Bo-James has held down a corner of the Ped Mall for more than three decades — long enough to become the answer to "where should we eat downtown?" for generations of Iowa City regulars, students, and visitors.

The kitchen keeps it simple and does it well: burgers built to order, hand-breaded chicken, and bar food worth sharing. The bar keeps it generous, with a full lineup of beer, wine, and — this being Bo-James — beers poured by the 32 ounce.