On a hot Thursday afternoon in Memphis the Martin's Ride team settled down for a free lunch for cancer at Catherine Boulden's midtown Café Eclectic. True to its name, the café’s décor is as diverse as its menu.
It’s brownstone combined with crimson walls full of modern art and with specials chald on blackboard. Café Eclectic's tabletops are painted with funky checkerboard designs of purple, green and orange. Thirst quenching fountain drinks with names such as: The Don Juan, Hot Momma , Charlie brown, Big dipper, Black Cow and the famous Oh so campy Smores sundae set this special eatery's tone.
Everyone was smiling and business was booming during this Thursday's lunch rush. Chelsea, our waitress, was very kind and personable. She discussed her love of birds explaining her large yellow Finch necklace. Martin was excited to see Coca Cola served in a long glass bottle that he insisted “captured cola taste a hundred times better than plastic.” Cold Coke in long neck glass bottles from Mexico is just one example of special touches common in this funky midtown Memphis.
Service was prompt. I received my salad and cheeseburger in no time. Café Eclectic's burger was cooked medium with a taste reminiscent of great grilled burgers my father cooked at family BBQ’s. Jeremy chomped a tender Black-bean wrap he devoured before I was halfway through my burger. Martin ordered a Dagwood, a triple decker turkey club, saving half for dinner. Martin raved about how delicious his Dagwood was.
After our meal, we retreated to an alcove in the back of the café that was set off by a wooden fence, a cool painting and a great view of the schoolyard park across the street. Leaving we saw framed awards Café Eclectic received such as a bronze medal for coffee from Reader’s Poll and a great write-up in the Memphis Daily News on delectable bakery selections and first-rate sandwiches. I took a picture of Martin with owner Cathy Boulden outside the café. She was very friendly and inquired all about the ride. Eclectic Café is a great way to spend the afternoon, especially if you don’t mind some light jazz or guitar while you eat!
Thanks to everyone at Cathy Boulden's magical Café Eclectic.
Brian Russo
Martin's Ride Intern
Memphis Tennessee
July 15th
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