This new Washington cafe honors veterans from a unique location

The name Freedom Cafe and the small diner's location inside Washington’s VFW Post 9016 suggest an affinity for service members and veterans on the part of management. Appearances are not deceiving.

“I have generations and generations of veterans in my family,” said Freedom Cafe manager Cyndy Jefford. “My grandfather, my father, my sons and my husband have all served in the military. My grandson is a disabled veteran from Afghanistan. One of the reasons I volunteer at the VFW is to honor his sacrifice.”

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Jefford added that all proceeds from the Freedom Cafe will be applied toward funding Post 9016 operations, charitable donations, sponsorships of local youth sports teams, and renovations of the Post 9016 building. The cafe’s soft opening began Monday, and Jefford hopes to fully open by early June.

“We’re doing the soft opening to get critiques that will help us see what people want,” she said. “We’ll see what they order and work from there. We’ll add requested menu items and take off what doesn’t seem to sell. We’re trying to work to the public.”

What does the Freedom Cafe serve?

The Freedom Cafe currently serves sandwiches, side dishes and salads. The eatery also offers daily lunch specials. Jefford asserted that two "must-try" menu items are Jen’s Famous Crack Dip made with sausage, cream cheese and spices for $10; and the $9 Chicken Patty Melt.

“It’s a chicken sandwich with grilled onions on sourdough bread,” she said. “The bread’s toasted perfectly, and the seasoning we use is a wonderful blend of spices that add to the chicken’s flavor.”

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Taking her lunch break Monday at The Freedom Café, Sally Ludwig of Eureka had a fried pickles appetizer and sampled the Monday meatloaf special.

“They were both really good,” she said.

For the Freedom Café’s official grand opening, Jefford intends to offer a special on chicken wings and discounts on daily lunch and dinner specials. She may also hold drawings for restaurant gift certificates.

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Connect with Freedom Cafe

• Address: Inside Washington's VFW 9016, located at 300 Zinser Place, Washington
• Phone: 309-444-9016
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/washingtonvfwpost9016/
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. during soft opening

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: This new Washington cafe honors veterans from a unique location