Engine House Cafe - Havelock, Nebraska

April 8, 2012 - (Easter Sunday) - Engine House Cafe, Havelock, Nebraska


So for the first time ever, we decided to try the sunrise Easter service at First Plymouth.  We are all early risers by habit, so getting up in time for an early church service didn’t seem like a big deal.  The kids’ had some friends who were going to the service, so they were eager to go and see them.  And we figured this way, we would avoid the crowds that the later services bring.  


The service was nice - and short.  The majority of the service was held in the chapel, and at the end, we adjourned to the courtyard for the Easter proclamation.  (Which was also quite short - I imagine because it’s usually cold outside on Easter morn.  This morning had a little chill in the air, but was pretty warm compared to most Easter mornings.)  After the service, we went back inside the fellowship hall for coffee and cinnamon rolls.  I refrained from either, but Keith enjoyed some coffee, and the kids enjoyed some cinnamon rolls.


Another perk to going to an early church service is the chance to beat the breakfast crowd.  We debated where to go. Keith suggested one of our local favorites, the Engine House Cafe in Havelock.  I lobbied for brunch fare at Green Gateau, an elegant Lincoln favorite.  Maddie lobbied for the variety of excess at Golden Corral.  Ethan lobbied (rather grumpily) to go back home and see what the Easter bunny brought. In the end, the Engine House Cafe won out, especially since we decided we could add it to our small town food blog.  So there we went.


We have been to the Engine House Cafe numerous times before.  It is a favorite “mom and pop’s place” with a fun history (it used to be a fire house) and decor that tells that story.  The food is good, and they are on the POGO card, so we always feel like we are getting an extra good deal.  

One of the best things about the Engine House Cafe is their eggs benedict.  They are known for this breakfast delicacy, and truly, there aren’t many restaurants in town that serve eggs benedict.  This is usually what both Keith and I order, but today, I opted for a 3-alarm omlet cooked with chili, cheese and jalapenos.  It was served with hash browns, and tasted fabulous.  Keith debated about ordering eggs benedict with a different meat (they had a special with prime rib) but he ended up ordering the traditional benedict with Canadian bacon.  Maddie ordered a chocolate chip pancake (which was bigger than her head) and a side of bacon.  Ethan, who was still full from cinnamon rolls at church and still grouchy that this breakfast outing was delaying his Easter egg hunt, ordered nothing.  (He acted surprisingly polite at the restaurant, I must say, even though he groused the whole way there.)  
Everything was wonderful, as it always is.  By the end of the meal, even Ethan had warmed up and was asking for samples of the bacon and hash browns.  It was a great way to cap off the Easter service and start the day.