Sonora Cafe 405

Sonora Cafe 405
Springdale, AR
405 E Emma
479-751-8100
Atmosphere: Family/Casual


Last month, Downtown Springdale got yet another locally owned establishment, Sonora Cafe 405.
Named after the community of Sonora just east of Springdale, owner Javier Yanez and Chef Les bring a new flavor to the small street in Springdale, AR.

Located just east of the railroad tracks on Emma, Sonora Cafe is located just across the street from Labor Finders, one of the largest job placement companies in Northwest Arkansas, and just west of the Spring Creek Deli and Market ( our last review) .

During my visit at Sonora, my husband and I had a chance to speak with Les, the head Chef about the Menu - which is quite large for such a small joint. Chef Les, growing up in Texas, but spending many years in Peru and in Miami explained his passion for excellent Mexican/South American food made with fresh flavor and with unique style. Les explained to us that before opening Sonora Cafe he really insisted on making Sonora something different for Springdale, he knew that if they offered the same menu options as so many of the other NWA Mexican restaurants did, they would be putting themselves at risk. So, after much thought, the menu was created, and Chef Les did a great job. The menu options are extent and yes, stay within the borders of what we think of when we think of "mexican cuisine" but Sonora pushes the limits and exceeds all our expectations.

The cafe has extended hours that include breakfast. With breakfast being one of my favorite meals of the day, we visited during the morning. My husband, Ryan, ordered the Texas Breakfast Burrito, which is pictured below. Texas sized, may be a bit of an understatement.....this burrito is huge and packed full of ingredients that will satisfy even the loudest belly growls. Filled with chorizo, eggs, potatoes and cheddar cheese and then covered in your choice of a red or green chile cream sauce - this burrito will leave you very satisfied. - but be sure to bring your appetite!
For my meal I chose the Huevos a la Mexicana which is 3 scrambled eggs flavored with onions, tomatoes and peppers with a touch of cilantro and then covered in your choice of a red or green chile cream sauce.  (also pictured below) When my plate arrived in front of me I was pleasantly surprised by the vast array of colors and smells in front of me. This dish not only looked appetizing....it was. The eggs were cooked to perfection and the green chile sauce that topped the eggs was the perfect addition. I chose to put my eggs/sauce into the tortilla's that accompanied, which made for one of the best breakfast burrito's I have had to date. This combination was one that I have personally never had in all my years of eating Mexican cuisine....and to me, that proved a lot. It is really hard to find a one of a kind dish, especially with a Mexican flair. We live in an area that has hundreds of options when it comes to Mexican cuisine, so finding something out of the ordinary was something to note.
To top it all off, all breakfast plates come with your choice of handmade hash-browns, which we had heard of even before we visited Sonora. After having these hash-browns, it will honestly be hard for me to visit any other breakfast joint (chain or local) and eat hash-browns with a smile. Chef Les shreds whole potatoes daily to create the best breakfast hash-browns in NWA. Its funny to think that fresh cut potatoes are a novelty but honestly we all know that most joints fry up frozen shredded potatoes - and we like them. --- Try Sonora's once and you'll never want frozen again. Promise.

With less than a month under the belt, Sonora prides itself as one of the newest local joints on Emma. We are in the midst of a rapidly growing and changing Springdale. The downtown area is holding on to its roots and hundreds are behind the possibilities of this great city. We have hope that our city will thrive and bloom with locally owned businesses, ones that will succeed, bring jobs to our community as well as bring a sense of community to our city. Finding a way to help this happen is as easy as supporting the locals that have followed their dream by opening a small business. Help support a thriving downtown and a fantastic locally owned/operated restaurant by trying Sonora Cafe 405...and tell them that the NWA Food Follower sent you.  ---> see restaurant pics below.

Stay tuned for the next review. rlb.

Spring Creek Amish Market and Deli

Spring Creek Amish Market and Deli
Hours: M-F 9:30a-6:00p (Deli closes at 5p)
Saturday - 9:30a-5:00p (Deli closes at 4p)
Closed Sunday
Address: 501 E. Emma, Springdale
Atmosphere: Casual/Family
479-756-6000

This quaint little deli located on the east end of Emma opened January 2014. Eyes are naturally drawn towards this Market/Deli due to the old fashioned black carriage that is parked just outside the doors.
Naturally, the first question from just about anyone is : Is it owned/operated by the Amish? The answer: No. However, the owners have worked side by side several Amish families for quite sometime in some of their other family businesses.

Spring Creek is family owned/operated by Ray and Lesa Dotson, their daughter Ashton and her husband Todd Mickna. Sisters Roberta Roles and Barbara Upshaw also help with the daily needs of this busy Springdale deli. Ray and Lesa also proudly own Ozark Mountain Carriages which provide the amazing carriages that are used during the Christmas season on the square in Fayetteville. The Dotson's also rent out carriages for special events (weddings, anniversaries, ect) Check out the Ozark Mountain Carriages website here: http://ozarkmountaincarriages.com/

We were delighted and quite surprised just shortly after walking through the front entrance of Spring Creek, with the size of this family owned deli. Upon entrance you walk through the market which is full of the best baking mixes, sauces, spices, seasonings, canned jams/jellies and fruits. Spring Creek even has a refrigerated section full of pre-packaged Amish cheeses and butters. This market would be a great place to pick-up a gift for that hard to buy for friend/relative. Who doesn't love fresh canned jams or jellies?
The Deli is located just behind the Market which has approximate seating for 50. The menu is jammed packed full of different meats and cheeses which you can have made into one of the best sandwiches on homemade bread you've ever had or packaged and taken home. My husband and I both had a turkey sandwich on homemade white bread. I opted for the peppered turkey and my husband chose the plain turkey. Both were delicious. Sandwiches come as ordered, you choose your toppings and your type of bread. (which are made fresh that same day) Each sandwich plate comes with your choice of potato chips or for a slight surcharge you can have their amazing potato salad (I had both :) Plates are also served with a pickle.
Picking your meat and cheese for your sandwich is NOT an easy tasks. Spring Creeks has numerous fresh meats and cheeses (choices shown below). Not for sure which to choose? Ask for a sample! - And if your still hungry after your meal, dive into one of Spring Creeks amazing desserts! We had the strawberry pie and the coconut pie which were both made fresh that day and were absolutely amazing!! Too full after your meal? Get a peice to go, or take the whole pie! Spring Creek even bakes to order! Call ahead and get your favorite pie ordered for your family or special event.

I believe that good food isn't always enough for me to want to re-visit a restaurant. I think every establishment should offer both a tasty menu and great customer service. Here at Spring Creek, I received both. The owners (all of them) greeted us as if we were part of their family and made our visit one that won't soon be forgot.

Spring Creek is a great example of why I write a food blog focusing on locally owned establishments. There are so many restaurants to choose from here in NWA, most of the time we choose one blindly hoping for a great outcome. Word of mouth has such a big influence on how establishments thrives in any city, small or large. Help me help Spring Creek thrive in NWA by sharing this review, and mostly by trying Spring Creek yourself. - you won't be sorry.....and I bet they will even let you take a picture in their carriage.

-RLB