Corner Cafe corners simply wonderful eating

FORT WALTON BEACH, FL — Everything right down to its name, The Corner Café, exudes simplicity.
   
One of Fort Walton Beach’s newest, and already from the look of things most popular, restaurants is, after all, located right on the corner of James Lee Road and Bob Sikes Boulevard.
   
The food
Dining at The Corner Café is as easy as remembering where it is.
   
There’s no long menu to pore over, no lunch specials or dinner pricing to scratch one’s head about.
   
Everything for you to eat is right there in front of you, scrawled on the wall. And it’s all one price — $6.95.
   
That $6.95 gets you a choice of entrée, a side and a “sweet” for dessert. Drinks are another buck or so more.
   
The entrees consist of sandwiches, wraps and salads served on your choice of breads.
   
Our crack crew of three tried the turkey with pepper bacon, the chicken salad and the Thai chicken salad. Everyone got more than enough to eat and the words used to describe the fare ranged from “very good” to “awesome.”
   
The side items included on a recent Thursday, chick peas, pasta salad, cucumber/tomato salad or chips.
   
The sweets offered were a choice between brownies, lemon pound cake, and fruit.
   
The atmosphere
Picture the kind of place Aunt Bee of Mayberry fame would meet the other ladies of the Garden Committee for lunch and you’ve got a pretty good picture of The Corner Café.
   
Like everything else the décor is simple, and refreshing in its simplicity.
   
The restaurant opened about two and a half months ago in a location formerly occupied by a hair salon.
   
There’s not a hair dryer in sight and nothing of the former salon remains. The restaurant’s atmosphere was described by my table mates as “clean” “quaint” and “tasteful.”
   
The service
The Corner Café opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m. It’s grown so popular that one server told us that on at least one occasion they’ve opened to people lined up across their parking lot.
   
The restaurant isn’t large, but it seats a good many people. The servers always seem to be in a hurry, but didn’t appear to have any problem keeping up with the diners they were assisting.
   
Again with the simplicity, restaurant visitors can seat themselves and wait on a server or order at the counter.
   
The dining room is comfortable with large tables and lots of elbow room.
   
It’s the kind of place where all of the staff pitches in. Everyone can take your order, refill your drink or bring you the food.
   
A final taste
As a wise woman said; “Aunt Bee would give it her stamp of approval.”

The Corner Cafe
Intersection of James Lee Road and Bob Sikes Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach
850-803-0263

Hours
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday

Reservations
Not necessary

Handicap accessibility
Fair

Children’s menu
No

Price range
All meals, including side and “sweet,” are $6.95; drinks are extra

Payment
Cash or check only