Sleepy Bear Cafe

I hadn't been to an old-school diner in awhile so this place took me a bit by surprise.  

The cash register station immediately smothers you after walking in...due in part to the enormous man who stands behind it.  This makes for an awkward entry, especially if someone is paying as you try to come in.  

Once seated, things open up a bit thanks to a full wall mirror on one end of the restaurant.  That said, the tables are close enough to hear everything being said at the 4 or 5 nearest yours.  Okay, so this place is a little cramped for my taste.  

On a positive note, the food we ordered was a good value.  They did a great job on the lemon-rice soup and everything else was pretty decent and very affordable.  It figures their main clientele are area seniors on fixed incomes.  

I'm not sure how you can turn a profit in a small town only staying open until 2pm, but I really hope they can.  This one will be on my short list, for high value, during cash-strapped periods.