The Embers Restaurant and Lounge — Restaurant in Avoca

Look, I'm not from Iowa. I'm not used to the food here. The flavor palette is totally different from what I'm accustomed to.

So I have to be really generous with the stars because I can't guarantee that what I didn't like isn't the exact thing that the locals are looking for.

We had the walleye to go, which they put in a styrofoam container so it was completely soggy. Judging it based only on the flavor I'm going to give it a one star because it had no seasoning. Just maybe some hot sauce or peppers or black pepper, something punchy. Even lemon and pepper would have been better than what that was. The baked potato was sliced in half and then in rings which I have never seen before so you had these little potato sections, which is not how you eat a baked potato in any other state I have ever been to so it might be an Iowa thing or it might be a psychotic cook thing.

The pork sandwich was edible. Was it great? No. Absolutely not. Absolutely do not get this if you're not from Iowa because if you're looking for a breaded pork chop sandwich with a little bit of crunchy crust and that fabulous flavor and the fattiness that kind of melts in your mouth just keep on going and don't stop here. But if you're looking for a semi-dry, mostly flavorless pork cutlet that is breaded quite thinly and has a minimum of fat on it, this is exactly what you're looking for.

The side salad was a side salad and a side salads go, it was absolutely what you would expect.

Macaroni and cheese was decent according to the person who ate it. It was bland, but at least it was hot.

Plenty of parking but it's time to paint lines or something. Unless Iowa prefers customers to form a gaggle in the middle of the parking lot and then have to figure out who exits where. I don't know, I don't live in the state.

Prices were totally affordable and on par with what you would expect for that kind of meal. If they had charged me an extra $3 and put some flavor on it I would not have complained.

I'm not saying don't go, I'm just saying lower your expectations if you aren't from here and maybe even if you are. They're under new management, which tells me nothing because I haven't been there with the...

Stopped in for lunch in the middle of a drive across Iowa. Didn’t know what to spect when we walked in, except that it was clearly different than all the usual suspects for dining along an interstate highway, I-80. Patrons all seemed to be local families and farm workers. The menu is traditional midwestern American. My wife ordered the pork loin sandwich. The pork loin had been pounded thin, breaded, and deep fried perfectly. When served, the cutlet extended beyond the bun at least an inch and a half in every direction. Mayonnaise was served on the side; mustard was also available. I ordered the grilled chicken salad. Perfectly grilled chicken breast was sliced and placed atop iceberg lettuce along with sliced hard boiled egg, shredded cheese, and tomato (exactly as described on the menu). The buttered toast on the side was better than the usual rendition of Texas toast. The highlight for me was the dressing. The first one mentioned by the server as she started reciting the litany of dressing choices was Dorothy Lynch. Being from KY, I had never heard of it. But being intrigued, I ordered it. I loved it! With further research I discovered that it was invented by a woman of the same name from Nebraska, and its popularity has blossomed across the region. It was patented and is now manufactured in Columbus Nebraska. But, I digress. Lunch at Embers was simple but well prepared, and under $10 per person. Service was friendly and efficient. Highly...

Awesome Place!!!!! totally Mom and Pop. The Owner is awesome as well, and the older waitress who works in the morning and pretty much does all the waitress work is totally cool too. Full homestyle service with real home cooked meals the owner Cooks everything herself!!! Bless her heart. There's a help wanted sign for a cook in the window as you walk in, as I mentioned she a workhorse and she does all the work in the kitchen herself she pretty much runs the whole kitchen and everything else. She can't find a cook I can't understand this, what's America coming to folks. Folks let's please support our mom and pop small businesses as they are the backbone of our economy. If you're looking for a quick fast greasy meal then go to a fast greasy food joint, but if you'd like to step back 30 40 years in time and have a good quality meal that won't break the bank and it's delicious, then stop here at the this restaurant. Highly Recommended to all travelers going east or west on i-80 and US highway 59 North or South. Especially recommended to all workers and truckers traveling through needing a good meal please stop here you'll be glad that you did. THUMBS UP to another down home place. Lacey just started. Very good bartender and think she will do...