Put your “O” face on if your appetite aches for organic cuisine and prepare to have your mind blown. Whether you’re simply struggling to kill a caffeine craving or attempting to quiet a grumbling stomach, Café Hey will come to the rescue. Tucked away in the outskirts of downtown Tampa, this trendy establishment awaits your arrival at 1540 N. Franklin Street.
Don’t let the small exterior fool you; this cozy café has a lot to offer. Capitalizing on coffee cocktails with vegetarian-friendly soup and sandwiches, Café Hey serves up low calorie eats for under $10. The diverse menu caters to vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters, along with gluten-free options for guests battling food allergies.
This eatery prides itself on using fresh organic ingredients straight from the farm to your plate, but is also a huge advocate for local businesses. Feel free to sip your favorite Tampa native Cigar City beer, Ybor Gold lager and Buddy Brew coffee in-house.
The fast-casual style invites you to help yourself to a menu before ordering at the register, but don’t expect full service if you seat yourself while pondering your choice of chow.
With décor that screams rustic urban meets grunge, you are guaranteed to be optically entertained while you wait for your meal. A chandelier of eclectic knick-knacks relays a “lost and found” feel as earthy crystals, Barbie heads and miniature flowerpots dance effortlessly in the air.
If the mixed media Monster Jam truck protruding halfway out of the wall doesn’t steal your attention, the neon text on the daily specials board will.
The spinach and provolone “Quiche du Jour” sat patiently beside the cash register, flaunting its flaky shell through the covered glass pie stand. You can find the soup of the day written graciously amongst the specials, typically featuring popular vegan picks like Basque Black Bean and Pueblo Pumpkin soup.
Kale, the nutritious cousin of cabbage, is a hot commodity at Café Hey. The raw Kale Yeah Salad packs a complex flavor profile served with red cabbage, carrots and crunchy sesame seeds tossed in a garlic tomato dressing. You can treat yourself to this vegan classic for $4.99 or add your choice of pepper jack, cheddar, provolone or Swiss cheese for just 50 cents more.
If you are hankering for something more substantial, try the Turkey and Grass sandwich. A generous helping of smoked turkey accompanied by watercress, cucumbers, cream cheese and balsamic sauce wedged in between two slices of Cuban bread.
Hot off the press at $6.99, this little number is guaranteed to please your taste buds and your wallet. The cool bite of the cucumbers paired with a hint of smokiness from the turkey and smooth taste of the cream cheese creates a deadly combination.
Try the Ham and Pickle sandwich for $6.99 if you’re feeling spontaneous. Served with honey mustard, pickles, white cheddar, ham, lettuce and spiked with spicy garlic chutney, this is definitely an out-of-the-box option. Traditional sandwiches like the infamous Cuban, Ham and Swiss and Turkey Provolone are available if you’re in search of something familiar. All sandwiches are also available as a whole-wheat wrap if you aren’t in favor of La Segunda Cuban bread.
Switch it up with any half sandwich served with a cup of soup for $6.99, with the exception of the Cuban, which is only available in the full portion. In the midst of your decision-making, don’t neglect to check out the daily selection of grain and pasta salads listed on the specials board. Peasant’s Paradise Quinoa, a recent grain special, featured beets, feta cheese, raw fresh green cabbage and pecans topped with black cracked pepper and honey.
It is more than essential to quench your thirst during the completion of the perfect meal and the drink selection at Café Hey lends itself to every persona. Buddy Brew coffee, organic Sweet Leaf Tea, Blue Sky all natural soda and Vita Coco water make up a miniscule portion of the liquids available for your drinking pleasure.
A plethora of coffee and tea specialties under $5 occupy the entire backside of the menu. Prince of Peace Tea is a house preference along with the conventional Café con Leche, but if you’re in the mood for adventure go for the Long Island Strawberry Tea, a cold concoction consisting of strawberry, mango and green tea.
Need not worry lushes, Café Hey did not forget about you. A vast list of beer and wine is available for those seeking a secret buzz on their lunch break. If you’re on a budget with expensive taste, $3 flutes of sparkling Louis Perdrier Brut and $2.50 mimosas are readily available. Dine-in on a Friday for 2-4-1 enormous goblets of red sangria.
As the winner of Creative Loafing’s “Best of the Bay” since 2009, Café Hey is a must on everyone’s to-do list. With extremely healthy and delectable cuisine, an optimistic reputation and a respectable open mic night every Thur. at 7 p.m., Café Hey is assured to meet your expectations.
Business hours begin Mon. through Fri. at 7 a.m. and Sat. through Sun. at 10 a.m. with varying closing times. Connect with Café Hey on Facebook and Twitter for updates on daily specials or visit cafehey.com for more information.
Melissa Santell can be reached at msantell@spartans.ut.edu.