You know that moment when everyone else gets excited about the menu and the gluten-free person starts hunting for the one safe-looking option? This Iowa cafe flips that script.
The menu is huge, with breakfast plates, soups, sandwiches, salads, and bowls competing for attention before you even reach the bakery case.
Guests regularly mention the gluten-free choices too, which means there is actually something to discuss besides another side salad.
That is what made me curious about this Ankeny stop. Come take a look at the options with me, because the hardest part here may be deciding what sounds good first.
A Bakery And Cafe Worth The Drive
Main Street Cafe & Bakery in Ankeny packs quite a bit into one stop.
It combines a bakery and cafe with a broad menu that stretches from early-morning breakfast to soups, sandwiches, baked treats, and plenty of choices for later in the day.
The cafe is in central Iowa just north of Des Moines, making it an easy stop for locals as well as anyone traveling through the area.
It describes itself as a bakery and cafe serving breakfast, soup, and sandwiches in a stylish, contemporary space.
I like that it works for many moods. You can dine in, sit outside when the weather is kind, grab takeout, use the drive-thru, or even get delivery.
Doors open at 6 AM and stay open until 9 PM every day of the week. That wide window means an early breakfast, a lunch meeting, an afternoon bakery stop, or a late dessert run can all fit nicely.
The website is mainstreetcafeandbakery.com, and it is a handy place to peek at the menu ahead of time.
With so many choices covering breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and more, a little browsing before arriving can make the decision much easier.
Consider this first stop your map and your appetite warm-up for everything that follows.
Address: 2510 SW White Birch Dr #1,2, Ankeny, IA 50023
Gluten-Free Choices That Feel Like Real Food
The gluten-free choices here go well beyond asking for a salad without croutons.
Main Street Cafe & Bakery’s current ordering menu lets diners substitute gluten-free sliced bread or a gluten-free bun on a number of sandwiches.
Breakfast gets similar treatment. Several dishes offer gluten-free toast, and the ordering system even distinguishes between regular gluten-free toast and a separate “GF Celiac” selection.
Then there is the bakery case.
The current gluten-free bakery menu includes cookies, rotating cake slices, scones, and donuts, which gives dessert a lot more personality than the usual single packaged option.
That variety is a big reason this place works for the title.
Still, anyone dealing with celiac disease or a serious allergy should mention it clearly when ordering.
The online system accepts celiac and allergy notes, but I could not find a published statement promising a completely gluten-free kitchen or zero cross-contact.
That is worth asking about directly rather than assuming.
For everyone else looking to avoid gluten, though, the choices stretch from breakfast and sandwiches all the way to cake and donuts.
The hard part really may be deciding what sounds best first.
A Menu The Size Of A Small Library
Decision fatigue is real, and this menu tests it. One first-time guest called it one of the biggest menus he had ever seen.
You will find breakfast plates, soups, sandwiches, salads, quinoa bowls, and kids meals. There is also a seasonal menu that highlights produce when it is at its best.
Here is my plan for you. Pick a category first, then pick a favorite flavor, and only then pick a dish.
That keeps the line moving, and the line can get long at busy times. Guests say it does move along fairly well, though.
The ordering style is simple. You order at the counter and sit wherever you like, which gives the whole place a relaxed, come-as-you-are feel.
If you have picky eaters in your group, the size of the menu becomes a gift. Everyone from a hungry grandparent to a pasta-loving kid can find something that sounds good.
Take a minute to look at the website before you visit. A little homework turns a long menu from a puzzle into a pleasure.
Breakfast Plates Worth Setting An Alarm For
Waffles with strawberries and cream can change a whole morning. The Strawberries & Cream half waffle combo comes with your choice of eggs, potato, and meat.
A guest described the waffle as crisp, buttery, and touched with maple. The strawberries were fresh, and the cream was light yet rich.
The breakfast potatoes earned praise for being well seasoned and crispy. Even the turkey sausage won a fan for tasting freshly grilled instead of dry.
Other breakfast favorites include the kids French toast, which one visitor called yummy. There is also a chicken hollandaise breakfast scramble that is tasty but huge.
That last one comes with a helpful hint. Plan to share it or ask for a box, because leftovers make a fine second breakfast.
Fruit on the side is fresh, and the sourdough bread gets a thumbs up as well. With doors opening at 6 AM, early birds get first pick.
I would come hungry and bring a friend. Sharing lets you taste more of the morning menu without needing a nap.
Soups And Sandwiches That Steal The Show
Soup and sandwich pairings take up a serious amount of space on this menu.
The current Tuna Albacore Melt layers tuna salad with white Cheddar, American and Swiss cheeses, onion, and tomato on sourdough.
The French Dip Melt goes bigger, stacking roast beef with bacon, several cheeses, sautéed onions, and Worcestershire on a hoagie bun.
Wrap fans have plenty to work with too.
The Asian Chicken Wrap is still current, with chicken, Napa blend, peppers, cilantro, Asian dressing, peanut sauce, wonton strips, and sesame seeds.
Soup changes give you even more ways to build lunch.
Current choices include Broccoli Cheese, Chicken Enchilada, Chicken Noodle, French Onion, Red Lentil Vegetable, Tomato Basil, Wicked Thai, and a soup of the day.
Many sandwiches also offer gluten-free bread or bun substitutions through the current ordering menu.
That makes the lunch decision slightly easier, although “slightly” is doing a lot of work when the menu is this long.
My strategy would be simple: pick the sandwich first, then let the soup finish the argument.
Salads And Bowls With Fresh Ideas
Salads here are not an afterthought. One local declared them the best in Ankeny, praising fresh, quality ingredients every visit.
A caramelized peaches, pecans, and feta salad with chicken won a fan from out of town. Another guest was thrilled by a salad topped with steak cooked perfectly, which is not something you see often.
The apple arugula salad tasted good to one visitor, though the arugula stems were a bit of a wrestling match. That is a fair warning if you like your greens easy to fork.
Quinoa bowls also show up in happy reviews and suit anyone who likes hearty, colorful plates. Since the menu shifts with the seasons, the produce tends to feel timely.
If you are eating gluten-free, salads and bowls offer a smart starting point. Just confirm the details at the counter so you can order with confidence.
Add a cup of soup and you have a lunch that feels complete. It is a cheerful way to eat your vegetables without a single grumble.
The Bakery Case Is Pure Temptation
Forty-seven mentions of cake should tell you where to look first. The display cases hold fresh baked goods that are, according to guests, artistically crafted.
Cinnamon rolls get sixteen mentions, and they are huge. One visitor said they were well worth the calories.
Sugar cookies and almond cake also pop up often in reviews. The Andes mint cake is tasty, though one diner warned it carries a lot of frosting.
One fan calls the cakes the best they have ever had. Another simply said the desserts look amazing, which is what most of us think standing at the glass.
My tip is to decide on dessert before you order lunch. That way you can save room instead of staring at a cookie with regret.
Cakes and cookies are also available for takeout, so you can bring a little sweetness home. A box on the passenger seat makes the ride feel like a parade.
Bakery items drew thirty-nine mentions too, so you will have plenty of company at the counter.
Drinks With A Seasonal Twist
The drink menu changes with the season, and fall currently gets plenty of attention.
A Maple Cinnamon Latte sounds right at home on a cool Iowa morning, while Pumpkin Chocolate Cold Brew gives the season a colder spin.
There is also a Pumpkin Marshmallow Chai, Pumpkin Latte, Apple Cider, and an Apple Pie Oat Milk Macchiato on the current fall lineup.
That sits alongside the regular coffeehouse menu of lattes, mochas, cold brew, chai, espresso, tea, smoothies, and other drinks.
Since the cafe opens at 6 AM, it works just as well for an early coffee run as it does for lunch and dessert later in the day.
I would pair one of the fall drinks with a bakery stop while you are already at the counter.
Gluten-free cookies, cake slices, scones, and donuts are all currently listed, so the drink does not have to sit beside an empty plate.
The seasonal lineup changes, which is part of the fun.
Check the current menu before visiting and let October make the decision for you.
Holiday Lights And A Cozy Modern Look
December turns this cafe into a glowing wonderland. Guests talk about lights and decorations hanging from the ceiling, and one called the display breathtaking.
Christmas decorations drew nine mentions, and a holiday pop-up added even more cheer. A visitor said they could not think of anything better.
Outside of the season, the space feels homey and cozy, with industrial modern decor. There is plenty of seating for groups large or small.
Noise is worth planning for. Several guests say it gets loud at busy times, so a quiet chat may be tricky.
The ordering line can also run long, which might be tough for anyone who cannot stand for long. It tends to move along, but it helps to know before you go.
If you like a calmer meal, try off-peak hours. Weekday afternoons or later evenings may give you more breathing room.
Outdoor seating, mentioned eleven times, offers another way to escape the buzz when the weather cooperates.
Groups, Events, And Smart Visit Tips
Planning a party can feel like juggling plates. This cafe offers catering and event space, and one parent hosted a daughter’s graduation party in the medium sized room.
The guest said planning went smoothly, with clear communication and a written quote. The team set up food and cake neatly and stayed attentive without hovering.
For everyday visits, the space suits families, friends, and even company gatherings. One guest said it could support anything from a family of four to a work party.
Here are my quick tips. Go early or off-peak to beat the crowds, check the menu online, and ask about gluten-free choices at the counter.
Expect to pay a little more than a typical quick lunch. Guests still say it is fairly priced for the quality and portions.
Closing the day with a slice of cake and a friendly hello from the counter is a sweet way to wrap up. For anyone in Iowa who wants gluten-free food that sounds fun, I would happily send you here.