Emily's F& M Cafe remodeled
By Donna Seline
CAPTION: Emily (l) with Sue Gale (r), a customer who comes all the way from St. Paul to eat at Emily's, and culinary school graduate and chef Melissa Lauer. Photo by Donna Seline.
The cornerstone of Camden good eating, Emily's F&M Café, is open again after an extensive remodeling project. Customers will immediately notice the interior changes, from the new entry and windows, tables and chairs, booths and counter, to the clean lines of the wainscoating and the warm fresh paint on the walls. The neatly tiled walls behind the serving counter speak to the quality of service and food at Emily's. With all new furnishings and a more open seating area, the restaurant is as welcoming as ever to its loyal customers.
Not quite so obvious to customers is the enlarged kitchen with two new six-foot grills ... no more waiting for those pancakes in the morning! And the new restrooms are wheelchair accessible so everyone can enjoy coming there to eat. Two new flat screen TVs will let Sunday customers enjoy their football games too. The outside sign has been removed for renovation but they hope to put it back up soon. And the morning newspaper is always there to read.
The menu is the same and prices haven't changed - still reasonable and the food is good. The hours have been extended from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. It's the place to go in Camden for a good home-cooked meal, whether breakfast or lunch.
The restaurant has been at 2124 44th Ave. N. since the ‘40s. Emily and Elliott Benincasa (means "good house" in Italian) bought it in 1982 - the previous owners were "Florence" and "Millie," hence the "F&M" in Emily's F&M. The restaurant has been open seven days a week since then - only during this remodeling were they closed for a short time. The Benincasa's have been in the U.S. for 50 years, spending the last 27 years cooking up good food for their neighbors. It's a family restaurant in more ways than one. Families come here to eat, but the entire Benincasa family also works here. Their staff is well liked by customers and Kathy Paone, who has worked there for almost 18 years, said some of her family members work or have worked there as well over the years.
Emily does the main cooking ... all those good roast beef sandwiches, meat and potatoes. Elliot and son, Elliot Jr., do the grill cooking. She is quick to say that their food is also low in cholesterol but still tastes great. She's very grateful to all their loyal customers who've continued to eat there over these many years. One of them described the restaurant as the "Jewel of North Minneapolis." And indeed it is. Go check out their new digs and have a good home cooked meal. Check this issue of Camden News for a coupon with breakfast and lunch specials to try!
Think Global, Shop Local! Find out about all the great businesses right in your neighborhood in the Northwest Minneapolis Business Association Directory. Pick up a copy at a local business or call 612-703-9609. And don't miss the NWMBA fun-filled fundraising Fall Social gathering on Tuesday, November 17! Proceeds will go to support the Camden area Holiday on 44th event. For info call 612-703-9609.
And take note: the City offers assistance on starting a business in Minneapolis, available financing, site selection, and employment and training assistance for the city's business community on Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon at the Public Service Center, 250 S. 4th St., Room 300. Info: www.ci. minneapolis.mn.us/mdr/ or call 311.