Countryside celebrates 27 years

Broasted chicken breast at Countryside Café. (Photo by Mark Gilliland)

Mother’s Day weekend is always big for Countryside Café.

“It’s a great weekend … because we get to see our customers celebrate not only with their mothers but with their grandmothers, aunts and any special lady in their lives,” said Countryside owner Marlene Geren, a special lady in her own right.

After all, not just anybody could keep a mom-and-pop shop like Countryside Café thriving for almost three decades. This month, the cafe celebrates 27 years in business.

“I think it’s a combination of providing good, consistent food at a value price along with our great group of employees,” Marlene said, regarding the reasons for the café’s long-lived success.

Countryside also has a knack for paying attention to what customers want, and the restaurant isn’t afraid to make changes based on those observations. For instance, to accommodate the ever-quickening pace of our lives, the café introduced a “quick and fast” lunch menu, which offers several homemade options served in ten minutes or less.

And as we become more conscious of the foods we eat, Countryside is offering more fresh, healthy meals. Its menu boasts many gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes — as well as plenty of Southern classic comfort foods.

Then, of course, there are its scratch-made desserts. The pie, Marlene said, “may be one of our best assets.”

In honor of its anniversary, Countryside will give away one free meal and one free dessert every day for the rest of May. For a chance to win, simply stop by for a bite, take a seat and unroll your napkin — where you might find a winner’s certificate tucked inside.

And this summer be sure to watch for more good times. Soon, Countryside plans to add some fun outdoor games to entertain families while they wait, said Marlene, who knows a thing — or 27 — about remaining relevant.