Some spots I like in eastern Iowa staying close to 80 –
+exit 220 – Landmark Cafe – good food, excellent ruebens, frequently see a table of state troopers who have met there for a meal. Across street from a strip outlet mall in case you need to pick up a pair of socks.

+exit 225 – OxYoke Inn or Colony Village – outposts of the Amana Colonies which are located a few miles north. Good german based food served family style – Colonies are a national historical site if you have the time – http://www.amanacolonies.com/

+exit 230 – Agusta Restuarant – on the main street of Oxford, about a mile north of I80. Winner of Iowa Pork Producers best breaded pork tenderloin (BPT) in 2008, but that’s not even the best thing at this great restuarant. Run by New Orleans residents displaced by Katrina, they have wonderful cajun/creole dishes, as well as some Iowa standards.
http://www.augustarestaurant.net/Menu.html

+exit 237 – Jons Ice Cream Store & Restaurant – 1/2 mile north of 80 in Tiffin – turn left on Hwy 6 to Jons. Great soft serve ice cream, sandwiches and some mexican specialties. Closed in winter while Jon wanders Mexico buying pottery. Pottery for sale from trailer out front. Interesting place.

+exit 240 – major indoor shopping center south of 80, many chains including Steak & Shake & Culvers north of 80. Culvers is about 1/2 mile north of 80

+Coralville/Iowa City – there are many good restuarants in this area, including fine dining and lots of ethnic spots. It’s a University town with lots of motels so If you are stopping here email me and I’ll give more recs.

+exit 242 – many chains, my favorite locals – go south on 1st Ave a mile to 2nd St. – turn right on 2nd St. to Sluggers Neighborhood Grill for breaded pork tenderloin or greek salad. everything is good. Turn left on 2nd st. to Wig & Pen English Pub for great pizza. Sluggers and Wig&Pen closed by 2008 floods, Wig&Pen is coming back in fall of 2008, Sluggers is gone forever[V]

+exit 244 – downtown Iowa City and main Campus of Univ. of Iowa – lots of good places but not to close to 80, email for suggestions if interested.

+exit 246 – just south of 80 – Bob’s Your Uncle Pizza Cafe – great pizza and comfort food – http://www.bobsyourunclepizzacafe.com/

more later