Iowa all Over: Dell’s Diner in Waverly

Every town needs its Main Street, and every Main Street needs its diner.

In Waverly, that place is Dell's Diner, sandwiched in between the Bremer County Historical Society on one side and an insurance therapy services office on the other.

The establishment isn't big inside, and its owners don't plan on changing that any time soon. The diner can hold 48 people, said Craig Mehmen, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Mardelle.

The couple bought the business in 2001. Craig wanted to call it Mel's Diner. But to avoid any issues with a television show, 'Alice,” which featured a restaurant with that name, the Mehmens decided to call it Dell's, playing on Mardelle's nickname.

Around Waverly, people simply call her Dell.

The Mehmens' daughter, Kim Lursen, cooks, runs the kitchen and waits tables on the weekends.

'We specialize in breakfast - skillets and omelets,” Craig said.

The pancakes come big - about the size of a large dinner plate, Craig said.

For lunch, the Mehmens recommend the potato salad.

'My wife hates potato salad, but her recipe - everybody loves it,” Craig said. 'Graduations in May, we probably go through 150 gallons of potato salad.”

Years ago, the diner used to be called Roy's Place. It was the 'Home of the Greasy Egg Sandwich,” as one sign read.

'Their famous sandwich was an egg cheese,” Craig said. 'They would shake up the egg in the coffee cup and they would pour it into the grease and it would float, and that's how it would cook.

'They'd put the cheese on top of it and then they would take a bun and they'd get the spatula under the egg on the grease and they'd squeeze the grease out of it with the bun.”

That masterpiece was called the Floater, Craig recalled.

Today, the menu is simple. Breakfast combo No. 1 comes with buttered toast, eggs, a choice of meat and hash browns, which can be customized with a choice of cheese on top. The breakfast combo was hearty and satisfying.

Dell's has its loyal customers. Some come twice a day. Dell's also sees students from Wartburg College, which is within walking distance.

During RAGBRAI last year, Dell's decided to stay open later than normal.

'We decided during RAGBRAI, instead of closing at 1:30, we would stay open and close at 4 and then open again for the evening,” Craig said. 'We never could close. They wouldn't let us.”

MORE ON WAVERLY

Incorporated in 1859, Waverly is the county seat of Bremer County. Waverly's downtown is designated as a Main Street Iowa District, and its population is about 10,000, according to the city's website.

IF YOU GO

What: Dell's Diner

Where: 404 W. Bremer Ave., Waverly

Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.

Call: (319) 352-1984