This Eatery Serves as a Special Place for Both Workers, Customers

A blue-striped awning drapes the aging stucco facade, and homey gingham curtains hang in the windows of The Cafe on 5th Avenue near Balboa Park.

Halloween decorations add cheer inside this clean, cozy eatery, where basic American and Mexican dishes are served weekdays. Nothing nouvelle here, but for all its run-of-the-mill appearance, an unusual dining experience awaits.

More Workers Than Diners

For one thing, there are often more restaurant workers than customers. The Cafe has 2 booths and 7 tables yet averages 18 employees.

It is a training ground for the developmentally disabled. Under the guidance of two supervisors, one in the kitchen and one in the dining area, mentally retarded adults run the show.

The result is everything one would expect at any restaurant, particularly one that is celebrating its fifth birthday: “Good quality food, good quality service and at a good price,” said Nathan Acuna, director of community affairs for the Assn. of Retarded Citizens (ARC), which oversees the nonprofit cafe.

Menu prices are reasonable. Breakfasts are under $3 and sandwiches average $2.95. Hot-plate specials like fish and chips are $3.60. A fish taco can be had for a buck. Employees wear blue and white uniforms with their names embroidered on buttons. They keep busy by pouring coffee, dicing onions, washing dishes and cooking food.

“I like it when it’s busy,” Shirley, a dishwasher, said. “You don’t get as bored.”

Cathy is a waitress who likes her job. “I meet new people and find out how they are doing,” she said. “It makes me feel good. I tell them, ‘Come again and I’ll see you soon.’ ”

Workers from nearby office buildings, who stop by for breakfast before work or at lunchtime, are regular customers.

Spirit Is Lauded

“They try hard, and I think there is an esprit de corps. They seem so pleased to be a part of life,” said John Robinson, a regular patron who lives nearby.

Linda Thomas, the service supervisor, said the developmentally disabled employees work pretty much like everyone else. The most common problems they have, she said, are getting along together and working by a set schedule, but they make up for that by trying hard to please.

The cafe’s increasing popularity and ARC’s expansion of its vocational training program have made the current location, 2321 5th Ave., a bit cramped. Negotiations are under way to move to a bigger site.

Acuna said the cafe does a lot of catering and hopes to expand but will need a new deep fryer and walk-in refrigerator at the future location to reach that goal.

ARC also operates three other on-site food training sites: Abigail’s Catering, the Donut Shop in La Mesa and the Point Loma Nazarene College cafeteria.

Skills, Interests Assessed

Before retarded adults can work at a food-service training site, their skills and interests are assessed. Four ARC centers in the county provide pre-employment training in basic job and social skills. These centers also provide trade training for other ARC programs, including: custodial and grounds maintenance, machine-shop drill sharpening, housekeeping, and boat care or marina services.

The programs vary from three months to two years.

After training is completed, retarded adults can compete for jobs at places like Wendy’s, Rohr or Sea World.

ARC provides full-time job coaches for retarded adults who need them after getting paid work. Employers receive tax credits for hiring them.

“We still have not seen the limitations of these individuals,” Acuna said. “With appropriate training and support, these people do very well.”