I DJ’d a wedding there, and the atmosphere was amazing from the back of house to the bridal event. The food was off the chainso it goes to shows this venue is great for the state fair and events! S/O to Cory & Stacey thank you so much for the awesome hospitality!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joscelind Clemens
JR’s SouthPork Ranch is one rootin tootin good time!
This year JR’s hosted our company summer social. We had about 120 employees attend the event this year and this location was perfect for our group. The food was phenomenal, correctly portioned, we never ran out and it tasted amazing! Our group was left grinnin’ like a possum eatin’ a sweet tater. The staff is incredible, helpful courteous and always happy to assist. If you’re thinkin about havin an event with JR’s slap some bacon on a biscuit and let’s go! Ya’ll won’t be sorry.
Rick Freeman
Poorly cooked smoked "burnt" ends. Those are not burnt ends of any type.Hard and chewy, you need to learn to cook. Must be frozen food
Sharon lloyd
Lobster Roll was amazing
Joe Zaza
This is the best food at the fair, you can tell it's a professionally run place with happy employees. The venue is fantastic they have music and a balcony you can sit at and watch all the fair goers walk by. There's also a very nice patio with big cooling fans.
Lilith Wilmot
Tried to order at part of the stalls outside but was told by a staff member I could order anything I wanted inside(as the stalls weren’t open yet), went inside to order and was told I could not order there by an extremely rude Gentleman (with glasses) and that I needed to go back outside to order what I wanted. He had a rude demeanor and should not be in any position where customer service is involved because he had 0. If I could rate 0 stars I would.
Brett Oakes
The food was either extremely dry from sitting in the proofer for several hours or soggy from sitting in the wrapper. We asked for fresh nuggets and was given some from the same batch. Extremely disappointed, not worth the money.
Nathan Kulenkamp
Best Bloody Mary on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The candied bacon takes it to the next level!
Smiley Steeley
The best of the best food, drinks, ambiance, daily live music, seating indoors and outdoors and something for everyone!
Beth Meek
While I found the employees to be very friendly and courteous I would not recommend JR’s. The burnt ends tasted like beef jerky smothered in barbecue sauce. They have removed the style of seating that Diamond Jacks had. Message received families not welcome.
Great Food. Last year Allie Colleen was there. the entertainment is great. I would recommend eating here at the Iowa State Fair.
Jesse Michael Aldridge
Absolutely loved everything I had from there. The beef rib is the new king of the Iowa State Fair…. Great variety of music and drinks and an amazing renovation that brought this building into the current century with out losing its charm.
Caasi Heckman
Darn good all around. Sis got the pickle mac. Super tasty! Ive had a couple drinks from there. The honey lemonade slush, and rose slush are both spot on. The bloody mary MUST be good cuz it sold out. The staff is super friendly considering how busy they are. It might be just the exciting beginnings but i think the goodness will last for years to come. Highly recommend.
Michael Kinney
Best barbecue in the state
Julia Roberts McMahon
JRs is such a nice addition to the fair, nice work Brooks & Co! on busy Saturday it was awesome to find outdoor seating, with misting fans, live music , and super fast, really good food. the mac n cheese with bacon & pickles and buffalo fries were wonderful ! It was reasonably priced for the fair - especially compared to all of the other “options” the fair has to offer. it’s a shame that some are complaining about price when clearly so much time, money, and love went into creating this space and experience for fair goers , I’d take JRs over a crap -on -a -stick line any time :-)
I DJ’d a wedding there, and the atmosphere was amazing from the back of house to the bridal event. The food was off the chainso it goes to shows this venue is great for the state fair and events! S/O to Cory & Stacey thank you so much for the awesome hospitality!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JR’s SouthPork Ranch is one rootin tootin good time! This year JR’s hosted our company summer social. We had about 120 employees attend the event this year and this location was perfect for our group. The food was phenomenal, correctly portioned, we never ran out and it tasted amazing! Our group was left grinnin’ like a possum eatin’ a sweet tater. The staff is incredible, helpful courteous and always happy to assist. If you’re thinkin about havin an event with JR’s slap some bacon on a biscuit and let’s go! Ya’ll won’t be sorry.
Poorly cooked smoked "burnt" ends. Those are not burnt ends of any type.Hard and chewy, you need to learn to cook. Must be frozen food
Lobster Roll was amazing
This is the best food at the fair, you can tell it's a professionally run place with happy employees. The venue is fantastic they have music and a balcony you can sit at and watch all the fair goers walk by. There's also a very nice patio with big cooling fans.
Tried to order at part of the stalls outside but was told by a staff member I could order anything I wanted inside(as the stalls weren’t open yet), went inside to order and was told I could not order there by an extremely rude Gentleman (with glasses) and that I needed to go back outside to order what I wanted. He had a rude demeanor and should not be in any position where customer service is involved because he had 0. If I could rate 0 stars I would.
The food was either extremely dry from sitting in the proofer for several hours or soggy from sitting in the wrapper. We asked for fresh nuggets and was given some from the same batch. Extremely disappointed, not worth the money.
Best Bloody Mary on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The candied bacon takes it to the next level!
The best of the best food, drinks, ambiance, daily live music, seating indoors and outdoors and something for everyone!
While I found the employees to be very friendly and courteous I would not recommend JR’s. The burnt ends tasted like beef jerky smothered in barbecue sauce. They have removed the style of seating that Diamond Jacks had. Message received families not welcome.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great Food. Last year Allie Colleen was there. the entertainment is great. I would recommend eating here at the Iowa State Fair.
Absolutely loved everything I had from there. The beef rib is the new king of the Iowa State Fair…. Great variety of music and drinks and an amazing renovation that brought this building into the current century with out losing its charm.
Darn good all around. Sis got the pickle mac. Super tasty! Ive had a couple drinks from there. The honey lemonade slush, and rose slush are both spot on. The bloody mary MUST be good cuz it sold out. The staff is super friendly considering how busy they are. It might be just the exciting beginnings but i think the goodness will last for years to come. Highly recommend.
Best barbecue in the state
JRs is such a nice addition to the fair, nice work Brooks & Co! on busy Saturday it was awesome to find outdoor seating, with misting fans, live music , and super fast, really good food. the mac n cheese with bacon & pickles and buffalo fries were wonderful ! It was reasonably priced for the fair - especially compared to all of the other “options” the fair has to offer. it’s a shame that some are complaining about price when clearly so much time, money, and love went into creating this space and experience for fair goers , I’d take JRs over a crap -on -a -stick line any time :-)