Stopped in for our first visit ever here and we were both really blown away by the great service, the great food and the low prices. A full buffet lunch with multiple meats, multiple salads and three different soups for $7.99 - which includes the drink. Wow. That feels like something from the 1990s. But it's 2018 and Dave's is a throwback to the time when gravies were made from pan drippings - not out of a can or a bag. The gravy was so good that I asked about it and that's when I found out it was still being done the old fashioned way. Double WOW. The salads were also top notch as were the soups. So great to find a restaurant gem like this when you least expect it. If you've not been to Dave's - you're really missing out. And their hot beef plate with that homemade beef gravy is WELL worth the effort to visit Charles City. Highly recommended. We're BIG fans. I will say it for the third time - WOW. read more

Service is always horrible. We have given this restaurant many chances thinking maybe it will get better. Every single time we've been there, we wait a minimum of 10 minutes before we are offered drinks. Today we had to actually get up to find someone to give our drink order to! We are left waiting Every. Single. Time. Food is mediocre. The breakfast buffet is equal to the free continental breakfast at a hotel... You know the stuff that is microwaved & processed, not homemade. We are very forgiving on service as nobody is perfect & everyone has a bad day. The restaurant is clean. Today was the breaking point for us. We will go to Floyd or New Hampton for breakfast from now on. Dave's is definitely not worth my time or money. read more

From the moment I walked into Dave's establishment I knew I was at home. Our party was instantly greeted with hospitality and dare I say love. Both of the waitresses were excellent and made in-depth conversation with each member of our large party. The pricing was fantastic and I had plenty of leftover funding for a massive tip. Jazzy was a loving soul who took care of each of us. Cindy indulged each of us with plenty of witty banter and left us all with a smile on our face. While my first trip to Dave's was very short, the memories I made will last a lifetime. Rest in peace Dave, we'll be back soon. read more

I was disappointed the last time I was there, there were dirty tables everywhere and the staff was more concerned about keeping the buffet filled. The food was okay but I had to grab our silverware and almost my drinks as well. :( read more

Great food, great service, waitress was super busy but made us feel welcomed and was very good!

Their food is super good, but I waited forever to even get asked what I'd like to drink. Then, once I had ordered my food, I sat for another 20-25 minutes for said food. Now, I understand that it takes a bit to make food for a bunch of people, but the place wasn't even that full. I was also asked if I'd like a lemon for the tea I ordered, and waited 30 minutes until the server had even noticed that I never got it. read more

This is where Charles City goes to eat good food. Reasonably priced comfort food with good service and plenty of locals. Love this place.

This place is very welcoming you feel like a local in here. I like sitting at the breakfast bar and watch the waitresses and the cooks, it's where all the action is. The food has always been very good. Their sausages link or patty are the best I've had. The prices are very reasonable with tip it's under $10 most times. They only do breakfast and lunch. There is always a buffet and Fri. night they are open for dinner. read more

Very great food and fast service and very friendly And I very clean restroom and !!! read more

Hands down some of the best food. We love going on Saturday or Sunday mornings for the buffets. Helpful and friendly staff. Reasonably priced. You won't be disappointed. read more

this is one of the best restaurants here in Charles city. the foods amazing, the staffs great, gives you a great family feel. I love this place if I could give more than 5 stars I definitely would!! read more

This is a top notch establishment. I ate lunch here, every day, for the better part of two months or more, and never once did I have a bad meal or walked out the door unsatisfied. It wasn't too spendy or too cheap. All the servers are incredibly accommodating, the atmosphere is comfortable and warm, the staff are always friendly, even when we'd tease them a little bit. I don't think I'd ever need to go back down to Charles City again but I'd recommend Dave's to anyone that does. read more

Classic Iowa home cooking! Clean and friendly. We had the Rueben sandwiches which were excellent! Lean corned beef, just enough sauerkraut on wonderful homemade bread! Homemade chocolate pie was a treat. Take the Charles City exit and don't miss this restaurant. read more

OK I have been there for breakfast, buffet, and lunch. This review will focus on the fabulous pies you can order from here. I homemade to order pie for under 15.00? YES please!!!! I have ordered several and OMG they are fantastic. I hate crust and ate the crust and loved! loved! loved it! Their food is awesome as is the fantastic staff but the pies are what I dream about. If you are in the area you MUST pop in for a meal or call a few days ahead of time for an entire pie to go. read more

Cute fun place with ample space, and great buffet. Let's be honest, the only thing around here is McDonald's, at least this is real, small town, food. The Brunch buffet on Sunday is clearly a big draw, with multiple kinds of meat, same old scrambled eggs, but plenty of fresh fruit, french toast and pancakes. Two of us got out of there for $14. You can't really complain about that. This was down home hospitality too. There was plenty of refills, and nice conversation with the waitress. Pass through Charles City and stop by! It's the last thing for miles that doesn't come in a sack! read more

Food was exceptional as usual. The homeade sausage gravy is probably my favorite item. The service is always top notch!!

Good taste of Iowa! After traveling 1300 miles, we parked our RV out front and Dave himself came out to greet us. They gave us good food, wonderful, friendly hospitality and some of the best broasted chicken I have ever had. (Roasted and fried pure goodness.) In summary, go here because they will treat you right and you will leave full and happy! Thanks, Dave! read more

Stopped for lunch, always looking for something new. All I can say is if you're ever driving and you're hungry stop here. Family run, home cooking. I had an open face hot beef with homemade mashed potatoes and gravy and it was $6. Unbelievably low prices across the menu. Oh, and did I mention it's HOMEMADE!! Simply the best. I will be stopping here whenever I'm in the area. Ps - spent 15 minutes or so talking to Dave. What a nice guy. read more

Stopped in for breakfast. Great coffee, prices are cheap! Food was amazing - got the "Little Daddy" (hash browns, 2 eggs, sausage gravy). Highly recommend! read more

The Sunday buffet is excellent at a very attractive price. Be prepared for a large crowd, but the restaurant seats quite a few. Buffet has good selections and there is an omelet station. The food is not really fancy, but selection should have enough choices to please anyone with an appetite. Desert bar has some goodies too. Waitress was very nice. We will return. Place is easy to find--right along the main road. read more

Stopped in for lunch and was pleased to find that they serve breakfast all day. Great food and low prices! Pancakes were sweet and delicious, and the sausage and bacon were cooked just right! We had great service too. Highly recommend this place. read more

The noon buffet is the big draw for this restaurant. The buffet has two meats, potatoes, soups and salads, plus your drink is included. What I like about this place is that it's fast and the food is good. The staff here is really friendly. But if you eat here too much it gets repetitive, it seems like they serve the same food every week. read more

Dave and his staff did a wonderful job catering my daughter's wedding. We had ample selections, the food tasted great, the price was great and the staff was pleasant. Dave was so accommodating of our requests and his experience in the catering business showed. We also received several compliments from our guests. Thank you! read more

Went for lunch yesterday, not impressed! Had the buffet and your choice was sloppy joes or Ham balls! Yuck! Maybe this a Iowa thing, but they were really bad, green beans were not cooked well, my husband said they had a good breakfast I will take his word on it, because I will never go back to the place! read more

The Sunday Brunch is very good, and they are always very busy. Breakfast during the week is less than impressive. I was very disappointed in the hash browns that seemed to have just a bit of potato with the oil... read more

Just like my grandpa's biscuits and gravy! Little bit of a kick- just the right amount and fluffy biscuits!

Excellent everything!! We were in the area for a wedding, had lunch buffet on Sat. Enjoyed it so much came back for the breakfast buffet on Sun and was wowed even more. Fantastic omelet bar, great homemade food & attentive service. Almost makes you want to move to Charles city! read more

Great find! We were there for the Sunday buffet. Nothing fancy, but a good standard breakfast at an EXCELLENT price. Will go again next time we are passing through town. read more

No ambience, but very friendly service. Food was obviously made from scratch, but nothing fancy. The buffet was not extensive but adequate. Today, Sunday, a combination of breakfast and lunch. Good place for big eaters at $10.00. read more

Stopped in for lunch and had the meatloaf buffet. Meatloaf was excellent as were the mashed potatoes. Smothered chicken was ok.