Artful Food With A Local Flair
117 First Street W, Mt. Vernon IA 52314 / Tel: (319) 895-4041
Hours: Tue through Sat: 11:00a to 1:00p; 5:00p to 7:30ish
We are currently open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.
April Update
Warmer weather has made it to Iowa, and we are celebrating with a slate of spectacular April entrees! On top of that, the Burger of the Month is one of our all-time favorites: topped with deconstructed crab rangoon.We hope to see you soon!
Hours
We are open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch between 11:00 and 1:00 and dinner from 5:00 to 7:30ish.
Hope to see you all soon!
Ordering
You can still call in your orders to (319) 895-4041.
April Menu
RACK OF LAMB herb-crusted, parmigiano reggiano polenta, juniper-port demi glace | |
STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST spinach, artichoke hearts, parmigiano, sun-dried tomatoes, and risotto | |
PORK SCHNITZEL cracker coated pork cutlet, German-style potato salad, mustard-dill cream | |
SHRIMP SCAMPI almond crust, sweet potato quinoa, garlic, lemon, sherry, broccolini | |
BROCCOLI CAPPANELLA pesto, tomatoes, broccoli, manchego and parmigiano cheeses |
Brunch
Unfortunately, we are not ready to resume our Brunch offering at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Check out our creme brulee French toast or bloody Mary mussels, along with the rest of the great menu. Lovin' it! Sunday 10 am - 1 pm
BEER, WINE, AND CRAFT COCKTAILS ALSO AVAILABLE
Something for everyone
Reservations accepted: Online at www.cafepalisades.com or call us at (319) 895-4041
Palisades Cafe - artful food with a local flair
Sandwich/Salad Menu
APPETIZERS
ONION RINGS WITH HORSERADISH AIOLI
TEMPURA GREEN BEANS WITH SOY DIP
HANDCUT FRIES
SANDWICHES
(with burger, veggie patty, grilled loin, or grilled chicken. Served with chips, substitute fries - extra)
BURGER OF THE MONTH
Our burger of the month is a favorite: deconstructed crab rangoon.
SOUTHWEST - Black bean, avocado, salsa, sour cream
PALISADES - Pickled beets, chevre, horseradish aioli, arugula
GREEK - Cucumber, tomato, feta, Kalamata olives
JAMAICAN - Jerk rub, mango salsa
BUILD YOUR OWN
Choice of burger, grilled chicken breast, grilled loin, or veggie patty
Cheeses: American, cheddar, provolone, Swiss, chevre, blue, ghost pepper
Bacon, egg, avocado, salsa, grilled mushrooms/onions
All sandwiched served with chips. Hand-cut fries or mixed greens available.
SALADS
(add chicken, extra)
CAESAR - crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and savory croutons
MIXED GREENS - w/ buttermilk, balsamic vin, blue cheese
SPINACH-ARUGULA - w/ fennel, feta, red onion, pomegranate vin
SMOKED SALMON - w/ mixed greens, chickpeas, cucumber, lemon caper dill
HOUSE FAVORITES
GRILLED PORTABELLO SANDWICH- w/ spinach, peppers,grilled onion, red pepper aioli
HAND BREADED PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICH - w/pear slaw and gorgonzola
BLT - yep, a timeless favorite with only the best bacon, fresh, ripe tomato and lettuce w/ mayo
SPICY CHICKEN SANDWICH - w/grilled red onion, spicy mayo
ST. LOUIS RIBS & FRIES - w/house BBQ
Please see the board for daily soup and desserts
Beer and wine list available
KID MENU
(12 and under, please)
Noodles w/ butter and parmesan
Burger
Cheeseburger
All beef hot dog
Grilled cheese
PB&J
Sandwiches served with chips.
Fries may be substituted for slightly more.
Brunch Menu
House Favorites
Ribs and eggs with home fries
Bloody mary mussels with baguette
Shrimp, grits and eggs
Biscuits and gravy
Huevos rancheros with mango salsa
Omelets
Served w/ white or whole wheat toast
Florentine: spinach, provolone, tomato
Denver: prosciutto, peppers, onion, cheese
Palisades Poutine: cheddar,hash, sausage gravy
Classics
Crème brulee French toast
Waffles
Waffles with whip and berries
We use Great River Maple Syrup – Iowa
Ala Carte
Eggs - local Sparboe Farms
Bacon
Home fries
Toast (white or whole wheat)
Sandwiches
Spicy chicken
BLT
BELT
Build your own:
Choice of: beef, chicken, grilled loin, or veggie patty
Cheese: american, cheddar, provolone,swiss, chevre,
blue, ghost pepper
Bacon, fried egg, avocado, salsa, grilled mushroom/onion
*served with chips, home fries substitution available.
Something extra
Bloody Mary
Irish Coffee
Beer, wine, and craft cocktails are also available
Kid menu
(12 and under, please)
noodles with butter and parmesan
burger
cheeseburger
all beef hot dog
grilled cheese
PB&J
Sandwiches served with chips.
December 2022
Delicious! Had the goat cheese and beets burger—and immediately wrote this review after finishing it. Cute spot, yummy food, and a nice time. :)
Emily M.
August 2020
They have the best salad I have ever had. Including salads from all across the country! It is a Spinach Arugula salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette. There is a hint of fennel and red onions are finely sliced. Then they top it off some wonderful feta cheese. Enough for two people at only $10. Crazy good.
Shelby K.
July 2020
"We got lunch as takeout, and it was wonderful! Could have eaten in using social distancing-lots of space for that-but got the catfish P.O.' boy with home fries, and the Jamaican jerk burger with salad. Substantial portions too. We will be back!"
Jim G. - West Branch, Iowa
March 2020 - Fun cafe! Excellent service
"Fun cafe! Excellent service and tasty food. Check out the ceiling fans! The creme brûlée was especially good and the coffee is delish."
~ edal2012
October 2019
"Where to begin? Our friend took us here. We had heard really good things about this place but we were in for a very pleasant surprise. Everything from the beginning to dessert was amazing! Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu. The place is casual but their food is off the charts. My hat is off to the Chef & staff. If you are anywhere near this place, please indulge yourself & get ready for a treat! The food is exceptional."
Hope K. - Melbourne, Florida
May 2019
Stopped in with my mom looking for coffee, but ended up ordering food. Super nice staff and the food is AMAZING.
Michelle R.
March 2019 - Wow! That was Incredible!!!
"We stopped by Saturday night because the specials in the email looked so interesting and delicious. We split two: the special burger and the pheasant. Both were off the charts good!! This meal was pretty much the same as the old Lincoln Cafe. Everything was perfect!!!"
~ Tr0pez
February 2019
"Love this place. Menu changes every month and the specials are fantastic. Great atmosphere, service, drinks, and food."
Terry S. - San Francisco
November 2018 - Quaint and cozy, food is excellent
"Though we are locals, we only manage to eat here occasionally. The service is always great, their monthly menu has a unique and very tasteful choice of entrees. Always look forward to going back!"
~ Brent S.
November 2018
"This is my favorite local café! I make the drive from CR every few months just to visit it. The atmosphere is super cute and cozy, and the food is always fantastic. The monthly special menu items keep things interesting and are always worth looking forward to.
I also think that there's something for everyone. I love how they offer simple and classic lunch items, but they also have more gourmet menu items with fancy ingredients that I can't pronounce! I also love their vegetarian options, despite being a meat eater.
I think Palisades makes the perfect spot to get lunch and catch up with a friend. I would recommend it to anyone"
Bailey B. - Cedar Rapids, IA
"I haven't had anything less than amazing here. The atmosphere is lovely, there are options for vegetarians, and one of my favorite places in town all around."
Natalie B. - Mt. Vernon, IA
June 2018
"I'm a little late to post this but I ate here when I returned for a college reunion a few years back. By myself I sat at the counter near the grill and watched them make simply the BEST Iowa Beef burger with bleu cheese! I've told hubs about the crunchy sear, the grilled bun and creamy melted bleu so many times, he may just take me back! While I'm sure my love affair with Iowa Beef may have me dreaming of eats I can't get in Nashville (where we live), I'd say this was the best Burger of my life! (And I've had a few...). Yum!"
Michele S. - Franklin, TN
March 2018
"This place is definitely a good place to eat in the Mount Vernon area. Their menu changes every month so you have to go in every month to see what the new menu is. I really like their hamburgers. You can build your own custom burger or order one of their specialty burgers as well."
Paul F. - Mount Vernon, IA