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The Flying Elbow brings wrestling flair to Iowa burgers

Strong burger reviews, welcoming service and an unapologetic wrestling theme make this Marshalltown restaurant a compelling casual stop.

By Owen ORourke4.8733 public ratings
The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown
American Marketing & Publishing

More photos

Food and interior photo 1 at The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown
Food and interior photo 2 at The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown
Food and interior photo 3 at The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown
Food and interior photo 4 at The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown
Food and interior photo 5 at The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown

Photos published by diners on Google, not AI generated.

What stands out

  • Highly praised burgers
  • Wrestling-themed atmosphere
  • Friendly, fast service
  • Well-regarded beer selection
  • Creative comfort-food combinations

Worth knowing

  • Small dining space
  • Vegetarian dishes are not specified

Suggested meals

Dishes that come up most in public reviews

  • Hamburger tailored to preference
  • The Vinnie burger
  • Burger special of the day

Worth a visit?

What public feedback suggests

The Flying Elbow holds a 4.8 Google rating from 733 reviews, a notably strong result backed by substantial feedback. Public reviews consistently center on burgers, friendly service and a lively professional-wrestling theme. Several diners describe it as worth a special drive, while travelers passing through Marshalltown report being pleased they chose it for dinner.

The restaurant is listed at a moderate price level. One reviewer specifically calls the prices reasonable, though exact costs and current menu details should be checked before visiting. The overall picture is of a casual comfort-food restaurant with creative combinations rather than a conventional burger counter.

Burgers lead the card

Burgers are the clearest reason to visit. Reviewers repeatedly call them excellent or delicious, and one points to the restaurant’s recognition for serving one of Iowa’s best burgers. Another praises a daily burger special, suggesting that returning diners may find options beyond the core menu.

The Vinnie receives the most detailed individual endorsement in the supplied feedback. That reviewer compares it favorably with a Big Mac, using wrestling language to make the point that The Flying Elbow delivers a more satisfying version of the familiar stacked fast-food style. Hamburgers can also be tailored to the diner’s preferences, according to another review.

Hot dogs and sides earn praise as well, though they appear less often than burgers in the available comments. Cheetos-dusted mac and cheese is specifically mentioned by one diner as an accompaniment to a burger special. That combination captures the restaurant’s apparent approach: familiar comfort food pushed in playful, unconventional directions.

Wrestling atmosphere and service

The professional-wrestling identity is not incidental. Reviewers reference Hulk Hogan, WWF nostalgia, WWE and the NWO, indicating that the theme is a central part of the atmosphere. Fans who grew up watching wrestling appear especially enthusiastic about it. Even diners who care more about dinner than memorabilia should have a clear sense of what to expect: bold, humorous and intentionally over the top.

Service feedback is similarly positive. Staff are described as friendly, welcoming and fast, while the restaurant itself is called clean. That combination matters because one review notes that the space is small. It may feel compact, but the available feedback does not suggest that cleanliness or hospitality suffers as a result.

Beer also deserves attention. Two reviews independently praise the selection, making The Flying Elbow a plausible dinner choice for diners who want a burger and a beer rather than a quick takeout meal.

Best reasons to try it

The strongest case is straightforward: highly rated burgers, inventive comfort-food touches and an atmosphere that commits fully to its wrestling premise. It should suit burger fans, wrestling nostalgists and travelers seeking a distinctive Marshalltown dinner.

Vegetarian options are mentioned in one review, but the supplied feedback does not identify specific dishes. Vegetarian diners should confirm current choices directly. For most visitors, the safest order remains one of the burgers, with a side and a look at the beer list.

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Research-based review: our IA editor synthesized 733 public reviews and the current 4.8-star rating, not an anonymous visit.