Biker's Haven Adel

06/23/2026

Celebrate bike riding in Iowa. RAGBRAI 7/18-25, 2026.

06/22/2026

The current development plan is under consideration. Nothing final until a preliminary plan is discussed with the City. But this plan at least presents my thinking to others for review and comment.

The plan provides a small Diner, Bathrooms, Event Support to the park area from the building with the building also viewed as a Flex Bay that can be used in many different ways. For example providing the ability for Mobile Food Units or Food Trucks to add to the activity on the grounds.

The Valentine Diner shown in pictures was a very popular choice. Small with only 250 sf of space (25 x 10). The Diner planned can provide the same feel and function and is actually bigger because of the kitchen space that is programmed in the Flex Bay rather than in the Diner itself.

Thank you to the many that have offered ideas and their thoughts. I appreciate the support for this adventure and am looking forward to getting it formally launched. And then built. I will keep listening, and thinking so keep your ideas coming.

06/21/2026

I continue to be amazed by the power of the Bike Trails in Iowa. Especially the one I am most involved in. The Raccoon Valley Bike Trail.

Yesterday the organized ride on the trail was the annual BACcoonN Ride. Perry, the home of the Jumpin' Jim's BBQ Ranch, is on the trail and the town rolled out the carpet and the Bacon. As is indicated in the post shown in comments.

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06/19/2026

As I continue to think about this project I become more convinced that probably smaller is better. And I know that good things can come in a small package. For example I currently am researching George The Chili King. Located on Hickman near Merle Hay Road. Interesting to me that the Diner is the same size as a Little Chef Valentine Diner (25 x 10).

The place is closed because the Owner, who was second generation, passed away. In its day a very popular place with some claiming that the "food served was the best in town!" So good that Guy filmed a segment of his show there. See link in comments.

I am trying to get inside the Diner so I can take a look and get a feel for how it ran. I remember years ago eating there and I thought the Chili was good. Of special interest to me now is that George's version of a Breaded Pork Tenderloin was made with sliced Pork Shoulder (Butt). Something I have yet to do, but will do soon!!

06/09/2026

More Diner research and inspiration this morning. The Diner, Norman, OK. Especially interesting because my wife went to school at OU and we both are Boomer Sooner Fans.

Also added interest for me because of the award winning, 100 year old chili recipe served here. See links in comments.

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.

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.

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).

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!!

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.