11 Iowa Buffets Keeping Grandma-Style Fried Chicken Alive

Growing up, some of the best meals happened at buffets where fried chicken tasted just like what grandma made on Sunday afternoons. Iowa has kept that tradition alive with restaurants serving crispy, golden chicken that brings back those warm family memories.

I’ve found places across the state where you can still enjoy this classic comfort food made the old-fashioned way.

1. Pizza Ranch – Sioux City

Walking into this Sioux City spot feels like visiting a relative who knows how to cook. The chicken gets soaked in buttermilk overnight before being hand-dredged in seasoned flour, creating that perfect crunch everyone loves.

Every piece comes out tender on the inside with a crispy golden shell that stays crunchy even after sitting on your plate. The seasoning blend reminds me of recipes passed down through generations.

2. Farmer’s Pick Buffet – Waterloo

Fresh ingredients make all the difference at this Waterloo gem. They cook their chicken in small batches throughout the day, so you’re always getting pieces straight from the fryer.

The crust has a wonderful craggy texture with visible black pepper and herbs scattered across the surface. It tastes like something your grandmother would make on her best day, with farm-fresh flavor in every bite.

3. Pullman Bar & Diner – Iowa City

Patience creates perfection at this Iowa City restaurant where chicken soaks in brine for a full day. The double-dredging technique gives each piece an extra-thick coating that shatters when you bite into it.

What sets this place apart is the house-made hot honey served alongside. It adds a sweet-spicy kick that complements the traditional flavor without overpowering grandmother’s original recipe.

4. Iowa 80 Kitchen – Walcott

Since 1964, this kitchen inside the world’s largest truck stop has been serving chicken cooked in well-seasoned cast iron skillets. The thin coating lets the chicken flavor shine through rather than hiding it under heavy breading.

Truckers and travelers have been stopping here for decades because it reminds them of home cooking. The skillets give the chicken a distinctive texture you won’t find anywhere else.

5. Golden Apple Buffet – Prairie City

This family has been perfecting their recipe since opening in 1973, and it shows in every bite. Their buttermilk marinade creates incredibly tender meat wrapped in a delicate, flavorful crust.

You won’t find excessive breading or overwhelming salt here, just balanced seasoning that lets the chicken taste like chicken. It’s the kind of simple, honest cooking that makes you want to come back every week.

6. Mt. Hamill Tap – Donnellson

Hidden away in Donnellson, this little spot serves up magic every Wednesday night. They use well-seasoned cast iron pans that have been cooking chicken for years, building up layers of flavor.

The result is skin that crackles when you touch it with your fork. Getting there on Wednesday feels like being invited to a weekly family dinner where everyone knows the secret recipe.

7. SugaPeach Chicken & Fish Fry – North Liberty

Soul food traditions meet Iowa hospitality at this North Liberty favorite. The chicken brines for 24 hours before getting double-dredged, creating an extra-crispy exterior with bubbled texture.

Each piece has that satisfying crunch that echoes through the room when you bite down. The cooking method brings Southern grandmother energy to the Midwest, proving great fried chicken crosses all regional boundaries beautifully.

8. Latin King Restaurant – Des Moines

An Italian restaurant serving amazing fried chicken might sound unusual, but Des Moines locals know better. Their Sunday buffet features chicken marinated with Italian herbs and lemon zest before frying in a special oil blend.

The combination creates a unique flavor profile that still feels comforting and familiar. It proves that grandmother’s cooking wisdom translates across different culinary traditions with delicious results.

9. Machine Shed Restaurant – Urbandale

This Urbandale restaurant celebrates Iowa’s farming heritage with every dish they serve. Their fried chicken honors the meals farmers’ wives prepared after long days in the fields.

Generous portions and honest seasoning define their approach to this classic dish. The atmosphere makes you feel like you’re eating in a farmhouse kitchen where good food and warm hospitality always go hand in hand together.

10. Hickory Park Restaurant – Ames

College students and families pack this Ames restaurant for chicken that tastes like home. The recipe hasn’t changed much over the years because regulars wouldn’t stand for it.

Crispy coating and juicy meat make this a comfort food destination in the heart of Iowa. It’s the kind of place where multiple generations gather to share meals and create new memories around familiar flavors.

11. Iowa Machine Shed – Davenport

Davenport’s version of this Iowa favorite delivers the same commitment to traditional cooking methods. Fresh chicken gets prepared using techniques that grandmothers across the state would recognize and approve of immediately.

The restaurant’s focus on Iowa agriculture means quality ingredients in every batch. You can taste the difference that fresh, locally-sourced chicken makes when combined with time-tested cooking wisdom and care.