Fat Freddy's Cafe

ADDRESS: 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, in the southwest corner of Surprise City Hall on the main floor (public parking available on first floor of parking garage).

PHONE NUMBER: 623-222-8900.

HOURS: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

OWNER: Fred Renstrom; manager Eric Renstrom (son).

CUISINE: Downhome comfort food for breakfast and lunch.

SEATS: 50 inside, 50 on the patio.

OPEN SINCE: Early October.

WEB SITE: www.fatfreddys.com (catering Web site).

SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE: Raspberry chipotle turkey wrap (mesquite smoked turkey breast, pepper jack cheese, lettuce and tomato with a sweet and smokey raspberry chipotle spread); classic Iowa burger (seasoned ground beef cooked in chicken stock, served loose meat-style on a freshly baked bun with mustard, onion and sliced dill pickle).

POPULAR BREAKFAST: Southwest breakfast wrap (scrambled eggs, bacon, pepper jack cheese, black beans and pico de gallo wrapped in a flour tortilla, served with fresh fruit cup); All-American breakfast sandwich (ham, egg and cheese on a croissant or English muffin, served with fresh fruit cup).

POPULAR LUNCH ENTRÉE: Individual pizzas; classic French dip; Kansas City BBQ (slow-smoked pork, pulled and tossed in Freddy’s sweet and spicy barbecue sauce, served on a freshly baked bun). All sandwiches come with a choice of cole slaw or potato salad.

POPULAR DESSERT: Piña colada bread pudding with caramel rum sauce.

AVAILABLE FOR: Dine in, take out, drop-off and full-service catering.

PRICE RANGE: $3.59 to $7.59.

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW: A different hot-to-go Blue Plate Special is prepared fresh daily and is available for $5.50-$6.50, including a drink. Senior discounts are offered. Wi-fi is available, as well as flat-screen televisions. No revenue is budgeted for the cafe’s lease, rather Fat Freddy’s will pay a percentage of gross sales in an effort to cover the operational costs associated with the leased space, such as water, electricity and trash service.

UNIQUE TIDBITS: Because the cafe has limited work space and no stove hood, Fred Renstrom said much of the prep work is done in his professional catering kitchen. He said he uses the pineapple logo for the cafe and for his catering company because it means “welcome.”

FUTURE PLANS: Fred Renstrom said he plans to adjust the menu according to guests’ requests. He said he hopes to set up a grill on the outdoor patio when the weather is nice.

SLOGAN: “Never trust a skinny cook.”

Do you know of a great West Valley restaurant you’d like to see in our Dining Out feature? Let us know! Call Brittany Woodruff at 623-876-2527 or e-mail bwoodruff@yourwestvalley.com.