Julie's Home Style Cafe in Oskaloosa, Iowa

I once visited a restaurant with a long rant printed on the menu about the difference between "homemade" and "home style". That was a long time ago, and I still can't help but think that menu writer was obsessed with the pedantic. Julie's Cafe has the words "Home Style" front and center on their sign, and I can't help but observe that nearly everything inside seemed to be homemade.

Location: 216 S Market in Oskaloosa about sixty miles from Des Moines.

Directions: Market St in Highway 63 just south of the main drag through Oskaloosa.

The Tenderloin: This was the classic triangle shaped loin cut pounded out to cover and entire lunch plate. The thin meat had lost nearly all moisture. The breading had some good seasoning and crunch but with no chewy meat inside. The bun was like a diner roll and hadn't been toasted. Overall 7.3 out of ten.

Price: $5.00 with a bag of chips.

Also on the menu: the lunch menu is hot beef and tenderloins and a daily special then a dessert board. The breakfast menu includes bowls of cereal and the classic diner eggs and bacon breakfasts.

Service: It was table service when I stopped in for lunch. I should not that they are only open until 1:30 on weekdays and close after breakfast at ten on Saturday.

Ambiance: This is an old diner that hasn't been redone in a long time with wood paneling and an old counter and booths for seating.

Final thoughts: The signage and uniforms for Julie's Cafe seem to emphasize the hot beef sandwich and the pies. I think I would try one of those next time I am in Oskaloosa. This place seems to attract lots of locals for its breakfasts too.

Oskaloosa Maid Rite

A sign on the road into Oskaloosa alerted me to a special one dollar off deal for a homemade tenderloin from the local Maid Rite franchise. I've visited plenty of Maid-Rites, and most serve frozen fritters instead of homemade pork tenderloins. I have found homemade tenderloins at Maid Rites in Cedar Rapids and Monroe, and at some family owned locations that ended their franchise agreements and don't call themselves Maid Rite anymore.

Location: 902 A Ave. West in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa.

Directions: Ave A is Highway 92, the main drag from Highway 163 heading from Des Moines.

Online at: Facebook page is HERE.

The tenderloin: This had an obvious handmade pork loin shape, complete with a finger of meat sticking out on the side. The breading formed a tasteless and dusty layer with just minor crunch. The meat inside was a bright white that had been trimmed, it wasn't especially tender. Good moisture, but not juicy. This was a really okay tenderloin for a franchise restaurant. Overall 7.0 out of ten.

Price: These are usually $4.99 and available in a basket for $7.99

Thanks Gary

Also on the menu: The usual Maid Rite Diner menu, with loosemeat burgers and fried stuff. There is a pork fritter for people who want to save a dollar and eat a pork fritter.  If they serve nachos with loose beef on top, wouldn't they be Nacho-Rites?

I was pleasantly surprised by the homemade fries, they had just the right amount of crispiness and were warm and lightly salted.

Hand cut fries

Service: I ordered at the counter, food is brought to your table.

Ambiance: This is a recently built Maid Rite franchise in the Maid-Rite Diner template. Its stuffed with retro diner decor and neon signs, there is a counter and booths and a table shaped like the Maid Rite sign.


Final Thoughts: I had stopped at Maid-Rite when my first destination, Julie's Homestyle Cafe on Market St. was closed. It turns out Julie's has some short hours, and I will have to make it back to try to eat there.