Second Street Cafe

Cheryl Eggert

2023-12

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Ken Campbell

2024-01

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Autumn Nees

2024-04

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mikendonna LeGrande

2023-12

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Chris Rowland

2021-05

The Second Street Cafe is inside of the Hotel Ottumwa, but has its own entrance off of the street. There are booths and tables inside of the restaurant. The tables were spaced somewhat far apart due to COVID-19, which made it look strangely sparse. You could tell that they have attempted to make the place look elegant, but it kind of came across to me as that “fake elegance” look that you will often see at a Chinese buffet restaurant. But things were clean (with little signs that said “sanitized” on each table), and things were in good repair.They had old photos on the walls of the buildings in town. Since the restaurant is located within the Hotel Ottumwa, I’m sure there is a lot of interest in the history of this Iowa town.My server, Nick, seemed to be the one in charge of the dining room, and he was quick and attentive. I was amazed that the Reuben only took 7 minutes after my order to arrive at my table. So in fewer than 10 minutes after I walked into the restaurant, I was eating my Reuben.The Reuben itself mostly tasted of corned beef and bread. The deli style corned beef slices that they used were pretty tasty. The Thousand Island and the sauerkraut were blended and added a hint of tang to the meat. Perhaps a little more of the sauerkraut and dressing would help to balance the flavors a little more.The marbled rye was supposedly grilled, although it seemed to taste to me as though it had been toasted rather than grilled because the firmness to the bread seemed to be throughout each slice instead of just on the outside of the sandwich.The sandwich was not very messy at all, other than a little Thousand Island dripping out here and there because it was a little runny and not thick enough to adhere to the ingredients within the sandwich.I ordered the potato chips and they appeared to be the homemade variety, and were very good. They were nice and crispy around the edges with an occasional softer part in the middle of each chip, which I kind of enjoy.Overall this was a good place to stop for a quick dinner. I was on the road, so I appreciated being able to spend fewer than 30 minutes in the restaurant from the time I walked in until I was walking out, having settled my bill at the cash register. It’s not an amazing sandwich in any way, but it shouldn't disappoint if you are passing through Ottumwa and craving a Reuben.

Rolando Aguirre

2021-05

Ordered a spaghetti, offered a salad-I never received it. Asked for red pepper, I was never brought it, I got water and it had a fruit fly in it. Asked for sausage, and I got a cut up sausage pattie, microwaved. Subpar food, it's the only place around main street where locals can grab food to eat. Not really good but convenient if you don't want to head to riverside.This place is a local business and usually open. You seat yourself, never seated by a waiter.

kdog gaming

2024-01

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Chrissy Baskett

2023-08

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Ed Slayton

2024-01

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Jet

2023-05

I gave this 5 stars because the waiter was really good. The food was okay but there wasn't a lot of. Because they didn't have what I asked on the menu as a meal they charged me for each individual item. They should have told me that just to make sure I knew. I've been there before but I've never ordered anything like that I've never known of a restaurant to do that before. The food was good but very small portions.

Ann Alexander

2023-05

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Debbie Richmond

2023-05

Ordered a grilled chicken sandwich which comes with zero condiments?? Ordered pickle & tomato, charged for slice of tomato 🍅. Sandwich was good but I carry packets of mayonnaise so that sure did help. Fries were scant & no refill on drink. Had several at our table & the only one that got a refill is a "regular". Place needs a major remodel.

Chridam Marquez

2023-05

The food, for the most part, was excellent! Soups were great! but the BLT could definitely improve. Please invest more creativity, better products and quality to make it a decent product on your menu.

Sarah Wheeldon

2023-07

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April Ayala

2023-05

One of my favorite places to eat. Staff is fun. Food is great. Atmosphere needs work as the dining room needs an overhaul. Booths are ripped. Place hasn't aged well, but very clean.Parking: Parking can be tricky if you're disabled and can't use the parking garage across the street.

Frank Nitty Nittysouth

2023-09

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V Brown

2024-01

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Christopher Henriksen (Chris)

2023-05

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Carol Sexton-White

2023-08

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robert buckles

2022-05

I'm unsure of what to say, the meal was delicious, the wait staff was excellent, dinning area was acceptable and neat. Unfortunately I became I'll shortly after my meal. This is not to indicate that I showed signs of food poisoning by any means. Rather, I enjoyed a very pleasant dining experience and I would return for another enjoyable meal at the Second Street Cafe in the future.

Adam Gannaway

2022-05

Had the hotel hash. It had hashbrowns with gravy and eggs on top with bacon. Food was very good and my breakfast was nice and warm. Came in a timely manner and service was good. First time there and will good back. If you want a good breakfast and good atmosphere stop in and try it out.

Steph Schaffer

2021-05

Quite, quick, and quality service! Great wait staff and make a bomb blue raspberry margarita 😋

Solo Acosta

2023-05

As soon as our server approached us I knew something was going to be off. Why because her shirt was extremely dirty and she smelt like a box of Marboro menthol 100s. The food came out fast, but that was the second thing that caught my alarm was how fast it came out. the planting was decent for what it was but then when o starting eating it tasted like rubber and cardboard I order the country fried steak that shouldn’t have never been served a human. It should be reserved for rats another test animals that the CDC can experiment on. A friend of mine got the breakfast skillet which looked like it was from a TV dinner box and French toast that look like pancakes that were dipped in hot oil. I do not recommend this facility for anyone to eat or use the bathroom for that matter other really disappointing is to say the least.

Annie Bonjour

2023-05

It’s dark and dingy. My food was served on a plate with a huge chunk gone from the edge. A chair at our table was broken, the vent on the wall has brown/black gunk that looks like mold. The table next to us had a softball size hole in the floor by the customers chair leg and was sticky. Service was slow!

Greg Zelt

2022-05

My breakfast was AMAZING. I had the 2 eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. I cannot remember having had better hash browns, and I know it's just toast, but I can't remember having had better. The butter was just completely perfect on it, not too much, not too little, and it was toasted just right where it has just the right bite to it. I'm only in town for so many days, but I'll be back for sure.

Frosti White

2022-05

*Update- unfortunately I feel the need to update my rating. Second street used to be my favorite place to eat. A month ago, on a church Sunday, my kids and I sat down to enjoy a lunch. A fight between the employees broke out. Screaming and cursing.- but I continued to go back.I week later I sat down at to eat at the restaurant. I noticed it was empty. I wondered if they had closed. After minutes of waiting a man came down and said they closed at 4. He was rude about it. He turned off the lights as we left. Apparently they changed their weekday hours to close at 4p.m. This was a huge disappointment for me.Old review-Second street is a great locally owned cafe. They are very loyal, and the service is always great!-was 5 stars.

Tabatha Roberts

2019-05

Great for dining in or carry out. We were able to get pizza to go for a low price. Very friendly and Speedy customer service. Free Wi-Fi during our weight. Anytime we have dined in, the way tours and waitresses were very friendly as well. We love supporting our local businesses!

j. fisher

2018-05

Fair price, reasonably decent food. I usually get the all you can eat bar when I go there as in usually in a hurry. I have never been unhappy. There are a few minor things, like occasionally, they have ran out of some items, but usually it's been fine.

Akira Uehara

2022-05

I was happy with the service I got.Great prices & friendly staff!They got our food out quickly & we're very attentiveStill one of our favorite places to eat in Ottumwa

Tara J

2021-05

It’s so unusual and uncomfortable leaving such a negative review for a local business... but today was the last visit I’ll make to Second Street Cafe. Today’s experience (much like other times... but I’ve stayed quiet) was completely disgusting.I called and preordered my food. It was pretty simple. Two standard menu items (no additions, no substitutions). When I arrived I was thrilled there was parking (leading me to believe that the food would be fantastic! They weren’t swamped and it should be done!) Upon arrival I quickly found out that my meal (2 traditionals) had been given to the gentleman right before me. Unfortunately for him, he was missing a TON of items on his order... so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s dual feedback on this. I was very patient, understanding, and willing to wait. I know that the following order was not incredibly difficult or time consuming to make. Especially when that’s what you’re in the business for:*Traditional-overhard eggs, crispy bacon, white toast*Traditional-over medium eggs, crispy bacon, white toastAfter about 7 minutes of waiting (and still very calm waiting) I was brought my food. I paid, and left a tip for the waitress who was very apologetic and made the mistake.When I arrived home I had:*traditional-scrambled eggs, and (the most disgusting) sausage patty*traditional-overeasy eggs-sausage patty*some really poorly made miniature pancakes and MORE of this... “sausage”Today was it. It wasn’t my first poor experience, but it was my last. I tried and continue to try to support local business... especially during the pandemic. Other restaurants rose to the occasion and made carry out a seamless “norm” in their processes. Second Street should follow suit. 1) start taking names on to go orders 2) there is a wait staff member working the carry out calls. Have them perform a quality check on all orders. They are on the phone with the customers and know what was ordered. That shouldn’t have to be said. Most restaurants already do this FYI. 3) find ways to make the customer experience better. Consider identifying ways to offer online ordering. Streamline how you handle the influx in busy times.At the end of the day, I just want people to not set expectations high when it feels as though no one is trying to meet those requests. I must also mention that if the quality of food was anywhere near decent... I would’ve just ate it and carried on about my day. I can get better quality food at a nursing home...that’s why I finally caved and wrote the review.