Walker County Sheriff's Department staff often dines at the new Charlie's Cafe in downtown LaFayette. From left, Capt. Anthony Gilleland, Darrell Shell, Lt. Philip Street, Maj. Mike Freeman and Charlie's Cafe owner Charlie Shell sit together in the center of the cafe. Inset: A variety of items available on Charlie's menu.New to LaFayette Square, Charlie's Cafe is already becoming a popular local lunch spot.
That may have less to do with the fact that the location has been home to a restaurant for at least 25 years and more to do with the home cooking served with a heaping side of Southern hospitality.
"We want people to know we appreciate their patronage," said owner Charlie Shell, who can often be found walking around and shaking hands with customers. The regulars sit in booths along newly painted sage-green and charcoal walls, and Walker County Sheriff's Department staff often dines at tables in the center of the room.
"For any business to succeed, it must have the goodwill of the people. Everyone is welcome," Shell said. "We have business people from all walks of life that come here. I invite everyone to come back."
Shell's daughter, Melinda Shell Speir, who previously owned Melinda's Catering and Bakery, manages the cafe. She still makes specialty desserts - banana pudding, Key lime pie, chocolate pie and chocolate cake.
"People want home cooking like your grandma cooked at home," said Speir. "They love the Waldorf chicken salad. We make pounds of potato salad. Turnip greens and cornbread are popular too."
Many diners also order country-fried steak, fried chicken, the roast beef and gravy sandwich or marinated grilled chicken, she said. Shell prefers the meatloaf, greens and lima beans.
"We upgraded and renovated the kitchen and replaced 90 percent of the equipment," said Shell, who has been in the real estate business since 1969 and built 28 homes in the past 40 years in the city of LaFayette and outlying areas.