Canteen Lunch In The Alley

641-682-5320
112 E 2nd St
Ottumwa, IA 52501
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Restaurants
Restaurants

Customer Reviews (9 reviews)

Citysearch User

on Citysearch Jul 06, 2009
I would give my right arm for a Canteen right about now. My Grandparents lived in Ottumwa and I visited as often as possible. I was actual... (more)

Citysearch User

on Citysearch Feb 05, 2009
I love the Canteen. My great-grandmother actually worked there more than 25 years ago. There's just something so special about the place t... (more)

Citysearch User

on Citysearch Oct 12, 2008
This tiny little restaurant has such nostalgia that the city parking ramp was built over and around it. The malts are great. The pies are de... (more)

Stacy F.

on Judys Book May 16, 2007
I used to eat here as a kid in the 70's and it was so good. Then in the 80's my newlywed husband and I visited the restaurant because of its fame and my memories. And it was still just as good. Glad to hear it is still a great... (more)

nebraskadoc

on Citysearch May 24, 2006
I grew up, eating "canteens" at the little place in the alley. I don't get back much, but I still think they're the best burgers I've ever had. They are "loose meat", served on enormous buns. To order just say "one... (more)

akajk

on Citysearch Sep 11, 2005
Have not been back to have one since 1959....But I still miss the great taste..and friendly people... (more)

Rob R.

on Judys Book Aug 12, 2005
canteen is the best place in town to buy burgers. they have been selling loose meat burgers for a long time. my aunt and uncle from texas used to visit every time they came to ottumwa because they are so good. they are big... (more)

Robyn R.

on Judys Book Aug 11, 2005
Straight out of the 1940's is Canteen Lunch in the alley selling their world famous loose-meat hamburgers. Their hamburgers are served on big buns and filled with lots of filling. You almost need a spoon to eat all the... (more)

justmedee

on Citysearch Jul 13, 2005
The Canteen is a cafe dating back to the earlier half of the 20th Century, mostly unchanged. The customer seats him or herself on stools at a U-shaped counter, and states what he/she would like to have on a loose-meat... (more)

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