Scouting report: Jack's Cafe

Published: June 8, 2001

By DENNIS R. GETTO
Journal Sentinel dining critic

Sometimes it takes me a while to catch up with little, out-of-the way places like this charming store and cafe. It began serving lunch in 1999. I made my first visit only recently.

Housed in what once was a stable, Jack's sits amid a cluster of antique and craft shops known as the Homestead. Co-owners Mary Ellen Mee and Jack Cameron opened it as a gourmet food and specialty gift shop, Cameron said. Several customers suggested that they also serve lunch.

The owners added a rear kitchen, set up tables and chairs for 30 (26 more customers can sit outside when the weather's good), and began serving from a simple menu of top-quality breads and other ingredients.

One of the more unusual creations on Jack's menu is a Cobb sandwich that, like the classic salad, combines the flavors of chicken, blue cheese, bacon, tomato and guacamole. Another tasty sandwich features Black Forest ham with white Cheddar and a strong mustard-sage dressing. The Cafe's most popular creation, Cameron said, is the Farm American: turkey, cranberry sauce and dilled mayonnaise on cranberry-oat bread.

There's fresh soup daily and bar cookies for dessert, along with a nice selection of teas.