MARIE’S MUNCHIES: Mimi’s Café

Review and photo by Marie Rodriguez

The designers responsible for creating the atmosphere at Mimi’s Café certainly worked hard at creating a French ambiance.

Four impressive seating areas inside keep with the theme yet each have a different look. Mock shop window awnings align the walls and hang over the bar. Outside, benches surround blooming flowers.

Mimi’s proudly boasts an “All Day Fresh Café” that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. They also include a “Fresh and Fit” menu available after 11 a.m.

Being a breakfast aficionado, I ask for the breakfast menu at any time of day. The fresh-squeezed juice, muffin and potatoes that come with each Mimi’s selection call to my stomach and wallet.

Breakfast choices range in price from about $7 to $9, while lunch and dinner can be around $11 to $13.

My choice was the Santa Fe Omelet. Jalapenos, cilantro, tomato, onion, and pepper jack cheese covered in chipotle sauce eggs, here I come.

The omelet arrived at the table looking scrawny with a side of sliced tomatoes. It seemed nice and healthy but where was my heavy breakfast full of hearty eggs and potatoes?

This omelet reminded me of the pre-scrambled eggs that I deem questionable in the grocery store. Fluffy and light is not how I wanted to describe my eggs, which were supposed to sustain my full day and a nap.

After a quick investigation with the waitress, we discovered I received the right plate, just the one from the light and healthy part of the menu. She quickly apologized and brought me a new plate with an omelet twice as big and gushing with melted cheese.

Twice the fillings and three times the cheese promised an exciting meal to come.

The only disappointment was the side potatoes. Mimi’s red potatoes are flavored nicely but that doesn’t matter if they’re not fully cooked.

I’ll chalk it up to them bringing the plate out in a hurry at 1 p.m., when most restaurants aren’t even thinking of breakfast.

The lunch and dinner menus are just as stuffed with endless choices. Seasonal features ensure empty bellies even greater opportunities.

Mimi’s isn’t snobby, with only French food options. It also serves choices like Jambalaya and an Asian salad.

This restaurant, which has two locations in Tucson, is appetizing both tastefully and visually. It’s worth a trip and a good long look over the menu. Upon leaving, a meal option for next time will already be in mind.

FYI

Address/phone:

4420 N. Oracle Road/ 690-9544

120 S. Wilmot Road/ 747-7273

Web site: Mimiscafe.com