Posted in Iowa Attractions, Food & Dining, Sights & Landmarks, Unique Dining December 07, 2022 by

We Bet You Didn’t Know This Small Town In Iowa Was Home To The World’s Largest Cheeto

Iowa’s small towns have a lot of charm to them, and Algona is no different. This northern Iowa town is in a sleepy region of the state, with only other small towns around it. It has a rich history, and a lot of character – as well as one restaurant that serves as its claim to fame. Emerald’s Fine Food and Libations is a classy cocktail lounge and restaurant with an old-school clubby vibe – and it’s also the home to a record-setting attraction in Iowa. That would be the world’s largest Cheeto – a massive snack food that was found in an actual Cheeto bag in Hawaii way back in 2003! After a complex series of events, it wound up in Algona, where it sits behind glass at Emerald’s to this day. To see it for yourself, you’ll have to pay a visit!

Ah, Cheetos! Who doesn't love them - except for those who are really averse to having their fingers stained by that orange dust?
Scott Ehardt/Wikipedia
True Cheeto fans are going to want to make a pilgrimage to the small northern Iowa town of Algona, which has a very unique claim to fame.
Carptrash/Wikipedia
The town already has a place in Iowa history, serving as the site of a POW camp during World War II and a museum dedicated to that history today.
Arlene Ostrum/Wikipedia
But for today's unique attraction, you'll want to head to Emerald's, the town's most famous dining destination.
Emerald's Fine Food & Libations/Facebook
That's because Emerald's is the current host to the world's largest Cheeto - a massive cheesy beast that is kept safely behind glass.
Emerald's Fine Food
Unlike many other famous "World's Largest" items, this isn't a quirky statue - this is a real Cheeto that was found in a bag in Hawaii and has stood the test of time. It's fallen apart a bit in the decades since, but being behind glass has kept it recognizable.
After gawking at this monolith among snack foods, settle in for a cocktail in the clubby environment of Emerald's.
Emerald's Fine Food & Libations/Facebook
Emerald's serves a wide menu of classic bar food, with a weekend Prime Rib special.
Emerald's Fine Food & Libations/Facebook
Almost as impressive as their famous Cheeto is Emerald's massive Pizza Crunch Wrap - a pressed sandwich loaded with cheese, sausage, ham, pepperoni, and sauce.
Emerald's Fine Food & Libations/Facebook

Have you been to Algona to see the world’s largest Cheeto? Let us know about your experience visiting this record-setting attraction in Iowa. To find out more about the restaurant this mammoth snack calls home, visit Emerald’s website and Facebook page for more information. For another Algona attraction, check out its famous POW camp museum.

Address: Emerald's Fine Food & Libations, 1515 N McCoy St #1240, Algona, IA 50511, USA

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