I drove cross-country from Chicago to SFO twice - 3 yrs. ago and 9 yrs. ago...I got off the exit to stay at the Motel 6 for the night and went to The Villager as a convenience bc. it's just outside the door. Â It's a buffet - but let's just talk about their fried chicken!!!! Â It's the best!!! Â In all my years traveling..haven't tasted anything like it! Â crispy and crunchy and so moist on the inside and perfectly seasoned!!! Â The ribs and the brisket - ok...had much better elsewhere...but that fried chicken...it's just simply the best!!
If gas prices were a little cheaper I would make the 1,800 mile drive more often!
Well, as a "small-town" country gal at heart I am always delighted to find neat, out-the-way places to make my heart happy. Â I'm easy...give me a great buffet at a reasonable price combined with top-notch, fun personnel and I'm satisfied.
The Villager is a trucker's dream! Â My rule of thumb...the more semi's parked outside, the better the food will be. Â I mean...these guys are on the road, away from family so they're looking for excellent home-cooked food served with levity in a comfortable "down-home" setting. Â That and more is offered by this little gem. Â Nestled in the beautiful farmland vista's of Iowa and located right off the major highway...easy on/off access with a Motel 6 and gas station adjacent AND an antiques store...what more could one ask for?
We were greeted by cheerful, smiling waitresses and seated in the nicely appointed main dining room. Â Being a "buffet-buffoon" I zeroed in on the all-you-can-eat buffet item listed on the menu (offered Tues.-Sun) and was informed we were a bit early...the REAL mashed pot. and gravy and meatloaf wasn't quite ready but by the time we helped ourselves to salad it would be. Â Man-oh-man...MY kind of smorgasbord! Â A plentiful array of "home-prepared's"...tuna/mac, broccoli/cauliflower and cucumber salads, a big bowl of crisp greens with all the fixin's one could ask for...fresh rolls and butter. Â And true to word, by the time we'd porked out on the salads the rest of the buffet was ready. Â B-B-Q pork ribs, meatloaf, melt-in-your-mouth beef brisket, roast beef, mashed 'taters with a few lumps (just they way they SHOULD be served) and the best broasted chicken I've had in ages and of course my idea of the diet I was going to start that day went out the window. Â I finished off my feeding frenzy by helping myself to the home-made dessert parfaits...chocolate, vanilla and lemon.
While we were gorging ourselves another couple arrived, rounding out the dining room where a few locals were now also "feasting". Â The waitstaff too was sitting at a booth, indulging in the buffet before the rush started, and I heard their waitress tell them to take a look at the buffet and if they decided they wanted it to just grab a plate. Â I commented to them that I was sure they'd love it...pointed to the booth where the employees were sitting and said, "You know it's gotta be good. Â They eat their own here!" Â Not QUITE how I meant to say it and the room erupted in laughter. Â Ah well...just added to the fun, comfortable, "you're family" atmosphere of the place. Â
The price for the buffet was $10.50/pp and worth every penny. Â Besides the buffet, they also have a great menu featuring soup/salads, steaks, chops, smokehouse ribs, chicken, a few Mexican offerings, sandwiches, burgers and home-made desserts. Â Beer and wine are available.
Take my word for it...if you're traveling in the area it would be worth your while to make this delightful restaurant a must-do stop on your itinerary.
BTW, if you click on the restaurant's name you will see the 3 photo's I submitted.