Sugar Shack Diner, in Altoona, IA, is the premier restaurant serving Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, Bondurant, Runnells, Colfax, Mingo, Ankeny and surrounding areas since 1986. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, burgers, delicious tenderloins, chicken sandwiches, skillets, omelets, ice cream, milkshakes, appetizers, sundaes, malts, catering and much more. For family dining or for your next meal, visit Sugar Shack Diner in Altoona.
Retro-style joint with a jukebox whipping up burgers, fries & other American eats, plus milkshakes. Based on 593 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.3 stars. Price $
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Drive-through ✔️ No-contact delivery
Address:
550 36th Ave SW Suite J, Altoona, IA 50009
Phone: (515) 967-2527
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Sunday | 7:30 AM–2 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
11 AM–2 PM, 4–8 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 11 AM–2 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–2 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–2 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM–2 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7:30 AM–2 PM, 4–8 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
INTIMIDAT3R
This is what I’d call great food with great service!
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Dreaded Dinosaur
A very nice place to have breakfast. Came here twice while on tour. Altoona is way cheaper than staying in Des Moines. Food was all well prepared and tasty. Great service too.
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Kimberly Hom
Quick, friendly service. Average tasting food for a small diner. Nice variety of ice cream flavors.
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Keith Faust
Took my 8 and 10 yr old for lunch. Their first time being there (I’m ashamed of that but being a busy father, don’t get to take them out much) They were in total awe over the decor when we walked in… I saw their little eyes busy taking everything in!! My son is a fan of Corvettes and booth we sat in was Corvette heaven for him!! I got the amazing double chili dog and they both got the Shack Burgers. Of course topped it off with ice cream cones. Didn’t get to see Mark but certain he was busy like normal. This man has carried this restaurant and crew through the trenches since Covid hit a few years back. He has never lost his passion for everything he stands for. If you’ve never been, I suggest you go, and you are supporting local.
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Bridget
Great little diner! Very clean and excellent atmosphere. Our server was really nice and a man who I assume was the owner made a couple rounds of the restaurant asking people how their meals were ect, he was also very friendly. We ordered the classic ride and a bacon cheeseburger both with cole slaw. The burgers were great! Buns were toasted and the patties grilled perfectly.
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Elizabeth Young
Server was awesome but that was about the only positive today. My kids use to love going here but today was a huge turn away. My tenderloin was absolutely disgusting. So overly cooked it cut the top of my mouth and 0 flavor. My daughters Mac n cheese looked like it was from the day before and heated in a microwave, extremely dry and disgusting. Orders cheese sticks for an appetizer and only got 5 when the menu states 6. Asked about it with no answer to why. There was an older lady(assuming an owner) that came by RIGHT AFTER we got our food and asked if we needed a box. We hadn’t even taken a bite of our meal yet. I get they were getting busy but no reason to push a customer out the door without eating the food they ordered. Most definitely will not be back. $50 plus tip(bc she was so amazing) to leave and still be hungry. Good thing there’s other places around there!
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S. Floyd
Arrived at 7 p.m. on a Monday, and it was closed.
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John DeVall
We love stopping in ma and pa joints. Mark and Kim are stand up folks. They have the absolute best steak and eggs I’ve ever had & that’s my staple order anywhere I go to eat breakfast. We highly recommend giving them your business if able to.
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Desiree Iverson
I went in when they were about to close, and it had been years since I have had Sugar Shack. They were extremely welcoming, and kind. They let me place an order to go(which I already intended to do) :), and had my food made quickly. very refreshing to be treated so kindly! wonderful people, amazing food! I highly recommend
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Kinzee Moore
I went here a few times for deliveries and every time I walked in it seemed like nobody would give me the time of day and every time I’ve gotten a delivery from this place I’ve had to walk out. Because they take 20 plus minutes to give you the delivery order and then you have to remind them consistently and even when they’re not busy they just sit there on their phones. It looks like the manager or owner has his office in the diner and all he seems to do is sit there and watch football games. Very lazy place. Very slow service. I had to write in a report to DoorDash more than once to them.
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