Welcome to the Iron Horse Cafe, a charming dining gem nestled in the heart of Hooper, Nebraska. This family-owned restaurant stands out not only for its delicious food but also for its warm and inviting atmosphere. Reviewers consistently highlight the friendliness of the owner, Dale, who takes the time to connect with guests, making them feel like part of the cafe’s extended family.
Patrons rave about the diverse menu that features generous portions, with standout dishes such as freshly cooked burgers that boast handmade patties and a delightful array of toppings. One customer described savoring a burger paired with a generous serving of crinkle-cut fries, emphasizing the balance of flavors and the quality of ingredients.
The historical charm of the cafe, set in a beautifully preserved old building, adds to its appeal, creating a unique backdrop for a casual dining experience. With its rich history and engaging atmosphere, Iron Horse Cafe is a must-visit for anyone passing through Hooper. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy great food while soaking up the local culture!
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For Iron Horse Cafe
Arturo Mejia
Jul 3,2025
The food tasted very good. The owner took the time to chat with us and he was very friendly which, as Hispanic, it means a lot. This is a family business with a great history and the owner made us feel as part of it. If you’re driving by Hooper, NE. make sure to visit this dining place.
Sarah Cunningham
Jun 6,2025
We only had a couple of drinks, but love the atmosphere of the Iron House. Awesome old building with tons of character.
Franklin Pietraszuk
May 12,2025
Really good food, big variety, large portions and awesome location .
mike campbell
May 6,2025
This place is the bomb. The owners are so welcoming. Food is great and the laughs never end. The customer’s are ever as much fun. Will be back soon to practice how to pronounce hooper with the correct accent. Love it!!
Tamara Webster
Apr 1,2025
We came up from Omaha for an end-of-season round of golf at the nearby Elkhorn Valley Golf Course and we stopped here for burgers on our way out of town. We appreciate the historic building and classic, almost saloon like vibe of the place and we really enjoyed our first visit. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching and listening to long time owner Dale engage with all the locals who came in while we were there. Dale was hilarious with his jokes and overall demeanor. I could tell by all the to-go orders that we made a good choice by stopping in. When our food finally came our burgers were simple and tasty with fresh, handmade patties perfectly cooked with cheese, bacon and lots of pickles and a crazy large amount of crinkle cut fries also perfectly cooked. My Corona beers were cold and the cut limes were fresh. Aside from a slightly long wait due to the amount of orders they were dealing with, I really loved our first experience. We'll definitely make this this a regular stop whenever we're up in the area. Highly recommend!
Anastasia Huggins
Mar 28,2025
We needed food while driving through Nebraska and stumbled acrossed this great spot in Hooper (pronounced Hupper). Staff was incredibly friendly but the food was amazing. I might make the trek back just to get their Ruben again
D Clifton
Mar 27,2025
If you want to go eat at a cheap nice restaurant don't hesitate this is a great cheap place and the people are so friendly thank you all there for the great service we really appreciated everything
glen w
Mar 25,2025
I liked it alot, food is great, atmosphere was great, Dale was great! Can't beat the food. Go there for lunch!! I'm going to go back.
Reviews For Iron Horse Cafe