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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
American, Diner
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Gift Cards Available
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Reviews (198)
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Traveller rating
150
34
5
5
3
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LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
150
34
5
5
3
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Reviewed 4 October 2018

Yummy pie toooooo and the service is fast and the. Sandwiches are amazing scrambled hamberger on a bun only in Ottumwa ia. Loose meat yummmmm. Very historic! You

Date of visit: June 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 September 2018

i grew up in ottumwa and this was always a special treat to me.. i eat there every time i come home. this time i got a t-shirt and a coffee cup.

Date of visit: September 2018
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Reviewed 27 September 2018 via mobile

We stopped here 26 years ago while passing through on our honeymoon. The place hasn’t changed other than having a parking garage built over top of it, Awesome!!!

Date of visit: September 2018
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Reviewed 15 September 2018

Be sure to visit and have the loose meat sandwich. The pie is to die for!! The peanut butter pie is about the best. We always visit this place. The best there is!!

Date of visit: September 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 September 2018

Such a uniqe place and setting . The Canteen lives on just as it always had, not being moved, closed or rebuilt as a parking garage ended up building around and over it inorder to ad parking in the downtown of Ottumwa. There is only...More

Date of visit: July 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 August 2018

My grandchildren love to go to the Canteen and I like taking them. It is a healthier lunch or dinner than offered by other eating establishments. Wholesome and like no other place they have been.

Date of visit: August 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 August 2018

Now 74. living in S.D. I started going to the Canteen when 10 with my grandparents of Headrick, Iowa. As a kid I loved it and still do. Visiting about how it once was and people who knew people who knew others and it becomes...More

Date of visit: June 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 August 2018 via mobile

In town for a family get together. I chose Canteen for our large group based off of Trip Advisor reviews. It was The Perfect place for us! We tried pretty much everything: egg sammies, Canteen sammies, chips, malts, & pie. Nobody left hungry or unhappy!...More

Date of visit: August 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 August 2018 via mobile

This place is great. My parents grew up in Ottumwa so we can ate here a lot when visiting grandparents. It's changed little over the years. They now take credit and debit cards as well as Apple/Google pay. A Canteen is similar to a Maid...More

Date of visit: August 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 August 2018

If you're in Ottumwa, Ia...this is a MUST try <3 The Canteen in the Alley is a historical place, where you can step back in time & enjoy a great sandwich (everything slightly moist for me, plz)

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 July 2018 via mobile

Absolute MUST TRY. Seriously folks, this is as close to eating in grandma’s kitchen as it gets. You walk in, find a seat, ask one of the wonderfully friendly staff for a sandwich how you like it, it’s assembled on the spot in front of...More

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 25 July 2018

This is a must have for anyone wanting to experience a loose meat sandwich. It was a first for our group. But it won't be the last. It is truly a old fashioned but mouth watering sandwich. Lunchtime proved to be very busy but the...More

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 21 July 2018 via mobile

Loose meat sandwich is an Iowa thing. Canteen Lunch is a must-stop in Ottumwa, if you can find it! Old-time loose meat sandwich (not to be confused with a sloppy joe), served with a spoon for anything that drops onto the wrapper. Purists say ketchup...More

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 July 2018

I always stop at the Canteen when I am traveling in the area. I ate here as a young gal when working in Ottumwa way back. The food is the best and once you have had a sandwich here, you just can't wait till you...More

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 July 2018

Having grown up in Ottumwa and then moving away, it is always a treat to go to the Canteen Lunch. This iconic place has visitors from around the world. The character of the location, food, service, is outstanding!

Date of visit: July 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Questions & Answers
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Readnrace
27 January 2018|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from 4catcouple | Reviewed this property |
No. I don’t think it’s the type of restaurant that posts it.
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Canteen Lunch In The Alley, Ottumwa - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor