MCL Cafeteria, Muncie, IN by Karen

On Friday August 31 I had the pleasure of sharing a delicious lunch with Gary and Julie Alexander who reside in Delaware County Indiana. We met at one of my favorite eateries in Indiana, the MCL Cafeteria in Muncie. Whenever I visit the Hoosier State to network with folks on food and agriculture issues I always make a point to stop at this unique and popular home-style cafeteria.

The MCL not only serves a variety of homestyle food but it is just plain fun to stop in and experience the memories this restaurant evokes. After entering the old fashioned lunch line you grab a tray and silverware and swiftly travel down the stainless steel tray route alongside mountainous quantities of food. This is where the real MCL experience kicks in. The crisply uniformed lunchline ladies behind the shielded glass counter hover over their freshly prepared dishes with spoons in hand eager to serve you whatever your choice may be. All you do is point and say “Please” and anything you desire is served up with a smile. Each time I visit MCL I am warmed by a genuine friendliness that makes my meal taste all the better. Every serving handed to me is garnished with a smile and a reminder to “Have a great day!”

Now I am one of those people who lives to eat, not the other way around. As I slide my tray down the food line, I have to be judicious in what I choose so that I have enough space on my standard cafeteria size tray by the time I arrive at the cashier. Long ago, I recall my mother saying that I had “eyes bigger than my stomach” whenever our family was treated to cafeteria style meal. Now, 40 years later I still remember that phrase as I once again try not to overload my tray.

The colorful food at MCL is artfully displayed which makes it a feast for the eyes even before it reaches the palate. MCL strives to serve as much locally produced fruits and vegetables as they can depending on the season. MCL seasonally serves fresh asparagus, blueberries, strawberries, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, watermelon and cantaloupe. Our visit here featured fresh string beans and homegrown marinated tomatoes.

MCL is famous for their freshly baked pies and breads. In spring and summer fresh strawberry and blueberry pie are the norm. My favorite pies here are coconut cream with genuine cooked meringue topping and eye popping ripe red strawberry pie. MCL’s pie crusts are flaky, light and savory without being soggy from the rich fillings they envelope. I must admit that I have returned to that stainless steel line to “get seconds” of that pie!

MCL is a popular eating spot for young and old alike. The regulars are elderly folks in the area who don’t like to cook for themselves but crave homemade “from scratch” cooking. But as you look around you also see people of all ages including families who partake in their homemade fare. MCL has been in business since 1955 and no wonder! Their food is something that you would be served while at Grandma’s house for a Sunday dinner. The manager stressed to me that may of the dishes have closely guarded recipes that have remain unchanged for decades.

There are dozens of MCL Cafeterias scattered around the Indiana area mostly around Indianapolis. What impresses me the most is that MCl strives to support the local farmers in Indiana. This vision not only returns dollars to the community it keeps people like me returning to MCL to experience the outstanding taste of fresh Indiana food.

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