Jones County Restaurant Has Reportedly Closed Its Doors

The first job I ever had was detassling corn at Asgro Seed Company in Anamosa. Not unusual for a 13 or 14-year-old growing up in rural Jones County. But my first real job, where I had to wear a uniform and clock in and out, was at McOtto's Family Restaurant in Anamosa. I was a cook in the kitchen and I can still remember going home from a shift smelling like onions. I'm pretty sure my parents can still smell them too!

My heart broke just a bit back in 2010 as a fire destroyed the original McOtto's Family Restaurant that was built in 1984. I had worked in that kitchen. Delivered the Happy Joe's pizzas that we made inside. Not to mention had countess gatherings after high school football games on Friday nights. Nothing topped an Oreo Speedwagon after a crushing defeat. Fortunately, the restaurant was rebuilt and opened back up to the public in 2011.

It appears that the run is over for McOtto's Family Restaurant. The above note was posted on the door of the business on Monday, February 10th. The handwritten note states that the dining room will close at 1:30 p.m. and that this will be the restaurant's last day in business. No other details were revealed, but the Google listing for McOtto's does say that it is permanently closed.

I don't recall if I went back to McOtto's after the restaurant was rebuilt following the 2010 fire. But I do have plenty of great memories of the original restaurant and what it meant to me during my teenage years.

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