The Princess and the Parfait

November 8, 2024

By April Pearson 

Before buying The Princess in Iowa Falls, Minette Zaimes had never considered being a restaurant owner. “I always imagined going into business management, not restaurant management,” she says. “The thought of owning a restaurant had never even crossed my mind, ever. Luckily, my husband Tom grew up in the industry, so I had help.” The two met while working at Tom’s cousin’s restaurant in Keosauqua. Tom had always dreamed of opening his own place, and soon, his dream became hers, too. They didn’t want to buy an already-established restaurant; they wanted to start one from scratch — or so they thought.   

A Noble Quest 

After driving through Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas to scope out potential locations — and seriously considering a few options in Illinois and Arkansas, Minette and Tom decided to do a figure-eight through Iowa just to be sure. They were on their way home to West Liberty when they saw the exit sign for Iowa Falls. Even though they’d been traveling for weeks and were exhausted, they decided to drive the extra five miles to give Iowa Falls a chance. 
 
The Zaimes stopped at the first real estate office they could find and asked if any empty buildings were available. There weren’t, but The Princess — a classic café and soda shop — was for sale. Minette says, “When we walked into The Princess, it was just…it pretty much stopped us in our tracks. And that was it.” 
 
Minette and Tom bought The Princess in 1998 and haven’t looked back. They enjoy experiencing the wonder of first-time guests as they walk through the doors. “After all this time, I love to watch the expressions on their faces when they step into The Princess,” says Minette. “People are just wowed — they don’t expect a place like this in little old Iowa Falls.”  
 
So what makes The Princess so special?    

A High-Class Café 

Built in 1935 by cousins Ernie Karrys and Harry Pergakis, The Princess still features the original 25-foot Italian marble soda fountain with two matching marble slabs along the back wall. Italian Carrera glass, African mahogany booths and hand-poured terrazzo floors showcase the exquisite artistry of a bygone era. 

The craftsmanship alone is worth a visit, but the food and service are worth a stay. Minette and Tom changed the name from The Princess Café to The Princess Grill and Pizzeria after they bought it to describe their new offerings better.  
 
From burgers, pork chops and chicken to pizza, pasta and salads, The Princess Grill and Pizzeria offers something for everyone. And that includes a full-service soda fountain. “Our most popular ice cream items would definitely be our malts and shakes,” says Minette, “and our parfaits are really over the top.” Served in a tall malt glass, each parfait has layers of ice cream, nuts and fruit, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Minette continues, “They’re pretty, and you don’t see them very often anymore.” 
 
Not only do the Zaimes own The Princess Grill and Pizzeria, but they also cook the food and manage the front of the house. “We don't have managers, so one of us is here at all times, keeping an eye on things,” says Minette. “It can be a lot, but it’s our responsibility and our livelihood. We put too much time and effort into this restaurant to leave it in somebody else's hands.”  
 
Consistent quality, exceptional service and reasonable prices are what keep customers coming back time and time again. “We have a lot of regulars here, which I’m so grateful for,” says Minette. “I'm grateful for all of our customers, but it just blows my mind to see the familiar faces come in — sometimes every day. I love it. You don’t stay in business for 27 years without a loyal community.”  

Servants of the People 
The Zaimes are dedicated to supporting the community that’s supported them. If the local schools, charities or community groups have a fundraiser, they’ll donate to ‘em. If a local business can help with bookkeeping, they’ll hire ‘em. If a local farm has fresh peppers and tomatoes, they’ll source ‘em. Being part of the community is what makes working and living in Iowa so appealing, which Minette and Tom — who are Iowa natives — realized as time went on.   

“We hadn't planned on staying in Iowa to begin with, but I’m so glad we did,” says Minette. “Our families are here. We know it's safe. It has good schools and a low cost of living. We raised two kids in Iowa, and they've grown into successful adults. Iowa has a lot to offer.” 
 
Before The Princess Grill and Pizzeria, owning a restaurant had never occurred to Minette. But things change with the right partner, time and place. “I was only 19 when Tom and I bought The Princess, and lo and behold, I’ve thrived! It’s exactly where I was meant to be.”