Patronizing locally-owned restaurants and coffee shops can be a great way to both support the local economy and encourage an entrepreneurial spirit. Food service has long been thought of as a challenging industry, particularly for a business owner just starting out, but there is also a unique opportunity for these businesses to support each other.
For example, a local coffee shop may feature desserts from a nearby bakery or candy shop, and a local restaurant might patronize their local fruit and vegetable stand. Mutually beneficial arrangements can prevail in close-knit communities, giving local restaurants an additional chance to flourish.
The Wallace Falls Caf+¬
The Wallace Falls Caf+¬, located on U.S. 2 in Gold Bar, is a family-owned and operated restaurant which has been open since early May. Owned by Quyen Huynh of Monroe, the caf+¬'s menu features a diverse collection of both American and Vietnamese dishes.
One thing that makes the Wallace Falls Caf+¬ stand out is the fact that everything is fresh and handmade from scratch. The menu offers traditional American standards like hamburgers, sirloin steak and grilled sandwiches, while at the same time providing an extensive variety of healthy options for those who may be trying to watch what they eat.
Eating healthy can be a tricky endeavor when dining out, but the Wallace Falls Caf+¬ makes it both flavorful and simple with their selection of Vietnamese options. The vermicelli bowl is literally chock-full of fresh vegetables with delicate, rice-flour noodles and lean cuts of chicken, pork or shrimp. The braised pork and egg dish includes tangy coconut juice and fresh vegetables on the side.
Remarkably, even the fried egg rolls at the caf+¬ are handmade and created when you order them. Desserts are also freshly made every day.
One of the caf+¬'s most popular dishes is the Mi Quang Pho, which is a zesty take on the traditional Vietnamese Pho, and considered a Huynh family signature dish.
The caf+¬ offers happy hour prices as well as daily lunch specials which can help accommodate a struggling budget. Vegetarian options are also available.
Staff recommendations include the potato, sausage and kale soup, corned beef hash, garlic fries, bacon and eggs, sirloin steak, the vermicelli bowls and baked potato soup.
The Wallace Falls Caf+¬ is located at 429 Croft Ave. in Gold Bar. To see the menu, please visit: http://www.wallacefallscafe.com/. The Wallace Falls Caf+¬ Facebook page is located here: https://www.facebook.com/wallacefallscafe. The caf+¬ is open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Huynh shops at Stockings Garden and Nursery in Sultan for the freshest possible fruits and vegetables.
Mama Bear's Lattes and More
Located on U.S. 2 in Sultan, Mama Bear's is owned by Monroe resident Reshelle DeSanchez. DeSanchez opened Mama Bear's on April 1, and she serves a lot more than just lattes.
A fully-licensed restaurant, Mama Bear's also offers a full selection of deli items including bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, breakfast cookies, muffins and more. She carries a wide variety of bubble tea flavors including strawberry, mango, honeydew, passion-fruit, taro, coconut, litchi, peach and watermelon.
Some of the top picks on her sandwich menu include the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, as well as her turkey bacon club.
She is hoping to introduce soups for the upcoming ski season.
In an effort to keep her baked goods and dessert items both fresh and interesting, DeSanchez alternates between offering cookies and other baked goods from the Sky River Bakery in Monroe, as well as cookies and chocolates from Galaxy Chocolates in Sultan.
She also carries a line of vegan and gluten-free products.
DeSanchez purchases her coffee products directly from the Seattle-based coffee company Caff+¬ D'arte, and features both white coffee and regular coffee.
White coffee cannot be found at mainstream coffee shops like Starbucks, but is commonly served at individual coffee stands. White coffee has a distinctive nutty flavor and is thought to have a higher level of caffeine. DeSanchez explained that the Caff+¬ D'arte brand of white coffee offers a unique flavor signature compared to the traditional nutty flavor.
"Our white coffee is a lot lighter,GÇ¥ said DeSanchez. "It's a completely different taste.GÇ¥
White coffee drinks with white chocolate and strawberry flavoring are sometimes referred to as a "Captain Crunch.GÇ¥
One of the energy-promoting, gluten-free and vegan foods that Mama Bear's carries are the Protein Pucks, which DeSanchez needed to taste before she would agree to sell them.
"I'm really picky,GÇ¥ said DeSanchez. "If I won't eat it, we don't sell it.GÇ¥
She also carries ice cream, milkshakes, blended drinks, chai tea, Italian sodas and more. Her flavor syrups are made by Monin, and do not have corn syrup or preservatives.
Mama Bear's Lattes and More is open from 6 a.m. until around 7 p.m. and sometimes even later if there are customers to serve. The stand is located just west of Bubba's Roadhouse, at 914 Stevens Ave. in Sultan.
Big Dog's Hot Dogs
Sporting a brand new Bearcats-themed paintjob, Big Dog's Hot Dog joint recently relocated to Monroe from Sultan. Big Dog's owner, Jerry Dixon, a Monroe resident, wanted his business to be closer to home and was able to find a suitable location right next door to Sam's Cats and Dogs, Naturally, on Old Owen Road and U.S. 2.
"Monroe has been very good for us,GÇ¥ said Dixon. "We are now open seven days a week.GÇ¥
Big Dog's boasts "the biggest wiener aroundGÇ¥ and offers traditional dogs with garnishments like sauerkraut and onions, as well as a few not-so-traditional dogs featuring toppings like jalape+¦o peppers and cream cheese.
On Saturday, September 6, Dixon joined forces with Sam's Cats and Dogs to coordinate their first annual wiener dog racing event which featured around 12 contestants. Trophies were handed out to the three fastest wiener dogs in Monroe.
Here are the results of Saturday's wiener dog races:
First place: Chili Cheese Dog, who was with her human, Monroe resident Stephanie Jesmer.
Second place: Neuman, who was with his humans, Kelli Bowers and her son, Jesse.
Third place: Spider, a miniature wire-haired dachshund who was with her human, Cathy Tower,
owner of Myownly Boarding Kennel in Monroe.
Dixon shared that he is excited to collaborate with Sam's Cats and Dogs on more events in the future. So far the two have discussed holding a possible tree lighting event during the holiday season as well as hosting a farmer's market next summer.
"Monroe loves Big Dog's,GÇ¥ said Dixon.
For more information about Big Dog's, visit his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BigDogsTacos.
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