Rick's Sports Diner

Knoxville used to have a really good diner.   The Main Street Diner was a mainstay business, with reliably excellent breakfasts, great lunches and, occasionally, exceptional dinners.  Then the owner retired and Main Street passed on to different owners.   The quality wasn't nearly as good, and it didn't last long.   Since then, the diner has been closed more often than not, though it was a BBQ place for a little over half of last year.  The BBQ place was pretty good, but apparently it didn't do enough business to stay open.   This week, the place opened again, and is back to being a diner.

Rick's Sports Diner serves up whopping portions of basic breakfast fare for bargain prices.  I'm rather fond of the biscuits and gravy.   The menu also features appetizers, a small selection of salads, chicken sandwiches, burgers and lunch baskets, plus hot wings and home-made pie.  Rick's is open from 6 am to 2 pm Monday through Saturday, and from 5-9 pm Thursday through Saturday, to coincide with the times Peace Tree Brewing (which is right next door) is open. 

The decor isn't much, honestly.   There's a big-screen TV on one wall, and a few bits of sports memorabilia decorate the walls here and there.   But on the positive side, it is clean and well-lit, and there is enough room between the tables that you can come and go without bumping into anyone (something that hasn't always been true of the forerunners to this new diner).  Plus, Rick has an interesting offer going to try to get more sports decor:  You can bring in sports memorabilia and cash it in toward meals. 

If you happen to be in Knoxville, Iowa and are looking for quick and friendly service and a good deal on breakfast or lunch - or perhaps wanting something for dinner while you enjoy Peace Tree's Brewery's excellent brews, do yourself a favor and drop by Rick's.  It offers the best breakfasts in town.   I can't yet give a personal recommendation in regard to lunch or dinner, as so far I've only sampled the breakfasts (twice now), but I expect the quality will be on par with the breakfasts.  And next time I go there, I'll try to remember to bring the camera so I can get some pictures.

Rick's Sports Diner is located at 119 West Main Street in Knoxville.