still open as of 12/07/2023 but not for long sad times as they 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! read more

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

I have always had a good experience with 2nd Street Cafe until this morning. My wife and I went there for breakfast and we were very disappointed First of all, one of the cooks must be having a very bad day. We could hear him swearing and causing a lot of "uneasiness" to the customers and staff, so unprofessional. Second of all, my wife's order was so cold I sent part of it back and had them take it off the bill. It was unacceptable. Thirdly, we were there an hour for breakfast? Not sure why. Lastly, we both ordered ice tea that tasted rancid. I'm not sure what is going on there but I really doubt we will be going back. Horrible experience today! read more

Stopped here after an Easter church service. The place was very dated as well as the hotel attached to it. Maybe this was typical for small town Iowa that don't have many people coming in besides perhaps locals. It looks like a very old school diner even bar seating. The waitress was nice and was patient with us having kids in our party. I had the hamburger w/ the works and it was pretty good, a little greasy but nothing wrong with a little grease for some flavor I say. The fries needed a little salt. The price is low and so I think it's on point with the quality of the food. I would come back again if I ever come back to Ottumwa. I don't really have any reasons to but if you're looking for a chill place, I'd consider this spot. read more

Second Street Cafe - Burger "The Works" - American Near Me - Ottumwa, Iowa

Ordered two veggie omlettes, light on the cheese with hashbrowns and biscuit. It was great! The portions were huge, well seasoned. We are very surprised small town treat turned out to be great. We ordered to-go, it came out fast in about 10 mins and the waitress was professional. read more

Second Street Cafe - Yummy! Veggie omlettes, light on cheese w hashbrowns and biscuit. - American Near Me - Ottumwa, Iowa

As I said ... Yes, I returned to the Second Street Cafe on Monday since my dad, who had a rehab appointment, wanted to eat lunch at the hotel before returning home. Surprise - the buffet had just been set up and it looked pretty decent. We ordered our drinks - water for me, coffee for mom and dad. The waitress brought out a tray with our drinks and as she lifted my 16oz+ tumbler of water it slipped through her hand and in slo mo - the water and ice cubes waterfalled across the table and into my lap. No appetite anyway, I decided it wasn't to be - time for me to take a long walk around Ottumwa and dry out my soaking jeans. I did go into Super Mercado for a Jarrito and fresh pan which I enjoyed in the city park. I don't think the restaurant and I are meant to have a relationship. Oh well - I have to laugh. read more

Great breakfast spot! Love going there for breakfast. The lunch/dinner menu is good as well. I enjoy their breakfast most, served all day. Good prices! Has all kinds of old photos of Ottumwa hanging in dining area. read more

The biscuits and gravy. Somebody stop me. Amazing. Rich. Over their hashbrowns and you will be hurting! Love their sausage. Service was good. Busy, local favorite. More than enough to eat. read more

We decided to have breakfast here. The food was very good . Lots of staff was just standing around while 1 was doing all the work. Wht have so many but only 1 does all the work. Not a good way to do business.... read more

This 5-Star rating is for our EXCEPTIONAL service from Amber. In all my 50 years, I would be hard press to find a more stellar experience. Amber was VERY attentive...without hovering. Oh...and the food was good too! read more

I lived in Ottumwa for nearly 20 years and this restaurant is one of my favorites. I miss it today, now that we live 4 hours away. Their breakfasts are delicious and I don't know how they do it, but they make the best fried chicken in town. The service is good, as is, the owner Tim Schwartz and his family. read more

We got a free breakfast meal at the cafe for staying at the hotel. The pancakes and bacon were some of my top ten ever and my husband really enjoyed his meal. The only thing holding them back from a five star review was the crabby staff and inability to keep tables clean. I wish we coulda stopped by later for their great looking lunch menu. read more

Had breakfast a couple of times during my stay and the service and food was great. During this pandemic it was nice to see them sanitize and wear masks accordingly. Ordered a tenderloin for take out and it was nice sized and delicious! read more

Stopped here for breakfast. Biscuits and gravy excellent. Everything cooked as ordered. Excellent, friendly, and prompt service. Would like to try for lunch sometime. Pleased we stopped. read more

We use to stay at this dive for work, options are limited so we ate here on occasion. The previous reviews are on spot. Everything you order has a fried or microwaved feel to it. The buffet was always sub par. Stuffing was soggy, definitely instant mashed potatoes, and the mix of food just didn't go together, it's like they chose what's going on the buffet by experation dates in the fridge, the owner of hotel sits at the end of the buffet and slices ham or turkey and makes thin cuts like your taking money out of his wallet. If a decent well rounded buffet opened up in this town I'm sure this one would expire like its food. read more

Service was absolutely excellent, and the food was of good quality. Healthy portions and warm atmosphere would keep me coming back for more.

Great Service,good down homestyle food that sticks to your ribs.Big fill her up! portions and the prices won't leave you with empty pockets.

Stopped here with my parents as we were passing through Ottumwa Never again. Wondering how they could still be in business. I ordered 1/2 hot roast beef sandwich. 2 cups of tasteless gravy ( flour, water, & brown food coloring for color) over the worst instant potatoes ever. Where's the beef!!! My mom had a hamburger & coleslaw. . $7.00 for a dried out small beef patty on a small bun? Nothing else not even a pickle or lettuce. Coleslaw had a weird taste. terrible, and the portion was small but that's ok it was unedible anyways. My dad had chicken strips, they looked good and he didn't complain. read more

We usually go out as a group to eat here and we usually have a good experience. It's pretty cheap and they have a lot of good things on the menu. It's worth checking out. read more

The menu is pretty standard American fare. Nothing particularly exciting, though did offer a blue-plate special of sorts. The food is adequate, the atmosphere was not unpleasant - though both were unmemorable. I probably won't go back if I have another choice. read more

We stopped for breakfast and it was pretty good. It's pretty much diner-quality food and coffee, but we didn't have as bad of an experience as some of the other reviewers. Our server was very friendly and the restaurant was busy. read more

This is one of our go-to spots in Ottumwa--especially for breakfast. On weekends they have $1.99 mimosas which are a great deal!