Kate's: A sweet 1940s getaway
By Carole Johnston, Journal correspondent | Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2007
SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa -- If dark chocolate is supposed to be good for you, the hot fudge sundae at Kate's in Sergeant Bluff must be straight from heaven.
The dreamy, chocolate mound of ice cream smothered in rich hot fudge, whipping cream and nuts, topped with a cherry and a stick of candy is...well...heavenly.
For those a little more daring, a Dirt-and-Worms in a Mud Puddle could be your fancy. For the innocent, try a mix of Gummi Worms, Oreo Cookie crumbs and fudge on vanilla ice cream.
One visit to the soda fountain at Kate's on Sergeant Bluff's renovated Fourth Street and you realize this is the beginning of sweet things to come.
Try a Green River
When he's not at the old player piano, owner Mike Topf is behind the counter pulling the phosphate lever. There are 30 flavors from which to choose, like a Green River, which is crushed ice, lime syrup and fizz, served in a frosted mug. For the young, a carbonated mix called a Zombie is a hit.
That's just what owners Topf and his daughter, Lisa Topf, wanted: An old-time soda fountain with room for breakfast and lunch and a quaint place for friends and families to gather.
"It's a fun place for people to go, a place to go back in time," says Lisa. "And Dad is making sodas again."
"The youngsters really like this piano. They come in and dance and jump, and then they bring their parents back to see it," says Mike, who had a player piano when he was growing up.
"The children thought a ghost was playing when they saw the keys move up and down," his daughter says.
Named for Grandma
The building had belonged to Lisa's grandparents and is named after her grandmother, Catherine Topf, who, Lisa explains, had a tough time getting used to owning a bar. But it was during the Depression, and she did what she had to make ends meet. The restaurant houses her antiques.
It took a year of remodeling the 100-year-old building that had housed the Tip Top tavern to come up with Kate's, which opened 18 months ago. Today the food business employs six and seats 50.
"We had a choice of tearing it down and starting over with a new building, but Lisa wanted to save the floor and keep it a historic building, so we remodeled and put in new air conditioning and wiring and a new ceiling," says Mike, who owned and operated pharmacies in South Sioux City and Sioux City.
"This old tavern has had a lot of stories during the past 100 years," says Mike, who opened Topf's Mr. Drug in Sergeant Bluff in 1977 and retired in 2000 after more than 50 years in the business.
Of particular historic interest is the mirrored deco style fountain back bar from the South Sioux City pharmacy. An old telephone and an original Coca Cola syrup barrel are among the antiques above it.
A replica of a 100-year-old Italian latte machine dominates the area behind the counter. Employees from nearby businesses quickly developed a taste for the lattes with squirts of French vanilla and caramel. Now, they're regulars.
Outside, along old Fourth Street it's 2007. When you open Kate's door, it's the 1940s. Days of cherry cokes, chocolate sodas, and creme floats hover over the soda fountain. The walls, right up to the ceiling, every nook, even the hardwood floor, exhibit pictures and memorabilia. Lively tunes from the old player piano bring your ears in line with the decor.
"Dad and I love antiques and want to keep the history for the kids. Our family has many pharmacists in it," says Lisa, who does most of the cooking.
If you've come for breakfast or lunch, choose a booth or lace-covered table with flowers. It's 8 a.m. and you want breakfast. How about a muffin or one a large cinnamon roll? Lots of folks order Lisa's homemade biscuits and white gravy.
If it's 11 a.m., allow time for scrutinizing a unique lunch menu. The Orchard sounds good. Chicken Salad with apples and walnuts on a croissant. But you will want to consider the Grilled Cranberry Turkey Sandwich. The turkey is layered with cream cheese, red onions, cucumbers, cranberries, and cheese on marbled bread.
Consider Kate's Chili with Cinnamon served over noodles and cheese. Or go for the homemade soup of the day. Add a Pasta Chicken Almond Salad. For an unforgettable afternoon, walk out with a double scoop of birthday cake flavored ice cream in a waffle cone.
The Rev. Gary Harris of Sergeant Bluff enjoys the atmosphere as much as the roast beef sandwich. "It gives you a feeling of hometown," he says. "People come in and visit and have a good time."
Adjoining the restaurant is a gift shop, formerly a barbershop. The theme is Victorian, and candles, lotions, lamps, dolls, florals, jewelry, and home decor line the shelves and walls. Specialty flower arrangements may be ordered.
In the future the owners plan to connect the restaurant with their antique shop, Finders Keepers, the former Topf pharmacy. They hope to offer more service to the community by adding an evening meal. And they are always up for special parties for special events.
Kate's opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The dreamy, chocolate mound of ice cream smothered in rich hot fudge, whipping cream and nuts, topped with a cherry and a stick of candy is...well...heavenly.
For those a little more daring, a Dirt-and-Worms in a Mud Puddle could be your fancy. For the innocent, try a mix of Gummi Worms, Oreo Cookie crumbs and fudge on vanilla ice cream.
One visit to the soda fountain at Kate's on Sergeant Bluff's renovated Fourth Street and you realize this is the beginning of sweet things to come.
Try a Green River
When he's not at the old player piano, owner Mike Topf is behind the counter pulling the phosphate lever. There are 30 flavors from which to choose, like a Green River, which is crushed ice, lime syrup and fizz, served in a frosted mug. For the young, a carbonated mix called a Zombie is a hit.
That's just what owners Topf and his daughter, Lisa Topf, wanted: An old-time soda fountain with room for breakfast and lunch and a quaint place for friends and families to gather.
"It's a fun place for people to go, a place to go back in time," says Lisa. "And Dad is making sodas again."
"The youngsters really like this piano. They come in and dance and jump, and then they bring their parents back to see it," says Mike, who had a player piano when he was growing up.
"The children thought a ghost was playing when they saw the keys move up and down," his daughter says.
Named for Grandma
The building had belonged to Lisa's grandparents and is named after her grandmother, Catherine Topf, who, Lisa explains, had a tough time getting used to owning a bar. But it was during the Depression, and she did what she had to make ends meet. The restaurant houses her antiques.
It took a year of remodeling the 100-year-old building that had housed the Tip Top tavern to come up with Kate's, which opened 18 months ago. Today the food business employs six and seats 50.
"We had a choice of tearing it down and starting over with a new building, but Lisa wanted to save the floor and keep it a historic building, so we remodeled and put in new air conditioning and wiring and a new ceiling," says Mike, who owned and operated pharmacies in South Sioux City and Sioux City.
"This old tavern has had a lot of stories during the past 100 years," says Mike, who opened Topf's Mr. Drug in Sergeant Bluff in 1977 and retired in 2000 after more than 50 years in the business.
Of particular historic interest is the mirrored deco style fountain back bar from the South Sioux City pharmacy. An old telephone and an original Coca Cola syrup barrel are among the antiques above it.
A replica of a 100-year-old Italian latte machine dominates the area behind the counter. Employees from nearby businesses quickly developed a taste for the lattes with squirts of French vanilla and caramel. Now, they're regulars.
Outside, along old Fourth Street it's 2007. When you open Kate's door, it's the 1940s. Days of cherry cokes, chocolate sodas, and creme floats hover over the soda fountain. The walls, right up to the ceiling, every nook, even the hardwood floor, exhibit pictures and memorabilia. Lively tunes from the old player piano bring your ears in line with the decor.
"Dad and I love antiques and want to keep the history for the kids. Our family has many pharmacists in it," says Lisa, who does most of the cooking.
If you've come for breakfast or lunch, choose a booth or lace-covered table with flowers. It's 8 a.m. and you want breakfast. How about a muffin or one a large cinnamon roll? Lots of folks order Lisa's homemade biscuits and white gravy.
If it's 11 a.m., allow time for scrutinizing a unique lunch menu. The Orchard sounds good. Chicken Salad with apples and walnuts on a croissant. But you will want to consider the Grilled Cranberry Turkey Sandwich. The turkey is layered with cream cheese, red onions, cucumbers, cranberries, and cheese on marbled bread.
Consider Kate's Chili with Cinnamon served over noodles and cheese. Or go for the homemade soup of the day. Add a Pasta Chicken Almond Salad. For an unforgettable afternoon, walk out with a double scoop of birthday cake flavored ice cream in a waffle cone.
The Rev. Gary Harris of Sergeant Bluff enjoys the atmosphere as much as the roast beef sandwich. "It gives you a feeling of hometown," he says. "People come in and visit and have a good time."
Adjoining the restaurant is a gift shop, formerly a barbershop. The theme is Victorian, and candles, lotions, lamps, dolls, florals, jewelry, and home decor line the shelves and walls. Specialty flower arrangements may be ordered.
In the future the owners plan to connect the restaurant with their antique shop, Finders Keepers, the former Topf pharmacy. They hope to offer more service to the community by adding an evening meal. And they are always up for special parties for special events.
Kate's opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
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Liz Swenson wrote on Apr 7, 2008 8:06 PM:
thanks wrote on Jun 20, 2007 1:46 AM: