I recently stopped in at the Half Day Cafe to pick up lunch for the family and found myself talking with owner and head chef Chris Heeder for quite a while. I love his convenient location right between Trader Joe’s and Busch’s on the corner of Adams and Walton. I asked him how long he has been in the restaurant business and what he loved best about it. I also asked him what distinguished his cafe from all the others in the area. My wife and kids loved the sandwiches, and I received a first class education in what the cafe has to offer! Here are Chris’s responses to all of my questions:
“I was 14 years old when I started working at the Machus West Maple
Cafeteria in the early 1970’s. After high school, I entered their management training program and worked at four Machus operations before leaving the company in the early 1980’s. I later became a manager with Win Schulers, Normans (Now Big Rock) in Birmingham, and Salvatore Scallopini’s. I was then ready to try my hand at ownership, operating Ridley’s Bakery Cafe in Troy from the early 1990’s till I sold it in 2004.
Cafeteria in the early 1970’s. After high school, I entered their management training program and worked at four Machus operations before leaving the company in the early 1980’s. I later became a manager with Win Schulers, Normans (Now Big Rock) in Birmingham, and Salvatore Scallopini’s. I was then ready to try my hand at ownership, operating Ridley’s Bakery Cafe in Troy from the early 1990’s till I sold it in 2004.I purchased the Pic-A-Deli Cafe this past January and renamed it to Half Day Cafe and Catering. Since I find catering extremely engaging, it has become my favorite part of this business. Preparing excellent foods which are professionally presented with a flair to companies, corporations, offices, schools, churches and private homes is important to me. I love surprising people to the upside!
We have taken the “greatest hits” of the Pic-A-Deli and maintained them. We continue to bake the six varieties of fresh breads daily. In addition, we have a display case of fresh homemade salads, desserts, morning baked goods, quiches and weekly features of seasonal specials made in our kitchen. We make three soups from scratch and a hearty beef chili every day. Our new menu includes fresh tossed-to-order salads including the Cobb Salad, our most popular Peppadew Salad, and a Roasted Vegetable Salad where we roast all of our fresh garden vegetables. We also added great-tasting, healthy sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more grilled-to-order favorites.
The breakfast menu boasts fluffy pancakes, cinnamon french toast, breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches, fresh fruits, juices, and delicious coffee. Weekend visitors will find a basket of freshly baked mini scones, muffins, teabreads, danishes, and pastries to compliment breakfast orders.
My favorite new sandwich is the Peppadew Wrap. Not only does it have crunbled feta, fresh avocado, artichokes, and roasted onions, but also the amzing taste of peppadews, which people are now discovering! I also love our roasted vegetables because they are so crisp and flavorful.
Something people may not know about us is that we also offer holiday gift baskets. These baskets can be hand delivered or shipped anywhere in the USA. We also deliver carryouts for personal lunches and for schools in the area. Catering is our specialty.”
Chris Heeder, Owner of Half Day Cafe and Catering
Check out the website at http://myhalfdaycafe.com/
About Tom and Ann Gendich
