StreetFoodJoe.com

Not all restaurants need to be sophisticated and monochromatic to have a taste of elegance. It’s the little, comfy places that can have the best food. Mimi’s Café is just one of those places. This restaurant is unlike any other, especially when sandwiched beside a men’s clothing store and a burger joint. But it is the outside that sets the appeal. Without the signing reading “Mimi’s Café” the building could simply be a cozy little cottage on the side of a busy street. The inside takes the homey feel even further.

Each section of the restaurant is designed in a different theme with various colors. Some include ranch homes, others the South, and still others backyard gardens. The interior and exterior are reflections of the food. Mimi’s provides options for all three meals. Nearly each meal comes complete with a beverage, and quick breads and raised breads are provided at the table. The food itself tastes like home. From omelets to homefries, to steak and pasta, Mimi’s has nearly anything Mom would make, with a taste that doesn’t say is above ten dollars. The only difference is that Mom could be sitting right next to you without having to lift a finger.

Mimi’s Café’s are found all over the United States, with the exceptions of the Northwest, the northern Midwest, and the Northeast.

When you drive up, you notice how it seems like an old ranch house. Up top is a balcony for outdoor dining when the weather is nice. On the other side is a butcher’s shop, where you can purchase many fine meat products. The inside is cozy and quiet. This is a good old-fashioned
family restaurant.

As our hostess escorts us to our seats, she reminds us to try their home-brewed root beer, sassafras beer, or cream soda, all served in frosty mugs. I can’t resist a good root beer, and the stuff brewed at Maddox Ranch House is some of the best I’ve ever tasted. She quietly leaves us, and our waiter appears after a few minutes. Not too long, but not too soon either. He is soft-spoken, non-intrusive, but his voice is enough to carry over the din of the dinner hour without being too loud.

We order, and our appetizer arrives shortly. Hand made rolls and corn bread with home-churned honey butter. Simply delicious. We haven’t finished our drinks yet, which means its been about five minutes. Fifteen minutes after that, our waiter brings us our dinner and a refill on our drinks.

The food is fantastic. Good cuts of meat, well seasoned vegetables, all served on heated plates to make sure the food stays warm as its being brought from the kitchen. We savor our meal, too full for desert, and leave our waiter a generous tip.

• Atmosphere – Good, subdued and calming
• Service – Good, prompt and non-intrusive
• Food – Good, delicious and prompt

All in all, I would highly recommend this restaurant. The only drawback is location. If you’re ever in the area, or near the area, I can’t recommend it enough.