Biker's Haven Adel

Biker's Haven Adel Project being developed in Adel, IA at 219 11th St. Vacant lot located adjacent to the Bike Trail. A short walk from the Library and City Hall.

In Las Cruces, NM a Mobile Food Concept that I am involved in is moving toward launch. The Beef Buggy is building out a...
06/07/2026

In Las Cruces, NM a Mobile Food Concept that I am involved in is moving toward launch. The Beef Buggy is building out a vending trailer with the focus on Beef from around the Country.

Your hosts will be the Uncles Tony, Jimmy and Frank. Uncle Tony will be serving up some great Chicago Style Beef Sandwiches. Jimmy brings a Midwest flair to the party with his Loose Meat Flavors which includes Maid-Rites and Grinders. Tony then bats cleanup with New York and Philadelphia Style Cheesesteak Sandwiches.

Some or all of this concept will have an influence on the Haven Food Program. Especially with Jimmy back in Iowa and on the Loose (Flavors).

Lots of good food targets close at hand to take a look at. Canteen Lunch in the Alley, Ottumwa is a place that would have been on the Food Is Love Tour to introduce others to a Canteen.

In comments is some of the buzz around the small, but busy restaurant. And also some information about The Beef Buggy Family.

I have been a fan of the Diner Culture for many years. That has meant discovering Diners all across the Nation, buying ...
06/06/2026

I have been a fan of the Diner Culture for many years. That has meant discovering Diners all across the Nation, buying cookbooks that showcase Diner Food and visiting some of them when I can.

So I thought it would be fun on this page to share some of what I have discovered and am thinking about. Recently I made a trip to Kansas City to eat at Dixon's Famous Chili. Soon I will make a trip to Joplin, Mo to see what Fred and Red's has to offer. And someday when going through Cincinnati I will visit at least one of the Chili Parlors that are located there.

At one time I had planned on a Food Is Love Tour. I had purchased a Shuttle Bus, had a Bus Terminal in place and Dale was going to be the CDL Driver. Covid came along and I decided it was not the time to launch the Tour. Now I have decided to reverse the idea and it is becoming me going to nicely reviewed places. And bringing the Food Love I find back to work with and maybe eventually offer in a Mobile Unit or Fixed Place.

All the places mentioned offer Chili over Spaghetti. In Cincinnati it can be up to 5 ways. Dixon's offers various components so you can make your plate your way. Not sure yet how you can get it in Joplin, MO.

More info and detail will be presented on the Simply Delicious Food Blog that I write. Basically a page that lets me keep track of the recipes and processes I am interested in. But possibly bringing some value to others who follow the page.

Lots of good information and inspiration in the video linked in comments. A Valentine Diner Restoration going on at the...
06/05/2026

Lots of good information and inspiration in the video linked in comments. A Valentine Diner Restoration going on at the Pioneer Village, Minden, NE.

Currently the plan for my Diner will produce a bigger starting point. 54 x 24 ft. And starting out with a blank canvas, but need to provide space for bathrooms like the floorplan shown in pictures (60 x 14).

Now that Tennis Shoe's (220 11th St.) has closed time to start moving some equipment down to Adel. Here comes Wally, my...
06/02/2026

Now that Tennis Shoe's (220 11th St.) has closed time to start moving some equipment down to Adel. Here comes Wally, my first Competition BBQ Rig.

I call it Wally because it was designed and built in Texas by Tom Wallace, Lone Wolf BBQ. Who had moved to Mankato, MN and was working at contests with commercial Trager pellet equipment.

Wally is a pure, wood burning bbq pit that Tom had mounted on a welding trailer. Later on S and S Trailers updated the running gear and even later than that Brad Herman added the permanent canopy. Previously a blue tarp was used to cover the PVC roof supports. Wally and I go back a bunch of years. See the picture that shows the first ribbon that Wally and I won together (1995).

The rig needs cosmetics and when time permits we will get it done. But for now we will lay in some quality cooking wood and get to doing what Wally does best. Put some good, authentic bbq on the table.

Years ago, because it was on my bucket list, I entered 13 categories at the Iowa State Fair. Good showing in all, but special to me was Iowa's Best Brisket which was smoked on Wally and taken down to the Food Hall for judging. A Blue Ribbon that I will always cherish. And an indication that taking it low and slow has rewards!!

Exciting news. I have signed the paperwork and the transaction will close tomorrow. 220 11th St., Adel, IA. The other...
05/31/2026

Exciting news. I have signed the paperwork and the transaction will close tomorrow. 220 11th St., Adel, IA. The other side of the street from the lot and it too right on the bike trail.

This property already has a building on it which we be great support for what gets built on the lot. For now will allow me to jump start some activity plans that I have in mind. Probably working with a Mobile Food Unit or Food Truck.

I have been spending more time in Adel getting to know more about the various businesses that are there. The town has such a good feel. I was raised in a NE Missouri County Seat town, with a County Courthouse, but without the brick streets. So often I am taken back to memory lane.

Currently am working with a designer to produce a Diner plan for the lot. Once it is done it will be submitted along with a site plan to the City for review, and hopefully approval.

Until then I recommend the Peach Pit in Dallas Center for food and drink fun on the Racoon Valley Bike Trail. Yesterday they opened to a crowd. I was out of town until early evening and couldn't join in, but when I went by the place was crowded. And it looked like a good time was being had by all. See link in comments.

In comments see a Valentine Diner being moved in Mason City, IA. It has been at time for sale, but I couldn't see it as a practical move based on economic considerations.

Planning on moving the custom built Cookshack FEC 300 trailer down to Adel. Didn't really have a place to use it until now. Looking forward to putting it into play. See link in comments.

I continue on with my vision to build, somewhere, a diner similar at least in function to the historic Valentine Diners....
05/29/2026

I continue on with my vision to build, somewhere, a diner similar at least in function to the historic Valentine Diners. Helpful is a diner that is going to be sold at Auction located in Wichita, KS, Brint's Diner. See comments for a link. Will be interesting to see what it sells for.

The auction listing includes 69 pictures of the diner and its location. Most interesting to me is the building and the interior pictures.

Exciting times on the Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail. New Owners of what was The Handle Bar have remodeled to introduc...
05/25/2026

Exciting times on the Raccoon River Valley Bike Trail. New Owners of what was The Handle Bar have remodeled to introduce The Peach Pit. Link to page in comments.

As for the Adel project I basically have decided on a fusion of Iowa and New Mexico. My style of Iowa BBQ and inspiration driven by my love of Sparkys BBQ and Espresso located in Hatch, NM. Just north of my winter home in Las Cruces.

Sparkys BBQ and Espresso is a family owned and operated business. Nicest folks, with great smiles and obviously a love for what they do. See video link in comments.

Lots of planning to do and approvals to get, but it is always nice to understand where the finish line is and an idea of how to get the baton across that line. And in this case an easy Inspiration Target to aim at.

So looking forward to blowin' smoke and slinging Hatch Chile at The Haven in Adel, IA.

As a side note we have been wintering in New Mexico for 20 years and have seen Sparkys BBQ and Espresso continue to grow and expand from a start of 1250 square feet. Probably about what the Diner will be in size when built.

Continuing to share as I continue to work on a plan for this project. Now considering the possibility of putting up a b...
05/22/2026

Continuing to share as I continue to work on a plan for this project.

Now considering the possibility of putting up a building with a foundation technique called pier and beam. What this does is elevate the structure above the ground. For this project that would allow lot drainage to be close to what it is now. Which is not causing a problem for the houses located on the block.

A good example of this is what Sparky's BBQ and Expresso has done with a Valentine Diner that is being restored in Hatch, NM.

Hatch is famous for raising Chile Pepper. And Sparky's is as famous for producing one of the best Green Chile Cheeseburgers to be found. Funky place, lots of good eating and fun and it has been great seeing it grow and flourish over the 20 years that we have been wintering in nearby Las Cruces.

When we start flinging food in Adel I am sure that there will be a Green Chile Smash Burger on the menu.

The time I spent on the lot the other day was encouraging. Many bike riders and walkers. I talked to several of the bi...
05/17/2026

The time I spent on the lot the other day was encouraging. Many bike riders and walkers. I talked to several of the bike riders. For them the trail bridge being out east of town wasn't an issue. They preferred traveling west. And one rider indicated that the thought that western travel was the "best part of the whole trail!"

Shout out and thanks to Charlie, Lenhart Plumbing, Adel for getting right to the assessment for bringing water and sewer to the lot. I have worked with Charlie before when he provided the same services for a SHome Project I did in Perry.

More thought, planning and approvals need to go into the project development. But with the idea of staying Mobile it would be logical for me to commit a Food Truck project, not yet built, to support the project. See pictures for what has been a target floor plan for the Step Van.

Or a couple more options more developed. The Acme Chicken Bowl Food Truck. Built, but not yet inspected.

The Harrington Dining Car. Built, inspected and licensed. And ready to fling some great food somewhere.

I was asked yesterday by someone walking down the Bike Trail about the Project and where it was going. So I thought I w...
05/15/2026

I was asked yesterday by someone walking down the Bike Trail about the Project and where it was going. So I thought I would provide an update this morning.

After research and a meeting with City Officials I have decided that what is probably best for the lot is to take what I consider to be a Park Approach. There are issues with the lot when it comes to water drainage. Currently the lot is not creating issues for the other homes on the block, and it would not be permitted to build anything in a manner that would then create issues.

So currently the idea is to turn the lot into a Park. I have contracted to bring water and sewer to the lot. Providing water service is easier than the sewer. The water is in the street. The sewer is an alley and is 11 ft. deep and will require boring, not cheap.

And now I am working on a plan, to present to the City for approval, that basically provides access on the lot to a Mobile Food Unit or Food Truck. With some covered patio space to enjoy food and drink in a restful environment.

I believe what I have in mind will be a great amenity for the Bike Trail and the City. Adding to all of this is the recent opportunity to purchase the property across the Street (220 11th. ST.). A purchase agreement was put together and when closed possession will be by June 1st.

Also on the bike trail, but zoned residential as compared to the lot which is zoned commercial. Not sure yet how it fits it with an overall plan, but I do have ideas.

Address

219 11th Street
Adel, IA
50003

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