Posted in Iowa Food & Dining, Hidden Gems, International Food March 01, 2023 by Raymond Goldfield

The Historic Restaurant In Iowa Where You Can Still Experience Old Europe

Iowa has a surprising number of towns dedicated to the heritage of its many waves of European settlers. You have the German-American wonderland of Amana, the pastoral Dutch haven of Pella, the historic Norwegian town of Decorah, and we can’t forget the bustling Czech Village of Cedar Rapids. However, even many Hawkeye State residents don’t know about its smallest European haven. The “Little Luxembourg” of Iowa, St. Donatus, is a quiet town with only a few hundred residents, but it’s home to a truly unique European restaurant in Iowa. Kalmes Restaurant and Catering has been part of the St. Donatus scene since 1850. It’s undergone a lot of changes since, but a visit will still provide you with a hearty meal and a fascinating trip to another time and place.

Beginning its life as a bar, a gas station, and a grocery store since 1850, Kalmes Restaurant & Catering is now the heart of the small town of St. Donatus.

A lot has changed at this old restaurant, but it still pays tribute to the old country. The traditional dining room is filled with pictures from the small European nation of Luxembourg.

The menu here trends traditional and hearty, and you can usually begin your meal with a salad bar if you're eating in.

For lunch, you'll find a wide range of sandwiches, including a delicious sliced prime rib sandwich made from the same high-quality beef served at dinner.

Luxembourg's cuisine draws heavily from its neighbors, so you can expect to find German classics like schnitzel and spaetzle.

If your tastes trend more American, the broasted chicken on offer is one of the state's crispiest and juiciest.

Kalmes is especially popular during Lent, when the restaurant offers a popular fried fish special every Friday.

Of course, no night at Kalmes is more anticipated than their Saturday night special - when the restaurant rolls out a massive buffet loaded with all the old favorites, and you can try the entire menu!

Have you visited Kalmes Restaurant and Catering in St. Donatus? Let us know what you thought of this unique European restaurant in Iowa in the comments section. If you want to visit Kalmes, you can check out the official website and Facebook page for more details on the menu. For another visit to an old European haven, check out this massive celebration of Norwegian culture.

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Address: Kalmes Restaurant & Catering, 100 Main St, St Donatus, IA 52071, USA

The Historic Restaurant In Iowa Where You Can Still Experience Old Europe

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