Cafe 7: Lucky For Us
When it comes to dining out in the far north portion of the city, quantity is kicking the hell out of quality. But thanks to a handful of local operators, standing up to the chains, scale is starting to tip back toward quality.
Before I continue, let’s be clear: I understand the worth and value of chain restaurants. They are good for the local economy, producing valuable tax dollars and offer jobs to locals that not only help folks pay their mortgage or rent but also impart education for future endeavors.
But that doesn’t mean I like to eat at chains myself. No, it’s not that I’ve never been to one, it’s that I choose to eat local 99-percent of the time when I eat out.
Chains have dominated the Memorial Road corridor for the last two decades. But in the last 18 months, Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe, Yakimono, Avanti, Thai Stop, Cafe 7 and now Saturn Grill have opened and offer alternatives to Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chili’s and friends.
I recently had a chance to make a couple of visits to Cafe 7, which started badly but ended great.
The bad start had nothing to do with the food. It had to do with the concept. Cafe 7, 14101 N May, offers salads, pasta, pizza and sandwiches all under $ 7 and ready in less than 7 minutes. The menu has seven choices in each category, including “build your own.”
Color-coordinated order forms are on a table as you enter. The diner is intended to fill the forms out and hand them in at the register. I was unaware and didn’t notice the instructions. It wasn’t because the instructions were hard to see, it was because of competing diners. The set up unintentionally puts patrons in competition to fill out their form as fast as possible and get it in. As a first-time diner, people were buzzing past me like I was a grandmother cruising the I-40 Crosstown. I finally approached the register and was asked to please go back and fill out the form. Thanks to the frustration of those pressing by me and my family, I almost walked out.
Thank God I didn’t. Cafe 7 is a real find. The ingredients are fresh and expertly prepared. I tried a chicken sandwich the first time and a pizza the second. I loved both equally. My children, aged 10 and 12, are enormous fans. My extremely picky 10-year-old daughter can get her pepperoni pizza the way she likes it. My slightly more adventurous son, can try something new each time. My vegetarian wife doesn’t have to pore over the menu or feel awkward about asking for something without meat. I get peace and quiet and excellent food.
And then there’s the fact that the price is right and the service, once you get to it, is efficient.
Cafe 7 combines the traditional delicatessen with what the owners call a “pasteria” experience. Owners Paul Sorrentino and J. Mays were once student and professor at Oklahoma State University’s Hotel and Restaurant Administration school, where they forged a friendship that developed into a partnership.
While I’m not sure what there plan is for the concept as costs will undoubtedly force them some day to become Cafe 7.99, I’m glad it’s around today.
Cafe 7 also offers prepared meals for takeout, including meat loaf, chicken parmesan and lasagna. Cafe 7 opened Nov. 11. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Have you been to Cafe 7? Let me know what you thought.
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Comments
I agree with all of the above. If I hadn’t known J. and had recommendations to eat there, I probably would have headed to the door as well. The food is always top notch, service great and it’s always great to see the owner of a business out cleaning tables and greeting guests. I take my family here often and we always enjoy. Once I figureed out the ordering process, I actually like it now, it makes things easier on my large family to not tie up the register placing our order.
Cafe 7 is the quality answer for my family’s varied tastes. I can order soup and salad. My sons can order their favorite fettucini alfredo. My daughter can order a wrap sandwich. It is a win!
The Memorial Road Corridor in Northern OKC has long been lacking a quality lunch option using fresh ingredients (read- not frozen like the chain restaurants.) I am glad prospering Cafe 7 is nearby.
I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad experience at Cafe 7. I’ve tried to order something different each visit or go with the daily special. Truly one of the gems in north OKC/Edmond. Chef J hits the mark with this concept & don’t be surprised to see it take off and grow like crazy…
[...] to Royer for seeing that void and dedicating to it. With the recent addition of Cafe 7 and places like Iguana Mexican Grill, Cafe Antigua, Flatire Burgers in Edmond, Sean Cummings Irish [...]
[...] I previously wrote in my post about Saturn Grill and Cafe 7, the fast casual dining establishment is where that foundation must be [...]
Couldn’t agree more. Their salads are great, too. You didn’t mention fast – Cafe7 is the under-60 crowd’s answer to Lubys.