T e h n t o w of TASTE
Grand Cafe for Breakfast or Lunch Story & Photos Contributed by Nancy Laffey
There is something special about dining at The Grand Cafe, the little restaurant on the corner of Fifth and Grand Avenue in Ponca City. In all my 36 years in Ponca City it has been there, under several different names and owners, but in my mind and memories it has always been The Grand Cafe. It is a great spot for breakfast or lunch in our busy downtown. I pop in regularly for one of their fresh grab-and-go salads with a nice portion of homemade ranch just the way this Okie likes it. They are made daily for busy folks like me. It’s a real treat to slow down a bit and take in the newly remodeled space that is very clean and inviting. Grab a tall table in the corner and take in the big picture window views of our beautiful downtown architecture in the Library or City Hall while the friendly staff dotes on you. The cute little restaurant has a nice menu of staple dishes, but when I dine out, I always consider “The Special” or ask my server about his or her favorite thing on the menu. I assume if a restaurant has a special, it means they take pride in the dish and want to make it your next favorite food. The Grand Cafe has a large chalkboard on specials for every day of the week. There are plenty of specials to try and keep you coming back for more. The Saturday special this particular day was The Reuben served with my choice of fries, and I chose curly. I like to order food that I wouldn’t usually make myself, and those hand-cut, fresh curly fries were the right amount of curl, cooked to just the right bite. They were seasoned with salt and pepper, which I loved, but still required ketchup; I just can’t eat a fry
without it. The specials, and I do best part of the have favorites that Grand Cafe special was the keep me coming Reuben itself; it 423 E. Grand Avenue back. I think the was excellent. The Ponca City most unique special marble rye bread Open: they offer is the was perfectly butMonday - Saturday fried tacos. These tered and toasty, 7am - 2pm are flour tortilla and the meat to shells that have cheese to kraut ratio was just right. I love biting been deep fried into a crispy into a sandwich that’s not so vehicle for the freshest taco crammed full of stuff that I filling staples. Next time you struggle to look presentable are shopping or working while trying to eat! No, this downtown, make a plan to sandwich was delightful, special, tasty and easy to enjoy while enjoy this Ponca City staple and let them make you feel special maintaining my manners! with their friendly staff and I have tried almost all the delightful dishes!
March 2021
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