This Waterloo, Iowa Smash Burger Shop Literally Came to Its Owner in a Dream

David Bryant was a John Deere employee recovering from surgery in 2016 when he had a dream: a restaurant called Big Head Burger, with a specific logo, a specific menu, and the feeling of a first perfect burger.

He opened the restaurant at 324 West 4th Street in downtown Waterloo in 2021. The Cedar Valley made it their own immediately.

Big Head Burger carries a 4.7-star Google rating and a spot on For a restaurant that's been open less than five years, both reflect an unusually fast build of genuine community loyalty. It made Only In Your State's complete burger guide.

Bryant's founding concept draws directly on childhood nostalgia. His first food memory is his mother buying him a really BIG burger, the moment he credits for loving food. The astronaut-on-a-burger-rocket logo captures that feeling of pure, uncomplicated food joy.

What to Order

The menu centers on smash burgers made with freshly ground beef, pressed thin on a hot griddle for crispy, caramelized edges. The double bacon cheeseburger is the standard first-timer order and the best way to understand what the kitchen does.

The signature Big Head sauce tops most builds. It's a house-made blend that ties the flavors together without overpowering the beef. Loaded fries with beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Big Head sauce are a substantial side that functions as its own meal.

A vegan classic burger gets the same smash treatment as the beef version, and it's not an afterthought. Tuesday specials change weekly and are posted on social media the morning of. Onion rings get consistent praise, and the kitchen moves efficiently even when the line is long.

A Dream That Became a Waterloo Institution

Bryant worked for John Deere for seven years before the vision of Big Head Burger drove him to start over. The concept is rooted in the idea that food should make you happy in the same uncomplicated way a great childhood meal does.

The restaurant opened in a brick building on West 4th Street and sold out regularly in its first months. The local following built quickly and hasn't slowed. Community events, Tuesday specials, and a genuine engagement with Waterloo's food scene have made Big Head Burger more than a restaurant. For more of the state's dining history, see Iowa's best new restaurants.

Plan Your Visit

Big Head Burger is at 324 West 4th Street in downtown Waterloo. Hours run Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday extended to 2 a.m.).

Online ordering at getbigheadburger.com. Walkable from downtown Waterloo's main attractions.

Cash and card accepted. The parking situation is easy: the building sits on South 5th Street with street and lot parking available on both sides.

Leesville is a small city that does not get much national press. Fatboy and Skinny's is one of the reasons it should.

Street parking is available along Main Street, and the restaurant is walkable from several other Westbrook destinations.

Hours can vary seasonally, so a quick check on Google Maps or Facebook before making the trip is always worth it. While you're planning the trip, check out Iowa restaurants every resident should try.