Aug/Sept 2016 Let’s Do Lunch: Main Street Café and Coffee
What to Expect
Wholesome, local food in a welcoming atmosphere.
What to Try
If you can relate to Joey from Friends and his extreme love for sandwiches, Main Street Café and Coffee is the place to fuel up on your lunch hour.
“We’ve had people from Canada to Denver to Detroit say our Reuben is the best Reuben they’ve ever had,” said General Manager Jonathan Mitchell.
As our photographer got a few shots of the also popular Club sandwich (right), I had a hard time being patient. But it was worth the wait. Featuring turkey breast and locally-raised smoked bacon layered on a warm panini with ranch dressing, this Club looked and tasted like the real deal. “Our philosophy is make everything in house, make it from scratch and use local ingredients as much as possible,” said Mitchell.
Main Street also offers a variety of salads for lunch, a breakfast menu featuring wraps and bagels and some dinner options, including a Cheesesteak Sub served with their soup of the day.
Oh, and don’t forget the coffee. Stop by for lattes, cappuccinos and your plain ol’ cup of joe all day long.
The Experience
“We have so many people tell us it’s like Cheers. We know everyone’s name,” said Mitchell.
It doesn’t take long to become a “regular” at Main Street, and besides the delicious food, it’s easy to see why. From a welcoming chalkboard that asks customers fun questions like “If you could have a superpower, what would it be?” to a playlist featuring anything from jazz to indie music, Main Street is the type of setting to unwind on your lunch break or just hang out with friends or coworkers.
“It’s a meeting place for the community—from the mayor down the average Joe,” said Mitchell. “It kind of breaks down the social barriers in a way.”
The building itself is a conversation starter. It was a bank in the 1950s and housed the Altavista Journal. The owners, Dale and Lisa Moore, decided to keep as much of the original building as they could when opening in 2007, including the bank vault (above.)
Main Street Café and Coffee
Main Street is on the map for its gluten-free and vegan food options.
They make their own gluten-free bread in house.
“We have people from Appomattox, Amherst and Bedford who all come here for the gluten-free food and for our willingness to give them food that’s good for them. And not many restaurants will do that,” said Mitchell.
They also have a small vegetarian section on the menu that is always growing, since half of the staff is vegetarian.
Mitchell’s goal is to convert more new customers to regulars and make healthy, simple and wholesome dining the norm in this small town.
“The community has changed a lot since we opened. It’s so cool to see that,” he said.
Visit them online at www.mscc.co.
By Shelley Basinger
