ANNOUNCER: Lakewood may not be known for its quaint restaurants, but slowly, a few pioneers are beginning to change that. Last spring the boys reviewed Café Chagall, and this week they bring The Moon Rise Café to the attention of the masses. With a down home feel, fresh ingredients and staying power, the Moon Rise may survive in the city of franchises.

JASON: I like many things about the Moon Rise but reliability is not one of them. The posted hours state they are open Tuesday through Saturday, however, more than once, they’ve been closed during posted operating hours. As recently as Tuesday, the place was dark.

JAKE: The problem with that, of course, is folks who don’t live close to the Lakewood Towne Center where the Moon Rise Café calls home may find the place empty and the nearby choices for something similar practically nonexistent. A place needs to be open when they say they will be or over time, no matter how good the food and service may be, folks won’t take the risk. I know that’s true for me. I liked this restaurant but how likely will I go back when I’m not sure they’ll be open.

JASON: Moving on, this café reminds me of a coffee shop in a farming community. With plenty of crafts and jars of jam spread around I feel like I am out of the city when I stop in here. I also have been called “sweetie,” “hon,” and “darling.”

JAKE: The café opens for breakfast featuring a wide array of morning fare, mostly traditional. My favorite is the French toast, which can be ordered with dark rye bread. The combination of egg and rye tastes heartier, I think, than the other bread choices they offer — egg bread, wheat and sourdough.

JASON: My first meal still sticks in my mind for its uniqueness and freshness. The organic brown jasmine rice with vegetables provides a simple lunch for those looking to feel good after they’ve eaten. Filling yet light, there are not a lot of places offering something this healthy in a sit-down environment.

JAKE: I noticed the Café’s Monte Christo made the Weekly Volcano’s top 21 sandwiches (Aug. 28 cover story). I concur. The Monte Christo’s meat and cheeses are wrapped inside a package of egg-dipped bread. Served with the homemade jam that appears to be the pride and joy of the ownership, it’s a good representation of the cuisine in general at the Moon Rise Café. Speaking of the jam, they also offer a small baby bread loaf and jam that I found quite pleasing. The bread had an airy quality with a nice chewiness. The jam sweet but not processed — fruity and simple. Order a soup, the loaf and jam and you have an excellent lunch.

JASON: The sandwiches I’ve sampled carry the same quality ingredients and care in construction. It matters less which you order and more what you like. I can attest for the BLT and Reuben — both well stacked with ingredients, both flavorful and fresh. The New Moon Burger also packed a nice a pleasing punch, arriving with grilled mushrooms and onions plus avocado and feta cheese.

JAKE: Word of caution, when they are open, The Moon Rise Café packs in the lunch crowd. Located in the busy Towne Center next to Lakewood’s City Hall, you can expect to wait for a table. They have a steady, loyal crowd that, I assume, loves the jam.

The Moon Rise Café

Where: 6020 Main St., Lakewood. (253) 983-9999.

Hours: Tues-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cuisine: Standard little sandwich shop fare with plenty of sandwiches, soups and salads plus a few surprises

Scene: Like grandma’s house with lots of jars of homemade jam for sale, community posters and little flower vases on the tables

Drinkies: Nothing hard, but lots of tea options, juice, pop and coffee

Menu

French Toast >> $5.25

BLT >> $7.50

New Moon Burger >> $7.95

Monte Christo >> $7.95