Grove Cafe

The Owner‘s hilarious, and the food‘s good, try the Jalapenos burger.

Everything about this place is perfect. The waitstaff, the owner and the food are all delightful. The owner knows the regulars by name and the banter is just nice to observe. Also, this place has the best coffee in town, just plain black coffee is ideal. Totally puts the brewed coffee at the other pretentious coffeehouses to shame.

Great place...if you can get in. That really says something. It‘s like the places my dad would take me when I was growing up. No frills, just good food. What makes those pancakes orange?

I live in Tucson,AZ and I dream of the day I get to go back and have breakfast there.

Fantastic place in the heart of the Ames Main Street Cultural District; wonderfully tasty, rich pancakes (and they will make shapes and characters for your children too!), and amazing egg specials every day. Also, a great lunch spot too!!

My mom and I enjoyed lunch here this afternoon. Fortunately for us, they serve breakfast all day long. We shared one of their huge pancakes and an omelet. It was yummy! The owner was generous enough to give is a sample pumpkin pancake; topped with whipped cream and their homemade syrup it tasted more like a tasty dessert than a breakfast item. The service is efficient and friendly, the atmosphere is comfortable.

I honestly don‘t know what the big hype is about this place. First, their pancakes aren‘t anything special to me personally. The quality is something I could easily replicate at home. Secondly, their maple syrup is watered down for some odd reason. Also, they charge $2.50 for three slices of bacon? That‘s way too much for some bacon. They only had one choice of jelly, which was grape. They didn‘t have any other types of syrup for their pancakes. Their hashbrowns are more like chunks of potatoes that were fried on a skillet, not thin and crispy like they should be. The food is average, but I was expecting way better food. Looks like I will be going to Perkins for breakfast food in Ames from now on, because Ames sucks when it comes to good breakfast joints.

Great home style cooking & staff that make you feel like distant extended family rather than strangers. Quality food comparable to a good small town diner.

It‘s a little bit of a dive, but I love this place. The food is fantastic and the decor is like places we went to when I was growing up. Have never been there when I didn‘t have to wait.

The food is good. The pancakes are unique and delicious. I love the collection of mismatched coffee mugs. The service is average to poor. This place is sorely in need of a good cleaning and a face lift.

Truly awesome pancakes! Excellent breakfast items!

Eaten here for years and years through several owners, Larry is the best cook of any of them. Pancakes and eggs are better than any place I‘ve eaten at in all my travels. His homemade soups are to die for. Be sure try the tomato and chicken noodle. Makes a killer 1/3 lb burger try it with the jalopenos cooked inside.

Rating aren‘t all about food. This place has good, home cooked food. I haven‘t had the famous pancakes but have been eating here once or twice a month for years. Good not great food. What sets this place apart is the owner and the atmosphere. Walls need to be repainted, are a bit greasy. Booths are uncomfortable but Larry and the staff are "what you see is what you get" people and the on going dialogue between owner and staff and owner,staff and customers makes this the small town cafe we all wish we could come home to. Worth your time if you want a good breakfast or lunch sandwich.

The food is great along with the service. I have never had a pancake like that before. It was so delicious! The decor reminds me of a small town restaurant and that is the feeling you get when you are in there. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys breakfast food or small, hometown feel. However, don‘t forget to bring cash to pay with.

The pancakes rock, and all my lunches rock - but the best thing about the Grove is LARRY and STAN! :) Love you guys!

I have been going to the Grove all my life. Larry does a great job, and his staff is always there with a smile. Great food at hard to beat prices. Better be hungery when eating the pancakes, they will fill you.

Something different every time. The atmosphere is homey and the staff is well, entertaining we‘ll just say. Like it, actually love it and will always return for a great home cooked meal.

Never a disappointment. I only wish they had more seating--probably would ruin it, however.

A must eat in Ames. Great pancakes, hasbrowns...Larry has continued the great job Jim had been doing.

The best pancake I‘ve ever had!-Excellent with strawberry-rhubarb syrub. We got there a bit after 7 Saturday morning and it was hoppin‘ by the time we left. Friendly people and delicious food--can‘t wait to try lunch!

huge, plate size pancakes
biscuit & gravy special on Thursdays,
an Ames tradition on east end of Main Street ... don‘t miss it.
Daily lunch specials too.
Stop in, try the good food and say "hi" to Larry & the great staff.
Smilin‘ Mike