Canteen Lunch In the Alley - Famous Iowa Restaurant - And Iconic American Establishment

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On January 11, 1976, word came out that Ottumwa's far-famed “Canteen Lunch in the Alley” wouldn’t undergo demolition. Dating back to 1927, Canteen Lunch has cooked up loose-meat sandwiches and homemade pies for almost 100 years. In 1936, the business relocated to its current location of 112 2nd St. East in downtown Ottumwa. An outstanding example of an early-to-mid-20th-century lunchroom, the “Canteen Lunch” reflects on this eating establishment that gained popularity in the