Jerry's Main Lunch

"Home Of The Original Hot Mess"

About Us

Start your day with a delicious breakfast! We open at 4am every day of the week, and serve breakfast all day, among other tasty delights.

Check out our Facebook for Daily Specials! https://www.facebook.com/JerrysMainLunch/

Monday - Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Tuesday - Goulash
Friday - Ham & Beans and Cornbread
Tacos every other Friday!

Get your Homemade Pie Every Day of the Week(While Supplies Last!).

Jerry's has been a Burlington staple for over 75 years!
We offer Dine-In and Carry-Out, Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.
Get your very own Jerry's T-Shirt!

For your next meal, visit Jerry's Main Lunch in Burlington, Iowa!

We are hiring! Looking for Grill cooks!
Enter a Fast Paced, Fun Loving, Family Environment.
Join our Super Star Team today!
For more information or to apply, stop in or give us a call!

Areas Served

Des Moines County, IA | Burlington, IA

Our Professional Associations

Downtown Business
Chamber of Commerce

Our Certifications

ServSafe

What We Offer

Our Specialties include:

Well-prepared American comfort food. We are known for our homemade tenderloins and our famous "Hot Mess" Scramble! Our daily specials are always changing to keep things exciting--call or check out our Facebook to see our specials for the current week.

Our Services include:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: Start your day right, fuel up mid-day, or wind down with hearty, homemade meals served all day.
Hot Dogs: Classic, juicy hot dogs grilled to perfection—simple, satisfying, and always delicious.
Homemade Pies, Tenderloins and Soups – Everything Made from Scratch!: From flaky pies to crispy tenderloins and comforting soups, every bite is made with love and from scratch.
Ice Cream, Floats, Malts, Shakes, Soft Serve: Cool off with creamy soft serve, old-fashioned malts, thick shakes, and fizzy floats—sweet treats for every craving.
Cake: Moist, flavorful cakes baked fresh—perfect for celebrations or just because.
Sandwiches: Stacked high and made to order—our sandwiches are packed with flavor and fresh ingredients.
Dine In and Carryout: Enjoy your meal in our cozy diner or take it to go—your choice, same great taste.
Jerry's Main Lunch T-Shirts:Show your love for Jerry’s with our exclusive, comfy T-shirts—grab yours today!
80 Years in Business: Proudly serving the community since 1947—78 years of tradition, taste, and hometown hospitality.
Now Hiring Grill Cooks: Join our team! We’re looking for passionate grill cooks to bring the heat and flavor.

Testimonials

On 7/7/2026 Leanne Roberts had this to say:
10 out of 10 recommend! Hole in the wall, great service food & atmosphere. Home of the original hot mess. Must try place.

On 7/1/2026 Michelle O'Connell had this to say:
Came here with my flight crew for the first time, and it will definitely not be the last! Jerry and his staff were very personable and friendly! I had the ribeye steak dinner with hash browns and pasta salad! Everything was delicious!

On 6/15/2026 Bridgette Miller had this to say:
Very small in size but huge in quality and service. Friendly employees.

On 6/7/2026 Patrick Fee had this to say:
Incredible breakfast! Worth it... They make a "mess" like no other. Try it with corned beef hash and sauerkraut. Amazing! Today's mess started with the eggs and corn beef hash as the meat. Then we added sauerkraut, mushrooms, tomatoes, jalapeños, and pepper jack cheese on top. Then we got Tabasco sauce and jalapeños ketchup along with a bowl of chili on the side. Add a couple of pieces of toast, and your "breakfast for dinner" is complete. Did you know that Jerry's is now open 24 hours on friday? I ate there again on a 24 hour Friday night. I was there right before midnight. The special THIS time was spaghetti and mac & cheese on Texas Toast. I got a side of chili with cheese and sour cream and I was in HEAVEN!

On 6/2/2026 Jack Klein had this to say:
I had the pleasure of going here again recently, and I'm happy to say that its just as good as I remember. This was a place that I went when I was a kid with my grandmother. I'm told that Jerry and my grandfather(Cheesy Miller) were old cronies back in the day, and I'm happy to see that Jerry's place is still going strong.

Contact Us

Jerry's Main Lunch
501 S. Main St. Burlington, IA 52601
Phone: (319) 752-3750

Near the Main Train Department. Located Downtown. Off-street Parking

Where To Find Us

Payment Types Accepted

Checks, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Debit Cards

Our Hours

Holiday Hours May Vary. Please Call For Details.

Monday: 4:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 4:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday: 4:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday: 4:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday: 4:00 AM - 2:00 PM

News

Join us this Thursday at Jerry’s Main Lunch 🍽️ on Downtown Jefferson St. in Burlington!
Stop by and enjoy your favorite homestyle breakfast and lunch classics, made fresh and served with friendly, small-town hospitality. ☕🥓
📍 Downtown Jefferson St. – Burlington, IA
🗓️ Open every Thursday
Come hungry and bring a friend—see you there! 😄

🍳 Exciting news! Our diner is now open 24 hours every Friday! Whether you're craving breakfast or a late-night meal, we've got you covered. Stop by this Friday and enjoy your favorites anytime! 🥞✨ #Breakfast #Diner

📣 Catering Available
🍽️ Jerry’s Main Lunch is now offering catering for parties of up to 400 people—featuring our homemade comfort food favorites like pies, tenderloins, and signature “Hot Mess” scrambles! Whether it’s a large gathering or community event, we’ve got you covered from our Burlington diner. Contact us now to plan your menu and reserve your date!

Info

FAQ

Do you serve breakfast all day?

Yes! Breakfast is available all day, every day— we open bright and early at 4:00 am every day of the week, perfect for early risers and breakfast lovers alike.

Can I buy a Jerry’s Main Lunch T-shirt?

Yes! Show your support with our exclusive, comfy Jerry’s T-shirts—available for purchase in-store.

Do you offer dine-in and carry-out options?

Absolutely! Whether you want to enjoy your meal in our cozy diner or take it to go, we’ve got you covered.
Absolutely! Whether you want to enjoy your meal in our cozy diner or take it to go, we’ve got you covered.

Do you offer homemade pie every day?

Yes—homemade pie is available daily, while supplies last. Come early to grab a slice!

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