and it would be more satisfying. Dear Grove Cafe, stop wasting ingredients on selling garbage. Ames deserves better.

Was waiting with our friends visiting in town and they checked entering in the back and was yelled at to go wait in line at the front door, where we were waiting out in the cold. Then when we did enter, and we're going to use the phone they had up, and was rudely told to stop touching when we were going to call a loved one. We recommended coming here, but not anymore. We are so disappointed with the new staff. The way you treat your customers reflects how you treat the community - I am disappointed.

This is by far the best place to get breakfast in Ames! I cannot express this enough! I'm sad that it took me so long to stop here, but man I am glad I did! What this place lacks in size and space, they make up for with great customer service and exquisite food! They have THE BEST pancakes I have had, which is saying a lot! You get a pretty big portion of food for a pretty low cost, which is the perfect recipe for a college student. The staff helps right away and frequently checks in to make sure your coffee cup is never sitting on empty. P.S. They only take cash, so don't go expecting to use a debit card or a check. If you forget, they have an ATM next to the building and across the street! Shamefully, I know this from experience.....

Slow service and to much for under done pancakes and over done eggs. Could also use a good deep clean.

Classic Diner, been here for years... very popular with the locals. Dairy free versions available.

Having grown up in the area, I have wanted to try The Grove for a long time, I was sadly disappointed. Drove 45 minutes to try it out. My biscuits and gravy tasted like pillsbury with a can of slop. It also left me violently ill the rest of the day. My boys tried the famous pancakes and they weren't cooked in the middle. I was hoping even though it looked dirty on entry that we were about to get amazing food. Would never go again or recommend. It has great reviews and I've been hearing great things my whole life. Completely disappointed and dumbfounded by the great reviews.

Classic breakfast diner. Has an old school vibe to it which is unmatched in the Ames area. I visit every few months for breakfast and it's always a great place to go. They serve your classic breakfast options along with the standard big pot of coffee. You're not coming here for a gourmet dish, but you are when it's a slice of comfort and tasty food you crave!

Dear Mr and Mrs Grove Ames is home. This place is homier Hank: Good country people running this establishment. Father and his boy seemed to be keeping things under control. Family values run deep in this place Nate: My mind wanted to savor the flavor of my Raspberry Rhubarb cakes... my body wouldn't let me. Taylor: The French toast brought me back to the stories of my grandfather when he travelled from marseilles to Paris Ethan: Wanted to order something else but the waitress ripped the menu from my hands

It's a small, sticky diner - emphasis on small. It's a local favorite that serves standard American fare. I wasn't impressed. The pancakes are good, though.

Homemade syrup was just corn syrup with vanilla and coloring ..not great. Hash browns were burnt. And the place needs a serous update. Friendly service.

We always look for a mom and pop Thai place so while we were in Ames we went downtown. At first glance it doesn't look like much but we went ahead and ordered breakfast. Kim had French toast and scrambled eggs and I had the scrambled eggs sausage and hashbrowns. This was probably the best breakfast I have ever had! The waitress was sweet and the owner was manning the flat top. It was the cheapest food we bought on vacation and probably the best. I enjoyed conversation with the owner also.

First time here BEWARE ONLY CASH IR CHECKS! I was not told this so it cost me $4.75 to get money from an ATM. ( $1.75 plus $3 from my bank). Since the waitress failed to tell me snd told me well it's always been like that (remember my first time) that $4.75 was her tip. I ordered French toast combo that comes with two eggs and bacon. I'm alone. Only two other small party tables. The cook is visible and it was obvious can only cook one order at a time. The eggs were cooked perfectly. The back was very thin but tasty and crispy. The French toast was on this bread and it tasted as though instead of just putting cinnamon in the egg mixture he sprinkled the cinnamon and sugar on top. It's an ok place. In expensive.

Pancakes are to die for and HUGE. Service is high quality and the place is small so it's easy to get server's attention if needed. The vibes are super chill.

Perfect over easy eggs perfect crispy bacon and excellent service. The coffee is something a sailor would not drink. The crispy hashbrowns were not crispy. And the French toast was ok. We did get an excellent coffee at Scooters, just around the corner

Always good. I got the pancake with warm rhubarb sauce on top with a side of bacon. The pancakes and people are always the best. They don't disappoint. Nice server and good food.

We were up in Ames one Sat morning which never happens. This is the place for breakfast! We lucked out that we got snuck in to a booth. The décor is run down. The booth was beat up like it has been used a million times, which mean this place is none stop busy. One little warning, if you have to use the bathroom, try and go before you get here. It is through the kitchen, down a tiny stairwell and only has the 1 stall. It does not hinder my rating on the restaurant, but we had to use it and I thought I was going to a secret hideaway. The booth we were in was in straight eye line down the kitchen lane. The waitresses were busy coming and going around the one corner and kept our coffee fresh and friendly. I ordered the special pancake- OH YUM! The pancake looks like they used yellow cake mix in it and I had it smothered in the rhubarb raspberry sauce. HOLY MOLY the sauce on top made it all worth while. The treat to myself was so delicious I didn't even nee to use the huge bottle of syrup on the table. The pancake was huge and I needed help eating it which there was no complaints from my breakfast friends as they loved it as well. This locally owned and run, I would be here and hang out if I lived up here. Be aware that this place is PACKED and once its full up there is little to no waiting right inside the door. The line to eat was outside the door when we headed out. I recommend anyone to give it a try. Everyone enjoyed their meals and coffee.

Tried out The Grove Cafe for breakfast. It's an old school, traditional Iowa diner. It's total"hole-in-the-wall" place but the food was awesome! Our picky daughter said the famous pancakes were very good. The omelettes were the perfect size and quite tasty. Total bill was $36 for 4 people. If you're looking for a breakfast, like what your mom made, this is your place!

Waited 10 minutes outside. As soon as we got inside we tried the telephone and it ate out quarter. Waitress wearing pink gave us a snotty comment and was clearly not giving quality service to us as customers. Didn't get a chance to eat their food. Very disappointed.

Sweet little diner right on main street! The owner was rude when I first walked in thinking I was a salesman. What??? You've never seen someone with a computer and a notebook before?? If it wasnt for the quick service and the sweet lady behind the register, I would have busted you down with the three star, likely a 2* (insert grumpy, rude voice) "What do you need?" Umm... breakfast!?!

THE PANCAKES are SO GOOD. I have no idea what they do to them but they are out of this world. (Not to mention they're HUGE) I've had the chocolate chip and the cinnamon sugar and both are so delicious! The only reason I'm not giving them 5 is because the other food on the menu is just average, but the pancakes are so worth it.

Stopped at the Grove Cafe yesterday after finding it on Yelp. We are from Massachusetts, in Ames to visit Iowa State. We LOVED the vibe of the Grove Cafe - friendly people, delicious food. We had the famous pancake and an omelette and bacon. We would have gone back again today but needed to be at the airport early for a flight. Highly recommend the Grove for breakfast!

I am an ISU alum (Class of '13) and in the short time from then and now, Ames has changed IMMENSELY! Lots of new shops and restaurants to check out! But even with all this new growth- The Grove has been a staple for years! I will say, I do believe their pancakes have gotten smaller over the years but the quality is still there! They were HUGE before and now they're perfect! The seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis and the syrup they make is literally amazing, on pancakes and in coffee! HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend to anyone in the neighborhood or just passing through. Make sure to bring cash with you because they don't accept cards! There's parking in the front and the back with doors on both sides!

It was okay but not the best. A bit slow and service was not that great. The hash browns were excellent. The eggs were well cooked. Coffee was okay. Overall I would say it's an okay place to go but nothing stood out as amazing or unique.

Short Version: Fantastic place to eat, and the prices are literally perfect. You'll pay less to eat breakfast here than most any other place you can think of - and you'll still feel really full. I would recommend coming on weekday mornings to try and avoid the rush of people on the weekends, though. Long Version: Despite living in Ames for a pretty long time, I haven't eaten at most of the Main Street establishments. Today I decided to change that. The biggest thing to know is they either close at noon or 2 PM depending on the day. Definitely a morning establishment. They ONLY take cash, so make sure you have cash handy in order to go. As they're along Main, you may need to pay for parking as well. They don't have a dedicated parking lot. The inside is cramped when you're walking around, but they've arranged the tables and seating that it doesn't feel cramped while sitting. You know how some restaurants you can sit at a table and feel "everyone" around you. That doesn't happen here. They don't have a ton of seating, but they haven't gone and stuffed it so full of tables that it's a pain to get around. There are booths, a couple tables, and a bar area with stools. The entire kitchen is visible to the public, so you can watch them make the food. They aren't particularly putting on a "show", but it's neat to watch someone work and see how your food is made. The interior definitely looks dated, but it doesn't look dirty. Just not modern. The prices are insanely reasonable here. I was really surprised. Their "Famous" pancake (which SERIOUSLY is enough for most people and may even be too much!) is $4. Other food ranges in the $4 to $8 range. Entirely reasonable. A check for two people came out to less than $15. Great pricing. Employees were friendly, but the service was a bit lacking. We came on a Sunday morning, though, and all of the tables were full, so they definitely seemed busy. Water wasn't refilled, though, and we had to inquire about other various things instead of them being offered (boxes, etc.) They were very prompt about the various parts of required service (taking order, bringing check, etc) though - just not a lot on the checking in or taking further care. I had a single "famous pancake", and my friend, who said he was really hungry, had their "short stack" - which is two of the pancakes. The pancakes are probably 10" across, and not only are they really the size of the entire plate, but they're also super, duper fluffy. Like, about 3/4 of an inch in height. I ate my entire pancake, but I'll admit that it was a challenge. About 3/4 through, I felt full on a single pancake. Unless you tend to eat a lot of food, I'd say that their single "Famous" pancake is probably enough for most people. I'd definitely come back here to eat. It's fun to support a smaller establishment, and the food was definitely good. Maybe I'll try coming back at a time that's a little less busy for a bit more personalized service next time.

I have consistently and happily come to The Grove through the many phases of my adulthood. From late nights that turn into very early breakfasts, all the way to buying grilled cheese meals to go for myself and my two girls while we walk around downtown. When COVID shut down most of our main Street and nearly all of our restaurant industry, I felt a civic duty to support these fine people as much as possible and I encourage you to as well. You just want to remember a few simple tips... No they do not take cards but there is an ATM just outside the door, a rule that I seem to never remember over the last 15 years. They also have really cool swag that make great gifts, and just like at home, you don't always get what you want lol.. just a little restaurant humor from my favorite small business. Show them some love! It really speaks to their character that they are still standing and going strong with all that has been thrown at them throughout their years in business hear in Ames

It was so dirty inside, literally cobwebs and caked dirt/grease on walls, booths, and tables. The food was mediocre at best, well it was generic bread, flavorless "hash browns" (more like half boiled mashed potatoes that were then grilled). The teens working were clueless and added up our bill wrong twice and finally used a calculator to get it correct. It was so gross inside I didn't even want to drink out of the cups. A single can of Pepsi cost 2.75. I wanted to give it the benefit of the doubt because sometimes gross looking places have the BEST food and NOPE would never recommend this place to anyone.

A nice breakfast/lunch dining place, suiting the welcoming atmosphere of Ames! It was a nice friendly experience. I sat at the 'bar' and part of the experience was watching my food actually being made. Ordered the Salsa Omlette and the two eggs (sunny side up) and toast, all tasting great. Coffee refills was a plus :) Downside is they only take cash and check! There is an ATM next door but who uses ATM these days....? Make sure to bring cash or check!

Don't know how this greasey spoon stays in business. I was told they have great pancakes but I make them better at home. It's not clean and I was seriously overcharged for 5 scrambled eggs because - I was told - "that is a non-standard menu item." You have to pay in cash - no cards. Rats out back in the trash. Not going here again.

This is the best diner in Ames. They always have specials. Their biscuits gravy is sometimes you shouldn't miss. I had spinach dip omelette this time and it was perfect. Do visit it, if you are in Ames.

Loved this place!! Came in after 12 on a Saturday (not realizing they closed earlier on weekends) and they sat me down anyway. Got the special, which was their signature pancake and rhubarb jam topping. It was delicious. I was the last one in the place besides the workers....went to pay and the cook behind the counter said it was on him! I know I'll be here a lot during my 4 years at ISU!

Amazing pancakes, good coffee, well priced! The hours they are open are a little tricky so make sure they are open. One of my favorite Saturday or Sunday morning breakfast spots in Ames!