Second Street Cafe

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.

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.

*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.

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.