The Sky’s the Limit for M & J Cafe
Storefront Rolls into Ashland’s Skytower
Pamela Hall
The Ashland Beacon
It seems that there has been a trend lately of people desiring to eat from food trucks. There are many food trucks in our area that travel to various locations offering their cuisine, as well as doing street fairs and other events. However, it is sometimes difficult to locate a favorite one on a particular day.
Those who love the M & J Rolling Café will no longer have that problem. Owners Marco and Jenny Castro recently opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant, M & J Café, in the Skytower in Ashland. Now area residents can enjoy their delicious menu items without having to search for their “rolling” location.
Marco, who is originally from Brazil, and Jenny, originally from Cleveland, have lived in the Ashland area for over 30 years. They have had the food truck for three years, but they have decades of restaurant experience working for others. When the opportunity arose to open their restaurant, they jumped on it.
“It’s always been our dream to own our own restaurant,” Jenny said. “We have the knowledge and experience. We know it’s hard work. Now we are working hard for ourselves.”
The menu items will be a little bit different than what is offered on the food truck, which will continue to operate. There will be items exclusive to the restaurant and some that will be exclusive to the food truck. At the restaurant, they will offer delicious sandwiches, wraps, salads, and all-day breakfast, along with a variety of mouthwatering pastries and baked goods. They will also have coffee and lattes for the brew lovers and alcoholic beverages.
“We like to rotate menu items,” Marco explained concerning the menu. “We want to keep things fresh.”
“Our Reuben sandwich will never go away, though,” Jenny added, “nor will the taco salad and beef crunch wrap.”
“Those are staying for good,” Marco agreed. “Other items may rotate to give our customers fresh options.”
All of the food they serve at M & J Café is freshly made, never frozen. They also make every item to order. If someone doesn’t want tomatoes, for example, that item can be left off. Also, an item can be added if the customer chooses.
In addition to regular menu items, M & J Cafe will also offer daily specials and weekly specials. For example, a lot of restaurants have Taco Tuesdays, and while their Tuesday special won’t be called that, they will offer a Taco of the Day. It will be interesting to see what sort of variety of tacos they come up with to serve instead of just a plain taco and what sort of daily and weekly specials will be offered.
Along with the delicious food served at M & J Café, customers will also experience excellent customer service.
“We take care of our guests,” Marco said proudly. “Food quality is a big thing for us, but service is just as important. We take exceptional care of our guests.”
M & J Café will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and closed on Sunday. The M & J Rolling Café, as previously mentioned, will continue to be seen at the local events that are in the area.
“This is a dream come true for us,” Marco stated. “Between us, we have over 50 years of restaurant experience. Now, the sky is the limit for us.”
For a great fresh meal, stop in and see Marco and Jenny at M & J Café in Ashland’s Skytower.
