Vivian C.
Yelp
(pre-Covid-19 experience)
The Haley House Bakery Cafe is back into action after a period for re-envisioning and remodeling.
Their mission as a non-profit and available parking lot led us to Haley House for a Saturday lunch. They close on the early side on Saturdays, turning in at 2pm, so if you are considering a visit on a Saturday, keep that in mind.
This is an order at the counter and bust your own table sort of spot, serving their food on real plates and offering actual silverware for you to grab by the self-serve water station. Just listen for your name to be called so you'll know when to run on over to pick up your order. Ten tables fill their dining space comfortably and are easily reformattable for parties of various sizes.
A glass case of pastries showcase their product at $3 apiece - scones, muffins, cookies and cakes (not the frosting sort, more like pound cake or coffee cake) - and tempted us as we considered our mealtime options.
For the most part, we were all well satisfied with our picks. After confirming that their Red Sauce and Chimichurri were their spicy options, I went with the Thornton Street $12 (rice & beans, roasted veggies, plantains, avocado, chimichuri), swapping out the chimichurri for the Curry and Cajun Gravy on the side. In return, I received an eye-catching colorful plate. I enjoyed the firm roasted veggies with the base of rice & beans with the creamy cool sliced avocado. For once I did not feel that there was a lack of avocado. The plantains were a mix of both green and the slightly more mature sort - I think I prefer my green plantains in the form of platanos. The curry sauce was a winning taste, however, and I sampled a DC's creamy grits. Another sampling revealed that their classic chocolate chip cookies are really good.
The DC who had consumed the cookie had found himself sufficiently satiated after dessert and their Chicken & Waffles $12 (homemade belgian waffles, buttermilk fried chicken thigh, habanero infused maple syrup, chimichurri, micro greens) - I had inquired as the portion of his entree seemed rather light to the eye, with the belgian waffle being but half a full round.
Service was pleasant. I only wish they would have warned me that my request for smaller portions of two sauces on the side was going to cost me 50 cents for the added sauce.
A unisex bathroom is available and another that is handicap accessible - just ask a worker for the code. Wifi is also available, with a password.
PS - the lemon pound cake scone $3 I had at home a few hours later smelled fantastic, but was a tad dry - easily remedied with a squirt of whipped cream I happened to have in the fridge.