By Claire Kelloway
The lemon blueberry scone from the Good Day Cafe
A host smiles in front of a distressed wood bookcase packed with antique toys, rusty wire teacups, and fake flowers. The room is very yellow and ’70s, complete with burnt orange fiesta ware.
The Good Day Café embraces kitsch, in a good way. The menu reads like an All-American “best-of,” with classic sandwiches, melts, burgers, and blue plates. House favorites include an award-winning trio of chicken, tuna, and egg salads ($11.50), and a mac and cheese made with gorgonzola, fontina, and aged cheddar, topped with caramelized onions and a roasted garlic crust ($12). Good Day Café refines home-style staples, making it a go-to choice for both casual catch-ups and corporate lunches.
Take the tomato basil bisque ($8), which delivers a sweet creaminess you expect, but adds hearty tomato chunks, fresh herbs, red pepper flakes, and sharp cheesy croutons. There are also some modern options, like a peppery arugula salad ($6), generously topped with goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and tart citrus vinaigrette. These offerings aren’t meant to be revolutionary, they’re meant to satisfy.
Ironically, GDC’s weak spot is the café fare While the all-day breakfast options are comforting, the coffee is nothing special, and the baked goods are wanting. Like the lemon blueberry scone ($2.50), which is more like a breakfast cake with a layer of berry compote slathered between two dry and dense scones, topped with thick lemon icing.
Still, the wait staff is sweet and the mood is warm. Compared to surrounding strip-mall chains, the Good Day Café is a beacon of well-crafted nostalgia. So, like its tried and true dishes, this place is not going away anytime soon.
The Good Day Café and Bad Day Bar serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, and drinks. They are open M: 7:00am – 3:00pm; T – F: 7:00am – 8:30pm; Sat: 7:00am – 8:30pm; Sun: 7:00am – 7:30pm. 5410 Wayzata Boulevard Golden Valley, MN 55416
Recent Comments