(WMC TV) - PROJECT GREEN FORK RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH: Cafe Eclectic, 603 N. McLean Blvd., Midtown Memphis, 901-725-1718, http://www.cafeeclectic.net/midtown.html
Cafe Eclectic darn near feeds itself. Our environment's the better for it.
No bread trucks off-loading mass-produced loaves of bread here. The place has its own bakery in the back. Every sandwich slice, every burger bun is made in house.
So is every scone, muffin, brownie, doughnut and cupcake. A box of those to go, please.
What pleased Project Green Fork enough to certify Cafe Eclectic as one of its environmentally-committed establishments is its uncompromising dedication to local food sources.
The beef comes from Collierville's Claybrook Farms. Fruits and veggies flow from Binghamton's Urban Farms. Head Chef A.J. Saum will even cull raw food materials from local farmers markets' surplus produce.
"Instead of taking it back to the farm, wasting it, they bring it to me," Saum said. "I just dig through it, and I buy it and we plan all our specials on it, and that way, there's a little less waste."
Cafe Eclectic also earned its PGF credentials through its comprehensive program of composting food waste, using to-go boxes made of recycled material and saving used coffee grounds to nourish local gardens.
Founder and owner Cathy Boulden launched Cafe Eclectic in 2008 with a plan to build a locally-owned restaurant committed to local foods and food sources with as little local environmental impact as possible.
The plan's working. Enough to open a second location on Harbortown Square on Mud Island and maybe more (wink!).
"I like that they are locally owned," said customer Leslie Holland of Midtown. "Because local is always more healthy than things that are shipped in."
"You can have your restaurant produce the majority of your dishes from local food and vendors and have a significantly less impact on the environment," said Saum.
WHAT ANDY LIKES: Claybrook Farms Burger, Strawberry Fields Salad, Diablo Wrap, Various Pastries/Baked Goods, Homemade Granola, Rare Sodas (remember Cheerwine? Yeah, they have that!), Wonderful Coffee!
THE WEEK'S SCORES:
Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies, 6063 Hickory Ridge Mall, Hickory Hill/SE Memphis, 99 on July 18
Taco Bell, 7858 Wolf River Blvd., Germantown, TN, 99 on July 19
The Hideaway, 847 Whitney Ave., Frayser, 98 on July 18
Lenny's Sub Shop, 6300 Poplar Ave., East Memphis, 96 on July 16
3rd World Restaurant, 709 Whitney Ave., Frayser, 95 on July 18
Sonic Drive-In, 2865 S. Perkins Rd., Parkway Village/SE Memphis, 95 on July 16
Taco Bell, 3490 Elvis Presley Blvd., Whitehaven, 95 on July 19
Lee Kan's Asian Grill & Bar, 255 New Byhalia Rd., Collierville, TN, 94 on July 19
Moe's Southwest Grill, 6300 Poplar Ave., East Memphis, 94 on July 16
TCBY, 6515 Poplar Ave., East Memphis, 94 on July 17
Papa John's Pizza, 6515 Poplar Ave., East Memphis, 94 on July 17
Chipotle Mexican Grill, 5865 Highway 72, I-240/Poplar Loop, East Memphis, 94 on July 18
Effie's Lounge, 933 N. Second St., Downtown Memphis, 94, date not listed
Tokyo Grill, 4978 Park Ave., U of M Park Avenue Campus Area, 94 on July 19
Burger King, 3220 S. Perkins Rd., Parkway Village/SE Memphis, 93 on July 16
Panera Bread, 5865 Highway 72, I-240/Poplar Loop, East Memphis, 93 on July 18
At The Bistro, 2063 Brooks Rd., Airport Area, 92 on July 20
Burger King, 1985 E. Brooks Rd., Airport Area, 92 on July 20
Burger Joint, 5865 Highway 72, I-240/Poplar Loop, East Memphis, 91 on July 18
Sonic Drive-In, 3540 Covington Pike, Raleigh-Bartlett, 90 on July 16
Checkers, 3605 Elvis Presley Blvd., Whitehaven, 90 on July 19
Tacos Borolas, 4273 American Way, American Place Shopping Center, Parkway Village/SE Memphis, 90 on July 18
Subway, 7730 Wolf River Blvd., Germantown, TN, 90 on July 19
Exline's Best Pizza In Town, 3375 Elvis Presley Blvd., Whitehaven, 89 on July 19
Genghis Grill, 5849 Highway 72, I-240/Poplar Loop, East Memphis, 88 on July 18
Alexander's Soul Food & Hot Wings, 3241 Elvis Presley Blvd., Whitehaven, 88 on July 20
Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken, 3633 Millbranch Rd., Whitehaven, 87 on July 18
Larry's Pizza, 2857 Kirby Parkway, Kirby/Quince Area, East Memphis, 85 on July 17
New China, 10 Timber Creek Dr., Cordova, TN, 83 on July 18
CK's Coffee Shop, 4969 Park Ave., U of M Park Avenue Campus Area, 82 on July 19
D'Bo's Buffalo Wings, 5727 Raleigh Lagrange Rd., East Memphis, 78 on July 18
Romano's Macaroni Grill, 6705 Poplar Ave., The Carrefour at Kirby Woods, East Memphis, 77 on July 16
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