We are renovating! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Mike's Saloon opened as a gas station/bar decades ago by Mike Stevens, was known early on for its chicken. The staff still does a full line of chicken (marinated and breaded on site) and steak (only U.S.D.A. choice beef), but patrons flock here for the burgers.
Beyond the menu, Mike's Saloon has a unique atmosphere colored by hundreds of dollar bills glued to the walls and ceilings. Most have names, well wishes or sayings written in magic marker on them. Many have been there for nearly 20 years.
How did the tradition begin? "Mike served a customer a beer and gave him a $1 bill back for his change," says Trembly. "The customer looked at Mike and said, 'What am I going to do with this?'"
He ended up gluing the dollar bill to the wall. And there it stayed for more than 20 years.
"We have people who visit us each year and have to find where they put their dollar bill years ago," Trembly said.
"We get families here all the time as there is a kids' menu. We also get lots of golfers after league nights, and motorcycle and bike clubs who ride north of Sioux City. It's a favorite stop whenever RAGBRAI is in town, too.
"We even have people who ride horses here," she says. "We'll have our patio up and going shortly so people can enjoy the beautiful setting."