Nibbles + Bites

Food, Friends, and Family

The Neighborhood Café loves its locals

by Tony Ricciardelli photography by Lisa Crates

When Tim Fadul found out Cafe 100 was closing, he decided to purchase it and rehire many of the previous staff.

Tim Fadul isn’t a clairvoyant, nor does he possess a crystal ball; however, he is astute enough to recognize a winning opportunity when he sees one—one that provides jobs, satisfies local diners, and celebrates community. A former Division Vice President for a commercial waste company, Fadul currently owns The Neighborhood Café in Huntersville, located in the building which previously housed Café 100.

“I was a regular customer at Café 100 for several years, and I certainly felt at home there. When the restaurant closed this past January, I saw an opportunity to champion a hometown establishment, and I felt obliged to meet the challenge.”

The perfecT sTaff

While planning his new venture, Fadul knew he wanted to hire the previous Café 100 staff, some whom he knew well from the previous establishment. “I knew they worked well together, and they had been in the business long enough to hit the ground running,” says Fadul. “Some of our cooks have been cooking at this location for more than ten years. They’re a dynamic, dedicated group and, after six weeks of preparation, I knew we were ready.”

With a promising customer base and a well-seasoned staff, The Neighborhood Café opened on Fri., July 29 to a full house. The restaurant, which accommodates up to ninety-five guests, offers indoor and outdoor dining, with the open-air seating situated beneath the shade of trees, and concealed behind border greenery. Occasionally, music is provided from the deck overlooking the outdoor area.

Indoors, the restaurant—which was once a family home—features refurbished hardwood floors, updated restrooms, and walls displaying locally-produced artwork for purchasing. Several ground-floor rooms serve as the dining areas.

Kathy Diehl, the restaurant’s manager responsible for its overall operation, is excited about the new venture and coming to work every day. “I worked for Café 100 for two and one-half years prior to their closing, and I knew that our customers missed us as much as we missed them. When we re-opened as The Neighborhood Café, it was like a reunion. Our customers generously support and appreciate us. I love working here.”

The aptly named Neighborhood Café is a place where one can dine, socialize, and feel at home, without the impersonal climate of strip mall dining or shopping mall eateries. The restaurant, located in downtown Huntersville, is a straightforward, local establishment with an amiable feel.

“We moved here two years ago, says customer June Dutka.” “We found this place and became regulars. The food, the staff, and the service are great.”

Devon Britts, who lives nearby asks, “Where can you go for breakfast and hang out with people who are like family? The food and staff are phenomenal.”

The broad menu offers a multitude of plates and specialty dishes including five types of eggs benedict, breakfast burritos, quiche, stuffed French toast, and lobster mac and cheese. Signature drinks include the Sunrise (mimosa with vodka and cranberry juice). Sandwiches, paninis, wraps, salads, and a children’s menu are also available.

“Our food is high-quality,” says Fadul.” “I know because I’ve tried everything on our menu, and our customers will agree. On a busy weekend, we can serve up to five hundred plates a day, and it’s common to go through twenty cases of champagne between Friday and Sunday.”

dInner comIng soon

Fadul looks forward to this coming fall, when The Neighborhood Café will provide a dinner menu on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays along with extended bar hours. The restaurant will also be adding a Filet Benedict plate to the breakfast menu.

Although The Neighborhood Café has been open only for a brief time, Fadul is thankful toward his customers, grateful for his staff, and feels blessed to be a part of a cordial, supportive community. “We’re here for our customers,” he emphasizes. “Ensuring their satisfaction and providing them with excellent service, quality meals, and welcoming arms will always be the main catalyst in our future plans.”

Above: People love to gather with friends and family at The Neighborhood Cafe. Below: Choose from a variety of breakfast, brunch, and lunch items, and a dinner menu on Fridays.

The Neighborhood Café, located at 100 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch. On Fridays, the restaurant re-opens from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information go to www.thencafe.com, or call 704.464.1021.