I’m back! After a few months of staying at home and helping my hubby recuperate from surgery, he’s doing well. I’m gradually getting out and about. I’ve missed the great food in our area, but more importantly, I’ve missed meeting wonderful folks in the restaurant business.
A new place to me is Ra-Li’s Roadside Café & Espresso Junction off Cleveland Highway in Dalton. They opened on Dec. 17, 2023. I couldn’t wait to drop by and try some of their food. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and see the amazing assortment of foods on their menu.
They describe themselves as a small café with a huge imagination, and they are driven to make everyone happy, one customer at a time (the order window is large due to the fact that the owners want customers to watch their food being prepared with loving care by the staff). They offer a variety of coffee and drinks, pastries, classic food with a twist, and serve foods during breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’d say they have achieved that goal very well.
They are open Wednesday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. They serve breakfast on those days from 7 to 9:30 a.m.
It’s an easy location to find, easy access in and out of the huge parking lot, they feature a drive-thru, there’s great seating outside on a patio under huge umbrellas, or take-out is an option, too. The name, Ra-Li, is derived from the first letters of the moms of both owners, a husband and wife team.
The menu is huge, and everyone will find something that’s for them. For breakfast, an owner says customers love their biscuits, which are made with love, and on the menu are bacon, sausage, chicken, ham, eggs, sausage and biscuits. Pancakes, bagels, breakfast plates and more are also featured. The owner stressed that when I come back for breakfast (which I will soon) I must try the French toast. She puts a special twist on the recipe, which I can’t wait to sample.
Their best-sellers for lunch and dinner are the Ra-Li burger, the Italian panini, crepes, frappes and their strawberry-banana milkshake, which is a best-seller on the weekends. Yummy on all of these.
I just had to sample some of these top choices. The Ra-Li burger was beyond wonderful. It’s huge, so prepare yourself. The beef (which is fresh and not frozen, yay) is perfectly seasoned, and it pairs so well with a fried egg, cheese, fresh lettuce, onion and sun-dried tomatoes. I couldn’t stop enjoying the goodness, but I did have to take some home for later.
I also sampled the BLT panini, which was just as tasty and delicious as the burger. Sun-dried tomatoes are also used, which I found to be rather unexpected yet wonderful. It’s a twist that I didn’t know I liked, but I do.
Other main course items include hot dogs, chicken fingers, chicken salad paninis, subs and wraps, pizza, fries (which are just perfect), sloppy Joes, ham and cheese croissant, a Bulgarian panini (an owner is from Bulgaria) and pulled pork (which according to an owner is tender and juicy). Another food featured on the menu is chili, which comes as a side, and also a choice to top off the nachos. The owner prepares it her special way, and I can’t wait to try it on my next visit.
The sweet treats just can’t be passed up. The choices are varied, and well, you know I had to try some.
I just can’t state how tender and flavorful the crepes are. Two very large, divine portions of goodness, filled with your choice of filling topped with whipped cream is one the best things I’ve tried in a while. I selected blueberry jam on mine, and boy did I make a great selection. I enjoyed as much as I could, and had to take the rest home to enjoy as a bedtime snack. I also enjoyed the various flavors of macarons, crisp with a delicious filling. You can purchase a single one, or buy them by the dozen. They also offer scones, cake pops and ice cream. No matter your choice, it will be a good one.
Coffee, iced coffee, espresso, drinks and milkshakes are great choices, too. They offer 55 flavors of drinks and coffees. Wow! You could visit for months and get a different flavor each time. Sounds good to me.
I had to try to caramel frappe, because I love those things and I’m almost an expert on them. This one did not disappoint. It was cold, flavorful, not too sweet, a tasty glass of heaven. I didn’t take any extra home for later. I enjoyed every last drop.
A special drink on the menu is a Sprite with rose flavoring. This sounds like a fantastic drink for those warm summer days ahead.
Make plans soon to visit this wonderful jewel in our community. You will be pleasantly pleased on your visit. The menu choices are large and varied. The food is mouthwatering and prepared so well.
One thing that impresses me is the presentation and appearance of the food. It is so attractive and eye-catching. After taking your first glance at your food, you just can’t wait to taste a bit of everything. It’s all so inviting, just saying “Come and get me.”
I have to admit, I had some of the desserts while still enjoying the savory dishes. I just couldn’t wait. The very nice owners (one of whom was my former student), along with their sweet daughters, are preparing some elegant food in our community, and it tastes just as good as it looks.
Go through the drive-thru and get your food, or order and enjoy the food alfresco on their patio. Be sure to meet the caring owners that are putting their time and talents into preparing special food for our community. Any day is a good day to try one of their delicious strawberry-banana milkshakes.
Sandra Derrick, a lifelong Daltonian, is a retired educator who taught home economics for 30 years in Whitfield County Schools.