The Lou's Diner — Restaurant in Perry

Stopped into Lou's during a long road trip, based on great reviews. Arrived minutes before their 2 pm closing time, but was welcomed with open arms after asking if it was cool to pony up to the counter still.

This place is exactly what I love: hole in the wall (actually missed it driving by...exterior is not inviting and sign is tiny) with fantastic service, great people, and wonderful food.

There were four of us. Two had pancakes, two had BLTs. The pancakes are flipped from heaven! They are infused with fresh blueberries and chocolate chips, and you can watch them being made in front of you. My buddy got the "stack of three" which is gigantic, heavy and requires specific techniques to even attempt (see picture). I wimped out getting just one, but it was the best, I think, I've ever had. The bacon served with my two side eggs was thick and perfectly crisp. The wives noted their BLTs were equally impressive (and, from bites we shared of pancakes, they contemplated a monthly 2.5 hour journey from home just to enjoy them again.)

On top of all the food greatness, the people were a joy. Chatting, ribbing each other (apparently syrup techniques for The Stack are excessive for my single pancake...who knew?) and providing some local color to the town or Perry, IA. Spot on!

Unfortunately, this is not a quick turnoff I-80 as you zoom through Iowan corn fields (maybe 20 minutes?), but it is worthy of contemplating a detour just to support and enjoy...

A Hearty Meal with a Side of Heartwarming Kindness at Lou’s Diner

Review: Stepping into Lou’s Diner in Perry, Iowa, is like being wrapped in a warm embrace, and it’s not just because of the hearty, excellent breakfast food that awaits. The staff here aren’t just friendly; they’re the epitome of Midwestern hospitality.

On a day that could’ve left me stranded with a frown, an angel in an apron turned my luck around. After an unexpected encounter with a deer left me without a ride, a kind-hearted employee from Lou’s didn’t just offer sympathy – they offered wheels and gave me a lift out of town.

It’s rare to find a place that serves up a perfect pancake stack alongside acts of pure kindness. So here’s a toast (with their perfectly golden toast, of course) to Lou’s Diner – for filling bellies, warming hearts, and turning “stranded” into “outstanding.”

Thank You: To the entire team at Lou’s, especially the compassionate soul who went the extra mile for me, thank you Crystal. You’re not just in the business of breakfast; you’re in the business of...

Went there expecting a good experience. The staff is slow and not personable except for one young man. The place is dingy and dirty, the left the back door open so there was a cold draft in there in the middle of our very horrible meals. The burgers are fake frozen gas station type burgers. The sausage on the biscuits and gravy was poor quality meat. And they forgot my biscuits for my biscuits and gravy. When I asked them about it , they told me they had to charge me for that. Bad prices for such gas station quality food. Will never go there again. They need to remodel and cook actual good food, for me to ever return. Left very...