Did you know Iowa has an Amish Country? While it's not as well-known as the ones in Pennsylvania and Iowa, there are several places around the Hawkeye State where you can get a look at the life of these humble people - and taste the amazing small-batch goods they sell! While it's not the biggest Amish grocery in Iowa, our favorite might be the Kalona General Store. As you drive into the small town of Kalona, almost twenty miles from Iowa City, you'll see some local businesses that have stood the test of time. However, no one building serves as the center of the town like the old-school general store. Tucked inside this all-in-one emporium is a surprise - a humble cafe that serves a breakfast and lunch menu that has people coming from all around Iowa to dig in.
The Kalona General Store has been serving the community since 1883, and after a fire was rebuilt into its current form.
Today it's a modern cafe and general store, but the reputation for local small-batch quality persists and brings people to this small Iowa town from all around.
Locals and travelers alike roam the aisles, picking up all the supplies and specialty food products they could want.
No trip to the Kalona General Store is complete without picking up some low-cost candy at the counter as you check out.
The general store also has a wide selection of small-batch Amish products, including cheese and locally-made sausage.
One of the most popular products at the general store is handmade Amish noodles, crafted on-site.
When you're done shopping, sit down for a hearty meal at their attached cafe.
If you're there for breakfast, fuel up for the day with a hearty plate of biscuits and sausage gravy.
For lunch, they have fresh-made paninis, hamburgers, and a selection of soups and salads.
Every day you'll find different lunch specials - often including Amish comfort food specialties like beef and noodles.
And of course, you can't leave without trying their famous pie - baked on-site and available by the slice and by the pie.
Have you made your way to Kalona to check out their famous General Store? Let us know all about your purchases and lunch at the Kalona General Store in the comments section. The selection is always changing and many of the products are local and depend on supply, so make sure to keep an eye on the website of the Kalona General Store and the Facebook page of this Amish country store so you know the perfect time to plan a trip! While you're in Kalona, make sure to check out the town's delicious chocolate store. The town even has a low-cost inn, the Dutch Country Inn, if you're looking to stay the night.
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