St. Louis Trip, Day 1 - Friday, July 24, 2015
After leaving the American Gothic House, we stopped at about noon at the Lunch Box Cafe in Douds, Iowa. There were an impressive number of cars parked in front of the cafe, especially considering Douds is a town of only 165 people. 
As we walked in we noticed Acts 16:13 on the front window, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Inside, the place was bustling with locals.
Apparently, the Lunch Box is the place to eat in Douds. After waiting in line (!), we made our orders. I requested a grilled chicken sandwich ($4.50) with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise, and no onions or pickles.
It came with a small sack of potato chips as a side. I generally don't eat potato chips regularly, but they were a welcome addition. The chicken sandwich was what I'd call normal. It was definitely quite good (much better than a McChicken), but it didn't have me jumping up and down with excitement.
Besides grilled or breaded chicken and chicken club sandwiches, you could order cheeseburgers, hamburgers, ham and cheese, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, pizza burgers, tenderloins, Texas tators, mozzarella sticks, breaded mushrooms or cauliflower, salads, specials (I think the special for the day was spaghetti), and various sides, including mashed potatoes, which my vegetarian sister ordered and enjoyed.
The walls were substantially decorated with signs and bumper stickers, and on one wall was a somewhat sizable collection of little model cars. While we waited for our order, I read and took pictures of some of the sayings.
Here are a few:
Here are a few:
My Savior is tougher than nails.
I love my country. It's the government I'm afraid of.
Look out! I drive just like you.
Politically incorrect, and proud of it.
Look out! I drive just like you.
Politically incorrect, and proud of it.
There were also references to Mayberry, Andy Taylor, and Barney Fife. It was a fun atmosphere.
If I lived closer, I'd be back to try more food and read any of the bumper stickers I may have missed.
Looks like a good place to grab something to eat!!! Love, Aunt Diane
ReplyDeleteIt was! Thanks Aunt Diane! :)
DeleteEnjoyed this. My daughter knows someone from Douds!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! It's a small world I guess!
DeleteHello Bethany, it is a cute place to grab something to eat! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteYou too!
DeleteI love trying out nifty places to eat, too. I missed the American Gothic House so I'll just pop over to that post...
ReplyDeleteYou never know what type of cooking you might end up with at random small town cafes! Usually it's good though. And, of course, it's much more interesting than eating at McDonalds!
DeleteWhat a fun place!
ReplyDeleteBethany thecafe looks nice and the food is like here in Europe
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear I will be able to find good chicken sandwiches if I visit Europe! I don't think Chic-Fil-A has a branch there, but there must be (roughly) an equivalent, as well as cafes somewhat like this one.
DeleteWhat a fun place! That's so cool that the place was full of Scripture references and Christian quotes. The "politically incorrect and proud of it" is especially funny. This reminds me of something out of the movie "Because of Winn Dixie". Maybe it's the small/old town atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!!
Dani from A Vapor in the Wind
I do love the small town atmosphere! Never have watched Because of Winn Dixie.
Deletesounds like a fun (and popular) place. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is quite busy for a town of only 165 people! Is it a place that they go to enjoy some socializing in addition to the food? It certainly does look like a fun atmosphere. I'd be curious to read all the posters/signs/bumper stickers all over the place!
ReplyDeleteIt did seem like some of the people were socializing. As we walked out, a lady asked me where we were from...I guess in a small town like that, it's easy to spot a stranger. Plus I did take some pictures, which, I'm afraid, didn't exactly make me inconspicuous!
DeleteSounds like a fun place! I like the sayings you shared and would like to go there simply because of the verse on the window.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we noticed the verse on the window until we got out of our car and walked up, but we were happy to see it!
DeleteNeat place with only 165, many of whom seem to be dining there at that Cafe :)
ReplyDeleteDon't miss Crown Candy if you happen by STL.
Have a Great Day!
Peace :)
Oooh, Crown Candy sounds and looks like an awesome place to visit--the oldest soda fountain in St. Louis?! I'm afraid I did miss it on our trip. Oh well, in all likelihood, I'll be in St. Louis again someday. :) Thanks for mentioning it! Have a great day as well!
DeleteThis does look like a fun place to eat and I like its name too! Douds is a small place indeed! Most of the residents must come to the Lunch Box for lunch. ;D
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if most (or perhaps all) of the inhabitants stop in there at least every once in a while.
DeleteI love good hometown diners...I would want to stop here.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of good ones here in Iowa!
DeleteNice find. Sounds like a down to earth place with lots of character and good food!
ReplyDeleteYes, that describes it well.
DeleteLooks like a fun place to hang out and get a fun diner lunch! I love the name of the place too. It just adds to the charm. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we stopped!
DeleteThat looks like a nice, clean place to eat.
ReplyDeleteThat it was.
DeleteI love your review! Will you be at the Iowa Open? I will say hello to you in person if you go. :)
ReplyDeleteYes!! I am already registered! I will be very much looking forward to meeting you! :)
DeleteOlá amiga, passei por aqui para desejar-lhe um abençoado final de semana, mas todas as vezes que aqui detenho-me com suas maravilhosas postagens...amo tudo isso, lugares lindos, família, enfim, valores que parecem que estão se perdendo.
ReplyDeleteSempre levo no meu coração uma mensagem edificante!!!!
Obrigada por compartilhar seus dons!!!
Doce abraço Marie.
Thank you Marie! Have a great weekend as well!
DeleteHi Bethany, Nice report on this little place. It seems curious to me that they are only open 3 days a week. For a restaurant that seems unusual since being closed for 4 days it would be tough to keep fresh supplies on hand. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hadn't noticed that. It is unusual...I'm glad we happened to be in town on one of the days they are open!
DeleteAw, this was an extremely good post. Finding the time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I
ReplyDeleteprocrastinate a whole lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.
Come on back to Douds anytime, we'd love to have you. Pastor Phil runs the lunch box, thus its only open 3 days. Our gas station serves food 7 days, and our grocery is open monday -saturday 8-7.
ReplyDeleteThanks! You seem to have a very nice town!
DeleteThank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate
ReplyDeleteyour efforts and I am waiting for your next write ups thanks once again.