University Library Cafe Menu

Welcome to the University Library Cafe, a hidden gem nestled at 3506 University Ave in Des Moines, IA. This cozy spot has quickly become a local favorite, known for its hearty, flavorful offerings that are perfect for any time of day.

The cafe's breakfast menu shines with standout dishes like the Breakfast Burger, featuring a perfectly ground burger topped with bacon, egg, and homemade sausage gravy, ensuring a satisfying start to your day. For lunch, their burgers are a must-try, especially the Jalapeño Havarti Burger, boasting bold flavors and generous portions.

Complement your meal with a side of their homemade chili or delightful dinner salad, which adds freshness to your dining experience. With rave reviews praising both the delicious food and excellent service, the University Library Cafe promises a warm atmosphere and a truly memorable meal.

Sandwiches & Entrees

Reuben

Our slow roasted corned beef topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and 1000 Island dressing.

$14.99

Corned Beef On Rye

Our seasoned and slow cooked corned beef piled high with stone ground mustard on rye bread.

$13.99

Breaded Chicken & Bacon Sandwich

Breaded chicken breast served on a fresh roll with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

$14.99

Sausage Sandwich

Our traditional house made Sicilian mild sausage link butterflied and grilled. Topped with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, homemade marinara and mozzarella cheese served on a fresh hoagie.

$14.99

Homemade Macaroni And Cheese

Homemade, special classic recipe. Add Chili or Bacon for an extra cost.

$10.99

Havarti Grilled Cheese

A mix of American and Havarti cheeses. Havarti is a creamy, semi-soft cheese developed first in Denmark by Hanne Nielsen. Add ham, turkey or bacon for an extra cost.

$11.99

Meatloaf Sandwich

Our house ground hamburger mixed with celery and onion and topped with our homemade meatloaf sauce. Try adding Des Moines' Cheese Shop cheese for an extra cost. Add bacon for an upcharge.

$11.99

The Breakfast Club*

Ham, turkey, bacon, salsa and egg on Texas Toast.

$14.99

Library Vegetarian Melt

Sautéed veggies, Cabra Blanca cheese and hummus on Texas Toast.

$11.99

Turkey Sandwich

Turkey breast, slow cooked in a seasoned broth sliced and placed on a fresh hoagie bun with bacon, havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

$14.99

Chicken Strip Basket

Three chicken strips served on top of texas toast and served with fries.

$13.99

Tenderloin Sandwich

Hand breaded pork tenderloin topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and served on a fresh bun.

$14.99

French Dip

Our freshly sliced roast beef topped with mozzarella and served on a toasted hoagie with au jus. Add grilled peppers and onions for an extra cost.

$15.99

Roast Beef Nachos

Our Library nachos topped with shaved roast beef.

$14.99

Chicken Nachos

Our Library Nachos topped with chicken.

$14.99

Bacon Nachos

Our Library Nachos topped with bacon.

$14.99

Library Nachos

Fresh flour tortillas topped with pinto beans, shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey cheese sauce, salsa, mild banana pepper rings, and sour cream, and pico de gallo.

$11.99

Corned Beef Nachos

Our Library Nachos topped with corned beef.

$14.99

Cheeseburger Nachos

Our Library Nachos topped with ground hamburger.

$14.99

Nachos

Appetizers

Library Poutine

French fries and cheese curds topped with roast beef and gravy.

$13.99

Homemade Onion Rings

A large basket of thin sliced yellow onion rings, hand breaded and fried.

$10.99

Wings

A pound of wings tossed in your choice of our homemade buffalo sauce, sweet BBQ sauce or Mo'Rub BBQ Dry Rub.

$14.99

Fried Cheese Curds

Cheese curds battered and fried.

$10.99

Fried Pickles

Breaded dill pickle chips served with ranch.

$9.99

Chili Cheese Fries

French fries piled high with cheese and chili.

$9.99

Fried Banana Peppers

Hand breaded banana pepper slices.

$8.99

Denver Omelet

A three egg omelet with ham, red peppers, onions, and cheese served with a side of country potatoes and toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$14.99

Hummus Melt

Hummus, fried eggs and Havarti cheese on Texas toast with a side of country potatoes. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$11.99

Library Breakfast

Two eggs cooked to order, choice of meat, country potatoes, and toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$13.99

Breakfast Nachos

Flour tortilla chips topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, onions, and red and green peppers then topped with Monterey cheese sauce. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$14.99

Fiesta Omelet

A three egg omelet filled with ham and cheese topped with salsa, jalapeños and sour cream. Served with country potatoes and toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$14.99

Breakfast Burrito

A flour tortilla stuffed full with eggs, crispy potatoes, sausage, onions and cheese. Served with our house salsa. Try it smothered in cheese sauce and housemade chili for an extra cost. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$13.99

Corned Beef Hash

Country potatoes and corned beef topped with two eggs. Served with toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$12.99

Texas Melt

Bacon, egg and cheese on Texas toast served with a side of country potatoes. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$13.99

Smothered Potatoes

Country potatoes topped with ham, onions, red and green peppers, tomato, jalapeños, banana peppers, chili and cheese. Topped with two eggs. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$14.99

Cheese Shop Omelet

A three egg omelet with Cheese Shop cheese and ham. Served with country potatoes and toast. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

$14.99

Eggs Benedict

Two poached eggs served on biscuits with your choice of protein. Topped with homemade hollandaise sauce. Served with potatoes.

$14.99

La Mie Breakfast Croissant

Fried egg, Havarti Cheese, American Cheese and your choice of ham or bacon served on a fresh La Mie Bakery croissant with country potatoes.

$14.99

Biscuits And Country Gravy

Two biscuits halved and topped with homemade country sausage gravy. Served with two eggs.

$12.99

Breakfast Burger

Library ground burger topped with bacon, egg, The Cheese Shop cheese, and homemade country sausage gravy. Served with country potatoes.

$15.99

Hangover Hash

Breakfast potatoes topped with salsa, homemade country sausage gravy and two eggs any style.

$12.99

Pancake Breakfast

Two large pancakes, two eggs and choice of meat.

$13.99

Large Side Of Sausage Gravy

$4.00

Large Side Of Cheese Sauce

$4.00

French Toast Breakfast

Two slices of French toast, two eggs, and choice of meat.

$13.99

Chicken Fried Steak

Topped with our homemade country sausage gravy. Served with two eggs, potatoes and toast.

$14.99

Breakfast

Burgers

Chili Cheeseburger*

Our cheeseburger topped with our homemade chili and cheese.

$13.99

Jalapeño Havarti Burger*

Our half pound ground beef patty topped with jalapeños & Havarti cheese on a bun.

$13.99

Cheese Shop Cheeseburger*

Half pound specially mixed fresh ground beef patty with The Cheese Shop cheese on a bun.

$15.99

Bacon Cheeseburger*

Our cheeseburger topped with bacon.

$15.99

Double Cheeseburger*

Two of our half pound, specially mixed, fresh ground beef patties topped with cheese on a bun.

$16.99

Bookworm Burger*

Patty topped with cheese, bacon, mac & cheese, lettuce and tomato, served on Texas Toast.

$15.99

Peanut Butter Bacon Burger*

Half pound patty topped with peanut butter and thick cut bacon served on a bun.

$15.99

Veggie Burger*

A quarter pound all vegetable patty topped with your choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion served on a bun.

$13.99

Cheeseburger*

Our half pound specially mixed fresh ground beef patty topped with cheese on a bun.

$12.99

Library Burger*

Our cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and mayo.

$13.99

Patty Melt

Rye bread, Swiss, caramelized onions, and a our Library blend burger patty.

$13.99

Bowl Of Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

$5.99

Bowl Of Homemade Chili

$5.99

Club Salad

Iceberg lettuce, carrots and tomatoes topped with grilled chicken, bacon, and shredded cheese.

$13.99

Dinner Salad

Iceberg lettuce, carrots and tomatoes topped with shredded cheese. Add chicken or ham for an extra cost.

$9.99

Bowl Homemade Chili

$5.99

Bowl Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

$5.99

Soups & Salads

Sides

French Fries

$4.99

Side Salad

$4.99

Cottage Cheese

$3.99

Homemade Onion Rings

A large basket of thin sliced yellow onion rings, hand breaded and fried.

$4.99

Potato Chips

$2.99

Homemade Macaroni And Cheese

Homemade, special classic recipe. add chili or bacon for an additional charge.

$4.99

Cole Slaw

$3.99

Side Of Mac & Cheese

$4.99

Side Of Homemade Onion Rings

$4.99

Mayo

$0.50

Honey Mustard

$0.50

Blue Cheese

$0.50

BBQ Sauce

$0.50

Ranch

$0.50

Buffalo Sauce

$0.50

Extras

Beverages

Michael's Cold Brew

16oz Draft

$6.00

Coke

16oz Fountain

$3.00

Mr. Pibb

16oz Fountain

$3.00

Millstream Root Beer 16oz

16oz Fountain

$4.00

Tea

16oz Unsweetened Iced Tea

$3.00

Diet Coke

16oz Fountain

$3.00

Mello Yello

The smooth citrus soda taste that has refreshed people's thirst for over two decades.

$3.00

Orange Juice 16oz

16oz

$5.00

Sprite

16oz Fountain

$3.00

Fresca

16oz Fountain

$3.00

Red Bull

Regular or Sugar Free.

$5.00

Lemonade

16oz Fountain

$3.00

Iced Tea

16oz Unsweetened Iced Tea

$3.00

Millstream Rootbeer 16oz Draft

$4.00

Sugar Free Red Bull

$5.00

Fountain Drink 16oz

$3.00

Havarti Grilled Cheese

A mix of American cheese and Havarti cheese. Havarti is a creamy, semi-soft cheese developed first in Denmark by Hanne Nielsen. add ham, turkey or bacon for an additional charge.

$10.99

B.L.T.

Hickory Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayo on Texas Toast

$12.99

French Dip

Our freshly sliced roast beef topped with mozzarella and served on a toasted hoagie with au jus. Add grilled peppers and onions for an additional charge

$15.99

Meatloaf Sandwich

Our house ground hamburger mixed with potato, carrots, celery and onion topped with our homemade meatloaf sauce. Try adding Des Moines' Cheese shop for an additional charge. Add bacon for an additional charge.

$13.99

Corned Beef On Rye

Our seasoned and slow cooked corned beef piled high with stone ground mustard on rye bread.

$13.99

Turkey Sandwich

Turkey breast, slow cooked in a seasoned broth sliced and placed on a fresh hoagie bun with bacon, Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

$14.99

Tenderloin Sandwich

Hand breaded pork tenderloin topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and served on a fresh bun.

$14.99

Reuben

Our slow roasted corned beef topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and 1000 island dressing.

$14.99

Chicken Strip Basket

Three chicken strips served on top of Texas toast and served with fries.

$14.99

Homemade Macaroni And Cheese

Homemade, special classic recipe. add chili or bacon for an additional charge.

$11.99

Library Vegetarian Melt

Sautéed veggies, mozzarella cheese and hummus on texas toast.

$11.99

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

A grilled chicken breast covered in buffalo sauce, pepper jack cheese, and homemade pico de gallo. Served on a bun.

$14.99

Breaded Chicken & Bacon Sandwich

Breaded chicken breast served on a fresh roll with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

$14.99

The Breakfast Club

Ham, turkey, bacon, American & havarti cheese, salsa and egg on Texas Toast.

$14.99

Sandwiches & Entrées

Extra Sauce

Ranch

$0.75

Blue Cheese

$0.75

Mayo

$0.50

Mustard

$0.00

Ketchup

$0.00

BBQ Sauce

$0.75

Buffalo Sauce

$0.75

Honey Mustard

$0.75

Large Cheese Sauce

$4.00