IOWA INSIDER

– Tim Miller, a spokesman for John McCain, said the Arizona senator named the steak sandwich at Archie’s Waeside in Le Mars the best meal he has had on the campaign trail in Iowa. Roadfood.com describes Archie’s as a “true heartland supper club” and calls the beef they had at Archie’s “the prettiest and tastiest pound-plus hunk of filet mignon we’ve ever eased a knife through.” See RoadFood.com’s review of Archie’s.

– The press corps traveling with Barack Obama recently hit Revelations, a bookstore and cafe in Fairfield, which serves up gourmet pizza in its wood-fired grill. An array of organic and non-genetically engineered food, including soups and sandwiches is featured. Ben Smith of Politico.com had this to say about Revelations: “It was clearly on the meditator side of that town’s cultural divide, with shelves of ‘spirituality’ titles and of instrumental new age music. But the food was actually very traditional. They make their pizza in a brick oven. I had slices with zucchini and pepperoni, and both were good — very cheesy, crust a little bready for me, but the quality of the ingredients so high that it couldn’t not be good. Also, a salad from local organic produce, fresh and tasty.”

– Dan Leistikow, a mouthpiece for John Edwards’ campaign, praises D+K Hickory House in Waterloo (I’ve been to this barbecue joint and can vouch for it as well).

“Over Memorial Day weekend, he and Mrs. Edwards took the hungry campaign staff out for dinner there,” Leistikow reports.  “Senator Edwards had the beef ribs and chicken, with a cold beer.  During another recent campaign swing, our campaign manager, former Congressman David Bonior, dined on some delicious takeout — beef short ribs with a side of slaw and beans.”

– Carrie Giddins, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party, raves about Sam’s Sodas & Sandwiches, 127 W. 5th Street, Carroll.

“Sam’s is an old time soda fountain and restaurant, complete with Norman Rockwell prints hanging on the walls that attracts political candidates every two to four years as they make their pilgrimage to Carroll. There is nothing better than a lightly toasted piece of white bread, hot, crispy bacon, a fresh slice of tomato and some lettuce to make the drive to the next campaign stop bearable. In the run-up to the 2004 caucuses, Dick Gephardt and John Edwards both held campaign stops at Sam’s. Already in this early campaign cycle, six candidates have made their way through Carroll. While I cannot confirm that they stopped at Sam’s, it would be a mistake to miss this restaurant. Oh, and what campaign lunch is complete without a slice of pie – ask what’s just been baked before you order.”