Willow and Jim Payne knew their lives would be easier if they built a new home for their cafe in Silvana.
Flooding from the Stillaguamish River had shut the popular cafe down more than a few times during the past 14 years since the couple took it over.
So last year they tore down the old landmark building, which had five owners since it first opened in 1951, and built a new one a half-story up out of the flood plain.
The Paynes opened their cafe again in March this year to standing-room-only wait lines.
During the spring and summer Willow and Jim’s Country Cafe attracts people from throughout the region and it seems busy all the time.
Now that it’s fall and people are settling into routines, the cafe is a bit quieter. Area farmers are still tracking in mud, but the new floor is easy to clean. The farmers and other regulars are especially welcome at the cafe.
A week ago, we stopped by for breakfast early on our way to work.
Jim was in the kitchen and Willow was waiting tables. I think she knew everyone in the cozy dining room.
The modern, beautiful cafe still has its signature mismatched tables and chairs. The big new windows allow for great views of the fall colors, the weather and the passing trains.
My husband ordered the pancake, bacon and two sunny-side-up eggs ($7.50), I asked for steak and over-easy eggs ($9.85) and we had several refills on our coffee mugs.
The pancake was enormous, but Scandinavian-style thin and somewhat sweet. No poofy, airy flapjacks here. All the Paynes need to do is add some lingonberry preserves and you’d have a perfect Swedish pancake. The bacon was tasty and the eggs just right.
The 6-ounce sirloin was just right, too, and the hash browns were at once crispy and buttery.
I don’t think we ate much for lunch that day.
Then on Sunday, we took one of our granddaughters to the cafe for breakfast. It was busy and the Paynes had their full staff on hand.
Our grand-girl, still in her “terrible twos,” immediately started complaining (loudly) about the high chair. Our waitress, bless her heart, is a fellow grandma. She was right there with a smile, crackers, a coloring book and a sippy cup.
When our granddaughter was served her Minnie Mouse-shaped pancake ($4.15), she was delighted with the chocolate-kiss eyes and maraschino cherry nose. (I took the red licorice smile off since I don’t think her folks have given her that sort of candy yet.)
My husband had corned beef hash, eggs, hash browns and toast ($9.40) and I had the Joe’s Special ($9.40), a scramble with sausage, spinach, onion topped with crispy Parmesan cheese, and hash browns and toast.
Also popular at the cafe are chicken-fried steak, with eggs, hash browns, toast and beef or sausage gravy ($9.50) and eggs Benedict ($9.40) — a traditional-style muffin topped with ham, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce.
Lunch at Willow and Jim’s includes all sorts of burgers and other sandwiches, soups and salads. Dinner is served on Fridays with a special menu from Jim.
Dessert is popular, too. Don’t miss a slice of Willow’s homemade pie ($4).
And the four-stool fountain counter is a nice place to eat an ice cream treat, especially the popular banana split ($7.75), which is big enough to split several ways.
The Paynes and their staff donate their July 4 wages each year to benefit the Silvana volunteer fire department, and they support other community events.
The cafe is cozy, friendly and has the best pancakes around. Just needs the lingonberry preserves.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
Willow and Jim’s Country Cafe
1420 Pioneer Highway, Silvana, 360-652-0372
Hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and until 7 p.m. Friday.
Alcohol: None
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