Ottumwa Stories: Eating Green

Published November 16, 2023

Whether you’re a lifelong vegetarian and want to mix up your usual rotation when you go out to eat, or you are an omnivore wondering, “what can I eat if I'm not craving meat?”, we’re betting you’ll find just what you’re looking for in Ottumwa! When compiling this list of dining options, Meet Ottumwa consulted with local vegetarian Kristen Payne. She has been a vegetarian for 10 years and also cannot eat gluten. She helped us come up with a list of some of the best green and gluten-free eats in Ottumwa.

Wissota Chophouse - The newest addition to Ottumwa's dining scene, the Wissota has several menu items that are vegetarian and gluten-free friendly. Their knowledgable and friendly staff can walk you through the entire menu and explain what all you are able to have.

Godfrey's Ale House - Godfrey's has several options for those that choose a vegetarian diet. From soups and salads, to some of the appetizers. When it comes to gluten free options, our consultants favorite thing to order is the Southwest Salad with a black bean burger subbed on top instead of chicken.

Mike's Pizza & Steakhouse - If you're looking for a sit down pizza restaurant that isn't part of a chain, Mike's is the place to go. They have several Greek and pizza options that cater to veggie eaters. They also have a gluten-free crust for those that can't or choose not to eat gluten. For the best of both worlds, you should definitely try the margarita pizza on gluten free crust.

Latin American Cuisine - If you're craving Latin with some vegetarian flavor, then we have several options for you! If it's Tex/Mex you're after, El Rancho Grande, Tequila Grill and Potros Garcia all have a vegetarian section on their menus. If you crave something even more authentic, you can get vegetarian nachos or tacos with beans and no meat at Mimi's or Tortaco, get a delicious fruit cup or sweet treat at Botanitas Isa-Abys, or you can also get meatless pupusas at Juanita's Pupuseria.

Asian Menus - If you're craving some Asian cuisine, we've got you covered. If you're after some Chinese, Jade Palace & China Star Buffet both have vegetarian sections on their menus. The fried tofu with mixed vegetables from Jade is delicious! If you want to try some Japanese, Shiki Hibachi Sushi has several vegetarian rolls on the menu including avocado rolls, sweet potato rolls, and more.