Taylor’s Maid-Rite

First place to grab a bite to eat when back from San Diego. Always great. Very respectful people and a clean place. Thank you!

Back again with Mom for a burger and shake. Life is good with hot burgers and cold shakes. Diner/​stool seating around the counter. Wish they were in California. Should probably steal the recipe and do my best. . Anyway. . Go. They’re very good!

If you are in the area, then this sloppy joe type classic sandwich, the «Maid-​Rite» is something that you should really stop and get. My understanding is that it is actually illegal in most of the state, except this location. Live a little.

Ok. 2 stars is harsh. Because this restaurant… based on its meaty options, deserves hella better than 2 stars — so I hear from my carnivore fella. 4 stars if you are a carnivore, so my man says. Order yer Maid-​Rite wet and with everything on it, he says.
But I’m a vegetarian. And this particular Maid-​Rite doesn’t even have fries.
This is totally a 5 star-​ambiance kinda joint. The original Maid-​Rite. Been around since the ‘20s. Nice folks who run it. But the only options for vegetarians are Pie, Milkshakes, Coffee, and Chips. Chips are in small bags. Pie is usually delicious. Coffee is in a swell, large cup. But one can’t live on pie and coffee alone, even if Twin Peaks taught us otherwise.
If you are a vegan you are shit outta luck. Coffee for you.

Soooooo good. One of my favorite things to eat in Iowa! Simply delicious sandwich of ground beef, mustard, pickles, and onions on hamburger buns. Thinking about it is making my mouth water. And then pair it with a milkshake!!! Pure beauty.

Thank goodness it was back to the maidrite I remember. The maid rites were perfect and the help was there as we sat down. What more can one ask for.

The only downside to Maid Rite in Marshalltown is the possible wait time at the lunch rush, though the service is still prompt. Inexpensive, delicious and atmospheric. Shakes are fantastic, as well.
This location is head and shoulders above the other Maid Rites scattered across central Iowa.

Honestly, my trip to Marshalltown would not be complete without at least two trips to Taylor’s. Yes, the menu is simple. Yes, it’s unlike any other Maidrite restaurant. But why mess with pure Iowa history and perfection? And, while you’re at it, grab yourself a shake because you deserve it for selecting one of the best counter-​only restaurants in the state.

An Iowan institution. The food is consistent and always the same. The sandwiches are simple and tasty. I always get mine with mustard and pickle. Their shakes and malts are to die for! Don’t skip out on the shakes! They also have interesting and atypical flavors. You must eat in to get the full experience, if you have never been here.

Love maid-​rite, but NOT THIS ONE. NOT a «real» maid-​rite. NO FRIES. counter girl takes order and begins to fill it, then asks me how many sodas we ordered? Dont know u took the order. she proceeds to hand me a sack overflowing with loose meat sandwiches… when I asked her «are the burgers labeled, since each one was different? She replied «no, want me to write it on the sack» aaaaa NO that would not help with anything. Bottom line – food is subpar and management needs to hire high school graduates. Amana colonies maid-​rite is the real deal and well worth the trip. This is my first bad experience with maid-​rite in 45 years. taylors should loose their franchise. Disgrace.

Living in Kansas City… When I go to Marshaltown, IA on business this is the go to place. I have brought people from all over the world here. I just love this place. The meat making machine is super old and the place is an icon. The Maid right is fresh ground beef on site and like no other Maid rite. This is a personal favorite. I always get a bag of frozen to bring home. Keep er going

A Marshalltown staple! If you’re visiting or new to town, Taylor’s Maid-​Rite needs to be on your list of places to go!

There is nothing like Taylor’s anywhere, ever, they very simply ARE THE BEST!!! If u have never had an authentic Maid Rite u MUST GO TO TAYLORS!!!

While technically a «Maid Rite» this location is not like the other generic Maid Rites around the state thus the reason it goes by Taylor’s Maid Rite. The menu is pretty simple: Maid Rite Sandwich, potato chips, shakes, coffee, and soda. Maid Rite sandwiches are served as they have been since the great depression, bun, loose meat, mustard, pickles, and onion, that’s it. No ketchup (although I believe recently they added ketchup packets which during my childhood was considered a sin here).
So to the guy that was complaining because Taylor’s isn’t a «Maid Rite», know your history. This place out dates most other Maid Rites by years and because of that they earned the right to play by their rules. Having grown up eating here I find that the franchise «Maid Rites» are worthless compared to Taylor’s.

Loose beef sandwich on a bun. Pretty simple.
I had mine with everything and thought it was pretty good. I understand the shakes are great as well.
A nice local option for lunch here in Marshalltown.

Not a real Maid-​Rite. Do not judge other locations by this imposter.
Not sure how you can have such poor service for a counter only restaurant that had almost as much staff as patrons. For whatever reason, they wouldn’t clean up after people left, until someone else sat down. So, suck it up and have a seat where the last person left part of their meal behind… Good luck getting a drink refill! We had a hard time getting a server to pay enough attention to even ask for them to do it.
No fries? I’ve never been to a Maid-​Rite that didn’t have them.
No seasoning in the meat? The cook said other than salt, no. That is not a Maid-​Rite.
Use the Maid-​Rite app or Loyalty Card? Not here you won’t.
I suggest you find any other place to dine than giving this place a try.

What a great little Greasy Spoon diner! Very limited menu, the Maid-​Rite sandwich, or nothing. But it is good! A loose beef sandwich, on a white bun. Add cheese and onions, and it is perfection! The shakes and malts are great too! And a sandwich for $ 3, that is hard to come by anymore!

A Maidrite from Taylor’s is the né plus ultra of Maidrites. There is nowhere else where the taste comes even close. Order it wet if you like it juicy, onions if your stomach can take it, mustard and pickles. For the love of God, no ketchup or cheese! Tip: don’t set the Maidrite down once you start eating it. Wash it down with a chocolate malt or shake — heaven!

To start with I have always liked Maid-​Rites. I had them as a little kid. As an adult, I lived in the Motherland of Maid-​Rites (Muscatine, IA) for over 15 years. I know when they are good and when they are not. I also know that Taylor’s lays claim to making the most authentic examples of the original, implying that recipes at various stores allowed the recipe to drift and change, while Taylor’s kept the faith.
I stopped on my way through while returning to St Louis. It was my chance to experience «the way they are supposed to be». I experienced a true disappointment. I had been drinking soda in the car so decided I would not need anything to drink. Huge mistake. This Maid-​Rite was so dry I could barely eat it. Are they somehow trying to pretend this is health food? It had no salt and no moisture, either juice or fat. In fact while I was there, I watched them squeeze all liquid out of the meat in the cooker and return the tasteless, dry meat.
For those of you who have Taylor’s on your list to try to get a «real» Maid-​Rite, save your time. I have had similar experiences at other places, though not this bad. Those who think they love these are loving the memory of what they used to be. They are not the same and apparently we cannot go back. It’s two stars out of respect for the memory.

I am very happy to recommend Taylor’s, without equivocation. Yes, I could be called a“foodie”, but if you truly appreciate regional cuisine, then this is a stop to add to your list.
Five stars for exceeding my expectations, and for friendly, knowledgeable service, fresh food cooked with care, and a true piece of history, all wrapped in a square of waxed paper. Ask for it «dry» and you could even consider it marginally healthy. It certainly is honest, no additives or fillers, literally cooked right in front of you. Not like the «new» Maidrite franchise shops, which I have only visited twice (shudder…once because I had no choice, and once because I couldn’t believe how bad the interstate Maidrite was. I thought I was stuck in a mall food court).
I’ve been to Taylor’s enough to know there IS a bathroom, but you gotta know where. It is a great road stop, a great road detour, and a great reason to get on the road.