Sanborn, Iowa · Since The Standard Café Days

Breakfast, burgers & small-town favorites in the heart of Sanborn.

Jay's Restaurant & Lounge has been Northwest Iowa's hometown gathering place for generations — hearty breakfasts, fresh-ground burgers, USDA choice steaks, Friday-night prime rib, and our famous Colossal Soup & Salad Bar.

All-Day Breakfast Mon–Thu Prime Rib Fri & Sat Family Dining & Lounge
About Jay's

A Sanborn restaurant built on good food & good company.

At Jay's, we believe great food starts with consistency, generous portions, and welcoming service. From local farmers and families to travelers passing through town, Jay's continues to be a favorite stop for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Located in the heart of Sanborn, Iowa, we've built our reputation on classic Midwestern comfort food served fresh every day — in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere where everybody knows your order.

  • Fresh-ground burgers
  • Homestyle breakfasts
  • Broasted chicken
  • Prime rib weekends
  • Friday fish specials
  • Homemade soups & salads
Jay's restaurant
chicken thighs
Black-and-white historical photo of the Standard Café, the original Sanborn restaurant on the site
Every Week At Jay's

A different reason to stop in every night.

From Tuesday sirloin to Friday fish to Sunday brunch — the lineup that keeps Northwest Iowa coming back.

Tuesday & Friday

Sirloin Steak Plate

Grilled 8 oz. center-cut choice sirloin with potato, one side and Texas toast. 18.99

Tuesday – Saturday
Ribeye Steak Sandwich

Six-ounce ribeye, served open-faced on grilled Texas toast with one side. 15.99
Add Colossal Soup & Salad Bar 4.99


French Dip

Thin-sliced prime rib stacked on a grilled nine-inch hoagie bun, served with au jus.
Sandwich only 16.99 · Side or salad bar 18.99 · Side & salad bar 20.99

Wednesday

Italian Night

All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti 16.99 · Spaghetti Dinner 12.99 · Lasagna Rollup 12.99

All come with garlic toast and one trip to the Colossal Soup & Salad Bar.

Thursday

All-You-Can-Eat Broasted Chicken

With one trip to the Colossal Soup & Salad Bar and one side. 14.99


Traditional Wings

Six for $9 with your choice of sauce.

Friday Night

All-You-Can-Eat Alaskan Pollock

Mild pollock fillets — broiled or freshly battered — with one trip to the Colossal Soup & Salad Bar and one side. 15.99

Friday & Saturday

Prime Rib

Fresh Iowa ribeye, delicately seasoned and slow-cooked in our special prime rib ovens. Three cuts:

12 oz. 29.99 · 14 oz. 34.99 · 16 oz. 39.99

Sunday
Breakfast

Served 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.


Brunch Buffet

Available 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Kind Words

What Sanborn says about Jay's.

★★★★★

"Best prime rib in Northwest Iowa, no contest. We drive in from Sheldon every other Friday and it's worth every mile. The salad bar alone could be a meal."

— Karen M., Sheldon, IA
★★★★★

"Stopped in for breakfast on a Tuesday morning and ended up staying for two refills of coffee. Steak and eggs were cooked perfect, the hash browns were crispy, and everyone there is friendly."

— Dale R., Hartley, IA
★★★★★

"Took my whole farm crew here for lunch after harvest and they treated us like family. Burgers were fresh, portions were huge, and the bill was reasonable. We'll be back."

— Mike H., Sanborn, IA
Good to Know

Frequently asked questions.

  • Does Jay's serve breakfast all day?

    Yes. Jay's Restaurant & Lounge serves all-day breakfast Monday through Thursday, with the full breakfast menu available from open to close. Friday through Sunday, breakfast is served during morning hours.

  • When is prime rib served at Jay's?

    Prime rib is served Friday and Saturday evenings. Fresh Iowa ribeye is slow-cooked in our prime rib ovens and offered in 12 oz. ($29.99), 14 oz. ($34.99), and 16 oz. ($39.99) cuts — each served with one trip to the Colossal Soup & Salad Bar and your choice of side.

  • Does Jay's have a salad bar?

    Yes. Jay's features the Colossal Soup & Salad Bar with fresh greens, homemade salads, soup selections, and classic comfort-food sides like potato salad, macaroni salad, pea salad, and Jell-O & fluff. It's available as a meal all by itself ($11.99) or as a one-trip add-on to any entrée ($4.99).

  • Where is Jay's Restaurant & Lounge located?

    Jay's Restaurant & Lounge is located at 120 W 7th St, Sanborn, Iowa 51248 — in the heart of downtown Sanborn. Call (712) 930-3886 for reservations or to-go orders.

  • What are Jay's hours?

    Kitchen hours are 6 am–2 pm on Monday, 6 am–2 pm and 4 pm–9 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 8 am–1:30 pm on Sunday. The bar stays open until close Monday through Saturday.

  • What are Jay's most popular menu items?

    Customer favorites include the weekend prime rib, broasted chicken, fresh-ground burgers like Terry's Special and Deb's Special, omelets, sirloin steak dinners, and the Friday all-you-can-eat Alaskan pollock.

  • Does Jay's have weekly specials?

    Yes. Weekly specials include Italian Night on Wednesday, all-you-can-eat broasted chicken on Thursday, Friday fish night, prime rib Friday and Saturday, and a Sunday brunch buffet.

Visit & Reserve

Get in touch with Jay's.

Call ahead for reservations, group dining, or to-go orders — or send us a message and we'll get back to you during business hours.