History Behind Mimi’s Cafe Veteran’s Honor on November 11

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Mimi’s Cafe server Lauren

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Mimi’s Cafe honors the veteran’s day for a special reason.  Founded in 1978 by Arthur Simms, who was stationed in France during World War II, Mimi’s is a neighborhood cafe offering fresh, hand-prepared American-French comfort food and bistro classics for breakfast all day, lunch, dinner and special celebrations.
 Mimi’s Cafe will be saluting active duty military personnel and veterans on Veteran’s Day, November 11 with a complimentary entree from a special menu all day. Why does this have special meaning?   Founder Arthur J. Simms was stationed in France during World War II. He named the restaurant after a French woman he met in a party after the liberation of the country.  Simms, who happened to headed the commissary at MGM Studios in the 1950s, his son Thomas Simms, Brian Taylor, and Paul Kurz opened the first Mimi’s Cafe in December 1978.
Honorees with a military ID can choose from any of the below menu items with the purchase of a non-alcoholic beverage:
  • Slow-Roasted Turkey entree
  • Brioche Cheeseburger
  • Asian Chicken Salad
  • Brioche French Toast
  • Breakfast Tacos
  • Four Buttermilk Griddlecakes
The Brioche Cheeseburger was our favorite (and only $10.79) and are pleased to see it on the menu.  The pillowy bun is just the right texture for the beef and lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, thousand island dressing and pickles inside.  The diner has choice of cheese.  Lauren recommended the cheddar and it was perfect.  The burgers are 100% USDA all-American, premium-cut beef.  The “very California coastal” addition is the offer to substitute a Veggie Patty for the beef.  Burgers include choice of thin-cut, crispy fries that are all done evenly and  cooked perfectly; Petite Home salad.  Other very American additions include cheese, avocado or two strips of bacon.

A little French nook at Mimi’s Cafe

The table loved the french baguettes that arrived with little tubs of butter. Crusty on the outside and airy on the inside, it works with a cup of coffee or a great starter to a meal.

French baguettes with tubs of butter

French-inspired Classics include the French Pot Roast, slowly braised beef simmers tip carrots, celery and onions.  The gravy was clear and full of flavor and the little carrots and celery diced small to pick up all the savory gravy. $14.79 is a wonderful price for this generous portion of a French dish that became an American staple for early Sunday dinner.   The Pot Roast usually sits on a bed of Mashed potatoes.  Mimi’s was happy to substitute a very delicate Garlic Spinach.

French Pot Roast at Mimi’s Cafe

spinach with garlic

Other French-inspired Classic include Quiche Lorraine with hickory-smoked bacon, aged parmesan, swiss and green onions, served with a House salad ($10.49).   There is also a more Italian Florentine version with fresh spinach, tomatoes, aged parmesan and Swiss cheese. Mimi’s Meatloaf is topped with a red wine shallot sauce and served with a choice of two sides ($12.69).
The French Onion Soup was the least successful of the French-inspired dishes although to its credit, the soup did not leave a salty aftertaste at all.  However, the cheese was gluey and the soup itself
More successful are the pumpkin seasonal treats now making way for winter holiday fare. We loved the pumpkin latte, which had hints of the fall season without being overly sweet.  Muffins and  madeleines are also on this menu.  The pumpkin treats available through November 11 feature Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Harvest Grande Griddlecakes, Pumpkin Crème Muffin and Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, paired with a Salted Caramel Mimosa, all available through Nov. 11.  
One of the most interesting items on the menu is in the dessert section, the carrot cake madeleines.  Sadly, they were out when we visited.  The Cooking Apprentice, Grace Clerc,  loved them so much, however, that she has a recipe for her own version available on her website.  //thecookingapprentice.com/2018/03/02/mimis-cafe-carrot-cake-madeleines-my-rendition/
Madeleines are little cakelike cookies that are baked in special molds that give them a delicate shell shape. According to one story the name “Madeleine” was given to the cookies by Louis XV to honor his father in-law’s cook Madeleine Paulmier. Louis first tasted them at the Chateau Commercy in Lorraine in 1755.

 Now owned by Dallas-based Le Duff America Inc., the North American subsidiary of global bakery-cafe leader Groupe Le Duff, headquartered in Rennes, France, Mimi’s has 82 locations in 16 U.S. states. Mimi’s sources the freshest ingredients for scratch-made French bistro classics and American comfort food. A full menu and more information is available at //www.mimiscafe.com.

Mimi’s celebrates American holidays as well.  The restaurant is open on Thanksgiving offering a full meal at affordable prices.  Please see website for more information.

Thanksgiving table at Mimi’s Cafe 2018

Fire-grilled shrimp brochette Ten fire-grilled shrimp with a classic salt and pepper rub, with choice of two sides. | 270 Cal


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