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    Home » Everything Amish » Plain Culture

    An Ode to the Cafeteria - Return to Cambridge Inn

    Published: Dec 22, 2016 · Updated: Dec 22, 2016 by Kevin Williams | 14 Comments

    Sacksteder's Cafeteria in Dayton, Ohio when it was on Broadway Street....

    Sacksteder's Cafeteria in Dayton, Ohio when it was on Broadway Street....

    By Kevin Williams

    I recently got a delightful note from reader Tibby who used to run Sacksteder’s Cafeteria, a popular eatery in Dayton.  Her note brought back a flood of memories of childhood meals. Which gets to me the subject of cafeterias.

    I’ve written before about buffets, that is a whole separate topic (and one I’ll delightfully tackle again sometime soon).  But the one restaurant format that seems to get no respect these days is the cafeteria.   Basically, a cafeteria is the school lunch line in a grown-up setting.  You grab a tray, stick it on one of the metal tracks, move it along and grab and go (salads, desserts,a  roll) and then you get to the entrée section where several steaming hot selections await you.  You tell the worker which one you want, they pile it onto your plate, hand it to you and you move on.   You know, in thinking about it, a “plus” to the cafeteria concept over a buffet is that it does – to a degree – cut down on how much you eat.  Unlike a buffet where you have to police yourself, the cafeteria has limits.   You can only fit so much food on that tray and, unlike a buffet, a cafeteria is not “all you can eat.”    A "con" to the cafeteria is that darn tray.  It’s always, at least for me, a white-knuckled walk from the register to the table as I try to balance my splashing soda, salad, pie, and meal all while waiting for me to trip over my own feet and splatter my food everywhere.  I guess another plus to the cafeteria is that it is a very efficient food delivery system, taking the sit-down experience and compressing it. No perusing a menu. No waiting for your meal to be brought out.  Yet all of this without the “animals at the trough” mentality of a buffet.

    How did I become such a cafeteria connoisseur?  One word: grandparents.   My grandparents on my Dad’s side ate out almost every night as my grandma became too frail and arthritic to cook.  And one of their favorite restaurant formats was the cafeteria (in hindsight, I’m not sure why, since carrying a tray was difficult for grandma).  So, what cafeterias – besides the ones found in hospitals, schools, etc – still exist and thrive today? Here are some that come to mind:

    LUBY’S:   This is a cafeteria chain that  thrives in Texas, but just in Texas.  Any Luby’s fans among our readers?  I’ve heard that their cafeterias are among the best anywhere.

    MCL:   This is a chain of about 20 cafeterias in the Midwest.  I pass one in Richmond, Indiana, but, lo and behold, there is apparently one in Kettering, Ohio (about 20 minutes from me), how did I miss that all these years?  I think I’ll have to be going to this one soon.  Scratch that. I can’t possibly imagine trying to juggle two young girls and my tray at once. I’ll have to wait about 10 years to go.

    PICCADILLY CAFETERIAS:  This is a cafeteria chain found primarily in the South.  I've heard good things about them, but haven't been to one. Any Amish365'ers been?

    IKEA:  Yes, the garish stores synonymous with Sweden and cheap dorm-room furniture also operate honest-to-goodness cafeterias. Kids eat free there on Tuesdays so, yes, we've gone to IKEA just to partake in their cafeteria experience.

    GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN CAFETERIAS

    THE HOT SHOPPE:  I remember this chain well. There was at least one in the city of Cincinnati that we frequented with my grandparents.   If memory serves me, they had this amazing hot fudge cake?  Pretty sad that I can remember hot fudge cake from 30 years ago, but not the grocery list my wife gave me 20 minutes ago.

    MORRISONS: This was a very traditional cafeteria chain that had locations all over the USA, although I think there were bunches in Florida.  Another frequent stop for my cafeteria-loving grandparents.

    Here it is:  The old Cambridge Inn in all its glory

    Here it is: The old Cambridge Inn in all its glory

    This building next to the once stately Cambridge Inn used to be an old Target which now sits empty.......

    This building next to the once stately Cambridge Inn used to be an old Target which now sits empty.......

    This creepy sign now sits outside the old Cambridge Inn

    This creepy sign now sits outside the old Cambridge Inn

    CAMBRIDGE INN:  The Cambridge Inn was never an inn, it was a small chain of cafeterias.And when I think my grandparents, I can't really think of them without thinking of this cafeteria.  We had many meals with them at this comfort food kingdom.  There were several Cambridge Inns in the Midwest, one right in my hometown.  It closed its doors sometime in the late 80s, but the building is still there.  Holy cow, this building has been sitting, frozen in time for over 30 years?  Yet, if I were to somehow venture inside, I could probably move through it blind-folded I knew the way so well.  But again, Holy Cow, 30 years???? What could possibly be inside after 30 years?  And who owns property like that?  Do you think a developer owns and is just sort of holding it hoping the land value rises?

    So this morning, with cafeterias on my mind (Thanks, Tibby) I decided to visit the old haunt one last time.  There it was.  Cambridge Inns all had this distinctive faux-English décor with brick facades bordered by wooden beams.  The building looked unchanged from my childhood.  As I pulled into the empty parking lot, I could practically smell the fried chicken, the mashed potatoes, the roast beef sliced directly from a block, and pie. Oh, the pie.  I could envision my white-haired, distinguished grandfather patting his stomach after a big meal with a look of content satisfaction.

    The windows were boarded up.  I decided to get out of my car for a minute and look around.  Looks kind of creepy.  Then I got the urge to try the door.  Why not.  It won't open.  It creaked open.  An inch but, then, I heard a voice.  My voice:  “Kevin, are you crazy?”

    Wistfully, I let go of the door and it clicked shut.  “You idiot (I talk to myself a lot and I’ve decided as long as I don’t answer back, that’s ok), what if you had gotten in?  First, I think that is called trespassing.  Second, going in won't bring back your childhood memories, the mashed potatoes, the pie, your grandparents.  Let it go."

    I let it go.  The door clicked shut and I climbed into my car, the smell of mashed potatoes lingering in my mind long after I left.  But then I noticed the sign by the driveway "Nightmare Manor."  Looks like the Cambridge Inn had at least at one time had a brief life as a haunted house.   My old haunt had actually become a haunt.

    « A Few Feet...
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    About Kevin Williams

    Hi, my name is Kevin Williams and I am owner of Oasis Newsfeatures and editor of The Amish Cook newspaper column.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pat mccurry

      December 22, 2016 at 9:10 pm

      Kevin in reference to the cafeterias.I have eaten at picadillys theyre just sort of o.k. I love mcL and was sad when they closed the one in Bloomington INdiana where my sister lives.however have you been to Gray Brothers cafeteria in Mooresville INdiana>I may be spelling it wrong but the food is sooooo good.,I love in south Carolina but fly up to Indy and my sister meets me and we usually stop at Gray bros or at poes cafeteria which is good too its not far from Mooresville Indiana.my brother in law loved cafeterias hes passed away 8 yrs ago but we still go to them when we can.if youre ever at myrtle beach s,c, or near Greensboro n,c, k and w cafeterias are good also,have a blessed night and a merry Christmas and keep on writing I really enjoy your blog.ms Pat mccurry

      Reply
    2. Linda from KY

      December 22, 2016 at 11:40 pm

      I haven't heard of most of the cafeterias that you mentioned, but I do remember there used to be a Morrison's in the Florence Mall. My parents loved that place. I hated it. They cooked the vegetables to mush, for one thing.

      Speaking of defunct chains, do you remember York Steak House? There were several in the Cincy/NKy area. One was located in the Florence Mall. When I worked at a store in the mall, I would go to York Steak House on my lunch break and get their sirloin tips with sautéed onions and mushrooms. They were the best I'd ever had in my life. It sort of fits your category because it was also done cafeteria style.

      Reply
      • Kevin

        December 23, 2016 at 9:10 am

        I do remember York Steak House, there was one in my local mall...there actually is still one location open - in Columbus.

        Reply
    3. Tim Robertson

      December 24, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      Hi Kevin. I never did eat at the Cambridge Inn. I remember thinking it was a very cool looking building when they built it. Cafeterias are still popular in hospitals. I know some elderly couples who make a practice of going there because they are reasonably priced.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family.

      Reply
      • Kevin

        December 28, 2016 at 10:31 am

        Hi, Tim...good point about hospital cafeterias, I have heard of plenty of people that go to our local hospital to eat just for the food...Maybe I will try that sometime!:) Hope you had a great Christmas! - kevin

        Reply
    4. Cathy

      November 20, 2020 at 10:20 pm

      If that Cambridge Inn (by Target) is the one in Middletown,OH on S. University Blvd...I was asst. manager there for about 3 years. Worked for Danner’s Imc (parent company of Cambridge Inn) for almost 10 years.
      Loved working there Made many good friends with the folks I worked with over the years. Great article!

      Reply
      • Kevin Williams

        November 21, 2020 at 11:04 am

        Yes, Cathy, that was the one...when did you work there? So good to hear from a former Cambridge Inn employee! It was a special place in a different era, that is for sure. I went there frequently with my grandparents.....I can still remember taking the tray through the cafeteria line, getting some roast beef, dessert, and then we'd all stake out a big round table (round tables are so nice). Such pleasant memories, I get wistful everytime I pass the old building.

        Reply
        • Cathy

          November 22, 2020 at 10:14 am

          I was asst, mgr. there from late 1984 until mid 1987 when I was transferred to the Cambridge Inn, Evansville, IN. I worked there for about a year until I left the company to come back to Cincy to attend school to be a medical asst.
          I ended up helping managers at the Hyde Park and North College Hill Cambridge Inns while I was attending school. I’d do weekly bookkeeping or help fill in needed hours part time. I loved working there. You are correct, was definitely a different time and era. I began my CI journey when I was in high school at the Hyde Park store. It was my first “real” job.
          I pass by the old Hyde Park store all the time. It’s now a Recreation/senior center. It’s also in a different place than it use to be at the Hyde Park Plaza.
          https://www.facebook.com/133871669991219/posts/3686129631432054/?d=n
          Many friendships and memories made during my Cambridge years.
          Couldn’t begin to tell you how many inside rounds (road beef) I carved during those years.

        • Kevin Williams

          November 23, 2020 at 11:53 am

          How cool, Cathy, small world, you for sure carved some inside rounds for me because the years I went to the Cambridge Inn in Middletown the most were during the mid-80s with my grandparents, so no doubt we were there at the same time. I did not know there was a Cambridge Inn in Hyde Park (although I am sure my grandparents were well-aware).....THere is a Cambridge Inn in Centerville outside of Dayton that I think is a Chinese restaurant now but some of the old architecture of the CI is visible, but the Middletown one just sits vacant and sad-looking, but a comforting reminder of my childhood!

    5. Cathy

      November 23, 2020 at 10:05 pm

      I did my management training at the Centerville CI. There was one in North College Hill (Cincinnati) that is now Fricker’s Sports Bar/Grill. The CI in Evansville, IN is a Mexican restaurant. Both places have kept the original building shell but have painted the brick.
      Oh the stories that could be told of all of those places over the years.
      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Keven. At this point in my life, I’m glad to no longer have to work holidays....so many turkey & Dressing orders! Cheers, Cathy

      Reply
    6. Sonja Coffee

      March 09, 2021 at 6:24 pm

      Hello Kevin,
      It was so wonderful to read your article on The Cambridge Inn in Centerville Ohio. This is where I grew up and it was one of my favorite places my Mom took my as a child. I just loved how the building looked from the outside. Yes it would be great to tour it once again. I remember the kids menu had meals that they named after animals. I believe my favorites were the Elephant and Giraffe but can not remember what they consisted of? Maybe you can help me out on that one? Thanks again for bringing back some wonderful childhood memories!!!

      Reply
      • Kevin Williams

        March 09, 2021 at 10:48 pm

        Ah, I love the Cambridge Inn memories..of which I have many. I am wondering, though, whether you are mixing up Bill Knapps on the kids menu Bill Knapps, had a kids menu that was a Giraffe, Elephant and, I think, a Zebra. Ah, such good memories!

        Reply
    7. Anthony Loomis

      October 24, 2021 at 12:59 am

      This place didn't briefly become a Haunted House, it still is one,lol. A pretty good one too. As we stood in line tonight, and I was trying to remember everything that was out of business in the vicinity. A Dillman's Grocery, a Hill's Department Store, and The Cambridge Inn were the names I could recall. The area is super ran down now, almost a ghetto to be honest.

      Reply
      • Kevin Williams

        October 25, 2021 at 8:52 am

        Interesting, thanks for the update, I'll have to maybe try it out sometime, it'll bring back all those Cambridge Inn memories for sure!

        Reply

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    Kevin Williams - The Amish Editor Amish Cook Column

    Hi There, I'm Kevin!

    Welcome to Amish365, where I share my knowledge of Amish cooking and culture! I’ve spent almost three decades exploring Amish settlements and kitchens from Maine to Montana and almost everywhere in between. I’ll occasionally throw in stories of my travels, journalism adventures (I’m a Pulitzer prize-nominated journalist), fascination with grocery stores and Kmarts, and much more!

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