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BERTHA'S CAFE
3134 East Indian School Road | 602-955-1022

by Greg A Bruns

This column has always followed its roots as a neighborly “suggestion” column about places around town that “we” (Arcadia News staff) tried and liked. It started off with the sort of motherly concept of, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

So we’ve ignored the places we didn’t like and just gone about our way. After all, we only cover 12 restaurants a year – there’s really no room to bash.

So when the missus and I headed off to a local resort for our annual New Year’s Eve dinner, I was fully anticipating that the experience would be so satisfying that I would easily crank out 500 words about how terrific everything was.
Alas, it was not to be. While the food was good, it was definitely not worth the price point of $200 for dinner for two (with one glass of wine each). It made us realize that the lavish dining experiences we used to encounter in the 2000’s (is that what we’re calling them?) are probably best left to memory. I mean seriously, who eats caviar anymore?

So this month we cover a family-owned restaurant that has pleased Arcadians for nearly five years. They’re fairly priced and the food is outstanding – which is all you need to qualify as a place we like.

When deadline rears up and starts sapping the life out of everyone in our office, I know it’s time to get to work on finding some relief. I need everyone to be alert and functional, and if at all possible, happy.

There’s a heap of local restaurant menus crammed into the break-room junk drawer, but there’s only one that I pull out when we’re on deadline, and that’s Bertha’s.

They (family owned operation started by Beth Goldwater) just moved to their new location last year, at 32nd Street and Indian School Road (northwest corner). They are great for takeout, always cheerful and ready for our order, even at their peak hour.

But they are also perfect for a coffee and a homemade scone on their patio, or a full business lunch inside. Bertha’s has many suitors, from soccer moms with SUVs teeming with kids to CEOs in three-piece suits and cuff links.

Here are some favorites from the proofreading staff:

The Chopped Salad (mixed greens, tomatoes, blue cheese (they like to substitute goat cheese), applewood smoked bacon, avocado, chicken and green onions, served with a balsamic vinaigrette that is homemade from scratch $6.75.

The Curried Chicken Salad Salad (curried chicken salad mixed with pinenuts and dried cranberries, served over mixed greens) $6.25.

Any Bertha’s Pastry, from Bagels to Scones and Cookies (all $1.95) to the irresistible Turtle Brownie ($2.25).

Some favorites of the design and administrative staff:

The Asparagus and Havarti Panini (a Bertha’s specialty), made with oven-roasted asparagus, pesto mayo, arugula, roasted red peppers and havarti cheese; add the smoked ham if you like to nosh a bit more ($1.25 extra) $6.50.

The Tuna Salad Sandwich (tuna mixed with tender apples, served with tomatoes and lettuce, served on 9-grain bread, which is great stuff from Simply Bread) $6.25.

The Pesto Pasta and Peas (a side dish that is a light and flavorful accompaniment to a sandwich) $1.75.

Bertha’s also does some outstanding work on the most important meal of the day. The Roasted Tomato, Pesto Egg Sandwich ($5.50) is a great alternative to the fast food breakfast sammy just down the street.

And just as an interesting aside, when you order a sandwich from Bertha’s, they put a little cookie in the wrapper, sort of like a little treasure you unveil when you roll out your lunch. It’s always a perfect ending to a great lunch.

The next time we have a full staff meeting, I’m going to get the girls at Bertha’s to cater. It might be tough to get everyone to pay attention and stay on topic, but at least they’ll all be happy.

Bertha’s is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.