This Buzzy Iowa Restaurant Does One Dish Really, Really Well

Sometimes classic food just hits right: a grilled cheese with perfectly melted edges; a steaming hot mug of tomato soup on a gray day; simple, straightforward, familiar. Other times, you want to level up those classics. You know, go full meat-and-potatoes with a slab of meat and a supporting cast of carbs and vegetables. If there’s one state that knows how to turn that simple formula into something extraordinary, it’s Iowa... which brings me to the most incredible pork ribeye sandwich I’ve ever laid my eyes (or fork) on.

You’ll find it in Kalona, Iowa, a town that locals call the “Quilt Capital of Iowa.” It’s a place where you'll find Amish buggies sharing the road with pickup trucks, where the farmers market is a bona fide community event, and where the vibe is both small-town Americana and cosmopolitan surprise. Only a short drive from Iowa City, Kalona is known for its pies, handcrafted goods, and its charming downtown. But tucked inside the historic Kalona Hotel is something even more memorable: Tuscan Moon Grill on Fifth.

Tuscan Moon’s origin story is as layered as its wine list. The restaurant is the vision of Paula, who grew up in a Sicilian-American neighborhood near New York City and carried her love of food with her to Iowa. In 2002 she transformed the old Kalona Hotel into Tuscan Moon, first as a gift shop and wine garden, and later, with her husband Warren, into the full-fledged restaurant it is today. They turned creaky wooden floors and exposed brick into a stage for serious food and serious fun.

Now let’s talk about that pork ribeye. At 10 ounces, it’s not just dinner, y'all, it’s a statement. You can have it stacked on a bun as a hearty sandwich or plated up as a full meal with two sides. Either way, it comes seared to perfection, with a smoky, caramelized crust giving way to tender, juicy pork that’s rich and satisfying in every bite. Pair it with garlic mashed potatoes (my choice every time), or if you’re feeling bold, a baked potato piled high with bacon and cheese. Green beans, cabbage with bacon, or seasonal veggies add just enough balance to make you feel virtuous, though we both know you came here for the ribeye.

If you can tear yourself away from the pork ribeye, the menu holds other treasures. Steak tartare, one of those rare finds on a Midwestern menu, is an instant order for me: silky, seasoned, and impossible to share. Crab cakes get a playful twist with raspberry aioli and red cabbage slaw. Dill pasta in a bright lemon cream sauce feels like summer in a bowl, while chicken marsala and garlic parmesan chicken lean into comfort with a Tuscan flair.

Dessert is not optional. The Italian lemon cream cake practically glows with citrus brightness, and the tiramisu whispers sweetly for a cappuccino on the side. If you’re serious about sweets, the ultimate chocolate cake (for two, though nobody’s policing) will test your willpower. If dessert drinks are your thing, Tuscan Moon delivers with options like a chocolate martini, Irish coffee, or the delightfully oddball “Lemon Merine” (a limoncello-and-cream concoction on the rocks). Their wine program, with over 230 bottles, and a bar stocked with top-shelf spirits, makes pairing easy—even if your idea of a pairing is simply “steak plus red wine.”

Kalona itself makes the visit even more worthwhile. Spend the day exploring Amish country, shopping for handmade quilts, or stopping by the Kalona Historical Village. Then settle into Tuscan Moon for dinner, where live music often floats through the vine-draped patio, making you feel like you stumbled into a summer evening in Italy, just with better food.

So, yes, sometimes simple food really does hit the hardest. A pork ribeye, garlic mashed potatoes, and a slice of cake big enough to double as a building material can be more memorable than the fanciest tasting menu. If you’re planning a trip through Iowa, make Kalona your stop and Tuscan Moon Grill on Fifth your destination. Order the ribeye, take a stroll through downtown, and then tell me tomorrow if you’re still dreaming about that steak. Spoiler: you will be.

Planning the vacation of your dreams? Our Vacation Planner can help!