I have to admit I had my doubts. A name like Garden Cafe conjured up images of salads with sprouts, maybe some cucumber sandwiches. Well, there’s always Jack-in-the-Box on the way home. Turns out there are plenty of fresh vegetables all right, but it’s because the place is, well, an actual herb and vegetable garden. The patio seating out back, while spacious, occupies only about ten percent of the outdoor space. Give another ten percent to the fenced playground and the rest is all business; vegetables and herbs of all kinds that are used right there in the kitchen. Hey, I had to park next to corn stalks growing in the parking lot. I included a picture because I knew you wouldn’t believe me.
I have even heard since my visit that their chicken fried steak, which is not served every day, is fairly famous. I thought I would need convincing but then I saw the menu; sweet potato pancakes, build-your-own omlettes, French toast, fish tacos, barbequed pork loin…just stop….you had me at sweet potato pancakes.
I’ve loved everything I’ve had there, but I’m writing about it because it has so many of those qualities that I value in neighborhood establishments. It’s locally owned, creative, and occupies space in a small, old neighborhood retail building, like a trolley stop. This last feature means you are unlikely to drive by and discover it, so I’ll tell you it’s at 5310 Junius, just off of Munger. Bon apetite!
