Having only been open and operating for five months, Chef Ted “Joe” Paskevich and Don Holland know what they’re doing. Before opening, they were at the Small Business Chamber meetings bringing us scrumptious breakfast muffins and promoting their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. I attended the affair on April 24, 2012 and everybody who’s anybody in Savannah was there, including the media. Scott West, event planner extraordinaire, executed a beautiful event and helped bring this quaint café and catering outfit to the forefront of the business community.
Fast forward five months. That’s how long it took me to finally step foot inside Joe’s Homemade Café to have lunch. I went there to pick up a gift certificate which Don offered to donate to our Ogeechee Riverkeeper Rivers Rock silent auction (which takes place at Moon River Brewing Company this evening, October 4th). I knew they were community supporters, but when they offered a certificate out of the blue without me having to ask for it, I realized their true philanthropic spirit as a locally owned business.
My decision to dine in instead of carrying out was one I will never forget. I was treated like a queen. Little did they know the wonderful impression they were making on me and how I would choose Joe’s to review for Eat It and Like It.
Joe’s has deemed Mondays as “comfort food day” to fight the back to work Monday blues. Enough said. The Meatloaf Sandwich was tempting, but I opted for The Orleans Panini loaded with roasted red pepper, mozzarella, fresh basil and pesto on delicious ciabatta bread. All of their dressings, pestos, and breads are made in-house. The panini alone is only $6.50 and is filling, but for $10.00 comes a drink and your choice of soup du jour or homemade dessert.
The bakery cabinet tempted me with the array of desserts, including Joe’s Luscious Lemon Cheesecake and Triple Chocolate Cake made with buttermilk, cayenne pepper, coffee, cinnamon and cream cheese icing. I instead decided on a “comfort food”, Tomato Soup with Homemade Grilled Cheese Croutons. Can you say yum? My panini and tomato soup were rounded out with a side of crisp rice crackers and red grapes. I washed it all down with a perfect glass of homemade lemonade. Perfecto!
All of their breakfast options, salads, soups, sandwiches, panini, and desserts are very reasonably priced ranging $3.50–$8.00. You can call ahead to place your order for take-out. Their location is convenient to the hospitals, physicians’ offices, and many neighborhoods. They offer 10% off discounts to area hospital staff, first responders, military, and higher education faculty as well as Facebook friends.
Joe’s is located next to Sweet Spice Caribbean Restaurant at the corner of Waters Ave. and 70th Street. The dining area is small, but they plan to add a few more tables and chairs. Joe’s large kitchen is impressive and is exactly what they need for their full service catering, bakery and restaurant. Fresh herbs and vegetables grow out front. The catering arm of Joe’s is Jozef’s Fine Food & Catering and produces some of the most beautiful and extravagant cakes and other confections imaginable. In fact, I had Jozef’s cakes at both the Johnnie Ganem 70th Anniversary Party in June and the Creative Approach Grand Opening Celebration in September.
In the food and catering world, there’s not much that Joe’s doesn’t do. They have been featured at area culinary events and competitions. Ted will be one of the celebrity chefs at the America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia’s Chefs’ Table on October 16th, the leading fundraiser for initiatives to reduce local childhood hunger.
So if you’re not yet convinced, simply stop in for lunch and be treated like royalty from Don, Ted and the rest of the staff. Oh yeah, and you’ll eat it and like it too!
Joe’s Homemade Café and Jozef’s Fine Food & Catering
Phone: 912.349.0251 • Fax: 912.349.0605
5515 Waters Ave. (at 70th St.), Savannah, GA 31404
www.joeshomemade.com
www.facebook.com/JoesHomemade
Hours:
Monday–Friday 7:30am–5:30pm
Saturday 11:00am–4:00pm
Sunday CLOSED
1 thought on “Joe’s Homemade Café”
Fully agree with Jamie’s review of Joe’s! It’s a teriffic place with great food and excellent service – really spoiling you- from Don and Ted and their staff! A hidden gem for sure. Don’t miss it!