I think the banana split could use some nuts but it's all 100% Iowan food to the core, and I go as far to say, better than the old Maid-rite on the corner, better than Center Point Jonesy's, and the cheese fries are better than Iowa state fair fries. I was pretty young when I grew up with all of these classic Iowan flavors, but Barker's IS the flavor of my whole childhood and I'm glad I can have it again, exactly like it was. After all this time, I thought I was just getting old and all adults lose their sense of taste.... only thing missing is the Maid_rite chicken noodle soup 😩 and a post it note on the ceiling.
Dustin Betzer
Food was good and staff was pleasant. Tons of options and specials. Nice little hidden gem!
Danielle Maher
The food was terrible. My husband got a chili cheese dog. He said the hotdog tasted worse than spam and the chili tastes like dog food. The ice cream is okay but the cups they put it in are paper and the ice cream started seeping through the cup. Over all not a fan of this place.
Lethal554
The strawberry malt tasted very artificial and left me with a sick feeling. I don't think they use strawberries but a flavoring. The Bacon Rite had mac and cheese on top. It was dry and flavorless. I think their ice cream treats are good.
Ricki Parizek
I was running around town taking care of various errands, and all of a sudden it was lunchtime!
I happened to be in Marion, Iowa, and decided to stop into Barker’s Ice Cream & More.
They have a yummy sandwich menu, including a couple of regional specialties, the beloved loose meat sandwich, the Fave-Rite (their name for this sammie).
And my choice, the Pizza Burger. I have never seen a pizza burger available anywhere else, other than the Midwest, so I feel like it is purely regional (I could be wrong).
The name is somewhat misleading as it isn't a burger at all. The meat is a beef and pork patty, mixed with mozzarella and Parmesan, then fried with an Italian breading. Essentially a very tasty fritter.
The sandwich consists of a better-than-average hamburger bun, I think the crust and texture raise it above the standard. With a slice of provolone and a side of marinara. I opted out of the marinara as I was wearing white... 😅
It was delicious, a truly unique sandwich with a unique flavor profile. The patty itself is satisfying and scrumptious, being loaded with flavors, from the meat, the cheeses, and the super savory breading.
If you haven't had a pizza burger go try this one now, you will be delighted. And if you are a fan of this sammie, definitely try this one, I feel like it will go straight to the top of your list!
My sides were the thin & crispy onion rings and mac-n-cheese. I will be ordering the onion rings again for sure! They make a fantastic crunchy, salty side or snack. Especially dipped in that other Midwestern staple, ranch dressing (theirs is house-made).
The mac-n-cheese is melty, gooey, and exactly what one is looking for. There are all sorts of specialty mac-n-cheese's available these days, but this tastes like the comforting down-home mac we have all enjoyed since childhood.
The restaurant is run by the experienced, energetic, and uber-friendly Teri Entas. She is one of those people who seem as invested in the people and the neighborhood as she is in the food. This was the first time we had met and I immediately felt like we were friends. I feel like the importance of this quality in a restaurateur cannot be overstated.
As it turns out, Teri and her family were the lovely folks responsible for the excellent Marion Maid-Rite for many years before she decided it was time for another chapter in her life. Thankfully for all of us, she decided to get back into the restaurant life🙏
I'll be back for certain, a ⅓ pound Cheese Fave-Rite is calling my name😋
Connor Rudish
Great food, the staff is extremely friendly, and the ice cream is amazing!
Debbie Gates
always helpful and friendly.
their food is always the best.
Jake Heiar
To pricey
John Bowler
Excellent place for a hearty lunch. I had the fried pork tenderloin sandwich with onion rings. It's every bit as good as Iowa's best. The staff is fantastic, super friendly (better than Minnesota nice), and they really know how to do things right.
T J Lange
I've drove thru a total of 5 times in the short time I've realized this place was even a place. The ratings are simple. During the day if an adult is working the drive thru and the kitchen decent food, a little pricey but decent tasting. I just grabbed a couple cones, chili dog and Dino nuggets with fries for my son and I. I knew I was in for a real dissapointment when the young( Jr high at best) brought me the medium cones with maybe a scoop of soft serve above the rim of the cone. Not impressed. Next im waiting for the food which is usually a good sign that it's being made to order. Ummmm nope. My chilidog was cold, chili was cold as the fresh cut onions right from the fridge. Chili was also soupy which made the soggy experience that much more un appetizing. She spilled the nuggets and fries in hand-off so they threw that away and said they were making fresh. No they were not. This place needs to train these kids on proper service which they had none. I will not go back and my advice to anyone is if you see a young person at the drive thru keep driving. You will definitely be sorry. Oh they didn't apologize for the spillage or delay either. I'm sure she thinks thst as long as she looks pretty than it's fine. Again. Who is teaching these kids to operate your food business. I bet there will be a recall or something bad is about to happen over there with this lack of caring.
We went in for ice cream and enjoyed some chili fries too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chili
Gayla Davis
Just went for ice cream upon recommendation of others. Very disappointed in our treats. Ice cream was poor quality, similar to what you'd get at a buffet restaurant- nothing to go out of your way to get. Toppings not good quality. Quite expensive for what we received.
Food: 2
Service: 4
Tom Griggs
Great place to stop for a good meal and fast service
I think the banana split could use some nuts but it's all 100% Iowan food to the core, and I go as far to say, better than the old Maid-rite on the corner, better than Center Point Jonesy's, and the cheese fries are better than Iowa state fair fries. I was pretty young when I grew up with all of these classic Iowan flavors, but Barker's IS the flavor of my whole childhood and I'm glad I can have it again, exactly like it was. After all this time, I thought I was just getting old and all adults lose their sense of taste.... only thing missing is the Maid_rite chicken noodle soup 😩 and a post it note on the ceiling.
Food was good and staff was pleasant. Tons of options and specials. Nice little hidden gem!
The food was terrible. My husband got a chili cheese dog. He said the hotdog tasted worse than spam and the chili tastes like dog food. The ice cream is okay but the cups they put it in are paper and the ice cream started seeping through the cup. Over all not a fan of this place.
The strawberry malt tasted very artificial and left me with a sick feeling. I don't think they use strawberries but a flavoring. The Bacon Rite had mac and cheese on top. It was dry and flavorless. I think their ice cream treats are good.
I was running around town taking care of various errands, and all of a sudden it was lunchtime!
I happened to be in Marion, Iowa, and decided to stop into Barker’s Ice Cream & More.
They have a yummy sandwich menu, including a couple of regional specialties, the beloved loose meat sandwich, the Fave-Rite (their name for this sammie).
And my choice, the Pizza Burger. I have never seen a pizza burger available anywhere else, other than the Midwest, so I feel like it is purely regional (I could be wrong).
The name is somewhat misleading as it isn't a burger at all. The meat is a beef and pork patty, mixed with mozzarella and Parmesan, then fried with an Italian breading. Essentially a very tasty fritter.
The sandwich consists of a better-than-average hamburger bun, I think the crust and texture raise it above the standard.
With a slice of provolone and a side of marinara. I opted out of the marinara as I was wearing white... 😅
It was delicious, a truly unique sandwich with a unique flavor profile.
The patty itself is satisfying and scrumptious, being loaded with flavors, from the meat, the cheeses, and the super savory breading.
If you haven't had a pizza burger go try this one now, you will be delighted.
And if you are a fan of this sammie, definitely try this one, I feel like it will go straight to the top of your list!
My sides were the thin & crispy onion rings and mac-n-cheese.
I will be ordering the onion rings again for sure! They make a fantastic crunchy, salty side or snack. Especially dipped in that other Midwestern staple, ranch dressing (theirs is house-made).
The mac-n-cheese is melty, gooey, and exactly what one is looking for.
There are all sorts of specialty mac-n-cheese's available these days, but this tastes like the comforting down-home mac we have all enjoyed since childhood.
The restaurant is run by the experienced, energetic, and uber-friendly Teri Entas.
She is one of those people who seem as invested in the people and the neighborhood as she is in the food.
This was the first time we had met and I immediately felt like we were friends.
I feel like the importance of this quality in a restaurateur cannot be overstated.
As it turns out, Teri and her family were the lovely folks responsible for the excellent Marion Maid-Rite for many years before she decided it was time for another chapter in her life.
Thankfully for all of us, she decided to get back into the restaurant life🙏
I'll be back for certain, a ⅓ pound Cheese Fave-Rite is calling my name😋
Great food, the staff is extremely friendly, and the ice cream is amazing!
always helpful and friendly. their food is always the best.
To pricey
Excellent place for a hearty lunch. I had the fried pork tenderloin sandwich with onion rings. It's every bit as good as Iowa's best.
The staff is fantastic, super friendly (better than Minnesota nice), and they really know how to do things right.
I've drove thru a total of 5 times in the short time I've realized this place was even a place. The ratings are simple. During the day if an adult is working the drive thru and the kitchen decent food, a little pricey but decent tasting. I just grabbed a couple cones, chili dog and Dino nuggets with fries for my son and I. I knew I was in for a real dissapointment when the young( Jr high at best) brought me the medium cones with maybe a scoop of soft serve above the rim of the cone. Not impressed. Next im waiting for the food which is usually a good sign that it's being made to order. Ummmm nope. My chilidog was cold, chili was cold as the fresh cut onions right from the fridge. Chili was also soupy which made the soggy experience that much more un appetizing. She spilled the nuggets and fries in hand-off so they threw that away and said they were making fresh. No they were not. This place needs to train these kids on proper service which they had none. I will not go back and my advice to anyone is if you see a young person at the drive thru keep driving. You will definitely be sorry. Oh they didn't apologize for the spillage or delay either. I'm sure she thinks thst as long as she looks pretty than it's fine. Again. Who is teaching these kids to operate your food business. I bet there will be a recall or something bad is about to happen over there with this lack of caring.
Restaurantji Recommends
This is a must have. Food was amazing, ice cream is super yummy. Staff was very friendly and very helpful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich, Onion Rings
Great tenderloin and cheese Curds!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sandwich, Onion Rings, Tenderloin Combo
We went in for ice cream and enjoyed some chili fries too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chili
Just went for ice cream upon recommendation of others. Very disappointed in our treats. Ice cream was poor quality, similar to what you'd get at a buffet restaurant- nothing to go out of your way to get. Toppings not good quality. Quite expensive for what we received.
Food: 2
Service: 4
Great place to stop for a good meal and fast service
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork
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