Some restaurants earn their reputation through hype, and others earn it the old-fashioned way — through genuinely great food, cold beer, and a front door that always feels open.
The Porch in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is firmly in the second category — a locally-owned burger and homestyle kitchen where fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a lively neighborhood atmosphere have quietly built one of the most loyal dining followings in the metro. 🍔
How The Porch Won Council Bluffs’ Hearts
The Porch built its reputation one honest, homestyle plate at a time, earning a devoted following through a menu that refuses to cut corners and a vibe that makes every table feel like a regular’s table. 🏡
Set along South 24th Street, The Porch arrived as a breath of fresh air for a neighborhood that had seen its share of restaurants come and go.
The new ownership team made a deliberate choice to lighten up the space, clean it up, and rebuild the atmosphere from the ground up — creating an environment that customers genuinely wanted to spend time in.
The menu strategy was equally smart — rather than chasing trends, The Porch leaned into what Midwestern comfort food does best: generously portioned burgers, housemade dips and sauces, a fully loaded salad bar, and hearty dishes built with Rustic Cuts ground beef and real scratch-made ingredients.
That commitment to quality in a market flooded with chain restaurants turned curious first-timers into dedicated Council Bluffs burger regulars almost immediately.
The addition of 10 beers on tap, a sprawling outdoor patio, and sand volleyball courts sealed the deal — suddenly, The Porch wasn’t just a place to eat, it was a full-on destination for a night out with friends or a relaxed family dinner. 🏐🍺
Word spread fast across the Council Bluffs dining scene, with locals tagging friends, posting their loaded burger baskets, and crowning The Porch as the go-to spot for anyone who wanted real food served without attitude.
For anyone hunting for the best locally-owned burger spot in western Iowa, the search ends here.
Food Highlights 🍔
- BBQ Burger: One of the most popular orders at The Porch — cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, housemade onion chips, and smoky BBQ sauce stacked on a fresh beef patty. 🤠
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Blue Cheese Bacon Burger: A sophisticated, pub-style favorite built with blue cheese crumbles, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, and crispy bacon on a fresh beef patty.
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Chili Cheese Burger: A hearty Midwestern staple featured as one of The Porch’s rotating specials — a fresh beef patty topped with house-made chili and melted cheese.
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Buffalo Burger: A bold, fiery fan-favorite — the entire beef patty is dipped in Buffalo sauce, then loaded with pepper jack cheese and crispy bacon. 🌶️
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All Seven Burger: The most legendary burger on the menu and a top-ordered item 🏆 — two beef patties, a slice each of Swiss, cheddar, and pepper jack cheese, crispy bacon, and a fried egg stacked into one magnificent tower.
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Shaved Prime Rib Grilled Cheese: Not your standard burger — but a must-mention crowd favorite from The Porch’s specials rotation — thin-shaved prime rib layered inside a golden, crispy grilled cheese sandwich. 🥩
Atmosphere
The Porch is exactly what its name promises — a relaxed, welcoming space that feels like an extension of someone’s back porch, only with better food and a full bar. 🍺
The indoor dining room is clean, bright, and casual, with table service and a staff that reviewers consistently describe as friendly, patient, and genuinely helpful when navigating the menu.
Step outside and the energy shifts into full neighborhood gathering mode — a spacious outdoor patio and sand volleyball courts make The Porch one of the most entertaining dining destinations in the Council Bluffs food scene, especially on warm evenings.
10 beers on tap, a full bar, and a lively Friday night buzz round out an atmosphere that balances great food with genuine fun — the kind of place you show up for dinner and end up staying for hours. 🎉
Bottom Line
Five reasons The Porch belongs on your Council Bluffs bucket list: housemade sauces and scratch ingredients that chain restaurants simply can’t match; a boldly creative burger menu loaded with customizable options; 10 beers on tap and a fully stocked bar; a sand volleyball patio that turns dinner into a full night out; and warm, attentive service that makes every visit feel personal. 🍔🏐
Address:
2327 S 24th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
📞 (712) 828-4408
🕔 Open Mon–Sun, 11 AM–10 PM