History

Cliff and Vicki Waterbury purchased their business on June 14, 1976, naming it Cliff’s Place. In the winter of 1976 a storage room was converted into a kitchen that opened in February of 1977. In January of 1987 they expanded, adding a dining room to the north side of the building. Also added was a small room for meetings and small parties. A twelve-foot salad bar with homemade soups and salads was another feature in this expansion. In February of 2000, another remodel was done. The bar was moved to the southern-most wall.

In July of 2007, Cliff passed away after a long battle with cancer. His sons Jim and Jon took over ownership of the business in January of 2008. In 2014, the front of the establishment was completely redone, giving it a look that resembled the early 1900’s. Also that year they once again did an extensive remodel on the interior of the building. A more open concept was completed by removing the booths, and knocking down the existing wall separating the bar and the dining areas. New flooring, bringing back the original tin ceiling, and exposing the brick on the north wall of the dining area was also a part of this renovation. The small room was made more private by adding in sliding wood doors that were once part of the Presbyterian Church in Manilla. Accordion doors were added by the salad bar also. They added TV’s in both the dining area and the party room, and a new coat of paint finished off this renovation.

In 2023 Cliff’s Place was awarded Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

Over the years Cliff and Vicki have employed all four of their children and their spouses. Cliff’s grandchildren and many other family members, also working there, truly make this a family business.