History:

"Walking into the Iowa cafe simply makes me feel like I'm home again...."

 

Ruth Cavendar formerly of Mount Ayr, Iowa, established the The Iowa Cafe in 1985.  Ruth�s home style cooking set the standard for the Caf� that still lives on 20 years later.   Ruth not only started the Caf�, but she is still in many ways the heart of our home made pies. Ruth�s sister Shirley also was a big part of the Caf� from the beginning. Both sisters home made pies are not only award winning, they have also won the taste buds of everyone that visits the caf� from our locals to the visitors we get from all over the country.  Over the years, Ruth�s presence has been that of a mother, to the friends and employee�s of the Iowa Caf�.

 The Iowa Caf� was then passed on to Dani From Ruth, along with it�s many traditions. Dani was a waitress at the Caf� for 10 years. Dani became owner from October 1999-Febuary 2005.  Even though Dani wasn�t from Iowa, she carried on many of the down to earth traditions and started a few more of her own, that helped make the Caf� so popular.  Dani then passed the Iowa Caf� on to another employee in March 2005. Pam Ohsman, who worked at the Caf� for 6 years over the winter months decided to buy the Caf� when it came up for sale, making the Iowa Caf� owned again by another Iowan. 

Pam Ohsman like Ruth is another �True Blue Iowa Gal�. She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Pam ended up in Mesa, Arizona area in 1995. Splitting her time between Iowa and Arizona for 10 years.  She has now devoted her place of residence and her time to living in Arizona and the Iowa Caf�.  Pam, just like Ruth and Dani is keeping that home style cooking, down to earth atmosphere in place and bringing in some new ideas of her own. Pam is not only selling the famous pies and cinnamon rolls, there is also something new that is dear to her own taste buds at the caf�.  The Kolache! A wonderful sweet bread, filled with assorted fruit fillings, and just a slight hint of sweetness to top it off.  Once you have had one you�ll surely be back for another. 

Here at The Iowa Caf�, there are many things that bring customers in from all over. The Famous Pork Tenderloins, home made pies, down home cookin, and the just plain friendly small Caf� atmosphere. The Iowa Caf� is such a down to earth place to have a nice breakfast, lunch, or dinner customers have been know to join strangers at a table instead of sitting alone when the place is hoppin. Go ahead get to know that nice couple at the table sitting next to you. Just a couple of more ways the friendly atmosphere continues to grow.

Come on in today for some good home cookin in a home style family setting.

 

PS - Be sure not to leave with out trying one of our many award winning  homemade pies!