Chili and cinnamon buns are exactly what they sound like: a bowl of hearty chili served with a sweet cinnamon roll on the side. It is a school-cafeteria classic that sounds odd until you realize sweet, spicy, savory, and soft all belong together.

Iowa ham balls are meatballs made with ground ham and pork or beef, then baked in a sweet-tangy glaze. They are salty, sticky, retro, and much better than the name prepares you for.

A loose meat sandwich is seasoned ground beef served loose on a soft bun, usually with mustard, pickles, and onions. It is like a burger that decided patties were too formal.

Scotcheroos are chewy peanut butter cereal bars topped with melted chocolate and butterscotch. They are no-bake, potluck-famous, and dangerously easy to keep “evening up” with a knife.

Steak de Burgo is a Des Moines steakhouse classic: tender steak topped with garlic, herbs, butter, and sometimes cream or wine.