The tiny Dinky Diner lives up to its name

A nice stop for travelers located in Decatur City, Iowa

The menu is large, the space is small.

But if you’ve ever driven past Exit 12 along U.S. Interstate 35 between Des Moines and Kansas City, you passed by the Dinky Diner.

The tiny has delightful comfort food. But bring cash and make sure you check the business hours in advance. Because the Dinky Diner doesn’t take credit cards and it’s open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. five days a week (closed Monday and Tuesday).

And then, you may have a barstool at the counter or a small table… if you can find one of perhaps 30 seats.

The Dinky Diner in Decatur City, Iowa, is a fun stop for road food. (Photo by John Naughton.)

There’s some history behind the restaurant. It’s a so-called Valentine Diner, a prefabricated building constructed in Wichita, Kansas (many built in the 1940s and 1950s). A number of companies have designed and shipped tiny diners across the country, and Arthur Valentine’s firm brought small restaurants to Mason City (Suzie Q), Spencer (Grand Diner) and Muscatine (Clamshell), according to information compiled by the Kansas Historical Society.

There may be some other ones out there, as well. And similar charming little places for people with big appetites. (If you’re in Fort Madison, the Fort Diner is a nice stop.)

The gravy soaked chicken fried steak at the Dinky Diner. (Photo by John Naughton.)

So you’ve secured your seat and brought your cash to the Dinky Diner. What are you going to eat?