Iowa Supper Clubs - Paperback

by Megan Bannister (Author)

From relish trays and Old Fashioned cocktails to prime rib and fried fish, supper clubs are a quintessential part of midwestern dining culture. In Iowa, hundreds of supper clubs once dotted the state's rural highways and byways, serving as havens for hungry travelers and community gathering places for small towns. Opened in 1912, the Lighthouse Inn Supper Club in Cedar Rapids is one of Iowa's oldest supper clubs. In their heyday, Iowa supper clubs were also home to nefarious activities, with frequent visits from mobsters, bootlegged beverages and illegal gambling. Supper clubs like Archie's Waeside and Breitbach's Country Dining have even won James Beard Awards. Author Megan Bannister relays the delicious details of an Iowa staple.

Author Biography

Megan Bannister is a writer and digital marketer with a passion for kitsch and Americana. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Megan relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, where she attended Drake University and received a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications. As an adopted Iowan, she has become a devotee of the Iowa State Fair but still hasn't committed to being a Hawkeye or Cyclones fan. In addition to her freelance work, Megan also writes a blog inspired by offbeat destinations, roadside attractions and "world's largest" things. She has always loved food and is delighted to publish her first book on such an important piece of midwestern culinary history. Megan lives in Des Moines with her boyfriend and an ever-growing collection of houseplants. Follow along with her adventures online at OlioInIowa.com.