Restaurants on the North Side of Ottumwa, Iowa

Ottumwa, Iowa sits on the Des Moines River, with easy passage from the north to the south side of the city. There's no need to separate the city into two parts for restaurant purposes other than to help people find those close to their homes or hotels. And there are many choices.

The north side of town has city hall, the courthouse, and the public library, plus one of the two downtown business districts. With most of the law offices and government buildings, there are many people ducking out for a quick lunch. It is not possible to talk about eating spots in Ottumwa without mentioning The Canteen Lunch in the Alley, at 112 East 2nd Street. Since the late 1930s the Canteen has been serving lunch into the late afternoon. The only seating is at stools at the counter, but it's worth the wait for the loose meat sandwiches and pie. The city parking garage was literally built around this landmark.

Main and Second Sts. Business District

Not really in the business district is the Sonic Drive In, 222 North Wapello Street. It's the closest eatery to the AmericInn, and is actually on Route 63 North, just after you cross the Wapello Street Bridge. The Second Street Cafe is in the Hotel Ottumwa, at 107 East 2nd Street. It's open from early morning until late evening and serves breakfast all day. It recently went smoke-free. If you want smoke, go to the Tom-Tom Tap, also in the hotel. You can order sandwiches at the bar.

The "Family Food Court:" is at 207 West 2nd Street, almost across from the AmericInn and next to the Wells Fargo Bank. The outside is somewhat plain, so you'll be surprised to find three restaurants and ample seating. Bellacino's Pizza makes arguably the best grinders in town, and Maid Rite is known for its loose meat sandwiches. Broaster Chicken's meals do not taste as if they are chain-food recipes, and you can grab some ice cream as well. Wiggleville Road, 107 N. Market Street, opened in 2007 and features sandwiches and pizza.

Ottumwa has a number of good Mexican restaurants. Tienda Mexicana La Jalisiense, at 311 East Main Street is good for lunch (and dinner), and El Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant , 206 South Jefferson Street, is a larger facility that can easily handle family groups. The China Restaurant at 321 East Main Street has been substantially remodeled and has a very good buffet.

Breadeaux Pizza at 401 East Main Street was also recently remodeled (in its place because of a fire), and it is back in style. Seating is limited, but the pizza is great. Pizza Hut at 304 West 4th Street is this chain's carry-out or delivery facility, complete with a drive-up. It's especially popular on snowy or rainy days, when offices call in orders to avoid the bad weather.

For home cooking you can't beat Julia's, which is at 529 West Main Street. It's always open for breakfast and lunch and sometimes has dinner hours. Check out the walls, which have many older Ottumwa signs or other memorabilia.

The Far North Side

State Route 63 runs through Ottumwa, and as you near the north edge of town there are a number of places to eat.

Subway Restaurant - North
2455 Northgate Street

Sirloin Stockade Steak House
2645 Northgate

McDonald's
2441 Northgate Street

Fiesta Cantina
2519 Northgate Street

Pizza Hut
2513 Northgate Street

Very close to Route 63 is the Courtside Bar & Grill (2511 North Court Street, near the Hy-Vee Grocery Store). Sandwiches and salads are terrific and there are several TVs. It's smoke-free, with an outdoor patio for those who must imbibe. Until early evening it has the character of a family restaurant. Later in the evening it becomes more of a true sports bar, complete with pool tables that can be the site of league play.

Coffee Houses

Starbucks there is not, but Ottumwa now has two coffee houses. Afton's is at 619 Pennsylvania Avenue and has a variety of coffee, quiche, and light sandwiches. It is in the Terrace Hill Shopping Center and has a brand new neighbor, Quiznos Subs, which is at 627 E. Pennsylvania.

In the large downtown building that houses O'Town Books & Ottumwa Antique Mall there is a coffee shop facing East Second Street (200 Block, next to the Ottumwa Courier newspaper). It may be about to change owners, so best to leave out the name. If you want to see if the coffee shop is still there, call Bill or Donna at O'Town Books (641-682-0901, closed Sunday and Monday). You may want to take your coffee up to the book store, which has wireless Internet service.

Heading East

As you head out East Main Street toward Highway 34 you'll pass another local institution, Nester's Cafe, at 536 East Main. It's cozy and has a family menu. It can be smoke-filled, however. Near Nester's is Casey's Carry-Out Pizza, at 1001 East Main Street. This gas station/convenience store has become known for its pizza and also has fast food such as nachos and hot dogs. (There are three other Casey's in town.) There are a number of small taverns along this route as well. Champion Bowl is at 2601 Roemer Avenue. It has standard bowling alley food, and welcomes birthday parties.

Many Other Choices

There are many other places to eat. The North and South Hy-Vee grocery stores have large dining sections and are especially popular for breakfast on the weekends. Ottumwa Regional Health Center and Indian Hills Community College have cafeterias with very reasonable prices. This being the midwest, almost every Friday night one of the many churches is likely to have a soup supper and the Knights of Columbus Hall will have a fish fry. If you aren't sure where to eat, step outside your car and follow your nose.