Second Street Cafe

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

Good service, good food, good drinks. Facility is ready to be updated! Menus looked worn-out. Will definitely be a return customer.

Very convenient with the fact it was in the lobby of the hotel ! Got breakfast for dinner always a favorite! Very busy but they definitely took care of everything and food was cooked will! Corn balls where unique & very good!

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!

Food was okay, price about average. However the inside has really taken a beating over the years. Most of the booth seats are torn and falling apart, and the tables are so worn they are all losing their finish.

Ate breakfast and sometimes lunch /dinner here while staying at the hotel. Breakfast is always great and lunch/dinner options are consistently well done. Service is always punctual and friendly!!! Will definitely keep eating here when staying at the hotel!!!

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 toast

After 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.

I love the fact that this family owned business cares so much about the future of this city...they are still making improvements to the hotel plus other buildings as well. My friends and I have attended many functions (dances, receptions, entertainment) and were happy with the attentive staff, great food and warm nostalgic ambience. Kudos to all who work there.

Good food and service. Pleasant quiet atmosphere.

Basic but good quality American diner food. Excellent hand-patted burgers, breakfast all day. Service ranges from a B plus to a C minus depending on busyness and your particular server. Cleanliness, taste, value are all above average. Secret PS They have a small but welcoming bar at the orher end of Hotel Ottumwa. You can order any cocktails, beer or wine you want; the bartender will make them, and buzz your waitress to come get them when they're ready.