the Lewis and Clark Cafe

Last weekend William and I were walking down Main St. in Cape Girardeau with William's dad and step-mom. We were looking for a place to eat dinner, which was such a hard decision. We ended up eating at the N'Orleans Bistro (our favorite spot in Cape!), but as we were walking down Main, we ran across a small cafe called the Lewis and Clark Cafe. It was small and quaint, and surprisingly it boasted a Mediterranean menu. The sign also said that the best coffee in town was served there. William has a radar for falafels (something he fell in love with while in Jerusalem during an abroad college course), and he immediately saw that the menu, which was posted outside, included a falafel. We promised each other that we'd come back when we had the chance.

Yesterday we had to take a church member to the hospital in Cape for surgery. After spending several hours at the hospital, William and I took a break for lunch. We went straight back to the Lewis and Clark Cafe. The owners are definitely from some Mediterranean location, and they were doing all the work themselves. We ordered coffee from the distinguished, fatherly looking Greek (I'm assuming) man. In heavily accented English, he said, "Ah, I do not have coffee, I have Americana. You not need coffee when you have Americana!" So we ordered two Americanas, which I understand to be espresso with hot water, so that it comes out looking like coffee. The Americanas were brought out. No cream. But...we were a little embarrassed to ask for cream, so we just put some sugar in it and drank it black. (I'm also a little embarrassed to admit that I don't drink my coffee black.) However--It. Was. Fantastic. And yes, it was the best coffee that we'd had in Cape. I would SO order that again! But then--then came out the falafels. And they were incredible. William said they tasted just like the ones in Jerusalem. If you've never had a falafel, it's a little hard to explain. They are as common as hamburgers, overseas. Basically you have a warm pita pocket or flatbread. It is filled with chickpeas that have been mashed and fried. In goes some lettuce and tomato, and then the falafel is completed with a tahini sauce (sesame seed paste) and Greek spices. I think I could eat one about every other day, they were that good. The menu had a whole host of Mediterranean dishes that we would love to go back and try...that is if we can ever get away from their incredible falafel.

So, if you are ever in Cape Girardeau (Sarah!), then you must give the Lewis and Clark Cafe a try. And you must try their Americana. It is (at least for now!) the best coffee in town.

-gm-