It probably comes as no surprise to many of you who have been reading my column over the years, that my favorite TV show is a toss-up between “Chopped” and “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.” I love to visit restaurants and write about them.
I stumbled upon a little joint just a day or two back that earned the right for a few paragraphs in my column. They have been in business about two years, but somehow or other, they had evaded me.
The proprietor’s name is George Small, and his restaurant goes by the name of Cafe Glade. I know there are people reading this that will say, “Are you living in a cave? How could you have not heard about this place?” I agree. Maybe I am getting senile. Anyway, I have found them now, and am proud I have.
George has got it going on at his cafe. To start with, he offers several gluten-free items including desserts. But the best news about Cafe Glade is his country cooks. Those women can cook, and it shows up in every menu item.
To start with, everything is made from scratch, and in a world when everything comes in a can, that is a refreshing approach to cooking. Secondly, he loves desserts, and prepares seven or eight different ones daily. He has a dessert board, and on the day I was there he had: blueberry mango, chocolate, cherry, coconut, pecan, Oreo & Reeses brownies, carrot cake and his “Guilt-Free” offering, gluten and sugar-free apple pie. He gets $3 per slice, and a whole pie for $10 (fruit), $12 (creme) and $15 (cheesecake).
He served me a delicious blueberry muffin made with gluten-free flour. I also sampled gluten-free blueberry pancakes, which were perfect, light and tasty. He uses the very good, “Pamela” brand pancake mix. He also makes a multi-berry flap jacks (blueberry, raspberry & strawberry). All his soups and stews are made fresh daily and are gluten free.
George is making a big effort to put his “little cafe” on the map. He brines his own corned beef and his steak fries are made to order. He offers his burgers in low-carb, non-bun style, and his prices are all between $5 and $8. When the whole world is going crazy with huge servings, George offers smaller portions and smaller prices, a very good combination.
I looked at his menu and was drawn to this item: The Big Bad Bird Sandwich. Grilled chicken breast, topped with caramelized onions, swiss cheese, brisket and slaw on a toasted sourdough bun, served with a side of their homemade potato salad. $8. Sounds like one of those sloppy sandwiches that Guy Ferretti is always eating on his show, where he has to wipe his chin with the dishcloth.
About the owner
George Small was born in Iowa, raised in California and later Maui, eventually moving back to the mainland, making a couple other moves, then relocating to Tennessee and Fairfield Glade. His career was spent in the insurance division of car dealerships, so he becomes a cook. Perfect training, right?
He has a great sense of humor. When he first opened, he served coffee in paper cups and his food on styrofoam. That went over like a lead balloon, so he held a funeral for his plastic-ware, and got real cups and plates. I liked the guy the first time I met him. He’s a thinker!
In closing, and in recommending you go see George at his Cafe, I want to add one more reason to go. He plays great music. The day I was there, he was playing B.B. King. How could he have known that B.B. was one of my favorites. I loves the blues!
Cafe Glade, just in case you have been living in a cave, is located at 25 Peavine Plaza, just a few steps off Peavine Road. Drop by for coffee. Who knows, you might see me there.
