"As soon as we stepped in, Darren greeted us with super energy. He promptly took our drink orders. The atmosphere felt cozy, and while the fans were running, it seemed like the air conditioning wasn't on—still, we felt comfortable thanks to the fans, although they could use a good cleaning.
Darren quickly took our food order, and we couldn't help but marvel at his upbeat demeanor despite the heat. While we waited, we concluded that Stella's was indeed a hidden gem—a place that everyone should be aware of.
We decided to start with the "Cheese Eaters" topped with bacon. The fries were hand-cut and arrived loaded with cheese and bacon, resembling a bacon explosion on the plate. They were delicious, though we thought a second frying might make them a bit crispier. Our group devoured them within no time.
We ordered three different burgers: the Tingley, which featured green chili, pepper jack cheese, and guacamole; the Beaconsfield, topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, and what we believed to be homemade BBQ sauce; and the Colo, which was a mix of American and Swiss cheese on rye with grilled onions. We opted for raw onions for an extra crunch.
All three burgers arrived hot at the same time, accompanied by seasoned hand-cut fries. The Tingley was served open-faced, allowing us to see the guacamole and green chili. The first bite was a delightful mix of cool and spicy flavors— the green chili, guacamole, and pepper jack created a perfect balance of savory heat that complemented the bun's texture.
The Beaconsfield was also presented open-faced, showcasing the melted cheddar cheese. The bacon and BBQ sauce promised a juicy burger, but sadly, it didn’t quite deliver the excitement for burger lovers. Although the BBQ sauce was tasty, it felt like any other BBQ burger you could find elsewhere. We were hoping for something more unique.
However, even this wasn't enough to deter us from returning. Our last burger was the Colo on rye, topped with melted American and Swiss cheese, and we chose to add raw onions for crunch. We appreciated the combination of raw onions, tomatoes, pickles, and the two cheeses, which created a delightful explosion of flavors with the rye bread enhancing each bite. Our only issue was keeping it all together, but it was still a lovely burger.
Despite some minor challenges, we truly enjoyed our time at Stella's, and it certainly won't be our last visit. I'm looking forward to trying their black bean burgers and some of the special house drinks. The service was excellent, even without air conditioning; Darren's enthusiasm never wavered. I highly recommend checking out this little spot just around the corner from Kinnick Stadium."