Savor a Tasty Homemade Breakfast or Lunch at the Laid-Back Lunch Box Near Sioux City

Does the thought of a giant breakfast roll covered with pecans make your mouth water? How about a delicious Italian beef sandwich or sloppy joe on a homemade, freshly-baked bun? Would an old-fashioned rootbeer float hit the spot? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then make tracks to head to The Lunch Box in Jackson, Nebraska (11 miles west of Sioux City on Highway 20) soon!

I recently stopped by on my way home from Sioux Falls, SD and had a delicious lunch of a severely overstuffed sloppy joe, the best baked beans in the Midwest, and a drink. I also ordered a dessert of a chocolate chip cookie bar to go because I absolutely adore them. I was given two large bars and informed that was the standard amount. I was NOT disappointed as I savored a few bites at a time over the next couple of days. (Ok, the bars were gone in 12 hours, but who’s counting?!?) 😉 The food and the portions were stellar, as you can see in the photo below. The price was quite reasonable too!

Note: I ate some of it before I took a photo. The sloppy joe meat filled up half the basket and the beans were brimming when I got them. I couldn’t wait! 😋 So portions are generous! 😀

Actually I can vouch for ALL the food at the Lunch Box because I’ve been eating it for more than two decades! How is that possible, when it’s only been open for a few years? Well, the owners have the same last name as mine. In fact, they are my brother and sister in law. 😉 So I have sampled my sister-in-law Tessa’s spectacular food nearly every holiday for more years than I care to admit. She is known for her fabulous cooking and the ability to plan meals for large crowds. In short, it is her gift, and she graciously shares it with all who know her. ❤️

The Lunch Box began as a home-based summer business while Tessa spent part of her year as a food service director for a local school. She and her husband, Jeff, purchased the cutest little camper trailer and completely overhauled it for a food truck on their front lawn. It proved so successful a more permanent location right on Highway 20 opened around two years ago. The building used to house a seasonal drive-in but has been completely transformed and adorably decorated for a year-round business open for breakfast and lunch. In the summer, it is open for dinners too and features a wide array of ice cream treats.

When you visit, you will be helped by the most pleasant and friendly staff. I have met most of them and they are great! You may even have your order taken by the owner herself. It’s a small business, but it does have ample seating on both sides of the kitchen, plus there are picnic tables outside, if you prefer to enjoy the fresh air. Also, parked out back is you-guessed-it, the infamous Lunch Box trailer. 😁

One of my favorite meals is a nice breakfast of biscuits and gravy. The Lunch Box offers this occasionally on weekends and WOW! Is it GREAT! Tessa’s parents make it as a cooperative effort! Grandpa Tom makes the fluffiest homemade biscuits you can imagine and Grandma Jean makes the yummy sausage gravy with a generous portion of sausage included. They both make it with LOVE. Which, by the way, is how everything is made at The Lunch Box. You can just taste it in the scrumptious, homemade food. And that is how you will be treated as a customer, too. ❤️

I could go on but I will just let some photos do the talking. Check out the menu below, but realize the menu can and does change with the seasons, or even the day of the week. Tessa tries hard to anticipate and celebrate special days and her customers’ needs. For example, on a recent Lenten Friday, the special was tuna noodle casserole. I didn’t make it there for that, but I’m confident it was delicious!

Check out The Lunch Box Facebook page for announcements, updates, menus, and hours. Like their page so you can keep up!

The Lunch Box Facebook Page