George’s Buffet
312 E Market St, Iowa City, IA, 52245
George’s Buffet Menu
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Address :
312 E Market St
Iowa City, IA, 52245 - Phone (319) 351-9614
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Marc R.
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent bar. If you are a cool person with ideas and interests and go to one bar in Iowa City, go to this bar! If you are a transplanted Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Berlin, or London native go to this bar! If you are wearing Ugg boots, tights, and fleece or are a Jocko who likes to yell and bump people, please go somewhere else. A friend who lived here about 10 years ago told me to come here and I am happy I did. Within 5 minutes I met people and had some great conversations about politics, cheating on boyfriends and girlfriends, marriage, and DH Lawrence. Great job! I was a solo traveler in town for a few nights, and by the end of the night I bought a few rounds of shots for people, chatted with the bartenders, and went out back for a smoke with people. It felt like I fell from the sky into the perfect dive bar. the bar, and the booths are old school, and the cheeseburgers everyone talks about were good. They cook them in pizza ovens I think, and then wrap them old school style like a midwestern In-Out. They are worth the 4 bucks for sure. It is called George's Buffet, but there is no buffet, but there seems to have been one back in the day - when I was a kid I remember the bars had happy hour buffets to bring in the drinkers. I am sure that is where it came from. They take credit cards by the way - in case you want to buy some new friends a shot or two. Parking out back. Smoking out back.
(5)Ethan V.
This bar is fantastic if you're looking for something comfortable, divey, and private. They've got a few tables and booths, but more importantly great prices, a custom cheeseburger to die for (the only food offered outside of chips but trust me, you want it.), and two televisions with an up to date jukebox. Located over on Market street, it's just barely separated from downtown and worth the walk.
(4)Molly C.
Great Iowa City bar! It has an amazing atmosphere that other IC bars can only endeavor to obtain. Despite the limited menu, the food they do have is perfect for their clientele. The drinks are good and the staff friendly.
(4)Les B.
Come for the burgers and ambiance. Leave for the poorly mixed drinks made by the owner's kids. Return for the burgers and ambiance, and order a beer instead.
(4)Roy S.
This place gets packed! Reasonably priced drinks! Burgers are ok! Great customer service!
(3)Bobby C.
Burger is still the best for what it is. A $3.75 wad of delicious meat. No it's not healthy and there are no fries and appetizers but if you;re there to discuss politics over cheap beer why not try the burger people! Love George's.
(5)Betsy R.
Thise place is one of my two favorite bars in Iowa City. (The other is The Foxhead.) I enjoy the intimate setting. It's nice and dark (not TOO dark) and you can have a good conversation. It's not over-run by annoying college kids barfing and screeching. The beer is cheap and tasty and the atmosphere is cozy. But the best part about this bar is the cheeseburgers. Go get yourself a beer and a cheeseburger and put them in your belly.
(4)Yik'in Chan K.
Cheeseburgers=Awfulness. At $3.75 a pop, save your money and get a buck double at Burger King. I'm serious. Or, if you don't want to make the drive to George's, go to your nearest Burger King, buy a Buck Double, throw $2.75 out the window on the way home. Next when you get home throw one of the patties away,now put the remaining patty in the microwave for about five minutes on high. Take the patty out of the microwave, put the burger back together and presto changeo! A George's burger! If you like dives, then this place is certainly a dive, but that alone isn't reason enough to visit. I must say again how awful the food was. The patty in my cheeseburger more closely resembled a burned rubber disc as opposed to anything that might reasonably pass as food. Mine was not alone. Of the four cheeseburgers that were brought to our table, everybody got the same awfulness. I wonder if the reason so many people rate this place highly is because they're thoroughly soused by the time the burger finally gets to the table. We went on a Thursday night, it was nowhere full, and they took forever. I think it may have been that they were running the patty through a pizza oven an extra dozen or so times. The only redemption this place has is cheap LaCrosse Lager. But nobody ever accused LaCrosse Lager of being good. In closing: Awful, Awful, Awful.
(1)Amy S.
No clue why they call this a buffet, unless that's from the past. All they serve now is $2 burgers (decent ones, too) and hot nuts ... plus drinks, of course. Now it's a really loud and dingy student hang-out. Gave me a migraine. Decent service, though. Cash only. Good for sports on quiet nights.
(2)Scott S.
The best cheeseburger in town, and conceivably a much larger area. (I challenge you to find a better burger!) C.B.E. is "cheeseburger with everything" which includes ketchup, mustard, pickle, onion. You can also request garlic pepper. Another reviewer here is wrong: the burgers are not made in a toaster oven, it is a kind of contained gas grill. Also, don't forget the warm nuts from the "Little Nut Hut". The jukebox could warrant dropping a star but I am leaving it high based on the quality of the burger - too much Greg Brown and Dave Matthews. Occasional live acts. Right around the corner from Hamburg Inn and Oasis Falafel, and a block away from Pagliai's. George's is happy if you bring outside food in, and Pagliai's will deliver on foot!
(5)Mitch L.
First of all, ignore "Paul G.'s" review. He personifies what I hate in Iowa City. The East Coast-er's around here in which nothing in Iowa City will live up to the East Coast "standard." You could give them a Maserati and they would complain that it has a sticker-tag from an Iowa City dealer on it. Anyway, onto the place itself. George's exemplifies all that is good in a dive-bar burger joint. They focus on two main B's in life, burgers and booze. I suggest ordering the cheeseburger. Is it the greatest thing you will have in your life, probably not. But is it a good-solid burger, yes and it will leave you satisfied. The place has your standard mixed drinks. The beer on tap is nothing to write home about except two gems... ...Lacrosse and Lacrosse Light. It is as if the nectar of the lesser beer Gods shined a light on the right amount of cheap hops and cheap barley to make a delicious God-nectar for us to drink. These two beer options are cheap, great, and you will find them at George's.
(5)Givan T.
The George's burger is the stuff of legends. Individually, its constituents are humble -- coursely chopped onions, thick-sliced pickle, American cheese, porta-grilled beef -- by some divine mischief, they come together into the perfect bar burger: not quite slider small, substantial enough to pack a wallop. If you're feeling bold, order two or three. Do note that these burgers are built by the bar staff of George's in a tiny little cubby hole that is a kitchen. -- Thus, on a busy night, you might be waiting for a bit. It's worth every minute. You might even find yourself enjoying the ridiculous dive-people.
(4)Paul G.
Ok, you people have got to be kidding. I was warned about the burger. "It's drunk food," my cautionary girlfriend said, "it's not that good." So I didn't go in with high expectations. But I went in for lunch. Sober. To try the burger. (And, evidently, to listen to some bizarrely vibrating thing inside the wall, and some guy swilling beer and rambling on at top volume about his grandson's academic accomplishments.) It's horrible. The soggy, floppy, obviously reconstituted meat that closely resembles what McDonalds puts in their "food" came in a bun closely resembling what Burger King wraps their "food" in. So, congratulations, Iowa City. Your legendary burger is midway between McDonalds quality and Burger King quality. This isn't drunk food. It's starving to death in the desert food. And even then, I'd rather try to carve off the flesh from a cactus. What horrible standards do you people have that this thing makes it onto the Esquire late night eats list? (Are we assuming that there is literally no other food available at night? Because I'd rather eat a microwave burger from 7-11, and those are usually open 24 hours, so I really don't know what you're talking about.) Perhaps it's the writers workshop. Either the owner of the joint bribed them to wax lyrical about the alleged burgers, or they all love it because it makes them miserable enough to make art. Come to think of it, the existentialist novelists would have liked this place. I can see the scene in The Stranger now, eating these burgers out of pure nihilism. You want late-night drunk food? There are guys on the ped mall downtown who sell gyros, grilled cheese, and the like out of carts at night. That food is much better than the burger here. And George's has a whole building.
(1)Sidot S.
Don't let the name fool you! I walked in and it definitely wasn't a buffet, your choices were hamburger/cheeseburger and chips.....period. That's what makes this place so cool. These days, it's hard to tell a bar from a full service restaurant, with a bar. This place keeps it's simple and have become masters of the few things they do. A good drink, delicious burger, good company and a small TV in the corner of the bar, this is your spot.
(4)Mike C.
The best burgers, beer and bourbon in River City
(5)Rob D.
First off - this is the greatest bar on the planet. My wife and I had our first date here and most of our anniversaries. The atmosphere is second to none and their greasy burgers and mouth watering... come in a waxed paper wrap like they always have. While not as good as when Seaton's Grocery supplied the meat... i'd down 2-3 of those, a bag of Cheetos and some ale anytime. Their moving Hamm's lights and fuzzy wallpaper make this place as good as it gets. Comments on other reviews - it's not a Buffet and no one calls it so. That's the official name but it's a remnant from days of yore. It's not a student bar and students don't go there except grad students... it's a townie bar. Their burgers aren't good in the way that a big, thick, juicy burger is good - they are good in the way a greasy, short order cook, yummy hot right off the grill burger is good. My advice, listen to the people that live in IC and frequent this place... not the out of towners who stopped in once.
(5)Eric B.
When I attended the University of Iowa in the late 1970s, George's patrons included engineer types like me and Writer's Workshop folks. I stopped by yesterday and not much has changed within this beloved dive bar. A place doesn't get much better when it offers a low key neighbourhood vibe, good booze and decent pub grub at good prices, friendly staff, great conversation opportunities, and a safe walk home.
(4)Xopher D.
It's been over 20 years since I first set foot in George's, and still nothing has really changed except the songs on the jukebox. Whenever I return to visit the old homestead, we stop in to George's, mostly to make sure it's still there. And it is. Which is a very good thing. Cheap (in every meaning of the word) grub. Note: there is NO buffet. Cold beer. Straight-talkin' bartenders. No glam, no flash, no games. It's your local neighborhood dive bar, in spades. You want to spew your latest load of existential angst? There'll be someone there drunk enough to humor you. You want to just hang out & chitchat with old friends over drinks? Your booth awaits. You want to nurse your beer in silence? That's cool too, just don't get surly. Morose is fine, but surly stinks. Now, name your poison, pal. P.S. I can't talk about George's without mentioning the Foxhead, a place that functions as the dive bar's red-headed stepchild, yet remains my other favorite watering hole. The Foxhead is a much-maligned, yet poorly-kept secret in this town (its real name isn't even the Foxhead), but its ethos is such that I feel like I'm blaspheming by Yelping about it, even obliquely. 'Nuff said.
(5)Local F.
Great burgers, beer, and setting.
(4)W Q.
really great place for the cheapest yummiest cheeseburger. the value of the cheeseburger here just can't be beat. the good thing about george's is that it's consistent. if you're out and about drinking in iowa city, i'd highly recommend stopping in george's, grab a couple of beers and order a cheeseburger. this is one of those local places i like to support, it's very iowa city-ish. cash only.
(4)A.C. H.
While they have taken the shiner off tap (for mysterious reasons), this has become my go to bar whenever I want to kick it late night style. This place is a mystery and a gem all in the same. It's not quite a dive, but the black and gold wallpaper behind the bar keep it from being classy. Aside from the cheap drinks (seriously, they're mad cheap), the cheeseburgers are awesome. They're good whether you are three sheets to the wind or stone cold sober. The staff here is excellent and have a heavy pouring arm. It can get loud, but never overwhelmingly so. I'll miss this place when I finally leave Iowa City.
(5)Rv C.
i incorporate by reference all of the other positive comments about this place, especially about it being a low key haven. Even a libertarian can find camraderie and good conversation in this democratic, liberal bastion.
(4)Austin B.
A note to those coming here for hamburgers - they are not the end-all-be-all that other reviewers make them out to be. What they are is more like a homemade version of a McDonald's cheeseburger. This is all fine and dandy, but I think the reason that the burgers get such high accolades is because people really like McDonald's cheeseburgers but don't want to admit to it. Nice enough place overall, 2 beers and a burger for lunch for under $8 has to count for something (even if the beers were LaCrosse).
(2)S J.
I've always had a great time at this place. It's what a dive bar should be about. Good booze for good prices with a great wait staff. I've never had the burgers since I'm usually too busy drinking but I hear they're cheap and delicious. Great laid back atmosphere that's good for hanging with some close friends.
(5)Sandra A.
A world-class dive bar. My only complaint is their dumb neon computerized hits-of-the-moment jukebox. It's full of crap that no one sitting around with a $7 pitcher and stinking, drippy, beautiful cheeseburger with pickles and onions is going to want to listen to. When you walk in you're not swamped with attitude (hipster or otherwise. Ahem, Foxhead). My experiences with the bartenders there have been overwhelmingly positive; they do a fabulous job of maintaining the floor even when it's busy. I also like that it feels like the same bar, with a similar crowd, no matter which time of day or day of the week you go.
(5)Chris S.
This is one of my favorite places in Iowa City. It's a hole in the wall bar with the best cheeseburger in town. Some of my favorite memories involve heading over there with friends for burgers and beer.
(5)Dave L.
George's is a fine establishment, and in no way, shape or form resembles a "buffet." Once I looked in a 1930's or 40's city directory at the University Library and saw "George's Buffet" listed at the same location. So it's been there a while, and probably actually was a buffet at some point. But now, it's basically a bar, and a damn good one at that. From the red patterned wallpaper to the miniscule cocktail tables to the animated Hamm's beer signs (only one of which works) to the jar of pickled eggs, this place is what a bar is supposed to be. It's very small and the whole place is cooled in the summer by a barely functioning window AC unit. Table service can be very slow on busy nights (most weekends), but that won't keep you from getting drunk. Tap beer options tend to be limited, if not downright odd. In the cheap category they currently favor LaCrosse, which is a brand I've only encountered at George's. Maybe they picked up 50 kegs on special, circa 1999. Did I mention the burgers? They are made in a toaster oven and come to you wrapped in wax paper with condiments pre-applied. And it's a damn fine burger-rumor indicates that they grind their own meat. Given the overall tenor of the place, I highly doubt that, but you should order one anyway. I think preparing burgers drives the waitstaff a little crazy and it does slow things down in the front of the house. They have other things on the sign board menu, but I don't think it's been changed in years. For instance, I have never seen anyone order chili or a tenderloin or anything other than a hamburger really. The jukebox, while lacking in overall quality, does feature tons of local music which a lot of the regulars (and musicians themselves) appreciate. It is one of the last bars in town to avoid the dreaded "internet jukebox." So check out George's and when you are really good and drunk, pick up and walk down to the foxhead which is a more appropriate venue for acting like a fool. Not that this is a bad thing.
(5)KELLIE K.
Cheap drinks. Cheap and strangely amazing cheeseburgers. Ahhhh.
(5)Doug W.
My favorite quiet-ish dive bar in Iowa City. The drinks are cheap, the bartenders are always pretty friendly, and the burgers really are good. Usually a good mix of older locals and a younger crowd who are either watching the game or having a conversation. A good, low-key place. And it doesn't smell like burger grease! Seriously. Except the smell of a burger going on the toaster oven may make you salivate.
(5)Karrey S.
This is one of the best dive bars in Iowa City. I recommend the burgers and beer for lunch, if you're not afraid of going back to work with Budweiser breath. Don't miss the hot nuts, either! The bartenders are also more than happy to make you home-flavored Cherry Pepsi, so try it if you're not in the mood for booze.
(5)chad a.
You get what you see at this hole. Pay for the stiff drinks with cash only, leave well hammered and smelling of the greasy chunks that are being fried in the closet they call a kitchen. All drink slingers treat you like locals and are quite attentive, never was my gin lower than . Frequent this place often and hard.
(4)Garret B.
Drinking+cheeseburgers=deadly combination. That's what I think of when I think of George's, they have great burgers that they serve until 1 in the morning, and they're cheap. If you want to go out for a drink and not deal with all the crap of going to a noisy, crowded bar, go to George's. One of Iowa City's finest drink establishments (the challenge is order the Goddammet Emmett shot, its the only place in town where they know how to make it).
(5)Michael C.
I never knew this place was called a buffet. It's a bar. And they have a grill that serves up burgers and tenderloins. Don't let this detract from the fact that the burgers are indeed good tasting. But you will find yourself eating in a smokey bar and not a buffet style restaurant. It's a relatively convenient location from downtown if you want to deviate from the national food chains/etc...
(3)Oona B.
awesome and wholesome place; great burgers; and offers wonderful music :)
(5)Gigi W.
great dive bar. excellent cheesy sliders.
(5)Wilkie C.
i like georges. its low key, the bartenders are pretty awesome and friendly, and no belligerent, binge drinking undergrads. one downside, and its a pretty big one: it smells like serious unadulterated burger grease inside. one negative side effect of iowa city's relatively new no smoking ordinance: some places smell better covered in a dense cloud of cigarette smoke.
(4)