Onion ring mountain
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40243)
United States
October 7, 2022 5:33pm CST
Once upon a time - this young gawky girl and her parents were on a road trip and stopped one evening in a town in the Southern part of Iowa, called Indianola. Supper was always a much looked forward to time of day, after having spent hours in the car.
The adults always made the choices about where to stop. But I didn't much care, I was hungry. The choice was made and it was a plain looking cafe in, what, at that time seemed like a smaller town. We went inside and it looked like any other restaurant in the midwest. Those black metal and brown vinyl seated chairs. Brown tables made to look like wood. Wood paneling. Sparsely decorated walls with whatever wall decor was popular 30 years prior. It seemed like the sort of place where everyone knew everyone's name and probably what they were going to order.
We ordered onion rings as an appetizer. We should have figured it out when the waitress asked if we wanted, a quarter, half or full order. Well, full of course, there being three of us hungry people.
We were served a turkey platted of the most delicious homemade onion rings. I don't remember what else I ate, but that memory has stuck with me through the years.
During the pandemic in 2020 I looked up the name of the place - the Crouse Cafe in Indianola, Iowa and to my delight discovered it was still in business.
So during my recent trip to the Neon Fun Jungle (AKA State of Iowa) even though it added 4 hours total to my trip, mom and myself went to the cafe. Brilliant. Still the same onion rings. Decor only slightly modernized. Friendly waitress and delightful food , still somewhat reasonable.
I don't know why the place captivated me so much.
Topic suggested by @xander6464 - because you know he has all the best ideas
10 people like this
9 responses
@DaddyEvil (137232)
• United States
8 Oct 22
Oh, wow! That mountain of onion rings looks delicious! I love onions any way I can get them! (Once in a while Pretty and I found a restaurant that offered "blooming onions" and we both love those.) Of course, we haven't been out to eat since the pandemic began... but I so want another blooming onion!
3 people like this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@DaddyEvil (137232)
• United States
10 Oct 22
@FayeHazel You're welcome. We don't get take out, either. If you can't see the cook, then you can't tell if they're being forced to work while they're sick. No thanks!
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Thanks! It was wonderful. I love onions too! So flavorful and good in a variety of situations. Blooming onions are delicious. I hope this world takes a turn so you and Pretty can enjoy them again. I was going to say I wonder if that place offers take out - but then it's sort of hard to make stuff like that taste good again once it goes cold
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
11 Oct 22
@DaddyEvil Hm. I'd like to think that now, especially with Covid on the loose that people are taking the stay home if you're sick thing seriously. But, you're right. I guess I wouldn't put it past certain employers, either. I don't blame you.
2 people like this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@Deepizzaguy (99643)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
7 Oct 22
It is amazing that some small businesses have outstanding meals to serve customers that have lasted the test of time like the Crouse Cafe in Iowa.
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Oct 22
It is amazing being they are competing against big chains. So happy to support them
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (99643)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
11 Oct 22
@FayeHazel I know that feeling to support the smaller chains.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
14 Oct 22
@Deepizzaguy I agree. Sometimes I get craving a big chain restaurant, but it's so much more rewarding to spend $ with a family run business
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@shaggin (71909)
• United States
7 Oct 22
Aww that’s so awesome you went so far out of the way to go there to eat again and they the onion rings were just as good. I don’t like when restaurants are so old and outdated with the decor though. We have one like that in town that since I was a girl no matter the different owners the place still looks the same and it wasn’t very nice to begin with.
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Aw, it's too bad that place you're talking about didn't improve with time. Doesn't it make you wonder how they stay in business after all? Thanks though, I'm happy that I made it there
2 people like this
@xander6464 (42308)
• Wapello, Iowa
9 Oct 22
That seems like a small amount. Is it the quarter-sized order?
I wish I could talk about my best ideas here.
2 people like this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@xander6464 (42308)
• Wapello, Iowa
12 Oct 22
@FayeHazel That's not bad. I like having plentiful leftovers.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Ha ha, no, that's the full sized order I couldn't stop myself even though 1/4 order would have been fine. Here's the plate after mom and I ate a bunch of it. The amount I took with filled up one of those styrofoam boxes lol
2 people like this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
14 Oct 22
I was surprised too. For some reason I thought of it during the early part of the pandemic 2020 - and was delighted to find it was still open. Made up my mind I would go there when the pandemic got a vaccine
@KristenH (33373)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
11 Oct 22
@FayeHazel Welcome. So glad you had fun over there.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41067)
• United States
7 Oct 22
That is such a delightful memory for you! Those onion rings look scrumptious.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Thanks! I think it was a happy time right then :-)
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67094)
• United States
8 Nov 22
It's nice you have that memory and even more nice the cafe was still there for you and your mom to go to again.
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@Courtlynn (67094)
• United States
10 Nov 22
@FayeHazel fingers crossed you can and do
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
9 Nov 22
It really made my day :-) Hope to go back there again soon
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
10 Oct 22
Thanks! It was a nice trip down memory lane
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/loading.gif)