Awesome Eats: Amy's Cafe

Relaxing by the Rivah’ where the Reuben Rules! In this quaint red brick building I encountered a modern-day "Cheers," where upon entering you feel as if everyone sitting at the counter is going to shout out your name. It may not happen like that, but you are greeted by Amy or one of her gracious staff as if they do know you. Doesn’t everyone want that feel like they belong in a comfy restaurant where they can slip away?

The atmosphere inside is warm and friendly, and outside on the patio it feels as if you are somewhere other than Fredericksburg. The restaurant sits along the Rappahannock River, which gives the patron a vacation environment. I asked the owner, Amy Johnson, what her Awesome Eats are and she replied, “Our Reuben sandwich is piled high and made with a Marble Rye."

A diner at the next table, longtime Fredericksburg resident Becky Howdershert, chimed in and said she gets the Reuben sandwich every time she visits the restaurant.  So we told Amy to bring on the Reuben! The Reuben arrived and was as pretty to look at as it was to eat, with the contrasting colors of a dark chocolate colored bread marbled with white and the pinkish layers of sliced and piled high corned beef with hints of yellow strands of pickled cabbage poking out. The flavors married together in your mouth: sweet, tart, cheesy, warm, crunchy, a wonderful coetrasting concoction!  A Reuben is just one of those sandwiches that if not done right, just don’t do it.

Amy’s soups are made in house and the Roasted Tomato Basil was bursting with freshness.

The real bomb and surprise was the very aromatic and made from scratch and simmered chili!  Thick, chocked full of meat and beans, rich with a slightly woodsy and smoky flavor, this huge bowl of deliciousness is served the right way: with toppings. Very generous servings of everything a chili-lover seeks: finely shredded cheddar and mozzarella, sour cream, finely diced onions, jalapeno rings and last, but not least, good hot sauce. The corn muffin served alongside can be crumbled on top and mixed in or spooned up with every bite of chili. Good chili can be found around town if you look hard enough, but great chili served with the proper condiments and in large sizes, is not as common.  Go, Amy!

Amy presented us with a hot French Dip Sandwich that has thin slices of roast beef on a ‘French roll or baguette and a large cup of warmed beef broth to dunk it in, a beautiful and healthy Turkey Wrap that was bursting with turkey and flavor, and homemade meatloaf served with mashed potatoes and gravy. All of it was real comfort food that is as filling to the stomach as it is to the soul.

An interesting item she brought us is something that you have to order in advance as it is made with South African Pepadews, a small red pepper the size of a cherry tomato that is filled with an herbed cream cheese.  Delightful!  These are great with a pint of beer or a glass of wine much like a bowl of nuts or pretzels. They are gorgeous on a tray and are my new cocktail party favorite!

Local resident Pete McClelland was dining with his wife and new baby on the patio and insisted that I try the GYNORMOUS Nacho Platter, rolling his eyes to convey that the description was just too much to put into words.  Now there is yet another reason for me to return to Amy’s and this time I will be sure to wear the stretch waist band pants.

Amy’s Cafe is located down by the river beside the Falmouth Bridge at 103 West Cambridge St.  If you go, tell Amy that you are there for the Awesome Eats.