The historic Hamburg No. 2 Inn is an Iowa City mainstay, offering a tradition of comfort food in a fifties time capsule. 

 

The restaurant is one of the most famous food places in the state of Iowa, nationally renowned as a solid piece of Americana and an integral part of the Iowa City narrative.

 

​Politicians and candidates regularly visit the Hamburg Inn when they swing through Iowa City – including former Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama – and hosts the Coffee Bean Caucus every primary season, attracting national and international attention to Iowa politics.

 

The owner Michael Lee stated, “why would I change anything?” when he purchased it from the previous owner David Panther and believes founder Fritz Panther’s words, “Give them great food and service at a reasonable price and you will always be busy.

 

The Lee family has trademarked Hamburg Inn No. 2 as the family believes “your Mama’s cooking will always be No.1, but when No.1 isn’t available, Hamburg Inn No. 2 is the next best choice.”

 

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