DES MOINES, Iowa (WHO) — One of the newest attractions at the Iowa State Fair is the Blue Ribbon Bar and Eatery, and it comes from a long fair legacy.
One of the owners is Joni Bell, who has made her mark on the Iowa State Fair with her other two eateries, "The Rib Shack" and "What's Your Cheez?". She won best new food a record-setting three times with these two stands. Now, Bell and her sister, Dianna Marquardt, are drawing crowds to the Blue Ribbon Eatery.
General Manager, Toby Kruse, said the restaurant had a soft opening on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday ahead of the Fair.
"It looked like a slow fair day. [There were people] from the back patio area out to the sidewalk, taking in the food, the drinks, the atmosphere," he said.
Another draw is live music. Kruse said they have two ba