A new restaurant, Shoo Mama’s Farm Fresh Cafe, has sprouted up at 66 E. Street Road, West Chester (Route 202 and 926) and has quality farm fresh products for dirt cheap prices. They use organic produce and quality, local products (as often as possible) for their creative menu.
Their Web site explains the meaning of the cafe’s unique name. “Not so long ago, a little boy sat at the dinner table, anxiously waiting for his favorite dinner – his Mamaw’s fried chicken and dumplings. His Mamaw filled his plate and watched him gobble down his first helping, then his second, and then a third. His mother and father, brother and sister all stared in amazement while he ate another helping and another and another. Finally, when it seemed he would burst, the little boy pushed his plate away, leaned back in his chair, rubbed his belly, and declared, ‘Shoo, Mama! That sure was good!’” This little boy, Lynn Powers, grew up into a man who still had a passion for farm foods and the environment.
“My wife and I were environmental science undergrads. We really care about what is going on with the world and how getting our food effects the environment and world,” he said. “A lot of things travel a long distance to get to us. For instance, a tomato this time of year is picked when it is green, it loses a lot of flavor, and plus it had to be shipped across the country [approx. 1,500 miles], there are a lot of fossil fuels and waste. If you get it right here it’s much better and it’s important for people to know that they can get fresh and quality products nearby.
“Our main focus is to take great ingredients from around to make great products,” said Lynn. It was this philosophy that inspired Lynn and his wife Becky to open Shoo Mama’s.
Pictures of tractors and crops from both Lynn and Becky’s grandparents’ farms (one in Arkansas and the other in Vineland, NJ) line the walls and Americana and country music fills their large cafe. There are even three large screen TVs for those who are looking to watch a big game.
Their menu of salads, sandwiches, and soups is full of original recipes from their friends and family. Lynn and Becky have been creating the menu for years, compiling their favorite recipes from their loved ones. They are going to start serving a seasonal menu depending on local farmers’ yields. Each dish is named after someone’s Mama. “It’s kind of a tribute to all the moms that provided us with good, healthy food growing up,” said Lynn. Two dishes the customers have been raving about are the Tot-Chos (taters topped with taco seasoning and nacho toppings) or the Diane’s Mama (Italian Wedding Soup over homemade crepes stuffed with Pecorino Romano cheese).
“It is a very unique place with an awesome menu. Everything is fresh and homemade. The breakfast wraps are outstanding and everything there is a great value. The store itself surprised me because it was so big and so nice. It has a very down home atmosphere which is the vibe i think Lynn is striving for. I go in twice a week and everyday I see more and more people in there,” said
Scott Henning.
They started out serving lunch and dinner but more and more customers inquired about breakfast. Within two weeks, a breakfast menu of bagels, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches was born and is offered all day, every day (rooster crow not included). The cafe is open from 6:30 am-8:00 pm Monday-Thursday; 6:30 am -9:00 pm on Fridays, 7:30 am-9:00pm on Saturdays, and 7:30 am-6:00 pm on Sundays.
Find them on facebook (Shoo Mama’s Farm Fresh Cafe) to learn about their daily and delicious soup specials or visit http://shoomamascafe.com/ for the full menus. If you would like to place an order, call 484- 315-8431. A large private party room at the restaurant, free wifi, and off-site catering is available. The owners encourage patrons to sit back and shout a “Shoo Mama” of their own, and after eating a delicious meal there– they will.
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