Barrett's Quality Eats

For Iowans in the Corridor area, Barrett's Quality Eats has quickly cemented its status as a dining destination that effortlessly blends the comforting warmth of a neighborhood bakery with the culinary excellence of a high-end eatery. Located in Coralville, this establishment defies simple categorization; it’s an all-day cafe, a counter-serve coffeehouse, a specialized bakery, and a delightful dinner bistro all under one roof. The vision, as articulated by owner and proprietor Chef Cory Barrett, was to create a place that the community would want to visit multiple times in one day—a convenient, yet elevated, go-to spot for everything from a morning coffee and pastry to a wholesome lunch or a relaxed evening dinner.

The distinction of Barrett's Quality Eats comes directly from the pedigree of its founder. Chef Cory Barrett, who moved his family to Coralville to bring this dream to life, is no stranger to culinary distinction. He is a James Beard Award semifinalist, a former esteemed pastry chef in Las Vegas, and notably, the winner of the Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship in 2018. This background ensures that every item on the menu, particularly the pastries and breads, is executed with a level of artistry and precision rarely found in a casual, all-day Iowa setting. The business specializes in "handcrafted, fresh and local cuisine," focusing on simple food prepared with complex, quality-driven processes, serving as a welcome addition to the Iowa City-Coralville area's non-chain restaurant options.

Location and Accessibility

Barrett's Quality Eats is situated in a highly convenient and rapidly developing area of Coralville, making it easily accessible for local residents, professionals, and those traveling through the Corridor.

The definitive address for the eatery is: 3242 Crosspark Road, Coralville, IA 52241, USA.

Located along Highway 965, the distinct building and central location make it a visible landmark and a simple destination to reach. The business model, described as featuring "Onsite services," encompasses a welcoming environment with a classic deli/bakery counter, a custom coffee bar, and comfortable indoor and patio seating. This setup is perfect for a quick breakfast pick-up, a leisurely brunch hangout, or a full evening meal. Furthermore, its positioning is ideal for the Coralville business community, offering a professional and high-quality option for catering and lunch meetings. The combination of a convenient location and a highly functional, welcoming facility underscores its goal of being a genuine neighborhood hub for high-quality food.

Services Offered

Barrett's Quality Eats offers a comprehensive, flexible menu that changes throughout the day, ensuring it serves the community's needs from morning till night.

• Specialty Bakery & Pastry: Hand-made breads, bagels, and "award winning pastries" including croissants (like the highly praised ham and cheese croissant), muffins (such as the excellent blueberry muffin), brownies, and the coveted deep-dish cinnamon rolls (which often sell out quickly on weekends).
• All-Day Menu (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM): Featuring gourmet items ranging from hearty breakfast and brunch dishes like the Ranchero Burrito, Crab Cake Benedict, and Guava French Toast, to fresh salads, scratch-made soups (like the Tomato Bisque), and artisan sandwiches (including the Hickory Smoked BLT and Warm Pulled Chicken Sandwich).
• Dinner & Bistro Service (Tuesday–Saturday, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Transitioning to a dinner menu that includes high-quality options like steak, burgers, and pasta, offering an upscale experience in a comfortable setting.
• Full-Service Coffee Bar: Partnering with Iowa-based Stone Bru Coffee to roast a special house blend, offering a full range of coffee, espresso drinks (like the rich caramel macchiato), fresh-squeezed juices (such as Green Juice), and specialty teas.
• Catering and Events: Providing comprehensive catering and onsite events for parties of all sizes, available seven days a week, making it a professional solution for corporate or private gatherings in the Corridor.
• Alcoholic Beverages: Serving local beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails for those looking for a brunch or happy hour accompaniment.
• Takeout and Delivery: Offering convenient online ordering and delivery options through various third-party services, ensuring the "quality eats" can be enjoyed at home or the office.

Features / Highlights

What sets Barrett's Quality Eats apart is the seamless integration of high-level culinary expertise into a casual, community-focused environment.

• Chef-Driven Excellence: The primary feature is the leadership of Chef Cory Barrett, a James Beard semifinalist and Food Network champion, which guarantees an elevated level of quality and creativity in all menu items, from a simple Olive White Chocolate Cookie to a full Steak and Mushroom Hash.
• True All-Day Concept: Successfully operating as a neighborhood bakery-deli-cafe by day and a quality dinner bistro by night, fulfilling multiple roles in the local dining scene and maximizing convenience for customers.
• Emphasis on Scratch-Made Bakery Items: The bakery component is not an afterthought; it is a foundational pillar, with highly sought-after, handmade items like the flaky ham and cheese croissants and the weekend-only deep-dish cinnamon rolls.
• Focus on Quality Ingredients: Commitment to using fresh and local cuisine, highlighted by the chef's dedication to sourcing the "best cheddar cheeses" for sandwiches and preparing ingredients from scratch.
• Welcoming and Unique Atmosphere: Customers describe the interior as huge, spotlessly clean, and featuring "very cool and vintage-y but in a trendy way" design choices, creating a warm, comfortable environment that encourages lingering.

Contact Information

For reservations, catering inquiries, or general questions, local Iowans can use the following contact information.

Address: 3242 Crosspark Road, Coralville, IA 52241, USA

Phone: (319) 626-2227

What is Worth Choosing

Barrett's Quality Eats is worth choosing because it provides Iowans with an unparalleled combination of world-class culinary expertise and genuine neighborhood convenience. For anyone who appreciates the craft of baking and cooking, knowing that a Food Network champion is overseeing the menu is a compelling reason to visit. You are not just buying a muffin; you are experiencing an "excellent" pastry crafted with a deep background in the art of baking.

For busy residents, the most appealing feature is the comprehensive all-day service. This is the only place in the area where you can grab a special blend Stone Bru coffee and an artisanal blueberry muffin for breakfast, return for a gourmet chicken salad sandwich for lunch, and pick up a rotisserie chicken for a high-quality, easy family dinner—all in one location. While some more complex menu items may reflect a higher price point due to the labor and quality ingredients involved, customers consistently agree that the food quality justifies the cost. Choosing Barrett's means investing in a local, chef-driven business that is committed to elevating the daily dining experience in the Coralville and Iowa City community.

Barrett's Quality Eats

Coralville, IA 52241, USA