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Hometown Cafe lives up to its billing in St. James, Minn. Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Hometown Cafe
Owner: Jim Krogstad
Location: 403 1st Ave. S. St. James, MN 56081
Telephone: 507-375-3854
Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Sundays.
Known for: The beef commercial which is a hot beef sandwich with homemade mashed potatoes and gravy for $5.65. Soups are also very popular, particularly the chicken dumpling soup with homemade dumplings served on Wednesdays. Soups are $2.50/bowl.
ST. JAMES, Minn. -- Jim Krogstad, owner of the Hometown Cafe, was born and raised in the restaurant business.
"I grew up with my mom owning two restaurants, so I literally grew up in the business," smiled Krogstad. "My mother owned the Hometown Cafe when it was across town even before it burned down in 1995."
Once Krogstad was done with school he started going into carpentry work. When his mother's restaurant burnt down, she purchased an old clothing store with hopes of making that the new restaurant. Krogstad stepped in to help his mother turn it into the Hometown Cafe.
When they finished the reconstruction, he started working with his mother as she was becoming ill. When his mother passed away, he ended up taking over the family restaurant.
"I never saw myself in the restaurant business," said Krogstad. "Now I know this is what I was going to do."
When Krogstad was decorating his restaurant he wanted to stay away from a set theme because he wanted something very simple.
After running the Hometown Cafe for about nine years, Krogstad has met many people with in the community. In the mornings he sees a lot of farmers and retired people that come in for coffee. Through out the rest of the day he sees business people and numerous families with in the community like any other restaurant.
"It is nice to know that I am providing good service to my customers," said Krogstad. "I hear many compliments from people that come into my restaurant and that is how I know I am doing my part to make the restaurant successful."
The customers not only enjoy the service they receive when they come to the Hometown Cafe, but also the wonderful food as well.
Krogstad and his employees are very well known for their homemade pies that were recognized nationally by the Food and Wine magazine. They serve several kinds of pies such as banana cream, coconut cream, and sour cream and raisin pies.
Hometown cafe also has a breakfast skillet that is very popular. It contains hash browns with fried onions, green pepper, sausage, eggs, and topped with cheese or country gravy.
"On Sunday's we have a Sunday Buffet that goes from 10:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m.," said Krogstad. "For $7.95 customers have the selection of four meats like Salisbury steaks and BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, and vegetables. We also have a large salad bar available with lots of homemade salads."
Krogstad has hosted anniversaries and birthdays in his spare room. He also does some catering at events with in the community. Krogstad is very pleased with how successful his cafe has been doing in the town of St. James.
"It is a family restaurant where people feel comfortable coming here and enjoying a meal," said Krogstad. "I know all the employees and some of the customers by name. It makes coming to work enjoyable."
If you have a favorite restaurant that you would like to have featured in Agri News, drop us a note. You can write us at Box 6118, Rochester, MN 55903. Or you can call us at (507) 285-7659 or e-mail Agri News staff writer .
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