Lifelong Dream of Restaurant Ownership Realized at Cafe Audrey
Tammy Cunningham (right), owner of Cafe Audrey with her son and kitchen manager, Ty.
My husband and I have always enjoyed a relaxing breakfast out – makes us feel like we’re on vacation, I guess, and if it’s a locally-owned place, it seems all that much better! We were delighted to discover Café Audrey tucked so close to home, just down the street from CVS in the Fort Benjamin Harrison area.
Café Audrey opened in October, 2011, in an early 20th century military blacksmith shop, named after owner Tammy Cunningham’s mother. Exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and repurposed antique sideboards and cabinetry give it a homey feel, but the warm colors and stylish light fixtures are definitely HGTV-inspired. Local artists are featured on some walls and historic photos on others.
Cunningham and her husband of 20 years both worked for the federal government, but she yearned to follow her dream of owning a restaurant. Her mother’s death in 2010 nudged her to quit her job with the tax administration and open Café Audrey. She is now assisted by her grown son, Ty, as kitchen manager. Daughter Jadah is still at Lawrence North; and between her many activities, she also occasionally assists as a server.
We enjoy the Café Audrey breakfasts, often choosing the quiche of the day (mushroom, spinach, and feta…mmmm) or homemade French toast. Huevos Rancheros and breakfast burritos are also featured on the menu, plus biscuits and sausage gravy and a breakfast hash concoction of sausage, fried potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and baby spinach.
The menu is made up of family favorites and other mostly-made-from-scratch items, but doesn’t stop at breakfast. Lunchtime is when owner Tammy gets to stretch her foodie creativity, offering things like Jamaican patties, fish tacos, homemade chicken salad, Hoosier tenderloin, BBQ, plus the usual burgers, grilled sandwiches, soups, and salads.
The old Fort Benjamin Harrison mule barn is now the home of Cafe Audrey in Lawrence.
With the Emmett J. Bean Finance Center a 6-minute walk away, there are hundreds of people seeking an inexpensive lunch option; Café Audrey’s entrees top out around $7.49 for the Reuben or turkey club (coupons often found online). The real advantage, however, is the $1 weekday delivery offered to area businesses and Triton Brewing when orders go over $20. So order with a group of co-workers!
Now that the weather has finally warmed up, outside patio seating is available and dog friendly, so you’ll likely find us there on a Saturday morning with one or more big white dogs! (I haven’t heard if there’s a dog-specific menu!) Also, the ice cream parlor is now open until 8:00 p.m., featuring locally-made Sundaes’ ice creams.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Ice Cream Parlor open ‘til 8:00 p.m.
www.cafeaudreyatthefort.com
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The franchisees who own the two 
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