Wissota Chophouse - Ottumwa

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.

Inside, they have a horse shoe bar

Menu after 8pm

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Owl's Nest

4.0(5 reviews)

•$

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

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The Owl's Nest, Downtown Ottumwa

Uncle Buck's Bar & Grill

4.8(25 reviews)

Continuing on our perpetual vacation, we ended up in Ottumwa Iowa. Searching for a great hamburger…read moreled us up at Uncle Bucks on the south side of town. I had the loaded mushroom burger and my wife had the Swiss burger. Prices were very reasonable, large portions, great taste, pool bar vibe and great service. I highly recommend. Also check out their steak. It looked incredible even though we didn't have it. FYI, they have steak specials, and daily specials that looked great.

We read the great reviews and decided to try it out. When we walked in I thought...OK, standard…read moreIowa bar, but boy, it's much more than that. Bar seating and additional high top seats set back from the bar, along with tables and lots of TVs. We grabbed a table and got in our drink orders. They don't have a wide variety of beer and distilled spirits, but it's ample. Our food came out in short order and was fantastic! My wife got a Mushroom Burger and I got the Steak Philly. It was REAL steak, and may heave been the best I've ever had. My wife's burger was also great, and had lots of shrooms. Fries (and sandwiches) were all hot and fresh. Service was great and prices are very reasonable. Definitely recommended.

Mushroom Burger

Killer fries

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Swiss burger and fries.

Rancho Grande

3.9(15 reviews)

0.3 mi

Burrito sauce is not spicy at all, very good. Comes topped with lettuce and sour cream.read more

Good food & service with lots of vegetarian options as well as regular meat dishes. Will definitely…read morebe back next time we are in the area.

Mango Virgin Margaritas-- 16oz

Good food with several vegetarian options. Will stop here again next time we come through here.

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Tequila Grill

4.2(56 reviews)

We were in Ottumwa for the dog show as official photographers and when we finished the show on…read moreSunday wanted to try a locally owned restaurant. We're happy we found Tequila Grill. Neat location and fun ambience with excellent service and tasty authentic foods. I was surprised at the amount of carry out business that happened while we were eating. Definitely understand why people would want to get some food to enjoy at home. Would definitely go back again.

This was our first time to the new Tequila Grill - - it was a different Mexican place a few years…read moreago. The waiter was good - - checked on us make sure we had enough chips, salsa, and water. The place is large, and clean. Two of us had the AC platter - - arroz con pollo. It was delicious. It was the perfect size for lunch with vegetables, chicken, and rice. Cheese sauce was poured over it. This review was for the Bloomfield Iowa location. Hubby had a cheesy steak taco platter, and friend had taco salad with extra tomatoes. Both said they were tasty.

Interior

Chorizo con Queso Quesadilla (Appetizer)

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Exterior

Godfrey's Ale House

3.9(24 reviews)

2.6 mi

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.

Godfrey's SWAAAAGGG

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Southwest chicken wrap

Courtside Bar & Grill

3.6(40 reviews)

2.6 mi

•$

Yummy smash burger! Good cook!! The servers were tidy and on point. The drinks were good they were…read morenot skimpy on the booze. The crowd that was in there that afternoon was a crowd that I would hang out with. altogether the place was clean, friendly, fun and me and my three friends enjoyed ourselves.(maybe a little too much). we also like the smoking area that was outside, and it was even clean. me and my friends would highly recommend this place. #Memorial weekend, 2026.

You should go when the owner Steve P. is there. He's a funny, outgoing character! Food is good,…read moretypical bar food like burgers and Midwest style sandwiches. Bloody Mary is fun. Service is pleasant and fast. Place is kept clean. Can get crowded, loud and a bit drunk but is generally well controlled.

Threats from courtside staff

Menu side 1

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Exterior shot

Bench Warmers

3.8(19 reviews)

1.6 mi

Wednesday 04 march 2026 Noonish…read moreYea hungry for salad So off to bench warmers for noon snack Pretty busy! That is kinda a good thing at least folks are out for a good meal All of the good stuff on the salad bar Wednesday is wing day I forgot to get any Couple of soups out and more on request They did make a personal standard crust crab ragoon small pizza for us.. Lol not the same crunch as the full size thin but I ate it anyway! Lol $15 total all you can eat out the door with tip. Yea I will try to update more on this place soon.

Food was hot and delicious. Homemade ranch. Service was amazing. Passion was a great sever!read more

Salads, pizza and soups at the end of the food bar

8/2025 menu page 2

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Applebee's Grill + Bar

2.1(56 reviews)

1.3 mi

A couple of weeks ago I ate at an Applebees in West Palm Beach and had a bed experience. If you…read morelike you can read my last review and you'll understand. So I'm in Iowa and before I check into my hotel I decide to eat. It's a little late and I spot this Applebees. Should I or shouldn't I. Well everyone one deserves a second chance. I'm seated right away and a waitress and trainee show up immediately. I place my order, and I'm trying the Bourbon Steak, mostly as a test. Now the fun, and entertainment starts. I'm seated in a booth behind a couple of sort of older people who are discussing Miley Cirus and her sexuality. Between this discussion and the Winter Olympics on a big screen TV. I'm enjoying this, but then the tide changes. The conversation turns to Brittany Spears. Now I'm no longer enjoying this. There's no reason to bring up Brittany and bash her. Leave her alone. If you want to bash Brittany, I'm coming for you. Ok, let's discuss this food. My meal comes and I have to turn off the conversation around me. Steak is cooked just the way I like it, medium heat. Garlic mashed potatoes, on point. Applebees has redeemed themselves for me. I may not be back to this one but they're all over the country so you'll see me in one of them If you see me, don't bash Brittany unless you're ready for a throw down.

The service was horrible. The food was ok. But could of been better. Dri is was watered down…read more Went in and it took about 20 minutes before a waiter even came to our table for drinks. Now mind you there was only maybe 5 only customers in the restaurant. Then he finally made it over. Took the drink and food order. Another 20 minutes still waiting on drinks. They were sitting on the bar we could see them but he was setting on a computer. Finally he brings them over. Then he brings the salads that was setting by the drinks. We asked what was going on he said he was working a double shift. But with only a few people there was no excuse. Then made a order to go. And when we got ready to leave had to ask for it. Again he was at the computer. He oh sorry I forgot. Yep we complained to the manager she was told this was coming.

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Bubba-Q's

4.0(85 reviews)

1.1 mi

Food, steak was cooked perfectly. The service was great, the waiter was attentive. Yes I would eat…read morethere again

Stopped in for a work trip. The food was great. I got the sirloin, mac and cheese, and the beans!…read moreEverything was cooked to perfection. The "smoked" old fashioned was pretty cool too!