We brought our family out for a morning treat. We love the atmosphere and will be back just for that! The drinks and food were also good. The cinnamon roll was dripping in a delicious frosting. My son had fun (carefully) playing with the free pool table while we were there.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
In a continuing effort to try different coffee and tea shops around the Quad Cities, I cam across Iron + Grain Coffee House in a search on Google Maps. I'd noticed the Davenport location initially, but after a recent meal in Bettendorf realized that this East Moline location was a closer drive. I needed the tea really bad this afternoon, so off I went across the river for my fix.
I don't often get into East Moline for any reason and honestly, the last trips I've made there have been for reviews like this. I particularly glad I decided to come out this way today, as the general area around the coffee house and other businesses is really cool! The nearby Rust Belt advertises it was once home to an automobile manufacturing plant and is now a concert venue. Also nearby is Midwest Ale Works, another local craft brewer, and Jenny's Boxcar, a bright looking pub/restaurant. I need to get back here again - this whole redevelopment looks really neat!
Those first impressions were only further confirmed and cemented upon entering into Iron + Grain. The initial entry into the space is a bit closed off - a few tables to sit, some merchandise of to one side and a bathroom on the other...not much there. The much larger space off to the left of the entry is unique, though. Just about every place to sit looks different. There's some plush couches and chairs in one corner, a high table with accompanying stools for a larger group, and a pool table in the middle of it all, to describe a few. The floor is a plain concrete slab through the entirety of the space, while the ceiling plenum is open and displays the mix of rough wood 2x4s along the very top, large I-beams providing support, and HVAC ductwork running throughout. Lighting is minimal - there are a few strips of accent lights and two unique fixtures suspended from the ceiling at one end of the space. The walls add a further accent to the overall aesthetic not usually noticeable or important in other places - the brick on the wall containing windows along the building's facade is a mix of faded reds and browns usually indicate years of presence, while other walls are painted a plain white or black.
I mention all of this to say I really like the vibe of this space. There's some description online that describes the place as somewhere to have a meeting during the day or just otherwise relax. I definitely feel it being here - the mix of natural lighting and minimal fixtures keeps the place feeling comfortable, the music is soft Indie pop, and the chair I sat in was plenty comfy. I can definitely envision both doing remote work here or even getting coworkers here for an off-site hang-out.
For a beverage today, I opted for a hot tea, in this case a Republic of Teas Jasmine Green. I also got a fairly large chocolate chip cookie. The tea was standard for the offerings from Republic of Teas - it was a solid green tea that I'd easily get again, here and elsewhere. The cookie was probably a little big for what I needed and wanted this afternoon, but tasted great - definitely more on the biscuity side of cookies rather than the cake-y side. I ate about half and saved the rest for later. The barista was really nice and got my tea for me quickly.
All in all, this was a great experience today. I wish the space were closer to home in Bettendorf, but I definitely want to come back here soon. I'm looking forward to trying Jennie's Boxcar and Midwest Ale Works on a future visit to the area. Thanks Iron + Grain, I really like what you're doing here!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Coffee is great, folks working are always friendly at the Rust Belt East Moline location. Inside is a nice atmosphere to hang out too, large shared open space with architect office and boutique clothing shop. My favorite table is the re-purposed door into a table by far!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
