I got the ribs special. They were extremely tender fall off the bone delicious. The sauce was awesome. Mashed potatoes were ok. The rotini and cheese was good. The staff were really nice. Lots of locals. Seems like a favorite among the local residents. Nice and cozy. read more

Cook's Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

See all

Just like down home! Sometimes you have to wait for abit for your food but it's worth the wait.

My wife and I have driven by this place a few times, so we decided to give it a try and we were glad we did. Environment was great and service was even better, but our food was fantastic and look forward to stopping by again read more

We had a nice walk from HPI (just under a mile) to this cute cafe. Our waitress was very responsive and took care of us nicely... hubby had steak and eggs and said it was delicious!!! I think he ate everything on his plate . I ordered eggs Benedict with hash browns, the taste was ok, but my eggs were over done and had the consistency of a hard boiled egg, the ham and English muffin were good but the consistency and flavor of the hollandaise wasn't quite "on"... I think perhaps they were a bit busy today... So for us today, a mixed experience which means we will be back ... read more

Cook's Cafe - Eggs and home style potato - Cafes Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

When we travel, we like to find little hole in the wall restaurants, especially for breakfast. This looked like the perfect spot. . . . Until we got there. We waited for 5 minutes at a booth, but the only people we saw were 3 tables of regulars (I assume). At this point, we got up to leave, never seeing a single employee. We decided to go across town to village court family restaurant. We had our coffee poured and orders taken in less than 3 minutes. Maybe we will try Cook's again, but not anytime soon. read more

Cook's is a relaxing place to get breakfast or lunch. We have gone there for 13 years now. Always good service. Great food. Good price. They knew our order within 3 visits. I love the decor. Especially the cow closeup. read more

Service was great! The people were very nice and friendly, made us feel welcomed. The atmosphere was pleasant and welcoming, felt like I was in my grandparents retro home. We enjoyed the picture frames hung on the wall and the throwback movies playing on the tv. With that being said, I ordered a stuffed omelette that I did not particularly enjoy due to the cheese slice they used and the hash browns were badly burnt. My partner ordered a 2 egg, sausage link, and hash brown meal and did not enjoy any of it. As we made our way out, we stopped in the restrooms and there was no lock on the women's door and neither restrooms were particularly clean. Personally, would not visit again due to the food. read more

We were looking forward to a pork tenderloin on our way to catch a flight from MSP, but gave up and had to leave hungry after waiting 35 minutes for our food. The place wasn't even that busy. read more

No. Just no. First time I ever gave them a try, I ordered a bfast sandwich. When I got it, it was just a piece of bacon on burnt English muffin. I was like, doesn't it come with egg and cheese? "Yes" then where is it? Mind you, I waited almost 40 mins for that. But 5 for the new one, wtf? Then the second chance I gave them, there was only 6 other tables in the restaurant, who already had their food. But after we order for only 4 people. They told us it'd take an hour. We left. Worst experience of food, service, quality and timing. Don't go here. Cook is way too old to keep up with timing and effects quality of food. I'm pissed at this place and highly don't recommend if your trying to be quick, big party or high expectations. read more

I really enjoyed this place. the homey atmosphere was terrific. you were made to feel welcome. the food is tasty. it's not a large place. the staff there all seem to be happy. if you go, be prepared for a wait. read more

This was a gem in the rough. We thought it was closed as we drive by. Called and went back. I was looking forward to a good "home cooked" eggs benedict. When we got there the environment was clean and had a very homey feel. Everyone knew everyone in there. My family and I ordered food. Mom got chicken nuggets, excellent-the blend of mild spice was great! Dad got chicken fried steak, good but small portion, cousin got biscuits and gravey, his report was they were good. And I got the eggs Benedict, it was good but my eggs were over cooked. The reason for the 4 stars and not 5 was that it took A LONG TIME to get our food. We waited over 40 min and had to get it to go due plans. read more

Cook's Cafe - Menu - Cafes Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

See all

I came here at 10 am on a Sunday. The server said it would be a long wait. I didn't mind, and ordered a Spanish omelette with some home fries. 50 minutes passed and the server told me that my order was next off the grill. I watched regulars come and go with full stomachs. I guess if you're not a regular you are put at the bottom of the list. I never got my food and left in frustration at 11:30. I cannot believe I sat there for 90 minutes waiting for an omelette. And I'm still hungry! I had no idea my first time there would also be my last. Will never return. read more

I found restuarant on Yelp. The review said not to judge by the outside which is accurate. My husband and I had breakfast on a Sunday. They had a special for Denver omelet and loaded hash browns. I got the omelet and it was cooked perfectly and tasted great. My husband got the loaded hashbrowns and side of french toast. He enjoyed both as well. The portions are appropriate and not huge. The prices are good and we both had breakfast for $15. It was a great little hometown restaurant with good food at great prices. read more

Very good basic breakfast for a reasonable price. Our server was very pleasant, food took a little long (considering it wasn't busy) but we would return read more

WE NEVER EVEN GOT TO EAT! The lady who greeted us said to have a seat anywhere. Four of us sat down at a table. We told them there were more of our party coming. There was another table with 8 seats and several booths empty. There were 9 more coming in. They could have set us in different areas. The lady (who may have been the owner) says "WE DONT HAVE ROOM! We have a clan coming in (to sit in the 8 spots at the big table)!" She turned and walked away. So we got up and left. They could have offered to seat us at different tables. I will NEVER give them a shot again! The place looked like a dump on the outside, but after reading reviews we thought we would give it a try. Food may be good, but they do not deserve our business!!! Sad for the waitress, because she was nice and she would have made some excellent tip money, since we are all 20% + tippers!!! read more

Great old school diner. Looked like there was only two people working.....,the owner and his wife. We had great service and the breakfast was really good. I wasn't sure what to think when I walked in but we were both glad we stayed. The waitress was so nice. It was like I was getting breakfast at grandmas. read more

Definitely a place to go if you need to kill time in the morning, or just like sitting down and chatting with your family for a while. They definitely take their time BUT it's all made fresh nothing is pre made or pre heated up. A perfect little old café, my favorite is the country combo for breakfast with an English muffin! read more

Tony and Anita run a first rate mom and pop breakfast restaurant. This place is extremely clean, neat and organized. The loaded omlet is one of the best I've ever had. Don't let the outside exterior fool you... This is a former dive bar that is now a great place to grab breakfast. read more

Cook's Cafe - From the front. Dont let this exterior make you run. Best breakfast in the area. - Cafes Near Me - Mason City, Iowa

Don't let the appearance scare you away, breakfast was great! Seems to draw locals, always a good sign. Basic breakfast menu for a smaller cafe -- eggs, omlettes, pancakes, biscuits & gravy. I had a 2 egg omelette with toast & my husband had an egg sandwich on a homemade buttermilk biscuit. Very good. Iced tea is brewed not from a mix. Coffee was good. Total bill? $8! Open for breakfast at 5:00 AM. Lunch menu starts at 11:00 AM and they are open until 2:00 PM. I would definitely have breakfast here again. read more

Small local cafe that looks rough on the outside but is clean and nice inside. Watch for the small sign on the storefront and consider turning down the 'alley' and parking in back. I had Mac 'n cheese with smoked sausage for lunch. It came with a breaded tomato slice that was interestingly spiced and quite good and I added a size salad. My wife had the Hawaiian chicken sandwich. Good but could have used a bit more sweet/sour sauce. Salad was basic iceberg affair but tasty with homemade buttery croutons. Iced tea was good. Total bill was $20 with good tip. Our waitress was pleasant and prompt and the entree was timed nicely after the salad. I plan to try it out for breakfast soon. read more