UPDATE: The Window Cafe has closed this location to focusing on opening a permanent one nearby!
The Window Cafe | Facebook
1697 Franklin Park South (map it!)
Columbus, OH 43205
(415) 786-4660
Open Mon-Fri, 7a-12p; Sun, 10a-3p
Cash only
Visited: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 11 a.m.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned – and continue to learn – doing the blog, it’s to always be open for a little adventure. Not every exploration is neat and tidy, but if you’re willing to roll with the punches, you might find yourself sitting in someone’s backyard on a warm summer day, sipping cold brew coffee and eating a breakfast burrito. You never know.
A couple Facebook friends tipped me off to a little spot just south of Franklin Park call the Window Cafe. They talked about the breakfast burrito, the Belgian waffle. My interest was piqued of course, so on a Tuesday morning while running errands, I plugged the address into my GPS and found myself rolling past Franklin Park.
As I crept closer to the address, I kept looking for signs, and then I spotted one: a small yard sign with an arrow pointing to the Window Cafe. I turned down the side street and parked next to a lovely brown brick home. There, at the corner of the backyard, were tall welcome signs propped against the fence. I walked through them and up to the tiny back porch of the house.
The emphasis is on the window. For now, the Window Cafe is a walk-up window at the back of the owner’s house. Donation only – cash only. Small menu. Coffee and assorted drinks. Pastries. A breakfast burrito and a sandwich. Belgian waffles.
I seemed to almost catch the folks at the window off guard. It turned out they were volunteering at the window while the owner was traveling. While they seemed a little harried, they were still very friendly and excited to talk about the place. Apparently the owner has intentions to open a full shop a block or two away, and is getting started serving the community now.
I ordered up a cold brew coffee and a breakfast burrito with bacon (you can also order sausage or turkey bacon); one of the employees said I ordered the best item on the menu. It took them a little while to prepare it, but I hung out back while they worked away.
Eventually I was handed a paper plate with a tightly rolled and expertly grilled breakfast burrito.
I only have these two items to judge by, but they seem off to a good start. My breakfast burrito featured bacon, soft scrambled eggs, cheese, and a spicy salsa. The cold brew was a tad on the bitter side, but still refreshing.
Places like the Window Cafe remind me why I keep up the blog. It’s fun to explore. It’s good to meet new people, visit neighborhoods I don’t frequent often enough, and support these small businesses, at whatever stage. It’s good to be reminded to just roll with things. Follow the GPS and see what you discover.
