This Is the Best Buffet in Iowa, Known for Its Selection

Hear me out on this one. I'm not much of a buffet guy. I prefer to order what I want, have it brought to my table, enjoy it, and then leave, rather than paying to choose from a bunch of pre-selected items that I may not even have ordered in the first place. That's why my favorite buffet in Iowa is not your typical, all-you-can-eat for one price affair. Rather, it's a place where you can choose from a variety of à la carte selections, build your own mess of a meal, and get what you want without paying for a bunch of stuff you're not going to eat or contributing to food waste. It's called Graze, and if you haven't tried it already, I think you should.

You'll find Graze in downtown Iowa City, near the intersection of South Dubuque and East Court Streets. Known for its award-winning catering, this casual eatery near the University of Iowa campus (what isn't "near campus" in downtown Iowa City, though, right?) has received hundreds of glowing reviews, so I thought I'd better give it a try. I was not disappointed.

Tucked into a strip of businesses below a parking ramp, Graze is an unassuming counter-service restaurant with a deli kind of vibe, but it's quite a bit different when it comes to its offerings, which include a "quick serve buffet." The house specialties are pizza, made with Graze's signature sourdough crust, and "chicken lips," which are tender slices of chicken breast rolled in flour and buttermilk, fried to order, and tossed in a mild buffalo sauce.

You'll also find tacos, meatballs, and complete meal options, including grilled chicken and pasta. It all comes up fast and takes about the same amount of time as paying and walking through a buffet line. The beauty, however, is you only order and pay for what you want.

I ordered a "small" graze salad (it was huge), a slice of veggie pizza, one chicken lip, and a side of dim sum green beans. Everything was delicious. The beans were crunchy and flavorful, the sourdough pizza crust was light and crispy (just how I like it), and the red sauce was tangy with a hint of spice. The salad was loaded with stuff that wasn't lettuce, which I really appreciate, but the standout may have been the chicken lip. It was my first time trying one, and it was tender, spicy, and creamy, thanks to the buttermilk breading and buffalo sauce—definitely not your average strip. The total came to just over $20, and I had leftovers—so I was able to graze (see what I did there) on my lunch for the rest of the day as I continued along on my road trip, which is something I could not have done had I stopped at a typical buffet.

Next time you're looking for a quick meal with a variety of options, pop into Graze in Iowa City—you won't be disappointed by its quick-serve buffet selections. You can also order for takeout, delivery, or Graze Gourmet To Go's award-winning catering. Check out the eatery's website for menus and more information.

Do you have a go-to buffet in Iowa? We'd love to hear about your favorites over on our Nomination page. If you're ready to plan your next culinary adventures in the Hawkeye State, be sure to check out Only In Your State’s itinerary planner for some extra inspiration.