GREENSBORO — During the past couple of months, I’ve received several tips from readers suggesting I give H&F Cafeteria in Greensboro a try.
Even though I’m not a huge fan of most cafeteria-style restaurants, I trust reader opinions (I’ve yet to receive a bad suggestion).
I decided to give H&F a shot.
The restaurant in a shopping center on Lees Chapel Road looks very similar to a K&W (or any other iteration of the two-letter-named eateries).
The typical serving line, trays and large dining room outfitted with tables and booths can all be found at H&F.
This is likely because the owner Ralph Hobbs Jr. worked for K&W for decades before branching out to start the C&H chain.
He recently split with partners in that venture and opened H&F along with members of his family.(The restaurant’s website says the “F” in the name stands for family.)
However, there’s one big difference between H&F and other cafeteria-style restaurants — the food.
H&F serves all the home-style favorites you’d expect — fried chicken, baked ham, chicken pot pie and the like, with sides such as mashed potatoes, green beans and creamed corn.
There’s also lighter fare in the form of a variety of salads, grilled and broiled fish, and baked chicken.
What sets these items apart from those at similar eateries is the quality of the food. Dishes have a distinct freshness (staff regularly removes items that have been under the heat lamp too long) and are seasoned in a manner that complements the flavor of the food, rather than obscuring it with an overabundance of salt.
Entrees, such as the country-style steak, are flavorful thanks to tender meat (easily cut with a fork) and a thick brown gravy with caramelized onions and subtle seasoning.
The baked lasagna, which can often be a greasy mess at other restaurants, is gooey but not greasy, with plenty of oozing cheese, tangy tomato sauce and a sprinkling of herbs on top.
H&F also serves daily specials that include pot roast, steak and shrimp and baked spaghetti. Specials can be found on the restaurant’s website.
The sides and bread options at H&F are just as tasty. The mac-and-cheese is creamy, the fried potatoes crisp and the yam souffle — a buttery smooth concoction of pureed sweet potatoes topped with melted marshmallows — rivals any I’ve tasted.
Bread options include traditional biscuits, rolls and cornbread, plus soft breadsticks sprinkled with herbs as well as daily specials, such as the moist, slightly sweet pumpkin muffin.
Desserts include apple and pumpkin pie, pudding and a sugar-free egg custard pie.
As we crossed the crowded dining room to pay our bill, I realized another big reason that H&F has become so popular.
My husband and I both ate our fill of well-prepared food and did so for less than $15.
It’s rare these days to find a good meal for such a reasonable price.
Casual Dining features local restaurants for diners on a budget. It runs every other week in Go Triad. Contact Jennifer Bringle at jenniferbringle@gmail.com.
