As I sat down to work this morning David reminded me we needed to go to the Social Security Office which was one of with those errands that we’ve been waiting on for a while. David and I headed out, and thankfully, we were able to get his Social Security card. Since he needed it to get his badge, it was one more thing we could check off our list, and we both left feeling relieved and thankful.
Since we had to wait for the Social Security Office to open and, neither one of us had eaten breakfast, we decided to drive down the street and see what was there since it was our first time in this area in a long time and we didn’t know if or when we might be back.
While driving I spotted Rise and Shine Cafe. Right next door was an IHOP, and I do enjoy eating there, but something told me we should try the little neighborhood cafe instead. I always enjoy supporting small businesses when we can, and I’m so glad we decided to give Rise and Shine Cafe a chance.
Rise and Shine Cafe is located over off Altamesa in Fort Worth, which is about thirty to forty-five minutes from our house. They are only open until 2pm. David and I went inside and I would like to tell you sometimes those unexpected places turn into wonderful discoveries and that is what happened this morning.
As soon as we walked inside, I noticed how peaceful it was. There wasn’t a lot of noise, and there weren’t crowds of people everywhere. It had a comfortable feeling that made us want to sit down and relax instead of rushing through our meal. That’s becoming harder and harder to find these days.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the beautiful aquarium. I absolutely loved it. There were colorful fish swimming around. David and I couldn’t help but think about Finding Nemo. I spent several minutes admiring the fish and taking pictures because they were so pretty. It added something special to the restaurant and made it feel warm and inviting.
David and I sat down and simply enjoyed spending time together. Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones when we’re sitting across from each other talking about life, family, work, and everything in between. The waitress was so kind and gave us suggestions on what to try and she even gave us time to just be together and didn’t rush us.
David ordered the chicken fried chicken with three eggs over medium. His breakfast also came with home fries or hash browns. He choose home fries and toast. He had coffee with regular creamers, and although they didn’t offer flavored creamers, he was perfectly happy with what they had.
I ordered two eggs over medium with sausage links because this is what the waitress recommended, home fries, toast, and sweet tea. The sausage links were really good. They weren’t greasy, and they weren’t overly spicy or hot. They had just the right flavor and cooked perfectly. My eggs were cooked exactly the way I like them, and the home fries were delicious.
Both David and I had a bowl of Gravy and it went perfectly on the Home Fries making them my favorite part of the meal. The toast wasn’t really my favorite but David liked it. I’ wanted to let you know I’m not sure what kind of bread it was, but it wasn’t something I particularly cared for. That’s okay though because everything else was so good that I hardly noticed. They even have my mixed fruit jelly which made me very happy.
One thing we both agreed on was the gravy. Oh my goodness, that gravy was amazing. It had wonderful flavor and tasted homemade. We both enjoyed it, and it really completed our breakfast. Both David and I can’t wait to come back for lunch.
I actually had enough home fries and toast left over that I could have brought them home for breakfast the next morning. Normally, I probably would have, but this time I just enjoyed being there and didn’t worry about bringing leftover home. The next time I go I need to find a friend to share my food with because there was to much for me. .
While we were eating, David mentioned that breakfast was actually cheaper than where we usually go. I honestly didn’t even pay attention to the prices because I was enjoying our morning together, but hearing that made me appreciate this little restaurant even more.
What I loved most about Rise and Shine Cafe wasn’t just the food. It was the atmosphere. It was quiet, comfortable, and relaxing. As we sat there talking, I found myself thinking that Charlie, Bradley, and my brother Gerald who would really enjoy eating there too. The boys would absolutely love the fish aquarium, and since it wasn’t loud or crowded, it would make a wonderful place for all of us to enjoy breakfast together.
Sometimes the best places aren’t the big chains with fancy advertisements. Sometimes they’re the small neighborhood cafes where the food is good, the atmosphere is peaceful, and you can sit and enjoy time with the people you love. While being waited on by staff who love there jobs.
By the time we finished breakfast, we were ready to continue our day. We headed to Social Security Office then to Walmart, and then we made another stop at City Trends, picked up groceries at Aldi, and eventually made our way back home. It turned into one of those busy days that seem to fly by, but breakfast together was definitely one of my favorite parts of the day.
Will we go back to Rise and Shine Cafe? Absolutely. In fact, we’re already talking about bringing Charlie, Bradley, and Gerald with us one day because good food, friendly surroundings, and beautiful fish are something worth sharing with family. Sometimes a simple breakfast date turns into one of the best parts of your week.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
