It was a film location for Duck's Breath movie, Zadar, Cow from Hell". The Quad City Times states "it's a piece of Americana"...Former President Ronald Reagan visited "The Burg" in 1992 and former President Bill Clinton was our guest in 2003. We have been visited by many politicians and candidates and are a must "Meet the People Stop" for all campaigns. The Burg is the host of the original and only Official Iowa Coffee Bean Caucus and Iowa Coffee Bean Ballot, helping to attract local, state, national and international interest to Iowa politics.
Press-Citizen voted Hamburg Inn as the "Best Burger", "Best Breakfast", "Best American"
The Hamburg Inn story began in the mid 1930's when Joe Panther started Hamburg Inn on Iowa Avenue. His brother Adrian eventually joined Joe. Hamburgers sold for a nickel, there were 10 burgers to the pound and they gained the nickname "grease spots". Adrian eventually bought the restaurant from Joe. In 1948, Mrs. Van's Restaurant on N. Linn Street cam up for sale and was bought by another brother, Fritz Panther and his wife, Fran. Adrian and Fritz formed a partnership and over the years had Hamburg Inn #1 and #2, Big Ten Inn on Riverside Drive and the Airport Inn in Iowa City. They also had Hamburg Inn #3 in Cedar Rapids on Center Point Road. Hamburg Inn No. 2 is the only remaining location. Dave Panther, Fritz and Fran's son, bought the restaurant in 1979 from his parents and has continued the tradition of "Comfort Food in a Fifties Time Capsule". For over 15 years, Dave has also been a professional clown and storyteller.
Hawkeyes travel from coast to coast to visit us. Hamburg Inn No. 2, one of Iowa's mostfamous restaurants, was featured in the Washington Post's "Great American Hamburger Debate", national public radio's program "All Things Considered" and Susan Stramburg's "Every Night at Five".
