SAME Cafe

I finally sat down to read the latest issue of Cooking Light that arrived at my house several weeks ago and came across a fascinating article about a restaurant in Denver, CO called SAME Cafe. The name stands for So All May Eat, and it's a non-profit restaurant founded by husband (chef) and wife, Brad and Libby Birky. The restaurant is unique in that there are no prices on the menu and no cash registers to be found; patrons pay with donations or manual labor. The restaurant serves mostly organic food and has an average of two soups, two salads, two pizzas or wraps, and one dessert on the menu, which changes daily. The idea is to offer affordable, healthful food to those who otherwise could not afford it. In addition to drawing in college students, blue collar workers, and the homeless, this unique cafe also lures the middle and upper class. Its seven tables provide a quaint, informal atmosphere and the food smells and tastes delicious--who couldn't resist?

How does a place like this cover their overhead costs and actually make a profit? Both Brad and Libby are still working on that; in the meantime, they're both working full time jobs in addition to running the cafe. However, there are some strategies in place that are helping. First, those who are wealthier often donate more than the meal was worth, and in addition those who cannot or do not want to pay can offer an hour of work (bussing tables, washing dishes, etc.) in exchange for their meal, which means that the Birkys don't have to hire outside help. Also, since they are filed as a non-profit organization, they can apply for government grants and also accept donations online.

The cafe is such an effective way to meet one of humankind's basic needs and even goes a step beyond that by making that food healthful and available to all who walk through their doors. If you want to learn more, go to www.soallmayeat.org. I know that if I'm ever in Denver, I'm definitely looking up the SAME Cafe...and leaving them a large donation...or some significant elbow grease!