Shaved ribeye, Korean BBQ, and kimchi that takes a full 24 hours to make, all packed into one hoagie roll. That sandwich alone made me stop scrolling.
Then the toppings keep coming. Pepper jack cheese, umami sauce, and crispy onions pile on for good measure.
It reads less like lunch and more like a dare your taste buds will happily accept.
The kitchen behind it makes its food from scratch. The menu jumps from noodle bowls to burgers to poke without blinking.
I appreciate places that refuse to pick just one lane and still manage to do it well.
And the setting adds another reason to go. This Iowa spot has a rooftop patio for eating under open sky.
So what happens when a serious sandwich meets a seat above the street? You might end up planning a second visit before the first one ends.
One Sandwich Packs More Flavors Than Most Whole Menus
Shaved ribeye gets the starring role at 30hop in Cedar Rapids. It shares the stage with savory Korean BBQ and kimchi that the kitchen gives 24 hours to develop.
All of that lands in a hoagie roll, which is a smart choice. A sturdy roll keeps a loaded sandwich from turning into a fork-and-knife situation.
Then come the extras that make this thing memorable. Pepper jack cheese adds a mild kick, while umami sauce brings deep, savory flavor.
Crispy onions finish the stack with crunch. That gives you tender beef, tangy kimchi, melty cheese, and crackle in nearly every bite.
Kimchi is a fermented Korean side dish, usually made with cabbage. The wait matters because time lets those flavors grow stronger and more interesting.
So the 24-hour detail isn’t just a fun fact for the menu. It shows the kitchen is willing to plan ahead for one ingredient.
If you like bold food, this sandwich checks a lot of boxes at once. It’s spicy, savory, crunchy, and a little sour, all without getting fussy.
My advice is simple. Order it the first time, then decide what else on the menu deserves your attention next round.
From-Scratch Cooking Changes The Whole Game Here
Plenty of restaurants promise fresh food. 30hop backs that up by saying its menu is made from scratch.
That approach matters more than it sounds. Scratch cooking means sauces, marinades, and toppings come together in the kitchen instead of arriving ready to dump.
The 24-hour kimchi is a perfect example of this mindset. Nobody spends a full day on an ingredient unless they care how it tastes.
It also helps explain why the menu can stretch so far. Building flavors from the ground up gives cooks room to mix global ideas with classic comfort food.
For you, the practical payoff is easy to spot. Food made this way often tastes brighter and more balanced than heavily processed versions.
It can also make the menu more flexible for different tastes. A kitchen that builds its own dishes understands what goes into every plate.
That’s useful if you’re dining with picky eaters or people with food needs. Asking questions about ingredients is always a smart move.
Honestly, scratch cooking is one of those details that quietly separates a good meal from a forgettable one. Here, it seems baked right into the plan.
The Yakisoba Bowl Might Steal Your Heart Instead
Noodle fans, pay attention. The Yakisoba Bowl at 30hop comes with yakisoba noodles, an Asian marinade, wok veggies, sesame, and scallion.
It’s a simple lineup, and that’s part of the appeal. Wok-tossed vegetables bring color, while sesame and scallion add a fresh finish.
The restaurant has called this dish its most popular. That’s a big deal on a menu packed with burgers, tacos, and bowls.
So yes, you may face a tough choice. Sandwich or noodles?
Your stomach can only vote once per visit, sadly.
One fix works well with friends or family. Order both, swap halves, and let everyone weigh in on the winner.
Yakisoba is a Japanese stir-fried noodle dish. It’s often sold at festivals and street stalls in Japan, which explains its casual, crowd-pleasing style.
That background fits this Iowa restaurant nicely. The place leans relaxed, so a hearty noodle bowl feels right at home here.
If you like options, ask about adding a protein to your bowl. It’s an easy way to turn a favorite into a fuller meal without much effort.
Poke, Bibimbap, And Tacos Keep Things Interesting
Variety is the name of the game on this menu. 30hop serves an Ahi Poke Bowl, plus a Bibimbap featuring Korean flavors.
Bibimbap is a Korean rice bowl topped with vegetables and other goodies. It pairs nicely with the Korean flavors already found in the steak sandwich.
Taco lovers have a strong option too. The Crispy Baja Mahi Tacos feature crispy mahi, red cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, charred pineapple pico, cotija, and fresh cilantro.
The restaurant also offers a blackened version of the same fish tacos. That’s a lot of crunch and color for one plate.
The menu also lists a Teriyaki Zen Bowl, featuring wok vegetables, roasted mushrooms, sticky rice, teriyaki glaze, scallions, crispy onions, and spicy aioli. Bowl fans could visit several times and still have something new to try.
This mix is great for groups that never agree on dinner. One person can grab poke while another goes for tacos.
Nobody has to settle, and that’s rare. Picking a restaurant everyone likes can feel harder than solving a puzzle.
Here’s a smart strategy for first-timers. Choose one global dish and one comfort pick, then share.
You’ll learn the menu fast.
Comfort Food Fans Won’t Feel Left Out
Not everyone wants kimchi, and that’s perfectly fine. The menu at 30hop still keeps plenty of classic comfort food in the rotation.
Burgers show up here, along with sandwiches like a turkey pesto option. Nachos, wings, and Brussels sprouts also appear among the starters.
Pretzel bites and sweet potato fries add more snackable choices. Those are easy wins for sharing at the table.
Salads get real attention too. The Very Berry Salad brings mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries, candied pecans, goat cheese, honey vinaigrette, and balsamic glaze.
That one sounds like summer in a bowl. It’s a nice lighter pick if you want something fresh.
Kids have their own choices, including a kids burger and fries. Families can relax knowing smaller appetites have options.
Dessert deserves a mention as well. A chocolate cake has been on the menu, which is good news for anyone saving room.
My suggestion is to plan your order around balance. Pair a big sandwich with a salad for the table, then let dessert be the reward.
Grab A Seat On The Rooftop While The Sky Cooperates
Outdoor dining hits differently when you’re up high. The rooftop patio at 30hop gives you a chance to eat under open sky.
The building also has an upstairs area and a ground-level patio. That means you get several seating choices depending on the weather and your mood.
A rooftop is a treat in a state known for wide open views. Iowa sunsets can be pretty generous, so timing your meal around evening light makes sense.
Spring through early fall is the natural season for rooftop plans. Weather can change fast, though, so check the forecast before you count on it.
Bring a light jacket on cooler evenings. Breezes feel stronger up top than on the sidewalk below.
The patio pairs well with the menu’s shareable dishes. A plate of pretzel bites and a few bowls make an easy outdoor spread.
If outdoor seating is your goal, arriving a bit early is a smart move. Good spots on a nice day rarely sit empty for long.
Honestly, a big sandwich tastes even better with fresh air. That’s just science.
Probably.
Bigger Groups Have Room To Spread Out
Planning a party can be stressful. 30hop makes it simpler by offering an upstairs space that groups can rent.
That area has hosted celebrations like milestone birthdays. A dedicated room keeps your crowd together instead of scattered across the dining room.
The main restaurant is large, with clean lines and a relaxed feel. Plenty of TVs mean sports fans can keep an eye on the game.
The space is also kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible. Those details matter when you’re gathering people of all ages.
A varied menu helps groups too. Noodle lovers, burger fans, and salad people can all find something without arguments.
For birthdays, team dinners, or reunions, that flexibility is gold. Fewer debates about food means more time for actual fun.
If you’re thinking about booking, reach out well ahead of your date. Popular weekends tend to fill quickly, especially during busy seasons.
Ask about menu options when you plan. Knowing what’s available early makes the night run more smoothly for everyone involved.
Weekend Brunch And Late Hours Make Timing Easy
Saturday and Sunday mornings get a head start here. 30hop opens at 10 AM on weekends and serves brunch.
Weekdays begin at 11 AM, which works nicely for lunch. Closing times run until 10 PM most nights.
Friday and Saturday stretch even later, to 11 PM. That’s handy when a movie, game, or event runs long.
Late hours are a quiet perk in Cedar Rapids. Many kitchens wind down earlier, so having a fallback for evening hunger feels great.
Afternoon food specials are also part of the schedule. The restaurant offers discounts on appetizers Sunday through Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM.
Brunch gives you another excuse to visit. You can try the menu at a different time and see what changes.
Here’s a tip for busy weekends. Aim for the start of brunch or a later lunch to avoid peak rushes.
Hours can shift during holidays or special events. Double-check before you head over, especially if you’re driving in from another town.
Finding Your Way To This Blairs Ferry Favorite
Getting there is the easy part. You’ll find 30hop at 951 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.
Blairs Ferry Road is a busy stretch on the city’s northeast side. Shops and other businesses line the area, so it’s simple to add errands.
The restaurant opened in 2018. It’s part of the Craft Concepts family, which has operated several other spots in eastern Iowa.
A movie theater sits close enough for a dinner-and-show plan. Grab food first, then head out with plenty of time.
Road-trippers will like the location too. Cedar Rapids sits in a handy spot for people traveling across the state.
A stop here breaks up a long drive with something better than gas station snacks. Your passengers will thank you.
So what’s the final move? Show up hungry for that Korean BBQ steak sandwich, and leave room to scout your next order.
With a menu this wide, one visit feels more like a preview. Consider yourself warned in the best possible way.