For the 2025 Bread & Butter dining guide, Little Village food reviewer Abby McClatchey reviewed five Cedar Falls and Waterloo eateries. You can find more local restaurant coverage here.
Big Head Burger
324 W 4th St, Waterloo
It was Two Dollar Off Tuesday, so going with the Big Head Burger house special was a no-brainer. No substitutions, because they know exactly how it’s meant to be eaten. And honestly? They’re right. The burger was full-flavored without being greasy and the tangy special sauce tied it all together. I even left the tomato and onion on — not my usual move, but worth it for the full experience. Big Head Burger is a no-frills spot that’s all about great food and warm hospitality. The same person who rang me up also cooked my order, and later came by my table to check that I liked it. That level of care is rare.
Born from a dream — literally — and fueled by childhood food memories, Big Head is a place where passion meets the plate. And judging by how it’s making its name in the Waterloo/CF area, that dream’s got staying power. Big Head is building real community, not just selling burgers.
Reader’s Cup
218 Main St, Cedar Falls, 319-269-2896
Reader’s Cup is the kind of place you stumble into for a cup of coffee and end up staying an hour — happily! The menu’s full of clever literary nods (I almost ordered the To Kill a Macchiato), but on an 88-degree day in July, the Raspberry Kiss iced tea hit the spot. Light, fruity and noticeably caffeinated. They have something for every season, with hot or iced versions of nearly everything: coffee, tea, lotus drinks and kid-friendly mocktails, too. I tucked into a cozy corner of bookshelves to scan the staff picks of used paperbacks, then browsed local art and handmade jewelry on display.
Reader’s Cup is the sister store to The Nook, a locally owned bookstore that opened last fall. Both small businesses reward bookworms: Buy something at The Nook, and get a drink discount right across the threshold. Hungry or need a snack for the kids? Order a flatbread, mini donuts, avocado toast or a scoop of ice cream from Hightail Delivery in Plainfield. Their motto says it best: “Read local. Caffeinate local.”
Patton Bar & Diner
317 Main St, Cedar Falls, 319-260-2209
Right on Main Street in downtown Cedar Falls, Patton has all the charm of a classic diner — checkered floors, chrome details, vinyl booths, eclectic décor — but with an updated feel that’s clean and intentional. The walls are lined with memorabilia and vintage photos that celebrate Cedar Falls history, giving the space a sense of character and rootedness.
I stopped in during a mid-afternoon heat wave, too late for brunch (served until 2 p.m.), but right on time for something light and cold. The menu includes rotating flavors of gelato and sorbet, a nice touch for summer visitors. I enjoyed a generous scoop of chocolate gelato for just $5. While I sat, I listened to the friendly, professional staff plan for the upcoming “Ride the Wave” weekend when RAGBRAI comes through town — a reminder of how this place is plugged into the local rhythm.
SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
128 Main St, Cedar Falls, 319-266-3581
When I asked the bartender, who’s worked at SingleSpeed for seven years, to recommend something new, he suggested a Hidden Gem — the latest entry in their Experimental IPA series. Super hazy, all hops and no sweetness, it was way too easy to drink for something sitting at 8.2 percent ABV. It’s a small-batch release that actually tastes like one. (Though it was happy hour, I passed on the $1 “Peloton Pour” upgrade to 20 oz.) He also mentioned this summer’s popular “guest special”: the BERRYgood Shandy. It’s a 50/50 mix of SingleSpeed’s own BERRYgood beer and Backpocket Brewing’s Lemon-made Shandy. Light, tart and super popular with the summer crowd.
The whole place has that dialed-in taproom vibe, and guests ranging from little kids to retired folks strolled through for flights and mini corndogs. SingleSpeed feels polished but still down-home, with plenty of space to hang indoors or outside, and friendly bartenders who know their stuff.
The Other Place
209 Main St, Cedar Falls, 319-268-1655
The first thing you should do when you sit down at any OP location is order the onion rings. They’re thin but not stringy, fried to perfection and served with housemade ranch. (The ranch alone might be reason enough to go.) When my family gets takeout, it’s pizza all the way. Even “plain” cheese is hearty and packed with toppings on a thick, flaky crust that’s not quite like any other pizza place.
On this visit, I opted for the Other Sandwich — their take on a French dip. The reliably delicious roast beef hoagie comes served with au jus and a big pile of fries. With its sports-bar vibe and decades-deep roots in spots across Iowa, The Other Place continues to serve up nostalgic, unpretentious fare for all.
Abby McClatchey is an elementary school teacher turned education marketer, project manager and content creator. The staff at Bluebird Cafe in North Liberty know her special order by heart. This article was originally published in Little Village’s August 2025 issue.
