Always being on the hunt for new recipes or restaurants can sometimes seem like investigative work—Annie Nashert, food private eye here. Our Editor, Denise, helped me discover The Shartel Café and it’s definitely a yummy find.

Whether you’re searching for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, The Shartel Café seems perfect for all ages. The intimate, yet airy feel makes you want to slow down and enjoy a Fuzzy Monkey or Strawberry Fields smoothie or a latte and muffin while you catch up with an old friend.

Though I rarely go out for breakfast, I was excited to find that The Shartel Café offers an enticing breakfast menu served daily until 10:30am and again after the lunch rush ends at 2pm. They also serve breakfast all day on Saturday.

I look forward to taking my parents to The Shartel Café so they can try their Reuben sandwich. I’m told all Ruebens are not all equal, so I will be interested to discover how their sandwich fares. If it’s as good as the hot chicken sandwiches Denise and I had, it will be a winner.

There seems to be something for all appetites here—a daily special, soup of the day, small and large plate offerings, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Denise ordered the Italian chicken focaccia—grilled chicken with provolone cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a homemade focaccia roll with roasted garlic mayonnaise ($6.95). The focaccia was enhanced by dry Italian herbs and extra virgin olive oil. The garlic mayonnaise was not overpowering, but a nice compliment to the chicken. The hot sandwich was served with fries.

I ordered the jerk-chicken sandwich—jerk marinated chicken breast served on a bun with lettuce and roasted pineapple cream cheese ($6.95). I love chicken and pineapple together so I couldn’t pass it up. It had a nice, sweet flavor and I enjoyed every morsel. The fries were just the way I love them: hot, slightly firm on the outside, and nice and soft on the inside. Which to eat first, the sandwich or the fry?

While waiting for our sandwiches and studying the menu, I saw the island jerk wrap—jerk marinated chicken with the pineapple cream cheese spread, lettuce, and onions ($7.25). I’ll try that on my next visit.

We couldn’t end our investigation without giving the baked goods a once-over. The cakes come from the Ultimate Cheesecake as does the cookie dough, though they bake the cookies on site. We ordered a slice of chocolate cake with chocolate icing ($2.95) to share and it was moist and yummy. Each bite called for an audible “Mmm.” I’ll take a slice or two home with me next time. How soon can that be?

Annie Nashert has a husband and teenage daughter who assume everybody has homemade dessert nightly. In addition to serving as Food Editor, Annie operates a small cookie-baking business and whatever other creative opportunities come along. Have a recipe to share? Contact her at FoodEditor@MetroFamilyMagazine.com.

Annie's Rating:

4 out of 4 forks

The Shartel Café
5116 N Shartel, Oklahoma City
405-843-0900

Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-8pm; Saturday, 8am-3pm; closed Sundays
Prices: breakfast, $1.50-$8.25; lunch and dinner, $3.25-$8.25; children’s menu, $1.95-$3.25