★ 5

Excellent food. Excellent value. Been driving from appleton area for 15+ years because their breakfasts in particular are the best. Homemade soup, bread, desserts. Especially, the pies are great. See my photo of chicken jalapeño soup for how thick it is, just as it's served. All their soups are great, especially the chicken dumpling. There's a rotating menu, so check their FB page for daily specials. ETA: Chili October 2025.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Classic small town restaurant experience. Good food, nice staff, and exceptional pie! Bonus, they have alcohol too!

Source: Google

★ 5

Worth the trip

Source: Google

★ 4

Lived in iola most my life, and crystals has ALWAYs been my go to place. The food has never dipped in quality, and anytime I have issues, the servers and cooks were always nice and fixed it for me. The only issue I've had are the prices, but again, everywhere has increased their prices. Whatever small town politics yall are hung up on doesn't change how great it is ❤️

Source: Google

★ 2

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Great food at a reasonable price.

Source: Google

★ 5

Classic diner style food, large breakfast portions. Clean and staff is very polite!

Source: Google

★ 5

They served me the best food I've had in a very long time. The drinks were good, the food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was perfect! I had a hazelnut iced coffee and a frisco burger with a side of loaded fries. The server was so nice and welcoming. I’d definitely recommend coming here if you are in the area.

Source: Google

★ 5

The hamburger steak smothered in onions and mushrooms was very good!

Source: Google

★ 5

If you Love pie, THIS IS a MUST STOP! SO many choices, and the pieces are huge! Everyone working there had big smiles for their customers, and really hustled to take good care of everyone. We'll be back!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Frisco burger with potato skins. Delicious!

Source: Google

★ 5

A must stop old fashioned diner where staff could not be nicer and make you feel like a regular ever if your first visit.
And the pies are fantastic !
Home cooking and great service

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent breakfast. I highly recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Tasty food choices and amazing pies. LARGE pieces (1/6 slice), dare ya to have ice cream with it! If it's busy, order your pie first. You'll thank me for that 😉 .

Source: Google

★ 5

This cafe has been a long mainstay in the village for many many years. We have lived in the village for 4 years now and every time we've been here it's been a great experience. Their food is always reliable and very good. Their wait staff is always very friendly and treat you like youre family. Additionally, my wife has Celiacs and twice now they have been beyond accommodating to her dietary needs. This restaurant is an institution in the village of Iola and very good. Can't recommend it enough!

Source: Google

★ 1

Lackluster cream pies…

I’ve had a slice of one of their cream pies on four separate occasions, each time ending in disappointment. I know one was turtle and one was something peanut butter… these were gifted from a family member (which I greatly appreciated) so I cannot recall the exact name.

I was so excited when I first was given a slice. I’m a dessert lover like… I’ve only had a few complaints ever about something sweet, from homemade desserts to standard grocery store offerings, but that’s just the thing… they aren’t sweet! Like at all!

For a place known for their pies (and I’ll be objective here these may be their fruit pies) I would expect their cream pies to have at least some semblance of flavor, but each time I’ve had a piece of one, no flavor. Just hints of it occasionally. Just disappointment. Trust me it looks great! It looks impressive! I’ve tried to find redeeming qualities, but there pretty much any 🤷‍♀️ all the way down to the crust. The super scratchy ROUGH flavorless crust. I’ve never had a crust so poor on anything. It was a surprise.

So, if you’re happy with something about as flavorful as a cream puff (which is refreshing don’t get me wrong) then you might not be as disappointed! If it was just vanilla I could forgive it. But if you expect this to be sweet or flavorful at all… like what you imagine when you think of a flavor as typically decadent as turtle, or anything with peanut butter… try anywhere else 🙃

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 1

Source: Google

★ 1

Source: Google

★ 1

I always loved visiting with extended family here, nothing was fantastic but it was nostalgic and I made sure to support a local business that I thought served its community. Unfortunately this business only serves themselves and is damaging the community and other local businesses I thought it held up with pride. I’m ashamed to have ever spent money here or said kind things about such a nasty business. No more taking that special scenic highway to the tiny little town anymore. Extremely disappointed.

Source: Google

★ 1

Very bad experience here with my family. I recommend choosing a different place. Way overpriced and service was horrible and the owner was a very rude person to my grandmother. Me or my family will never be going here again!

Source: Google

★ 1

I saw a rat near the kitchen!

Source: Google

★ 1

I would not recommend giving my business to this establishment. Owner has used thier position as board president to deliberately put other town restaurant, out of business. Find your favorite pie flavor somewhere else.

Source: Google

★ 2

Source: Google

★ 5

Always amazing food!

Source: Google

★ 5

Good food, all day breakfast

Source: Google

★ 5

Want to enjoy great homemade meals with friendly and exceptional service? You gotta stop into the Crystal Cafe in Iola, WI. They are family owned and have been in business for since 1966 and have 4 generations over that period. The pies are excellent and they served over 71,000 slices in 2024!

We were greeted by Judy (her mom started the business) and we quickly became friends. She is a hoot and loves what she does. She personally cut my slice of Coconut Cream pie and served it to me! Next we met Jennifer (Judy’s daughter). Full of life and very fun. She wired on our table and provided excellent service. No issues with the order or any of the great food. Sadie (Jennifer’s daughter) stopped by our table just to say hi and chat for a minute.

We did not get to met Olivia Jennifer’s other daughter) as she is kicking ass and serving our country in the United States Navy as an officer! Thank you for your service.

The food is fresh, hot, homemade and prepared to order. Generous portions and severed quickly. We stopped in for lunch and enjoy The Derby Burger, The Saudi-O Burger, along with a Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich. We shared an order of homemade fries and coleslaw, both were fantastic.

The pie really is “to die for”!

If you looking for a great meal, with a nice atmosphere and a family team that loves what they do and are proud of their service and product, come and enjoy some great food and chat up the girls a bit!

We’ll be back - I still have a bout 15 other pies to try!

Source: Google

★ 5

Our family just had the best homemade bread, fish fry, and chocolate pie! We look forward to coming back soon!

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent food, very friendly staff. Pie was delicious....

Source: Google

★ 4

Very good and homey

Source: Google

★ 5

I had a meeting here and was looking forward to the pie for weeks. It did not disappoint!!! The pies were amazing!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great small town restaurant. Nice menu. Food was fresh and my BLT salad was perfect. Did not have dessert but the selection and appearance was tempting!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Great food. Happy wonderful service.

Source: Google

★ 5

This is my new favorite place! I wish I lived closer. Real homemade food that is great! And love their story! All of the staff are SO kind and friendly! Their pies (all made from scratch) are delicious.. probably the best i have ever had. If you're in the area, stop for breakfast, you will not be disappointed

Source: Google

★ 5

The pies are great! Everything else is...well, did I mention the pies? Door County Cherry is the way to go, unless you're a chocolate person!

Source: Google

★ 5

Frisco burger, & pue were great 👍

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Never have I been served cold food at any establishment. On a Friday night myself and another in our party who ordered the baked cod were served COLD fish. It wasn’t even remotely warm. So I politely informed our waitress (never have I ever sent food back) no apology or anything she took our plates and you could hear her put them one after the other in the microwave. When our fish came back after the microwave it was just rubber. Time to find a new place for Friday fish. Will not be back.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fantastic little café. It's one of my all-time favorite breakfasts places. Oh, and the pies! To die for legitimately!

Source: Google

★ 5

Crystal cafe is a staple in Iola, world famous pies and good food. This place even features a “bar” are with the local coffee drinkers! 😎

Source: Google

★ 5

Very good food and yummy pies. Very nice people.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Great off the beaten path place to stop.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great food, service and atmosphere. Family owned and operated.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great pie!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Hoped that Crystal Cafe could move to Stavanger, Norway. Visited twice during Solberg family reunion. Best food in the world

Source: Google

★ 1

We were there Sunday for lunch we got there at 10:50 they sat us down he asked us what we wanted to drink got them that was the last we seen any staff we drank our drinks thought they would say it’s in us nope paid for them and said bye they should close off the big side if they don’t have the help many people were leaving dang nice place couldn’t tell ya about the good didn’t have any

Source: Google

★ 5

Great food and wonderfully happy workers and service!

Source: Google

★ 5

Had the Walleye and it was one best I
have had . Great place

Source: Google

★ 5

Had Cherry Pie heated up. It was wonderful.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Simply excellent.

Source: Google

★ 5

Food...scratch made and delicious. Had the Farmers Omelette. Service.....friendly, speedy and outstanding. Atmosphere....typical diner filled with locals and I love that. Pie?!?!?! I wanted a piece of every one! I went with Door County Cherry and it lived up to the pie hype! Phenomenal. Great coffee to boot!!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Get there early before the pie is gone

Source: Google

★ 5

Service was great the places clean food was good pie is excellent

Source: Google

★ 3

Source: Google

★ 5

We came to town for the Car show this past weekend. We asked people where the best hometown cooking is at and everyone said "Crystal Cafe" So we went on in and the place took me back to when I was a young kid in Grand Rapids, Minnesota at a place called Kremer's. They greeted us at the door, like they seen us 100 times before.

Our waitress, was such a great person, let us joke around with her just like we knew her from next door. Food was quick, and AMAZING! I was so full, I didn't get a piece of pie, but next year's trip we will. Thank God people still have these types of places open for us regular folks to sit down, enjoy a great meal and some great atmosphere in a small town! I highly recommend stopping and getting a bite!

Source: Google

★ 4

The pie!!! Strawberry rhubarb. Amaaaazing.

Source: Google

★ 5

This restaurant has been in main street in Iola for decades, and continues to be a wonderful family owned business.

Source: Google

★ 5

It's a super cute cafe! It's the halfway point for a friend and I. We've been there multiple times and keep going back! The food is delicious and they have iced coffee!

Source: Google

★ 3

Source: Google

★ 5

I had the best sandwhich I've ever eaten in my life here! It was the egg salad blt. And also the employees were all super sweet and it is just a very cute and charming place!! Would highly recommend :)

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Great Pies!!

Source: Google

★ 2

waited two hours for food.

Source: Google

★ 5

WOW!! Received my food in less than 5 min from ordering! The farmers omelet was one of the best I've ever had! Homemade white toast was incredible! What a great diner! Will be back next time I'm in town!

Source: Google

★ 5

For some reason, never stopped in until last week. It’s my new favorite spot! Probably the best Denver Omelette I’ve ever had, with home made white toast. Flavortown! I’ll be back!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great breakfast served by a nice waitress. Reasonable prices and a nice atmosphere.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Best pie I've had.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Whenever I have eaten at Crystal Cafe I have enjoyed the food.all the food is good.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great staff very friendly and courteous!

Source: Google

★ 5

Are you ready?

Source: Google

★ 5

The service was outstanding and the food was amazing. All homemade! My daughter and I couldn’t recommend it enough!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Breakfast all day! Huge burgers. Pie!

Source: Google

★ 5

Perfect in every way!

Source: Google

★ 5

Came for the pie...just as good as I remembered from 32 years ago! Had the breakfast omelet special and a couple pieces of pie. Service with a smile, great small town vibe. Room for groups in the addition! An added bonus, we noticed 3 generations of family working here on Saturday. That says it all!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Great food, service and atmosphere! What more can I say? Very clean, cute cafe.

Source: Google

★ 5

Enjoyed my visit for breakfast. Their pies really are to die for!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

We had Crystal Cafe provide the pies for our wedding in September, and our guests loved it! Sadie was great to work with leading up to our big day, and the staff that came to deliver was efficient and the dessert table looked great. The amount of pie flavors they have is incredible!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great first experience

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Ordered 2 pies for a family gathering. As promised they were scratch made and delicious. A bit pricey, but the time saved and skill of these home made pies made it worth it.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

We had the best lunch here. Food was delicious, but the wait staff are so warm and welcoming. Great experience!

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Delish!! Delighted!!! Friendly and enthusiastic service, generous portions and PIE!!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Just a great place to eat. Pies are outstanding. Service was excellent

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Everything we had was delicious! Iced coffee, pecan pie, breakfast sandwich, and farmers skillet - all so good! The service was quick and friendly.

Source: Google

★ 5

I drove two hours to try out the crystal cafe after hearing about it a few months ago. Absolutely the best pie I have ever eaten. The french toast and homemade toast was amazing. Completely worth the drive and every penny. I recommend the door county cherry pie for sure and I guarantee I will be back for dinner one day.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great food, great service. One of our family favorites. The pies and desserts are also amazing!!

Source: Google

★ 4

Nice server's and the best pie ever! It’s been four years I know prices have gone up. Had two pieces of pie coffee two hamburgers 40 bucks.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Wonderful little family restaurant with so many homemade goodies. Breakfast was awesome and then we took home some freshly baked cookies.

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Great service and food. Their pies are best!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

The Crystal Cafe is famous for their pie, but their burgers and fries are darn good too. The place is two stone fronts wide, so the seating area is quite sizable. It was super clean inside, and the staff was attentive. I took down the monstrous Heart Stopper burger. Luckily, my ticker kept on a going, so I could enjoy the delicious homemade fries as well. The only downside was that the burger was well done instead of medium, and owing to its mass, there was not much room for pie either. Anyway, I look forward to stopping again because the breakfast is supposed to be good. We also saw the Friday fish go by, and it looked stellar. I believe a slice of pie is included somehow in their fish specials, too. Is it clear that the place is noteworthy? Yeah, crystal...

Source: Google

★ 5

Had the special Ribs
And strawberry rhubarb pie !
Yummy

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Comfort food

Source: Google

★ 4

They have great specials. And you get the best fresh bread with your meal. The staff is very friendly and welcoming.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

This cafe is one of the best places I have ever ate at. The waitress was kind and the restaurant was adorable. All of the food my boyfriend and I ordered was a 10/10, but those burgers…let me tell you…those are the best burgers we have ever eaten. I have never been so satisfied with my meal before. Crystals Cafe has an amazing cook, and sweet waitresses. Will definitely eat there again, and definitely recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

Crystal Cafe has the best pies, and delicious food. I had the Door County cherry pie. The crust was so good - crisp and flaky. Everyone is friendly.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Our waitress was super nice. Food was great! Amazing cheese curds!

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Homemade pie & beer. Pie is delicious, beer is cold.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Very good service and food, would highly recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Super friendly waitress, many options for food. My omlet was good. Would definitely go back for pie!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

This is the place not only for PIE... all the food is delicious! Check ot out!

Source: Google

★ 5

Very cute place with delicious food! Recommend it!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

It's a friendly diner.

Source: Google

★ 3

Source: Google

★ 1

Short staffed like everyone but the addition is not being covered properly with staff if your shirt staffed clothes off part of that Edition so your customers are being served timely and properly

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent breakfast and pies.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Great place. Home cooking and great wait staff. Keep up the good work ladies.

Source: Google

★ 5

Always delish home made soups, specials, pie to die for. Real home cooking. Lovely new dining areas

Source: Google

★ 4

A friendly place to go and eat great food. Awesome pies, cookies and pastries. Home cooked style foods with daily specials. Truly, great pie!

Source: Google

★ 5

A real nice mom & pop diner! Great rhubarb pie! & biscuits and gravy 👍👌

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing food

Source: Google

★ 5

Best pie 🥧 ever

Source: Google

★ 5

Very friendly service. Great food. Great atmosphere.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

This is the kind of old time diner you see in movies! My wife wanted something sweet, and I wanted a meal.
My burger and fries were hot and delicious, and the server was so helpful in describing the different pies and helped her decide on one to eat while there, and which one to take to go.
We wish we lived nearer so we could go there often!

Source: Google

★ 5

The pie....that's all I can say. Try any of them and you'll agree

Source: Google

★ 3

Dissapointed fried onions on burger were actually skin of onion couldn't eat bacon over cooked all in all Dissapointed

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Don't remember details. Sorry

Source: Google

★ 5

Baked chicken dinner with homemade mashed potatoes and gravy with warm caramel apple pie - to die for! We were in heaven! Also had the peanut butter chocolate mousse pie and cranapple pie (have ice cream with this one). Also to die for! Best service ever, the waitress is so funny, too! Totally enjoyable experience!

Source: Google

★ 5

Absolutely love the food, fast, very friendly, clean and neat. Pies are 2 die for. Will be back. What a lovely place to celebrate our anniversary.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I had been following this restaurant on Facebook for about a year, hoping I would travel through the area and be able to stop for a piece of pie. Today was my lucky day!
I ordered breakfast and a piece of pie. Pie with breakfast? Absolutely! According to several articles I had read about the Crystal Cafe, they are famous for their pies.
The pie was served first, as I was hoping it would be.
Oh My Goodness, the pie was INCREDIBLE!!! I ordered the Caramel Apple Pie, and every bite was amazingly delicious!
The apple pie was served warm, and it was sweet, rich, and decadent. The crust was flakey yet had good body to it. The apple pieces in the pie were cut just the right size - generous - not too small, and not too large.
The pie was covered with a caramel sauce, which was fabulous!
When my breakfast was brought to the table, I took a bite to be polite... but continued with the pie until it was completely eaten. It was SO, so good!
Later, I did have a few bites of my breakfast. I had ordered 2 eggs over-easy, bacon, and toast. The eggs were perfectly prepared, yet I couldn't eat much of them due to being full of pie, LOL.
Starting my breakfast with pie was a genius decision, and I encourage you to start your breakfast that way, too!
I very highly recommend the Crystal Cafe!

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Had an excellent "everything" omelet and my husband has EOE, 4 pieces of thick bacon and thick warm toast with softened butter fir both of us. Yummy!

Source: Google

★ 5

Have been going to this place for years. My sister has a 2nd home in Iola and we have been going there for years. So we always go to Crystals to eat and have their great pies. Thank you for all the many good years of good food.

Source: Google

★ 1

so i ordered the everything today and it was supposed to be 12 buck lady asked if i wanted hashbrowns or bacon she didnt say they would cost more it waa 17 freaking bucks never ever eaten there again

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Updated 9-1-22

Enjoyed a great lunch and have 5 slices of pie to take home!

Wonderful Local Place. They always seem busy which is a sign people love their food. We had lunch and pie. Also soup. Tomato basil is best I have ever had. Be sure to check this place out.

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent pie and great place to grab something to eat. Very friendly staff.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Fantastic dessert. Pie to die for! And some of the best down home cooking in the area!

Source: Google

★ 4

Good fish fry

Source: Google

★ 5

Great service. Best pies ever!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome service. Very friendly. Excellent food and lots of it.
Differently a must stop place.

Source: Google

★ 5

The pies oh my the pies.

Source: Google

★ 5

Everytime my family and I go here the staff is great and the food is awesome.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best place ever!!! Staff is EXCELLENT,very friendly and courteous. Food and their pie are to die for!!! Went there one iola car show weekend and we look forward to coming all the time. We even made a weekend getaway just to come get their food n pie and we live three hours away. Wish more places were as nice as these guys. Great job keep it up!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Stopped on motorcycles for breakfast. Nice place.

Source: Google

★ 1

Absolutely disappointed for sure. My hashbrowns were burnt and my toast was burnt and i asked for med eggs without slim and got slim in my eggs . Then the waitress ask my husband what he wanted and it was a skillet and never was asked how he wanted his eggs and then it came with over easy so they had to redo. Keep in mind he ordered the country skillet. So this time it came back and they put hashbowns and eggs and gravy that's it. It had NO FLAVOR and was actually disgusting. Then the waitress gives us our bill and then says oh did I charge for the coffee oh I did . At least give us coffee for free for all the trouble. Never again! Waitress needs to slow down!!!!!!

Source: Google

★ 4

Very cute diner. Good food, great pie. Awesome cheese curds

Source: Google

★ 5

Many food options and specials. Great assortment of pies and generous portions too. Very friendly staff.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing food huge portions and great prices! The staff is amazing also!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Love it here! Really good food and great service.

Source: Google

★ 2

First off, we did not have pie. I had a mushroom swiss hamburger that was completely overcooked and dry as a jerky darn near. How do you goof up a hamburger? I will go back and try the pie but will not eat there.

Source: Google

★ 2

It is very expensive! Lunch for 5 people was $100. We ordered a pie to go, but the owner didn't want to cut into the new pie so we ended up getting one we didn't originally want. The wait staff was very helpful and kind. The food was edible but not great. We probably won't go there again.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Pie was definitely worth it. Get the pie. Service was really good.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 3

Source: Google

★ 5

Fast friendly service. Good food.

Source: Google