Iowa’s Prairie Canary Restaurant Serves Local Comfort Food That Will Have You Singing For More

Iowa is fortunate to have some of the best agricultural products on earth - the state produces high-quality beef, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and more. Iowa is also home to talented chefs that know exactly what to do with this bounty.

In Grinnell, Iowa, you'll find a restaurant that provides diners with a restaurant experience that's only possible in the Hawkeye State. The Prairie Canary has wowed diners in Grinnell with its treatment of locally sourced ingredients and it has received national press for its efforts.

Here's why you need to make a reservation at the Prairie Canary.

The restaurant is actually the product of a 2012 contest the town launched to help attract a high quality restaurant to a vacant storefront. The contest offered some free rent and start up funds to one special chef who would create magic in this space.

The contest worked. The restaurant is located in the heart of Grinnell in a historic building and it's wowing diners with its food. Everything here is taken to the next level.

A lunch here is something to really look forward to. The burgers and sandwiches are all carefully crafted, like the "Jammin Chicken," which is made with smoked chicken, havarti, goat cheese, arugula, red onion, tomato, and sweet bacon jam served on grilled Italian bread.

The handcrafted cocktails are out of this world. If you can't decide, a good bet is the Prairie Dove, made with Casamigos Reposado, Aperol, lime, and grapefruit soda.

The dinner menu tilts toward upscale comfort food with options like pan-roasted duck à L'orange, a seared duck breast drizzled in a savory orange-brandy reduction sauce. The steak options are also excellent, including Steak and Fritz," an aged 14 ounce Iowa Angus ribeye, pan-seared in duck fat with fresh thyme and rosemary and served on a bed of hand-cut truffle fries.

It may be a tall order, but you should definitely save room for dessert!

The majority of the menu items are made in-house - there are more than 135 different items prepared each week. If you return at different times, you'll see seasonal shifts in menus and specials. What is constant though is the restaurant's commitment to sourcing locally - they are regulars at the Grinnell Farmers Market and enthusiastic customers of a beef and pork farm in Tama. Interested in more Iowa food finds? See what's on the menu at these famous restaurants.