The hangover burger hit the spot. 1/2 lb burger with bacon and egg. Fries are cooked in tallow…read moremaking it semi healthy. I would order this again. The Long Island ice tea was dangerous, tasted perfect. We were here with a group of nine and service was quick and thorough. Has the feel of a joint, but with lots of tv's with the games on display.

Horrible service. The women they have working there don't have the vernacular to handle the evening…read more"rush" apparently... as if a rush of people even exists here in Ottumwa. We waited 40 minutes to place an order and another 40 minutes for them to turn on the spurs game that myself and several other patrons requested. It's a cute bar, but we didn't even get to try the food because we were waiting for so long. No one is making you work there ladies... if you don't want to work, go home. Needs new staff and probably better management to ensure that "people skills," and respect are still being implemented as part of their training.

While the owls nest was highly recommended by several locals, which included those who worked at…read morehotel Ottumwa within walking distance (bc no Ubers) and ( fancy like)Applebees. We decided to give it a try, bc dive bar... Service started decent enough, beers were brought in a timely manner and without constant need to ask, bartender admitted there was party coming in later on in the evening. It was also her birthday...Emily I believe. She was excited to get off and go celebrate....it seemed quite early on in our visit that she'd already started celebrating, lots of shots, plenty of time not even in the bar, actually admitted and apologized that she went to the "thrift store". We spent approx 4-5 hours there, same patrons would come and go between the bar and the sidewalk. A little sketchy, even for a dive bar.

The food was delicious as always. The hardest part was ordering the food when I'm not bi- lingiul.read more

I need to go here more often and dine. Great food and clientele. Try out the fried bologna…read moresandwich.

A huge cheeseburger & fresh cut fries - fantastic! The service was friendly & attentive.read more

This place has been around a long time. As a kid I went with my mom and grandma for a great lunch…read more Going back it doesn't seem like anything but the prices have changed. Service and the ambiance are impeccable. Belly up to the bar and order your "canteen" with whatever toppings. Don't miss the malts, you won't care about fries. Glad I stopped on the way by. If I ever come through again I will be there!

In town for my oldest daughter's cross country race and I decided to stop here. All I have to say…read moreis, Wow! This was great food and an Amazing atmosphere. There is a counter to sit and they prepare the "main attraction" right in front of you. I ordered the loose meat sandwich with cheese on the side and a diet coke. The staff was courteous and I loved watching their interactions with customers. They made everyone feel at home and the really have a great establishment here. Definitely a 10/10!

Very neat, historic bar. Loose meat pizza was different, but hit the spot, also got a chicken…read moresandwich the next night, also good. Prices are insanely cheap to me and there's nothing wrong with that. Came here all 3 nights I was here for beers, Kris the bartender was wonderful. Kudos to her!

Best food and historic atmosphere. Our waitress was great. It's a true experience!. We'll stop…read moreagain when nearby.

still open as of 12/07/2023 but not for long sad times as…read morethey are closing the hotel Ottumwa and going to change it to a retirement home. on to todays food! just after 12:30 pm prime time Tenderloin! just over 20 bucks for 2 with drinks. pretty quick to get the food out. nice breading! perfect lunch sized. yup we are going to miss this place!

2nd Street Cafe is closed. Lobby Cafe has replaced it. Some of the same menu items, but missing my…read morefavorite

Great place for breakfast. Love the Nutella pancakes but you can't miss with the entire breakfast…read moremenu. Friendly staff and good pricing to portion ratio. Highly recommend! They serve lunch and dinner but we usually go there for breakfast in the morning.

I happened to drive by this place last week and it has reopened. I talked with my brother has eaten…read morethere and says the liver and onions is really good. It's a long drive for me to check it out but I will go with my brothers advice and when I am looking for a dish I rarely get to see in restaurants, I will make that drive and check it out.

New Year's Day 2025 Wed 2 pm…read moreSo special was the open faced tenderloin With mashed potatoes and country gravy And green beans 11.11 all in with tax Good solid value meal! Not too busy I phoned in the order to go Fast in and out And yes it is still one of my favorite Blue plate specials in 2025!

The food was 4 star, atmosphere 3 star, good prices, decent but not spectacular tenderloin (I might…read morehave gotten mine on an off day or time). However, a real turnoff was the N-word used 3 or 4 times, once by an off duty worker (waitress/cook/co-owner?) while I was there. They can't help how the customers talk, but employees, even off the clock? Not cool. It was supposed to be a great night; while my politics is ever-evolving, my family in Iowa had just gotten to high five Don Jr at an event which, whoever I vote for now was darn cool that day! This visit kinda put a damper on our fun. We don't talk that way.