Cafe C

Cafe C
424 N.W. 8th Ave
Open for lunch only from 11:00-3:00

3.5 thumbs up for meat based sandwiches. 0 thumbs up for vegetarian based sandwiches.

I have to be honest. I've been ignoring this place since it opened. Maybe it's the horrible paint job on the outside or the fact that it never seems to be open, but I really haven't even thought about eating here until last Thursday. I was very pleased and somewhat shamed to find out that it was pretty darn good. Not only that, but the place was PACKED for lunch. Apparently everyone else in town knew but me.

Their menu is somewhat hard to absorb, as there are many options. They have a sandwich section and a salad section, each costing 10 dollars with tax. I wanted a sandwich AND a salad, but couldn't see paying 20 bucks for lunch. I noticed they had a 1/2 and 1/2 option, but the sandwich and salad were pre-determined by the restaurant. Eventually, I realized that almost all the sandwiches come with a salad or side of sorts. I settled on the grilled cheese on rye with the mozzarella and tomato caprese atop greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette and some sort of pesto.

I didn't mind the sandwich, but I did agree with my lunch partner that it looked like something you'd serve to a 3 year old. It was barely toasted and the cheese wasn't melted all the way, but it really wasn't bad. It just didn't look good. The salad was quite good and fresh and I enjoyed it very much.

My lunch mate got the pesto chicken sandwich, which came in a more than ample serving size.
Despite it being quite good, he actually couldn't finish it because it was so much food.

If you "check in" to Cafe C on your smartphone, they'll give you a free dessert. We were really on the fence about this, as we went there for a healthier lunch option and now we were being presented with some really overly-indulgent goodies. Being the spineless gluttons that we are, we took advantage of the deal and got a lemon bar and a rocky road brownie. Both were quite good, but could easily be considered weapons of mass cardiac destruction.


Overall, I liked this place on my first visit. I've gone back 3 more times and have been increasingly disappointed with the vegetarian options. To be honest, I'd just flat out say that they're boring and uninspired. My lunch partner has thoroughly enjoyed all of the meat based sandwiches that he's ordered, so I'd only advise to go here if you're a meat eater.



As with anywhere, you have to choose the right menu option to have a good meal. I'd really avoid the salads if I were you and go more for the combos, as they present a better meal.