John's Grocery Inc.

John's Grocery Inc.John's Grocery Inc.
John's Grocery Inc.John's Grocery Inc.
Store

401 E Market St
Iowa City, Iowa, 52245-2628
United States

(319) 337-2183 | map
johnsgrocery.com

Specializes in imported beer and glassware; also known as “Dirty John’s” for selling Playboy magazines in the 1950s.

Monday - Thursday: 7:30am –- Midnight
Friday & Saturday: 7:30am -– 2:00am)
Sunday: 9:00am –- Midnight
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.59
Reviews:
70
Ratings:
112
pDev:
7.19%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by wapcap:
Photo of wapcap
Reviewed by wapcap from Nebraska

3.57/5  rDev -22.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5
A small grocery downtown.
They seemed to have a good selection. Nothing blew me away though. Its a grocery store so you can get some foods of course.
I'd recommend stopping if you are in the area.
Aug 06, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of DoubleJ
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin

4.51/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75
There's a lot to like about John's Grocery in Iowa City. You walk in and you feel like you've walked into a small grocery store. Shelves are kept well, and you're wondering as you're walking through the maze how to get to the beer. You'll see a sign which will point you into that direction, and the beer section can be divided into two parts; shelves of mostly imports, and a big walk in cooler of American beer. Many stores have begun to skimp on imports for American beers, however the imports also shine here. Lots of JW Lee's and Fuller's Vintage Ale on the shelves, Tynt Meadow, some lesser common German brands, and oh my that cooler has some surprises. Union Jack IPA for sale six weeks after its canning date, yes please! There's a strong level of commitment to beer freshness here, which is impressive for its inventory; I don't see leftover Dieu du Ciel that I bought from here three years ago which other stores may try to hang on to. Solid selection of beer glassware for sale too. Visible prices on the beers, quick checkout, a floor employee who helped me and was able to talk beer with me. This store is a winner
Aug 17, 2023
Photo of Samknu
Reviewed by Samknu

3.41/5  rDev -25.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 2.5 | service: 5 | selection: 2.5
It's called Dirty John's because for years it was an unkempt neighborhood corner store. It was dirty.
It's not now but grown ups know that story about playboy magazine is a bunch of hooey.
People love John's. The selection changes with frequency. Convince whoever is working in the beer room to show you the basement. It's worth it.
Take a ride in the dumb waiter. It's worth it.
Sells more PBR than anything else, but the selection can be pretty awesome and there's freebies.
The staff is great.
Dig it.
Jun 17, 2021
Photo of SB2017
Reviewed by SB2017 from Iowa

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
This is the best beer-buying experience you can get. Friendly and helpful staff, good fried chicken, and a cozy environment with excellent selection and solid sales. Good events quite often too!
Jul 14, 2019
 
Rated: 4.5 by craigbelly from Iowa

Jul 12, 2019
Photo of FBarber
Reviewed by FBarber from Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Doesn't seem like there is a recent review here so I figured I'd provide one. Stopped in here yesterday and was very impressed. Its a small simple grocery with a wine room and a beer room & walk-in cooler. Beer selection is quite impressive with a substantial craft lineup both in the beer room and the walk in cooler as well as a very nice selection of imports. With the imports there were lots of options however many were quite dusty and old. Store offered a nice singles section both in the beer room and in the beer cooler. Overall the selection was outstanding and a must stop for anyone in the area looking for craft beer. The beer manager Chris was really nice and was helpful in making recommendations.
Feb 06, 2019
 
Rated: 4.49 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Nov 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.83 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota

May 01, 2018
Photo of LumpkinBrews
Rated by LumpkinBrews from Colorado

4.68/5  rDev +2%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5
Great find during my weekend in IA. Will definitely be back!
Dec 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.23 by lemmy187 from Missouri

Aug 21, 2016
 
Rated: 5 by Dr_Fox from Utah

Jun 22, 2016
Photo of dcotom
Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa

4.44/5  rDev -3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Unpretentious neighborhood corner grocery store featuring a "beer room" with a world-class selection of over 3,000 beers. John's boasts one of the largest selections of Belgian beers outside of Belgium, plus many from Germany, eastern Europe, and the UK as well. Everything is well organized by country and style. Go to their web site (johnsgrocery.com) and take the video tour to get a feel for what this place is like. You won't be disappointed.
May 29, 2016
 
Rated: 4.11 by Taybeh from Minnesota

May 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.22 by Angerhaus from Rhode Island

Apr 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.36 by tillmac62 from South Carolina

Feb 05, 2016
Photo of Ivan52
Rated by Ivan52 from Iowa

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Best place for beer and spirits in all of Iowa and maybe beyond.
Jan 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4.31 by burtonryan from Illinois

Oct 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.44 by mrjbrown27 from South Dakota

Sep 26, 2015
 
Rated: 4.42 by hoosier222002 from Illinois

Sep 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.84 by YodersBeerEmporium from Iowa

Aug 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.57 by elkinbrown from Tennessee

Aug 11, 2015
Photo of spacecake9
Reviewed by spacecake9 from Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75
Great place, a real surprise in Iowa. Lots of great beer to choose from. Most of the American craft beers are in the cooler so they are ready for drinking!
May 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.66 by ALC82 from Iowa

Apr 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.67 by Reinbeck11 from Iowa

Mar 24, 2015
Photo of JessLehn
Rated by JessLehn from Iowa

4.89/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Best beer selection in town!
Feb 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.29 by jak from North Carolina

Jan 02, 2015
Photo of Doctor_Bogenbroom
Rated by Doctor_Bogenbroom from Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -4.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
It's a little cramped, but it has a good selection and you are going to get decent service. Definitely worth going to if you are in the area.
Dec 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by KAF from Iowa

Nov 09, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by heyheymdn from Iowa

Oct 23, 2014
Photo of NathanStelter
Rated by NathanStelter from Iowa

5/5  rDev +8.9%
Always stop in here when I'm in Iowa City...selection is consistently strong and broad.
Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Spike-likes-beer from Oklahoma

Oct 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by beersdmf17 from Illinois

Sep 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by redblacks75 from Iowa

Sep 19, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by katterbe from Nebraska

Aug 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Averwo from Iowa

Jul 31, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by BarrelAgedG from California

Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Wolfhead from Illinois

Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by teraflx from Arizona

Jul 11, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by antichuckmoore from Iowa

Jul 09, 2014
John's Grocery Inc. in Iowa City, IA
Place rating: 4.59 out of 5 with 112 ratings