Going grocery shopping always makes me hungry.

I know that there are words of wisdom out there that tell people not to go grocery shopping while they are hungry, but I find myself getting hungry while grocery shopping, even if I had just had a large meal. So when I was picking up my CSA at the Five Points Farm Market, I found myself getting hungry again. It was then and there that I decided to sit down and have a bite to eat at the Get Fresh Cafe.

Yummy chicken and tuna salad with fresh salad at Get Fresh Cafe | Pic by Jennifer Bennison

I’m not sure about anyone else, but I’m always a tad skeptical of cafes that are inside of stores and such. They have a tendency to disappoint. The food is usually bland or heavy. Or worse, I sometimes feel like I’m the first customer to eat there in quite a while. Nonetheless, I steeled up my resolve and tried the Get Fresh Cafe.

Being the “seasoned” restaurant patron I am, I know better than to ask for chicken at a seafood place or a steak at a breakfast dive. Every place has their specialties, so I asked Nick what was best on the menu. He was silent for a second, deep in thought. When he answered, he ended up rattling off practically the entire menu. He recommended everything, from the house smoked meats to the incredibly fresh salads, and he even mentioned the bison burger.

After careful consideration, I decided to indulge, since I could use the excuse of “it’s for research,” and I ordered the  two salads plate with smoked tuna and chicken, and a hickory smoked BBQ pork sandwich. To drink, I chose their blueberry red tea.

The blueberry red tea was incredibly refreshing. It was light and unsweetened. I could taste the hints of blueberry in the backdrop of the tea. The blueberry red tea is perfect for spring and summer.

Tasty BBQ pork sandwich at Get Fresh Cafe | Pic by Jennifer Bennison

While I waited for my food to be ready, I sat and watched. I saw people of all ages shopping and talking. Both young and old patrons placed their orders at the cafe and continued shopping. Every vendor and shopper seemed to have smiles on their faces. There were tables to sit at in case you didn’t want to sit at the bar. The whole area was open and casual. It was the perfect image of a farmer’s market. I overheard customers talk about how nice it felt to “know” where their food came from.  I listened to the blues music being played over the sound system. It took me back to a place in time where everyone knew everybody else.

In the chicken salad there were visible chunks of chicken, not just some meat-like substance you hope is chicken. The salad was flavored with different herb, which made it incredibly refreshing. There were dried cranberries, which added a delightful, yet not overpowering sweetness. The mayonnaise seemed to only be used to keep the ingredients together instead of the “main” ingredient. The salad also had an ever so slight smoky taste and some celery for crunch.

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The smoked tuna salad was very similar to the chicken salad. It was refreshing and light. It packed a very savory, herb-filled punch. I now hold their chicken and tuna salads as the standard by which I’ll judge all other salads.

All of the takeout plates and utensils are compostable and environmentally friendly. Most all of the food is bought locally from a 100-mile radius. Almost everything is made from scratch. You can taste the passion and love in every bite of food.

All in all, I loved the Get Fresh Cafe. Everything was delicious, incredibly fresh, and the staff was friendly. I loved eating at a place that was local, environmental, and sustainable. To quote Nic Renz, “It’s healthy, sustainable, affordable food.” I couldn’t say it better myself. You’ll see me on the bar stool at the Get Fresh Cafe again.

For more information about the Get Fresh Cafe and the Five Points Farm Market, visit their website.

Catch the Get Fresh Cafe on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Monday, September 26, at 9pm.

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