Location: Mount Vernon
Top Restaurants in Mount Vernon
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Mount Vernon Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States, adjacent to the city of Lisbon. The city's population was 3,390 when the 2000 census figures were released, but that number was later revised to 3,808 because the Census Bureau had incorrectly reported that 418 residents of a Cornell College dormitory in Mount Vernon lived in the nearby city of Bertram. A special census taken by the city in 2004 counted 4,171 residents. The population was 4,506 at the 2010 census. Mount Vernon is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Things to do in Mount Vernon
1. Fuel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Great coffee shop and bakery on the main drag of a sleepy little town - no website but they have a facebook page. Was a truly a god-send for an east coast coffee drinker.
Reviewed By david_hance_iowa - Ankeny, Iowa
I have stopped here many times when I visit Cow College. It is a store packed with antiques and works of original art. The art includes fabric, greeting cards, photos, paintings, and pottery. You can speed hours just looking at the unique merchandise. I love the large chocolate chip cookies and the very large pumpkin bars.
2. Lincoln Winebar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Wood-fired, stone and brick oven imported from Italy. 700-900 degree oven gives you pizza in 2 minutes or less. Great experience. Non-traditional toppings available. Must try.
Reviewed By jennelliott14 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Although the place is a little spendy, the pizza is amazingly good and cooked within a few minutes in a wood-fire oven. It probably takes longer to create the pizza than the cooking time. The crust is thin but never gets soggy, and the toppings are fresh and delicious. I highly recommend if you're in the mood to spend a little money.
3. Sutliff Bridge and Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Historic bridge and restaurant on the Cedar River. Stop in and try one of our hand-breaded jumbo tenderloins, or a Baxa burger! Wash it down with the coldest beer in town!
Reviewed By Wendi S
Great atmosphere, good, beverages inside and outside dining (historical bridge). Nightly specials, entertainment on the patio in the summers
4. Big Grove Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Big Grove Brewpub, in Solon, IA, is a premier restaurant serving North Liberty, Iowa City and the surrounding communities. We offer craft beer and authentic, locally sourced foods that are in season. We are a full-service bar and restaurant that has a rural, contemporary feel and a great ambiance. Big Grove Brewery makes Big Grove IPA, Arms Race, Que Sera and more! Stop by Big Grove Brewpub, in Solon. Thirsty Happens™
Reviewed By JH1531 - Illinois
Yes this is a brewery with a wide variety of very good beer. But it is also much more. A full bar. Farm to table menu. Very creative recipes. A very attentive wait staff. Clean. Reasonable prices. A very short distance from Iowa City. Nice...MoreWe appreciate you taking the time to leave a positive review, so glad you enjoyed your visit and we look forward to seeing you again!!
5. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Paul R - Mount Vernon, Iowa, United States
Been here countless times. The food is always good. The ice cream is always good. The service is fast (although they could be a little more personable, however they are usually too busy to chit-chat which may slow down the service, ha!).
The have a new $5 meal deal. A sandwhich, chicken strips or two wraps/fries/drink/and ice cream treat for only $5. We feed a family of six for $36 and change.
6. Cabin Coffee Co
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By W2552MJstevew - Mechanicsville, Iowa
The people are very friendly and the drinks are most excellent. For a small town coffee shop, Cabin Coffee can't be beat.We're so glad that you enjoy our drinks! Just Be Happy...and Have Fun!
7. Whitey's Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Denise S - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
I've been to Whitey's one time before for breakfast with a group of girlfriends. Service that time was excellent, prompt, friendly, accommodating. And food was equally as good. Nothing spectacular but good solid breakfast food. This time...not so much. I arrived at Whitey's around 9:30 am and found a table to sit while I waited for the rest of our party to arrive. Things started off positively as our server Kenzie promptly brought out my coffee and then another for a friend that had arrived.
Once we ordered though...it all went south. One friend asked if she could substitute French Toast for her side and pay the difference. The response was a very simple "No" which we found odd as she had done that very thing the last time. Another friend ordered a coffee with her meal and after putting in our order we waited 10 min apx and had to ask K. to bring it. After waiting longer than anticipated...one meal was brought out and we were told that the rest would be out soon...20 minutes later. The three remaining meals were a mix of undercooked eggwhites that were now room temp at best...and a Eggs Benedict with congealed sauce and lukewarm eggs.
My friend asked for her eggs to be cooked more as they were literally watery. Kenzie simply said "Okay" and took the plate away...which then took at least 10 MORE minutes to get back. Just ridiculous. To top it off...there was an extra coffee included on the same friends bill ( she got water) . Again...the response was a curt 'Okay" as she took it to get fixed.
Another friend addressed this directly with Kenzie as our bills were finally taken care of ( there were also issues with the credit card machine..) to note the quality of the service...her reply as she WALKED away..."Oh...I'm sorry." That's it.
I'll be honest, there have only been two time in my life where I have EVER tipped less than 20%...and this is now one of them. Whitey's was busy yes...but there are simple acknowledgements that could have made this better "I'm really sorry for your wait." "I'm really sorry...let me take care of that for you." "Can I get you anything else..." None of this was offered. I'm sorry...but HORRIBLE service today. We left feeling incredibly unimportant as a customer and with a clear decision not to return. Again...Whitey's has gone in our book from awesome...to awful.
8. Palisades Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Featuring sandwiches and salads, as well as innovative specials created by a Le-Cordon Bleu chef and inspired by seasonal, local ingredients. Beer, wine, and from-scratch desserts round out an approachable menu in a casual, funky, family-friendly environment. Lunch 11-2 and dinner 5-9, Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday brunch 10-2.
Reviewed By Meower68 - Springfield, Missouri
We were driving through from Iowa City to Oshkosh and stopped here for lunch.
First off, the burgers were the best. No, seriously, my wife decided that it was the best burger she'd ever had (Kahuku Grill on the North Shore of Oahu was the prior title-holder). Mine was lovely, too; juicy, topped with an egg, avocado and sauted mushrooms. Ketchup and mustard need not apply; that's only needed when the burger leaves something to be desired. These left nothing to be desired. The mixed greens (we got that instead of chips or fries) were actual mixed greens, not the usual handful of chopped iceberg buried under generic Ranch dressing.
Normally, we don't have dessert with lunch. But the dessert in the title was listed as a special for the day. It did not disappoint.
If you're thinking "small town greasy spoon," your thinking is wrong, at least WRT this place. The ingredients are better quality than any greasy spoon. And the skill with which they're prepared is far better than any greasy spoon ever aspired to.
This place is a gem. Glad we stopped.
9. Skillet Cafe'
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Susan M - Gunnedah
We enjoyed the all day breakfast for lunch. Eggs, bacon, sausages, fried potatoes, toast & a large pancake! Service was bery good. Hours are 6am - 2pm.
10. Gwen's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Elainest - Omaha, Nebraska
This simple, small town eatery was just the thing for weary travelers. There's nothing fancy but we were grateful for well prepared food on the buffet. The beef, my favorite, was perfectly tender. There were other meat choices, and sides. Everything I tried, I liked. There is a salad bar and a dessert bar. There were also two choices of homemade soup.
