Tiffy Jo’s bring down-home breakfast, energy bar to Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — After growing up and making a career out of serving others, Tiffany Schonhorst has opened a place of her own.

Tiffy Jo’s, opened Oct. 3, is serving many of the same people who have followed her through her career.

Growing up, Schonhorst helped her parents serve at their former Anamosa businesses, Debra’s Pizzeria and Iron Riders Saloon. For the last 15 years, she has garnered a following by serving breakfast at cafes like Bea’s and Riley’s.

Now with her first restaurant opening, she can call the customers her own.

“I’ve watched families grow, I’ve watched kids be kids, and now they’re growing up and having their kids and I get to wait on them,” said Schonhorst, 36. “That’s what I love about this — the people and connections I get. I get to be part of their Saturday morning routine.”

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The new restaurant at the former location of Bea’s Cafe in southwest Cedar Rapids has filled the bright, airy space outlined by windows with feelings of home. Nostalgic decor from the millennial owner gives a nod to the 1980s and 1990s, and food is served on mix and match vintage plates.

What’s on the menu?

For breakfast lovers, the classics on a well-rounded menu are simple enough to appreciate but embellished enough to be unique.

“I kept what I works,” said Schonhorst, a breakfast service veteran.

A full biscuit and gravy section makes hearty selections even more filling. Try your biscuits with eggs Benedict, loaded with meat and vegetables, with chicken and gravy or topped with country fried steak.

For those who don’t eat pork, the creamy country-style gravy is also available without the bacon or sausage crumbles it typically comes with.

The sweet side of the menu — pancakes adorned with everything from seasonal pumpkin to Scotcheroos — has been popular. Diners can order their pancakes with built-in bacon strips, in a cinnamon roll swirl or stuffed with Nutella and bananas.

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If French toast is more your speed, try them with berries and cream cheese.

Diners can build their own breakfast with proteins, potatoes and toast for as little as $8.99 with a wide variety of options, or pick an omelet or shipwreck option loaded with a variety of meats and vegetables.

Breakfast burritos, breakfast quesadillas and chicken and waffles round out the breakfast menu with less common offerings, particularly for an American restaurant.

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For lunch, a pared down menu is also served all day.

Burgers and traditional sandwiches like the pork tenderloin and Philly are available with homemade potato chips, tangled onion rings or other standard sides. Traditional comfort foods like hot beef come in at only $10.99.

In the future, Tiffy Jo’s plans to add a drive-thru window for to-go orders and bring in a pizza oven for breakfast pizza, which will be available by the slice.

To drink

More than an endless cup of coffee, an energy bar sets Tiffy Jo’s apart from typical breakfast diners.

Borrowing from concepts pioneered by energy bars in the Quad Cities and chains like Scooter’s, the energy bar offers a full line of Monster beverage creations that can be customized with more than 20 flavor options.

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Coffee-based drinks can be handcrafted with cold foam, caramel and chocolate sauces, and naturally-sourced energy that doesn’t rely on caffeine to wake you up.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.