Dennis C.
Yelp
Don't Worry, Eat Happy!
This is a motto etched in the interior of this cafe, one that captures their mood and vibe perfectly.
Happy Cafe is a black and woman owned business that originated in Blackstone, Virginia, in 2016. They moved to Virginia Beach in late 2019, just before the COVID pandemic hit us in 2020.
It is tucked away in the same strip mall shopping center as Susan's Kitchenette on Diamond Springs Road, just before Northampton Boulevard. Parking is plentiful.
Their front counter hits your eyes as you enter and is available for those who want to place a take-out order. Comfortable chairs are provided for waiting. Dine-in service is available in the main dining area over to the left.
A warm and friendly greeting awaited me with each of my visits as I was led to their dining room.
I enjoyed the following during two lunch visits and one Saturday brunch visit:
CAFE ROAST: Shredded Chuck Roast Beef, French Onion, and Havarti Cheese on a Ciabatta Bun. This one was listed as one of their Signature Sandwiches.
This was a timely order, as I was in the mood for a roast beef sandwich. The shredded roast beef was juicy and flavorful. The flavors of the French Onion and Havarti cheese came through nicely.
If I could tweak their recipe a bit, I would have liked to have seen a little bit of pink. I always like my roast beef a bit on the rare side. Otherwise, it was very satisfying. My Rating: 4 Stars.
ULTIMATE CLUB SANDWICH: Swiss, American, and Cheddar Cheese, Turkey, Ham, Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato on Sourdough Bread. I skipped the Mayo. This was another one of their Signature Sandwiches.
This was the most awesome Club Sandwich I have ever eaten. The meats and cheeses combined together beautifully and rocked my world with an explosion of flavors. The bacon and the bread delivered a nice crunchy texture as the other ingredients melted in my mouth.
I ate half of it during my visit and took the rest home. It was my lunch and my dinner for the entire day, leaving me stuffed and happy. My Rating: 5-Plus Stars.
WARM DONUT WITH SALTED CARAMEL ICING: Ordered as a small dessert, this one hit the spot nicely. It was a cake style donut that melted in my mouth as the salted caramel icing added love notes to my tongue. My Rating: 5 Stars.
SPINAPPLE: This one was listed among their Smoothies and was a delicious blend of frozen Green Apple and Pineapples.
I added some Matcha powder from their list of add-on ingredients, which delivered some extra flavor and an energy boost. This was one of the most magically delicious smoothies I have ever enjoyed. My Rating: 5-Plus Stars.
SHRIMP & GRITS: This was a special addition during a Saturday brunch event, which I attended with the 757 Foodie dining group.
This version was prepared with a delicate and exquisite Cajun Cream Sauce that added a little bit of spice. The shrimp were plump and juicy with their tails intact, which is always my preference. The grits were creamy and delicious. My Rating: 5 Stars.
I also ordered two sides with my Shrimp & Grits:
HASH BROWNS: The potatoes came cut up in small rice sized pieces and were presented in a dome shaped mold. They were tasty enough, but I would have liked just a little more seasoning. I always like a little paprika with my hash browns. My Rating: 4 Stars.
FRUIT CUP: This one came with a beautiful display of strawberries and blackberries on top, Underneath were some grapes and blueberries. The combination was refreshing and delicious, It was a great palate cleanser. My Rating: 5 Stars.
The biggest highlight of the Saturday brunch event was some live music played by Taylor G. She belted out some beautiful tunes with her voice, including Lean On Me, which lifted my spirits. The overall vibe of the brunch event was electrifying.
My overall food rating comes out to 4.7 Stars. Their vibe and service both come out to 5-Plus stars. The good folks at Happy Cafe pour their heart and soul into their food and customer service, resulting in a strong 5-star overall rating in my book.
Some of their other offerings are already calling my name for future visits. Among them are their Avocado Toast with Bacon, their Salmon Salad, their Bread Pudding, and one of their Strawberry Smoothies.
Happy Cafe is, truly indeed, a happy place, and I am eagerly looking forward to going back.