This new Washington cafe honors veterans from a unique location

Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star
Cyndy Jefford, left, manager of the new Freedom Cafe, entertains two of her great-grandchildren, Scarlet, middle, 2, and Freya Fisher, 4, at VFW Post 9016 in Washington. Jefford started the cafe at the VFW Post to honor the many veterans in her family, including a disabled grandson who served in Afghanistan.
Cyndy Jefford, left, manager of the new Freedom Cafe, entertains two of her great-grandchildren, Scarlet, middle, 2, and Freya Fisher, 4, at VFW Post 9016 in Washington. Jefford started the cafe at the VFW Post to honor the many veterans in her family, including a disabled grandson who served in Afghanistan.

The name Freedom Cafe and the small diner's location inside Washington’s VFW Post 9016 suggest an affinity for service members and veterans on the part of management. Appearances are not deceiving.

“I have generations and generations of veterans in my family,” said Freedom Cafe manager Cyndy Jefford. “My grandfather, my father, my sons and my husband have all served in the military. My grandson is a disabled veteran from Afghanistan. One of the reasons I volunteer at the VFW is to honor his sacrifice.”

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Plenty of room is available for customers at The Freedom Cafe at VFW Post 9016 in Washington. The cafe had a soft opening Monday and will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. weekdays until it fully opens in June.
Plenty of room is available for customers at The Freedom Cafe at VFW Post 9016 in Washington. The cafe had a soft opening Monday and will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. weekdays until it fully opens in June.

Jefford added that all proceeds from the Freedom Cafe will be applied toward funding Post 9016 operations, charitable donations, sponsorships of local youth sports teams, and renovations of the Post 9016 building. The cafe’s soft opening began Monday, and Jefford hopes to fully open by early June.

“We’re doing the soft opening to get critiques that will help us see what people want,” she said. “We’ll see what they order and work from there. We’ll add requested menu items and take off what doesn’t seem to sell. We’re trying to work to the public.”

What does the Freedom Cafe serve?

The Freedom Cafe in Washington serves mainly sandwiches, side dishes and salads, but also offers daily specials like beef tips over egg noodles.
The Freedom Cafe in Washington serves mainly sandwiches, side dishes and salads, but also offers daily specials like beef tips over egg noodles.

The Freedom Cafe currently serves sandwiches, side dishes and salads. The eatery also offers daily lunch specials. Jefford asserted that two "must-try" menu items are Jen’s Famous Crack Dip made with sausage, cream cheese and spices for $10; and the $9 Chicken Patty Melt.

“It’s a chicken sandwich with grilled onions on sourdough bread,” she said. “The bread’s toasted perfectly, and the seasoning we use is a wonderful blend of spices that add to the chicken’s flavor.”

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Taking her lunch break Monday at The Freedom Café, Sally Ludwig of Eureka had a fried pickles appetizer and sampled the Monday meatloaf special.

“They were both really good,” she said.

Sally Ludwig of Eureka examines The Freedom Cafe's menu and mulls over her lunch order.
Sally Ludwig of Eureka examines The Freedom Cafe's menu and mulls over her lunch order.

For the Freedom Café’s official grand opening, Jefford intends to offer a special on chicken wings and discounts on daily lunch and dinner specials. She may also hold drawings for restaurant gift certificates.

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Connect with Freedom Cafe

Customers chat at the bar at VFW Post 9016 in Washington. The bar and banquet room are available to customers of the new Freedom Cafe in the VFW building at 300 Zinser Place.
Customers chat at the bar at VFW Post 9016 in Washington. The bar and banquet room are available to customers of the new Freedom Cafe in the VFW building at 300 Zinser Place.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Freedom Cafe in Washington: new cafe opens inside VFW Post 9016

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