Where else in the world can you get a better Tavern? What is a Tavern, you ask? It's a seasoned loose meat sandwich on a yummy fresh bun. They still have fabulous service & food after 75+ years! read more

Bob's Drive-Inn - Since 1949!!!!! - Fast Food Near Me - Le Mars, Iowa

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What a place! It's a mixture of Iowa friendliness and NYC energy! Bob's fantastic taverns and chili dogs served up by a constantly-moving bevy of happy people. The crew seems to operate on an all-hands basis; freely rotating wherever needed at the moment: manning the grill; refilling the refrigerator; taking orders; running orders out to the dining room; refilling the ice machine; whatever. Everybody seems to be doing everything. It's a well-oiled machine delivering excellent chow with unsurpassable energy. Great food; Fun, friendly place. read more

The quick review - just stopped to get my to-go order for my sweetie! Four Bob Dogs. I love their loose meats and cones as well ... While I waited (just over 5 minutes), I spotted almost every type of person stopping in for a fix - two local law enforcement officers, an assortment of workers, and even some single seniors. This diner style eatery - reopened as spring approaches - feels like a sign of the season. Now, back on the road! I'll return to update with a few additional details. read more

Bob's Drive-Inn - The end of the lunch rush line at 1 pm - lovely 60 degree day in LeMars, IA... - Fast Food Near Me - Le Mars, Iowa

Bob's is very iconic as for the food it's pretty good wouldn't say it's the best hotdog I've had but it's good. The prices here are a little ridiculous for a hotdog always been high. Service is amazing. read more

Young adults running this place do an amazing job! Literally always polite, responsive even at their busiest of days. So I've never had a Tavern hot dog or sandwich in my life until here; Super good! A bit pricey for a hotdog but I guess I'd pay the extra rather than resort to McDonalds food. read more

Bob's Drive-Inn - Tavern or Step dog..? Can't remember I've eaten there so often in a month of being in town. - Fast Food Near Me - Le Mars, Iowa

The food was okay but the service wasn't good. The guy at the counter was rude. I had only asked him about onion rings.

Cool old place! We had great burgers & fries from a super staff. They were packed & everyone was enjoying their food!

This was a pleasant surprised. We walked up and inside. The menu is also on the outside if you want to go. The menu is very easy to read. Only wish it had some descriptions for non traditional items. Ordered the pork tenderloin. It was awesome. Ordered some fried cheese curds which were nice addition. Wife just had a simple burger and onion rings. Definitely would go back. read more

Bob's Drive-Inn - Pork Tenderloin and Cheese curds - Fast Food Near Me - Le Mars, Iowa

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I had the double dogs with meat sauce and a chocolate shake. It was out quick, which was impressive because they were very busy. It's a fun little place worth the price and a friendly atmosphere. Good for a quick lunch or long. read more

I'll more than likely update this review in the future; I had a bit of a mini-experience. My brother and I drove to LeMars to get our first Covid shot and my husband told me I HAD to bring him some some chili cheese dogs from Bob's. I didn't want to try and eat the same thing in the car (assumed it would be messy) so I just got 2 cheese and ketchup dogs for myself. The flavor was great, but I wish the buns were softer. I didn't love that the hotdogs had a bit of a casing on them. I'm not used to having to bite/chew a dog like a do a brat. The cheese was a simple slice of American cheese. Seemed like too little of a hotdog for the price. ($3.50) My husband LOVES the chili cheese dogs. Love them. Even as I'm typing this he said to me, "Don't forget to mention how amazing the chili cheese dogs are!" I did get a chocolate malt. THAT was amazing. I'll try this place again. Used the walk-up window this time. I never did check out the inside. read more

You can beat Bob's meat loaded dogs or taverns in soft and squishy buns, and the chili is also tasty. Over the years they have branched out to offering salads and fish, a big menu expansion from when you could only order dogs, taverns, potato chips and soft serve ice cream many years ago. Take a short detour from highway 75 to enjoy these classic drive up eats and enjoy them inside, on the patio, in the outdoor picnic area or in your car like the old days. read more

Bob's Drive-Inn - Chili with optional onions - Fast Food Near Me - Le Mars, Iowa

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Bob's is a staple in LeMars and NW Iowa for that matter. The "Bob's" dog comes loaded with a natural casing hot dog, loose meat (tavern), and ketchup & mustard. It is very good, but you have the option to order without some of the mentioned ingredients. Our group usually shares the family sized cheese balls with ranch. Also I'd recommend topping of your adventure with a shake for the ride home. Super fresh tasting and the best I've ever had. I go with strawberry every time. Another cool option is you can buy a large quantity of their dogs, buns, and loose meat. So bring your cooler, and recreate this place at home. Makes a great spread for football parties, etc. They have been around for 70+ years so I'm pretty sure they are doing things the right way! I know you will enjoy!! read more

Came to visit my girlfriends hometown and she had been telling me about Bobs for a while. It has a very small town vibe to it which was cool and different from what I'm used to. The woman working the counter was very nice and made me feel welcome! I heard i had to try a famous "Bobs Dog" so that's what I decided to go with. Let me tell you it exceeded the hype i had for it! I know a hot dog doesn't sound crazy but this wasn't just a hot dog. It was a hot dog with "tavern meat" which is basically loose meat, i added cheese and ketchup and from the first bite I was hooked, it was amazing! I also had fries and a Oreo shake which were great too. I started with one dog but immediately after i finished that, I got up and had another. Bobs is worth the hype and I will be stopping here every time I visit LeMars! read more

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Nostalgia? Yes. Actually delicious and tasty? Debatable. We stopped in this past weekend Bob's on our way to Okoboji and I was excited after reading all the reviews. The prices were reasonable, the inside was cute and quaint, and service was friendly enough. Upon receiving their famous hot dog (I was ravished at this point) I ate it and it tasted fine. Nothing to write home about. The meat, ketchup, mustard combo on the top was really good, however, the hot dog itself was meh...In fact, it tasted like they boiled the hot dogs. (Both me and my husband thought so) The fries and onion ring portions were huge, but lacking substantial flavor. Definitely frozen and fried VS. fresh cut and/or fresh battered. Clearly I'm the minority in thinking this since the place was packed and several reviewer rave about it. I would just say try it for yourself and see. I love trying local places when we're driving through, but unfortunately, this was a miss for me. read more

Bob's Drive-Inn - Fast Food Near Me - Le Mars, Iowa

Living in Nebraska my whole life has made this place an extra special treat whenever I visit NW Iowa. Taverns are amazing and the hot dogs are always great. Malts are worth coming in for alone! They are rooted in history and tradition for generations of patrons. I'm 44, and I have no memory of not eating here. It's a regional icon! read more

Its expensive good tasting fastfood. And if you and to add one of their amazing shakes to your order bring your savings. They do have and out door beer garden to ease the pain. read more

My son told me these guys were the best. They did not disappoint. The food was awesome and large servings. Two girls at the front. One was super nice, the other quiet. Thank would have preferred a little less onions but overall the food was nice. read more

I am not a hotdog lover normally but this place is an exception. The Natural casing hotdog, steamed bun, and meat sauce is a fabulous combination. The locals crave these hotdogs year round but the owners close for about 3-4 months in the winter and when they reopen there is a line at the window and folks talk about Bob's hotdogs like the do a sit down meal. Folks who used to live here have to have a Bob's dog when here or passing thru. It has a lasting draw for many years! read more

Loved this cute place, such friendly service and the hot dogs, fries, and onion rings! So yummy!

A classic all around. While the hot dogs are unique and tasty, go for the tavern ( and ask for mustard and pickles). Pair it with onion rings, a side of ranch, and a root beer whip. You won't be disappointed. My mouth is watering... Behind the scenes, this is a local, family-owned business that gives back to the community. They've also provided jobs for hundreds of LeMars teenagers over the years. Great food and great people. That's Bobs. read more

Your real food is kinda gross but I love the blue goo ice cream. It so so good. You need more seating or smth.

Ms T and I used cheap AA flights to Sioux City as an excuse to pursue a few "taverns". After a night at Miles Inn in Sioux City, we followed the recommendation of an old friend who grew up in LeMars and motored up to Bob's Drive-In for lunch. This is another great place that is worthy of its reputation. The tavern was very good. The meat was moist and not unseasoned like some loosemeats. It almost had a little sauce in the meat. The onion was light, and the mustard and pickle made it perfect. I also had to have a Bob Dog. The hot dog is a Wimmers, with nice pop and flavor. It made a good combo with the tavern meat, also with mustard, onion and pickle. Bob's fried cheese balls are rubbery, not greasy. They are very good. You need to eat them hot and they are very good. Bob's is an wonderful, honest roadside drive-in. It was bustling at noon on a Friday and I suspect this is typical. It is a genuine slice of America. read more

Best cheese balls in the region! We stopped here recently while visiting and was very glad we did! Cute little place with good fast food. The walking taco was messy inside the bag, but I didn't mind. It was a lot of food for under $5. French fries were perfect! Staff was very friendly. Can't wait to visit again! read more

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Amazing family restaurant with an amazing menu for ALL appetites!!! The owner staffs his restaurant with only the best of the best and is SUCH a nice guy! The kids love working with Nate!!! read more

Always flawlessly amazing... love hometown goodness and great service. Sometimes a wait, always worth the wait. Great prices for quality food!! read more

Great food! No burgers, but lots of everything else. Quick, easy and good. Great deep fried stuff!

Best hot dogs ever! We drive from Colorado to Iowa to visit my Grandma one every other year & Bobs is our first meeting place to eat & meet family, every time! My Mom, Cheri Nemmers absolutely loved this place growing up. It's truly an iconic place to eat & see a piece of LeMars history. They also have amazing loose meat taverns. 5 stars all the way for Bob's Drive Inn! read more

Bob's Drive-Inn - Fast Food Near Me - Le Mars, Iowa

Wow ! I love Bob's natural casing dogs, but the new menu offering tops that, IMHO ! The Pulled Pork sandwich is one of the best I've ever tasted ! The flavor of the pork even without the BBQ sauce was outstanding. Juicy with pickles and BBQ sauce on top ! Delicious ! 5 stars ! read more

Go for the loose meat (tavern sandwich). Cheese curds we're okay. Don't stay for too long.

We have been going here for years but will not return. The hot dog has changed, used to have a pop when you ate it, but no more.

This has been a long time my favorite place to stop and eat when in this part of Iowa visiting family. I can remember Bob's back in the day when he first opened his doors. Damn, am I that old? lol Used to have car hops and this was a true drive in. Still serves some of the best food in the town. Will always stop here for a bite. read more

I've never loved a wiener so much! I'm not what you would call a Hot Dog Person. Sure, I've been around the block a couple of times, and have a weakness for those cheese-filled hot dogs that you but at the grocery store that I crave on holiday weekends in the summertime. But I digress! Bob's became known to me because I have great grandparents from LeMars and my mom also grew up here. We'd drive up to visit my great-grandma and stock up on Bob's tavern meat covered hot dogs as if we were about to experience an apocalypse and would have to survive solely on hot dogs alone. We would drive the 2 hours back to Omaha and freeze the rest to heat up, trying to space them out to prolong the savoring. I'm sure I've probably had other things at Bob's, they have several other things on the list, but I just can't get past their first and most signature item. It's just called "hot dog" on the menu, but it is much more. They stuff their own casings and when you bit into it, it "pops" if that is the right word for it. And they cover their hot dogs with tavern meat, which is delicious seasoned beef. These Midwest folks know how to do carnivore style. The usual toppings are onions, ketchup and mustard. This hot dog is, HANDS DOWN THE BEST hot dog, sausage, etc I have ever had. And I've been to Germany! This last time I also indulged in a shake. LeMars calls itself the ice cream capital of the world. They have a multitude of delicious flavors and they will let you combine two of the flavors. I had a hot fudge marshmallow. Yummy! The girls that work there are super sweet and respectful, and you just can't get this kind of delicious experience for under $3 anywhere. I love Bob's, I'll be a fan for life and I hope they are always there... read more

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Hrmmm....I'm wavering on this one. I lean towards a low-ish 3 for the "tavern," which, in case you weren't aware, is a loosemeats sandwich. Not really my thing, but apparently an exemplary sample of a loosemeats. I do realize, however, that I had a completely bastardized version of the loosemeats when I ordered it with lettuce. I know I know, WTF was I thinking?! Anyway, I have a hunch that I likely wouldn't have dug it without the lettuce, too, considering um...loose meat is just kind of...um...gross. That aside, the malt here was DELICIOUS and ginormous and only $2. The cheese balls (which are essentially fried cheese curds) were awesomeness in all their non-greased up, cholesterol-skyrocketing, heart attack-inducing perfection. You heard me -- NOT greased up. *gasp* Also, (dare I say it...?) I thought the cheese balls were better than...cheese curds had in WISCONSIN. *throws down the gauntlet* You heard me! BETTER! HA! Anyway, overall I'd say this place is pretty awesome for a road-side, road-trip staple. And heck, let's face it: if you survive as a divey kind of place in small-ish town Iowa for 50 years, you've gotta be servng something that keeps 'em coming back for more. read more

Every time I come to Le Mars I eat here. The tavern that they have is the best, ground meat in a seasoned sauce on a freshly baked bun. Must stop after four... The hot dog is my second favorite. So meaty, the bun perfect. Then there's the cheese balls and the malts and it's all good. Enjoy! read more

Another have to get out of the house weekend. Long drive and ended up in LeMars, Iowa. Hey this is the Ice Cream Capital of the United States! But that's another review. Bob's is the epitome of a Roadfood dive. Excellent food , good service and outdoor seating. The big draw is the hot dogs with meat sauce. Actually with everything except ketchup. Fries are top notch and won't disappoint. A real variety of customers , so just being entertained by the atmosphere gives this place more than it looks. Sunday afternoon and this place was stacked up, you be prepared to wait just a bit. Fun place and the food is great. Plenty of parking, use your map to find. It will sneak up on you. Now for some Ice Cream!!!....... read more

Bobs has been a staple in our family since my parents were little! It's the best! We love the taverns and the hot dogs with meat sauce! The buns are always fresh and quality is amazing! The staff are always friendly and its remained the same for as long as I can remember! Thanks Bobs! read more

Great food. It is made to order so can take a bit to make. If in a hurry, call ahead. Love the root beer freeze!

Bob's Drive-Inn is an absolute staple for anyone living in the area- they keep a simple menu that revolves around what they do best, hot dogs. Not a "fake" old restaurant, a real one. read more

Good Food, fast, inexpensive and tasty. The staff wasn't all that experienced or knowledgeable about the menu, but super friendly and thoughtful. No complaints. read more

Every time I'm back in My hometown of Le Mars Bob's is a MUST!!! Tuesday night went in late, it was busy but received my order within minutes, hot and fresh, the Hot Fudge shake was perfect. If the owners, (who happen to be amazing people and support their community at every turn) want to branch out farther than Arnold's Park....Seattle needs you!!!! Bob's hires local high school kids and they always carry-on the tradition of being friendly, fast and courteous. If you are thinking of a new business, follow Bob's business model and you will be a success. read more