5 of a Kind: Our ‘Café at the Meadows’ Faves

off the menu

“Off the Menu” is an Altoona restaurant feature sponsored by Elder Corporation. Thank you, Elder Corp, for supporting local businesses!

After a year-long hiatus, one of our favorite Prairie Meadows restaurants – the Café at the Meadows – is finally back! That makes us feel pretty lucky. (Almost as lucky as we’d feel if we found ourselves holding five-of-a-kind in poker. Almost.)

For those who don’t know, the Café is a casual dining spot located on Level 1 of Prairie Meadows, near the hotel entrance. Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays, it’s a go-to spot for breakfast, lunch or a quick snack.

To celebrate the reopening of the Café at the Meadows, we’re counting down five of our absolute favorite entrees!

In no particular order, here they are…

#5: Personal Flatbread Pizza

Love choices? So do we. With a perfect crust, three types of sauce and a dozen toppings, you can build the flatbread pizza of your dreams. Choose from alfredo, marinara or basil pesto sauce. Then, choose up to three – or more, if you’re feeling bold! – of the following toppings: pepperoni, Italian sausage, diced ham, bacon, diced chicken, jalapenos, green peppers, mushrooms, onion, spinach, tomatoes and black olives.

#4: Pork Tenderloin

Nothing says ‘Iowa’ like a crispy, hand-breaded pork tenderloin, topped with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles on a beautiful, fresh brioche bun. And don’t forget the fries!

This is a classic, done right.

#3: Street Taco Trio

Few things in this world can compare to the sheer joy of stepping outside at lunchtime and seeing a taco truck parked right across the street!

With that spirit in mind, Café at the Meadows presents the Street Taco Trio: three fresh flour tortillas filled with grilled chicken, pico de gallo, avocado-cilantro crema and queso fresco. This delicious dish is worthy of its name, and it even comes with a side of golden french fries.

#2: Dagwood-Style Triple-Decker Club

Inspired by the sandwich-obsessed comics character, this towering sandwich starts and ends with a slice of whole-grain wheat bread. In between, you’ll find shaved ham, smoked turkey, applewood bacon, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. In case that doesn’t sound like enough amazing-ness, this one also comes with a side of fries!

#1: Racetrack

Behold: the ultimate breakfast sandwich. Served on your choice of a ciabatta bun or croissant, this beauty is topped with a fried egg, applewood bacon or sausage patty, and cheddar cheese. Simple, hearty and made to be savored—it’s the perfect sandwich to kick off a day at the races.

Is your stomach rumbling? View the full Café at the Meadows menu here.