Starkville Caf, the epitome of a small-town diner, is now catering to late night/early morning patrons. The Starkville Caf will be serving up anything from steak and burgers to eggs and grits 24 hours a day.
The unassuming restaurant is located downtown on Main Street, down the street from The International Bistro. The diner looks small from outside. Inside, though, it’s surprisingly roomy. At 2 a.m. Saturday, young people dotted the restaurant’s tables and booths eating various deep-fried delights.
Owners Dan and Sherry Moreland said they made the decision to keep the restaurant open 24 hours several months ago. The move gives the Starkville Caf a shot at the market for late-night bar-hoppers formerly dominated by Waffle House and Hardee’s.
“We wanted to give kids a place to go. A lot of kids leave the bars hungry and this will give them the chance to eat before going home,” Sherry Moreland said.
The hours also give early-to-rise hunters a third option for breakfast.
They said the idea has so far proven successful. With popular bars on Main Street bringing in crowds of students, the Morelands say it’s a great idea. Business has increased and bar patrons are now within a short walking distance from a hot meal.
“I think it’s a great idea to have a restaurant that stays open 24 hours located so close to bars like Old Venice and the Bistro,” senior Cristina Kinney said.
“It will cut down on people trying to drive out to Waffle House or to one of the fast food places. People always want to eat after going out and this way they can grab something to eat and maybe sober up some before driving,” Kinney said.
Several menu choices are offered to late night customers. Customers can enjoy any items off the breakfast menu or dine on the “red-eye” special. Designed especially for guests in the wee hours of the morning, the “red-eye” special features steak and eggs.
However, Starkville Caf is not just a place to go if students have the munchies after a night at the bar. Sherry Moreland also said the restaurant serves as a late-night studying nook.
“I went to MSU and I know it would have been nice to go somewhere different to study,” she said.
Starkville Caf plans to make its new hours of operation permanent.
“I hate studying at the library, so having a new place to go is great,” student David Brooks said. “Plus, the location factor is nice because driving all the way out to Waffle House can be a pain.”