University Library Cafe

3506 University Ave, Des Moines
(515) 255-0433

Recent Reviews Order Online

Customers' Favorites

Breakfast Burrito with Cheese Sauce and Chili and a Side of Pancakes
Library Vegetarian Melt
Havarti Grilled Cheese
Cheeseburger Nachos
Chicken Fried Steak
Crab Cakes Benedict
Nachos with Chicken
Fried Cheese Curds
Sausage Sandwich
Breakfast Nachos

Menu

Nachos
Library Nachos
Fresh flour tortillas topped with pinto beans, shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey cheese sauce, salsa, mild banana pepper rings, and sour cream.
Bacon Nachos
Library Nachos with bacon.
Cheeseburger Nachos
Library Nachos with ground hamburger.
Chicken Nachos
Library Nachos with chicken.
Corned Beef Nachos
Library Nachos with corned beef.
Roast Beef Nachos
Library Nachos with roast beef.

Appetizers
Wings
A pound of wings tossed in your choice of our homemade Buffalo sauce, sweet BBQ sauce or Mo'Rub BBQ dry rub.
Fried Cheese Curds
Cheese curds battered and fried.
Fried Pickles
Battered and fried pickles.
Library Poutine
French fries and cheese curds topped with roast beef and gravy.
Homemade Onion Rings
A large basket of thin-sliced yellow onion rings, hand-breaded, and fried.
Chili Cheese Fries
French fries piled high with cheese and chili.
Fried Banana Peppers
Hand breaded sliced banana pepper rings.

Soups and Salads
Bowl Homemade Chili Soup
Bowl Homemade Chicken Soup
Dinner Salad
Iceberg lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes topped with shredded cheese.
Club Salad
Iceberg lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes topped with grilled chicken, bacon, and shredded cheese.

Sides
French Fries
Cottage Cheese
Cole Slaw
Potato Chips
Side Salad
Side of Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Side of Homemade Onion Rings

Beverages
Coke
Diet Coke
Sprite
Mr. Pibb
Lemonade
Fresca
Tea
Red Bull
Regular or sugar-free.
Millstream Root Beer
20 oz.
Friedrich's Nitro Cold Press Coffee 16oz

Sandwiches and Entrees
Breaded Chicken and Bacon Sandwich
Breaded chicken breast served on a fresh roll with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.
Corned Beef on Rye
Our seasoned and slow-cooked corned beef piled high with stone ground mustard on rye bread.
French Dip
Our freshly sliced roast beef topped with mozzarella and served on a toasted hoagie with au jus. Add grilled peppers and onions for an additional charge.
Havarti Grilled Cheese
A mix of American cheese and havarti cheese, served on Texas toast. Add ham, turkey or bacon for an additional charge.
Library Vegetarian Melt
Sauteed veggies, mozzarella, and hummus on Texas toast.
Meatloaf Sandwich
Our house-ground hamburger mixed with potato, carrots, celery, and onion topped with our homemade meatloaf sauce. Try adding Des Moines cheese shop cheese for an additional charge. Add bacon for an additional charge.
Reuben Sandwich
Our slow-roasted corned beef topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and 1000 Island dressing.
Sausage Sandwich
Traditional, house-made Sicilian mild sausage link butterflied and grilled. Topped with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, homemade marinara, and mozzarella cheese served on a fresh hoagie.
Tenderloin Sandwich
Hand-breaded pork tenderloin topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and served on a fresh bun.
Turkey Sandwich
Turkey breast, slow-cooked in a seasoned broth sliced and placed on a fresh hoagie bun with bacon, havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
The Breakfast Club Sandwich
Ham, turkey, bacon, salsa, and egg on Texas Toast.
Chicken Strip Basket
Three chicken strips served on top of Texas toast and served with fries.
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Homemade, special classic recipe. Add chili or bacon for an additional charge.
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Grilled buffalo chicken with Pepperjack cheese and pico de gallo on a Kaiser bun.
B.L.T.
Hickory bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on Texas Toast

Burgers
Cheeseburger
Our 1/2 lb. specially mixed fresh ground beef patty topped with cheese on a bun.
Library Burger
Our cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, and mayo.
Bacon Cheeseburger
Our cheeseburger topped with bacon.
Chili Cheeseburger
Our cheeseburger topped with our homemade chili and cheese.
Peanut Butter Bacon Burger
1/2 lb. patty topped with peanut butter and thick-cut bacon served on a bun.
Bookworm Burger
Patty topped with cheese, bacon, mac and cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Served on Texas toast.
Jalapeno Havarti Burger
Our 1/2 lb. ground beef patty topped with jalapenos and havarti cheese on a bun.
Cheese Shop Cheeseburger
1/2 lb. specially mixed fresh ground beef patty with the cheese shop cheese on a bun.
Veggie Burger
A 1/4 lb. all-vegetable black bean patty topped with your choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion served on a bun.
Patty Melt
Rye bread, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and our Library blend burger patty.

Extra Sauce
Ranch
Honey Mustard
Buffalo Sauce
BBQ
Blue Cheese
Large Cheese Sauce

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Recent Reviews

Small, cozy place. We visited Thursday about 8:45pm. It was about 2/3 full with two open tables and some bar seating. Customers seemed like a mix of locals and some nearby Drake U students. Bartender was also wait staff. Friendly service, neither fast nor slow, just fine. A decent selection of national and local beers on tap. Food (BLT and burger) was really good. We'd easily go back if we were locals.
October 2025
Pssst. Not a library! BUt what it is, is awesome! A tiny place with massive charm, serving elevated grub pub and epic breakfast. Pair that with a full bar, cool locals and lots of history and that is what this place is! After one visit we are believers and will be back for more.

If you are looking for a quaint place with a cool vibe and a great selection of menu and drink items, with fun and eclectic decor this is the right spot.

We...
July 2025
We love the University Library Cafe; the food is great, customer service top notch, and like to experience of being close to the college. We miss our home town college and this brings us right back there. Good times.
March 2025

More Reviews

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University Library Cafe

3506 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 255-0433