Apple Barrel Restaurant — Restaurant in Council Bluffs

If what you're looking for is a truck stop restaurant, you'll probably be pleased when you come in. It is located near the back of a Sapp Brothers truck stop/gas station. Across the front of the restaurant there is a counter, and tables are arranged through the rest of the restaurant. At the entrance there is a cooler displaying a variety of pies that you can order by the slice or take an entire pie along with you when you leave.

Service is prompt, the waitresses are friendly, and the serving sizes are generous. One of the best items I've found on their breakfast menu are the seasoned potatoes (photo below), they have an intriguing variety of spices on them, and they are properly crisped for texture. The sausage links I had were not the usual store-bought that you can make for yourself at home, and were better than average in flavor. Eggs sunny side up had lacy edges, something that a good fry cook knows how to create.

I didn't get a picture, but patrons near me ordered chicken fried steaks. The steaks almost covered the plate and were covered in country gravy. Their eggs and potatoes came on a separate plate. Unless you've got a huge appetite, I doubt that you'd manage to finish that meal. Definitely worth the price, which they had originally questioned as being out of line with some of the other breakfast options on the menu.

The prices are reasonable, portions generous and atmosphere is friendly. I try and get there every month or so, and I have yet to be disappointed. It's located just a minute off of I-80 at the 24th Street exit in Council Bluffs, really convenient if you're just traveling...

On a good note, the guy at the register for the store is very friendly. The meal that I had was excellent. Good baked potato(I eat mine like a taco.) And a very delicious corned beef sandwich. Also, I had a really good conversation with two customers sitting near, an older lady who had recently had a fall and a mid aged trucker. Renae and Jeff were the best part of that experience. We shared so much with each other. And laughed a ton. Very nice people.

The restaurant however is a bit weird. I'm not from here but the atmosphere was a bit sketchy. Also, I had inquiries about food options and the waitress had no clue about the food nor did she seem to have an interest in finding out. Pretty terrible not to be greeted especially when you have to seat yourself. Waitresses and waiters are supposed to be somewhat knowledgeable about the options. If they're not, they should be willing and have the option of finding out. Some people have allergies. I sat at a table for 6 because there weren't any others available. There were about 5 or 6 needing to be cleaned. She made a weird remark about where I sat as if I did something wrong, yet there weren't any clean tables. Gawd people behave weirdly at times. 🤦🏿‍♂️ I did overhear that she's was there by herself so service was slow. Maybe she was pretty stressed but she didn't really seem very personable.

I'd rate the overall experience of the...

I was in there today. I ordered the hamburger steak and asked for it well done. Also ordered a side salad. Didn't get the salad until my food was brought out. Cut two pieces off the outside edge of the hamburger steak and noticed that it was almost raw inside the burger. I tried several times to get the attention of the waitress (Tara) to say something about it and she just looked at me twice so I made the comment asking if I should just take it to the kitchen and tell them it wasn't done. When a woman came from the kitchen area and asked what the issue was so I told her the meat was not done and was just about raw. She said "O so you wanted it done more" of which I said yes that why I asked for it well done.She rolled her eyes at me and said well I guess you want us to fix it. I just asked for the check, paid it and walked out without even waiting for them to fix it because the look she gave me there was no way I was going to eat anything that was given to me after that. I have been here at this truck stop several times and this is the third time I have tried eating in this place. All three times have been nasty food, not done or just nasty. I will never go back and will tell everyone I know how nasty the food is and how they don't listen too how the customer wants the food made. They do it how they think you...