Preview built by HIVEMIND SOLUTIONS, not the official site.
The Grove CafeMain Street · Ames

Open 6am every day but Sunday (7am)

Breakfast & lunch · 124 Main St, Ames

Pancakes as big as the plate.

A downtown Ames diner since 1948. Everything is cooked to order, right across the counter from you, and there's no microwave in the kitchen.

Call (515) 232-9784 See the menu
Made from scratchCash or check onlyDaily lunch specialWeekend breakfast specials
Our story

Same counter. Same corner of Main. Since 1948.

There's been a cafe at 124 Main Street since 1912, and it has been The Grove since 1948. Owner Larry Goodale usually cooks the morning shift himself, talking with the regulars while their food hits the grill. The grill sits right across from the counter, so you can watch your breakfast get made.

Cooked to order
No microwave
Cash or check only
Downtown Ames
Best
Breakfast
in Iowa2011 · 2018
Twice over

Iowa's best breakfast. Twice.

Food Network Magazine picked The Grove's pancakes as the best breakfast in Iowa in 2011, and again in 2018.

Source: Iowa State Daily, Sept. 2022

Game day

Breakfast before kickoff.

Doors open at 6am on Saturdays, so Cyclone fans can fuel up before tailgating no matter when the game starts. Football Saturdays usually get busy by about 8:30, so come early.

Hours & directions

From the grill

Your photos go here.

[Photo: a stack of Grove pancakes]
Your own photo, added at launch.

[Photo: the counter and grill]
Your own photo, added at launch.

[Photo: the Main Street storefront]
Your own photo, added at launch.

Visit

124 Main Street, downtown Ames.

The Grove Cafe

124 Main Street
Ames, Iowa 50010

(515) 232-9784

Find us on Facebook

Cash or check only · Non-smoking

Hours

  • Monday6am – 2pm
  • Tuesday6am – 2pm
  • Wednesday6am – 2pm
  • Thursday6am – 2pm
  • Friday6am – 2pm
  • Saturday6am – noon
  • Sunday7am – noon

[Confirm hours and holiday closures before launch.]

Open in Google Maps →
Call (515) 232-9784