Ladora Bank Bistro

Lunch in Ladora, Iowa

Don and I heard about the bank while on a midwest road trip last fall.   Some fellow travelers insisted, "If you're traveling down Highway 6, you should definitely stop for lunch!"  

1920 "Jewel Box" Style Bank

We had already planned on taking that route to Grinnell, so I'm guessing we would have noticed the fine building with bold Doric columns. There's little else to see in the town of less than 300.  But we might not have noticed that the bank had turned into a bistro.  I'm so glad we were tipped off!

Cozy Options

It was tempting to sit at the bar where we spotted another couple dining. We might have learned another travel tip. But we chose a more open table, where we could take in our surroundings.

The owner Jim, welcomed us through the glass from the kitchen, near the vault.  He invited us to take a seat anywhere.  The cozy nook with cushy art deco seating was tempting.

Words of Wisdom

Small Town Dining?

A Little History
Jim told us he had been working as the chef, when he and his wife, Holly recently had the opportunity to purchase the business.  He talked about the odd history of the building that had been used as Ladora Savings Bank, for only 11 years. 

Then, Jim brought us the menu and a yummy assortment of nuts, which made us thirsty for a couple of beers on tap. We sipped and studied the small plate choices... Stromboli, Sausage en Croute, Duck Rillette?  It was so odd to have these options in a tiny Iowa town.  We finally decided on a platter of crab cake sliders and they were amazing.  

As we sat in what was once a grand lobby, we read the words at the top of the four marble walls.  We pondered these serious thoughts of diligence, integrity, frugality and wealth and tried to imagine the local farmers banking here nearly 100 years ago.

The Depression hit and the building became a "flop house" for truckers and a Red Cross office, among many things.  Jim pointed to a nearby counter and chuckled about how the thick glass didn't even break when a hammer fell from a high ladder during renovation.  This classic revival structure was obviously built to last! 

A Tour with Holly

Paying at the Teller Cage

Holly arrived as we were finishing lunch.  She offered to take us upstairs to see a meeting room and to peek at the  Executive Washroom through the glass panel.  I had been a little concerned earlier when I noticed the "see-through" door to the Ladies Room.  Evidently these 2 were "display only" bathrooms.  The bistro was throwing a little spotlight on one of the bank's exciting features in 1920.   A bank with restrooms was somewhat of a novelty, I guess.

Jim was happy to settle our bill at the table, but I sort of insisted Don go up to the barred teller window to pay up!  I wanted to have the full bank experience!

Heading on Down Highway 6!

I was pretty pleased about our lunch adventure.  The food and atmosphere couldn't have been better.  I was suddenly extra excited to head on down the road to my old hometown of Grinnell. I was especially eager to see one   downtown building. 

The famous "Jewel Box" bank, designed by Louis Sullivan was as impressive as I remembered.  Too bad it's still a bank, though.  I wish I could take that bank and combine it with my favorite childhood food joint in Grinnell. Then I could sit beside a hefty vault door, while enjoying a frosty mug of A &W root-beer!