Some folks plan vacations around landmarks. Us? We’re always on the lookout for that perfectly offbeat place where locals go to unwind and visitors stumble upon by happy accident. During our Iowa road trip, we landed in Fort Dodge just in time for Frontier Days—complete with cowboy hats, root beer floats, and plenty of boot-scootin’. But in between parade floats and prairie history, we found a different kind of horsepower at Rides Bar & Grill. From the moment we rolled into the parking lot, I had a hunch this wasn’t your average burger joint. With its automotive name and roadside flair, it practically shouted “gearhead dining with a side of fries.” This wasn’t just a stop for fuel—it was a pit stop for the soul. Crystal smiled. I grinned. Our appetites? Redlining.
We want to thank Visit Fort Dodge for hosting our visit. Rest assured, all photos and opinions are our own.
Garage Goals and Grilled Goodness
Walking into Rides Bar & Grill felt like stepping into a retro service station where the mechanics swapped wrenches for spatulas. Every inch of wall space was a love letter to the open road—auto parts signs, racing memorabilia, neon signs glowing like taillights at dusk. The menu was cleverly tuned to the theme, with burgers named after muscle cars and appetizers that sounded like they should be served on a hood ornament. We slid into a booth, grinning at the clever puns peppered across the menu like road gravel. For car lovers and casual diners alike, this is an experience—not just a meal. If you’re into gearhead dining, this is the kind of place where your food arrives fast, loud, and fully loaded.
Frontier Days & Fried Things
We were in town for the annual Frontier Days celebration—an event that blends cowboy charm with small-town pride. It’s the kind of festival where everyone knows someone in the parade, and the kettle corn smells better than gold. After cheering on the reenactors and seeing the Cardiff Giant, we needed a break from the sun and a bite to eat. Enter: Rides. The timing was perfect, and so was the starter—O’ Rings. These weren’t your run-of-the-mill onion rings. No, these crispy beauties came piled like a basket full of golden deliciousness, served with a dipping sauce that danced across our taste buds like honky-tonk harmonies. Frontier Days gave us the cowboy stories, but Rides Bar & Grill gave us the fuel to keep exploring. And trust me, we weren’t even to the main course yet.
The Fat Boy: A Burger Built Like a Big Block Engine
I’ve met my fair share of burgers over the years, but the Fat Boy at Rides might be the one that leaves the biggest impression—both on the plate and in the waistband. This towering tribute to indulgence featured two juicy patties buried under melty cheese and smoky bacon. It tastes like nostalgia and high-octane ambition. Alongside it came a heap of “totties”—their version of crispy, golden tater tots that felt like a joyride straight to my carb-loving heart. I paused after the first bite, looked across the table at Crystal, and said, “Well, this may be the burger that broke me.” She laughed and told me to keep chewing. Every bite of the Fat Boy revved my engine a little more—and made me wish I had a bottomless stomach.
Eat, Rev, Repeat at Rides Bar & Grill
By the end of the meal, I felt like I’d just completed an eating challenge on one of those food competition shows. Except there was no camera crew, just two hungry travelers and a whole lot of satisfaction. Rides isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but they sure know how to grease it, grill it, and plate it with a wink. From its quirky decor to its frontier-friendly charm, this Fort Dodge hotspot checked all the boxes for a memorable stop on our Iowa road trip. The Fat Boy was more than a burger—it was a rite of passage, a delicious dare dressed in bacon and bravado. As we walked out, full and happy, I couldn’t help but ask myself—and now I ask you: Do you think you could tackle this monster?
This is our kind of road trip stop—local, quirky, and hearty meals.
That’s exactly what drew us in! We had a couple of locals recommend it while we were exploring Fort Dodge, and we’re glad they did. Places like this remind us that the best stops are often just a good conversation away.
Love that it’s not just a theme but actually good food too. Would you say it’s kid-friendly?
Great point—and yes, it’s definitely kid-friendly! The atmosphere is fun and casual, and we saw quite a few families dining when we were there. Plus, the menu has a little something for everyone (even picky eaters).
That Fat Boy burger sounds incredible. Was it as big as it looks in the photos?
Absolutely! It’s definitely a burger you’ll want to show up hungry for.
I love finding these classic roadside joints! We’re heading through Iowa next month—do you remember what town this was in?
Rides is in Fort Dodge—easy to reach and hard to forget once you’ve tasted that bacon cheeseburger. It’s just the kind of stop that makes a road trip feel like an adventure. Safe travels and happy eating!