Went here for late breakfast. Had been being advised to check it out for months now but it's not…read moreconvenient to get to from where I live. Anyway. Finally went here and I was not let down. There were only 3 gals working the entire time taking care of cooking and bartending and waiting on everyone in the estaishment. Definitely efficient and friendly staff. We ordered drinks and breakfast. Both were quickly served. My breakfast burger was delicious with layers ofhashbriwns and eggs and bacon and a burger. The diced potatoes were also great. My partner had the meat lovers omlette and was very happy with the entire meal. My only complaint is the price of the state fair lemonade (vodka lemonade) was 8.50$ which a typical vodka lemonade or cranberry is 6$. However it was delicious and the prices in this area are just typically higher than other areas so I do understand. I'd definitely go back again for food & drinks!

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 5*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $20 04/01/2025 We have stopped here a few times since the last review, including a Trivia Night with a great taco value (unfortunately, we ate before the last minute invite to join a team there) - but hadn't taken the time to update my review. We stopped for their Tuesday night Burger Special...which left me wondering why we weren't going there every Tuesday night for burgers! I ordered a Burger (of course - see picture) and was thoroughly impressed with it! Usually when you ask for a medium rare burger, it is brought out medium well to well done. Not only was the burger excellent (a little beyond medium rare, but at least some heavy pink in the middle), but the bun and the lattice fry sides were all delicious! Unfortunately, I gave up alcohol for Lent...so didn't have a beer with the burger - but you can bet that I'll be back for both after Easter! If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

Best breakfast in a very long time! Hashbrowns awesome & the…read morebiscuits & gravy were great....

Love this place. Great atmosphere. Fun little hole in the wall. Always get the special, great foodread more

Definitely a unique experience. You get to grill your own steak/meal. All of the sides are…read moreexcellent. Great social atmosphere and good for a big group.

$65 for a ribeye...not even prime... and I have to cook it…read more Great business model if it works. Not impressed.

Ya gotta love the smell of old grease and cigarettes... but the locals speak highly of it and…read morethere's not many choices in the corn fields.

Best tenderloin around! I will be taking a detour when I'm on I-80 to get to Hamlin and have one!…read moreHomemade pie selection is amazing as well!

This place is worth a side trip off of I80- fantastic coffee, breakfast sandwiches and the Beignets…read moreare out of this world! You cant have just one!

Excellent service! We had a great time at our family reunion in their private dining room. Awesome…read morebreaded tenderloin.

About a 40 min drive from West Des Moines, but definitely doable if you want to step outside of the…read moremetro a little. Tojo's is a cash or check place (no cards). There is an ATM available on site. It's obviously a mostly local spot, but I've heard their tenderloin is legendary. It's literally labeled "famous" on the menu. Jamaica is a small town (193 people as of 2021) with a Main street composed of less than ten or so buildings. Tojo's sits right across from their post office. It's easy to find. When you enter the restaurant you step through the outside door into a mud room, and then through another solid door to the dining area. It's seat yourself. Our server and the cook were at a table visiting as we walked in and greeted us right away. It's seat yourself. We picked a booth and sat down. Seating here is a mix of booths along the wall, tables and chairs, and stools at the bar. It's an old school rural Iowa bar and grill and it's got typical laid back old school rural Iowa ambience. We both had to do the Famous Tenderloin. We also ordered Nashville hot cheeseballs and mushrooms along with our drinks. Our drink orders were taken right away and our food orders shortly after. Everything hit the table fresh out of the fryer hot after a short wait. If you're a tenderloin fan this is a must try and you need to make the drive. Plate sized, a little thicker, and the breading brings Nick's or The Lucky Pig to mind if I had to compare it to others. You're asked if you want onions, pickles, lettuce, and tomato. Mustard and ketchup are provided on the table. Mayo is available if you're a sick person (like my gf). Lol Unless I can get a little chili and cheese I stick to the holy trinity. Onions, pickles, and mustard. A surprise was the Nashville hot cheeseballs. For cheeseballs these bring the heat. Unlike pepperjack, jalapeño, and other variations of cheeseballs the spice is in the breading. It builds. One...you can taste it. Two...it's really obvious. Three or four in a row...FIRE! It's not going to torch you but you're definitely going to feel the burn. I mentioned it's cash or check only right? We paid and continued on our trip up to our destination in Carroll. We reached our first stop and we were missing a wallet... A quick phone call revealed it had been left in Jamaica. They'd even already made a Facebook post trying to locate us! A couple of quick questions to identify it and they let us know it was secured and we could pick it up on our way home. Most of us carry our lives in our walllets and our phones anymore... We changed plans and headed right back to grab that wallet and ended our trip in Jefferson rather than Carroll before heading back to the metro. Side note: If you're into antiques and thrifting check out Gilroy's Antiques in Jefferson. The owner is 95, sweet as apple pie, and will unfortunately be closing her business next summer. Art deco glass, vintage dinnerware, vintage tools, smalls of every kind, furniture, etc. A real hidden gem of a shop. I'm thankful to the staff at Tojo's who took care of us today...above and beyond. Definitely a five star tenderloin and service! https://www.facebook.com/Tojos-Bar-Grille-308512123061732/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

I have wanted to stop here for a while but I don't always have a reason to go to Jamaica, IA…read more Actually, I had no reason to go here...until now. On a bike ride recently, off the beaten path, we found ourselves in Jamaica, IA and decided to give it a try. This is another AWESOME Iowa hidden-gem. There is something so seductive about being able to drive to a tiny town, not far from DSM, and eat some of the best food that not many others know about. Yes, I used the terms "seductive" and "food" together We walked in with every intention of ordering 2 of the prize winning tenderloin sandwich. Upon entry to a small, dimly lit bar with mismatched tables, chairs, booths and a long bar, we popped a squat at the bar seeing as how most of the tables were taken. After sitting down at the bar, I immediately noticed (through the open kitchen) a gigantic prime rib under a heating lamp. The massive mound of meat was literally calling out my name and saying "EAT ME, J!" Figuring that the prime rib knew best, as my love for this cut of steak gets me every time, so we opted for a small prime rib dinner and a tenderloin sandwich. The prime rib dinner on Friday nights comes with a choice of potato side, Texas toast and a salad. The options are only large prime rib or small prime rib. I ordered the "small" prime rib. Here is where the excitement, amazingness and mouthwatering enticement comes into play. Their "small" prime rib was easily 2 pounds of meat. Rare just how I like it, and an amazing dry rub on the outside, au jus serve directly over the meat (instead of as a side, which is fine by me), this was quite possibly one of the best prime ribs I have ever had. And to find it at this little hidden gem, off a beaten path, in a small town with not much else, this find was even more exciting. The pictures I took do it no justice; it is about 2in thick and a foot across. As big as it is, the flavor is just as massive. I opted for curly fries, which were phenomenal. Not soggy or overlooked, they were perfectly golden brown and not greasy. House salad was basic but great. Tenderloin sandwich was also spectacular. I understand why it's award winning! Not pounded flat, the size of a dinner plate, and loaded with L.T.P.O. as an option, this sammich is worth the drive (or bike ride) from Des Moines! In fact, I'm already planning my next visit. Service from bartender was very fitting and enjoyable. She was server, bartender, part-time cook, bus girl...everything, and all with a great attitude, big smile and welcoming personality. If you haven't tried this place, you are actually missing out on an experience. Looking for something to do one day, hop in your car, motorcycle or on a bike and get out to Tojos. $43.00 for all that food and 2 cold beers (which we didn't even drink because we wanted to savor the belly room for more food!)!!! Worth every penny.

What a fun place for a small town. We decided this Friday…read moreevening to take out a couple friends who lived in Adel. They suggested some food and bowling. We went in on a Friday evening expecting the place to be packed. For some reason this evening it was quiet. The staff were very friendly. I was able to easily order a drink. Our friends were able to easily order food. They got burgers and cheese balls. My friend got a pizza burger. The evening started to get exciting when the lights dimmed and the lasers and black lights started. The price was right for a few games and shoes. We had a really good time bowling and enjoying the music. The staff said usually the Fridays were busier but this one we somehow had the place to ourselves. I would recommend this for a fun night out with friends or family. There are also video games and a full bar. I think we will be back especially if we could party with the place to ourselves.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the kitchen here. They make a great patty melt and the fries…read moreare delicious. For a great bowling experience, the remodeling makes this bowling alley a winner.

Wow! I can't believe this place has been in Adel for over 20 years and I haven't tried it until…read morenow. We live about 20-25 minutes away and I thought that it was worth the trip! Atmosphere: Mom and Pop quaint shop with mostly tables of 2-4 and one round table for 5-6 people. Service: We meet one half of the owners, which was the wife, (husband is main chef and she cooks too if they get busy) and she was very nice and helpful in choosing dishes. Food: Combo Lo Mein -5/5 May be my absolute fave Lo Mein noodles. Great flavors and even better when it's made spicy! Sesame Chicken: 5/5 Kiddos loved this and even asked if we could order an extra portion of this to take home. Crispy and not overly saucy. Kung Pao Chicken: 4/5 Great flavors and abundant in veggies, which I love. Sauce is delicious! My middle son also loved their Teriyaki Chicken Skewers. He gives them a 4/5, said it could be saucier but we thought there was more than enough sauce on it. All in all, we would definitely be back to order more of our top three dishes and 1-2 more dishes to try again. We have eaten here for takeout and dine in. Both were fantastic but dine in is just this much better because the food comes out so quick and fresh!

This is a review of the service I received. I called to place an order and asked if 2 specific…read moreitems had tomato or cod fish in the ingredients due to a guests allergies and I was told there is no way to be sure. I asked if anyone cooking could know and she said no. If you are making the items fresh in the kitchen - wouldn't someone be able to confirm the ingredients? Very strange.