Canteen Lunch In the Alley, Ottumwa IA

I'm really kinda sad. I have been coming here every year since I was a kid. My mom grew up here, and we travel from the Chicago area for these wonderful sandwiches. This time, it was so greasy and salty! Whatever cheese they use has changed. The amount of grease makes me think the beef quality has gone down. I hope the new owners change it back! I only come to this town for these and Grahams ice cream, maybe I won't come next year.

Nice little old-school, local place. My mom insisted that she take me here because of her fond memories eating at the Canteen growing up. Food is delicious!

They were friendly, and very open about what was in their food. It was a few years ago, and I didn't eat there. Because onions make me very very sick. They were honest and kind, when I asked. I would recommend them to anyone that can tolerate that kind of food, which is most of the population. Any place that is honest about their food is worth mentioning. I don't expect places to make special food for me, I do respect them disclosing key ingredients though.

The best loose meat sandwich in the country nice people, an Ottumwa tradition, I have enjoyed The Canteen since I was a youngster, I always visit them when I go home. This visit, they had the eating contest, and I was going back to Georgia on Monday, so I called them Friday evening to see if they would be open after the contest. I was told they would be open until 7 PM, so I went there to enjoy my last canteen for a few months. I got there at 4: 05 PM to find that they closed at 4pm. Very disappointed

A family favorite in the big O! Best loose meat sandwich on the planet. Make mine a cheese, ketchup, mustard!