from April 2007 issue of MetroFamily

Let’s Eat Restaurant Review: Norman’s Cafe Plaid
Should you find yourself in Norman, make your way to Campus Corner and seek out Cafe Plaid. My cousin Dani and I drove down to enjoy lunch with my daughter and discovered this cozy and charming little cafe. A word of warning though—mind the time. Parking in the area is metered and we found ourselves awarded with a parking ticket; not the way you want to end a lovely meal.
 
Cafe Plaid is a small space where you stand in line to place your order, take a number, and find a cozy seat. Since space is limited, Cafe Plaid encourages table sharing. It could be a nice way to meet a new friend. While you wait for your soup, salad, or sandwich, you can snack on chunks of foccacia bread. My advice is take a piece and enjoy. A server delivers your meal when it’s ready.
 
The salads are ample and look delicious. I learned that the chicken salad and the chicken pesto tortellini salad are two of Cafe Plaid’s most popular.
 
You may order a whole or half sandwich, but keep in mind that the portions are large. I highly recommend sandwiches on their foccacia bread. It may be more bread than you prefer, but the flavor is fabulous.
 
My daughter Mandy and I shared a whole Plaid chicken sandwich ($5.99) which had large pieces of roasted chicken breast, sun-dried tomato pesto, feta cheese, lettuce, and tomato on foccacia. I requested Swiss cheese instead of the feta and asked for mayo on the side. They graciously accommodated my requests. We also shared a small side of chicken pesto tortellini salad ($2.99). It’s tri-colored tortellini, roasted chicken breast, and spinach pesto with a mild flavor we both enjoyed.
 
Dani ordered a brown bag special ($6.49) which consists of half a sandwich, a small salad, and a cookie. She chose the Plaid chicken sandwich and a tabouli salad, made with bulgar wheat, tomatoes, spinach, parsley, onion, cucumber, lemon, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Dani enjoyed the tabouli’s lemon flavor and the fact that it was not at all oily.
 
When you enter Cafe Plaid, you will pass their pastry case and coffee bar. I recommend saving room for a sweet treat. They offer cookies, muffins, lemon bars, the Plaid bar, and brownies. Dani had a snickerdoodle cookie with her brown bag special. It was soft and chewy and covered in cinnamon and sugar. Mandy likes their chewy, large-enough-for-two-servings brownies, which she eats slightly warmed. I enjoyed the largest lemon bar I have ever ordered. It was a tart, gooey (requiring a fork), and I had plenty to take home.
 
If you’re in need of a caffeine pick-me-up, the coffee bar offers lattes, flavored coffees, mochas, and teas.
 
Cafe Plaid is also open for Sunday brunch, offering menu service and white table cloths. Brunch options include several varieties of Eggs Benedict, waffles, French toast, and a la carte items. It might be the perfect treat for Mother’s Day.
 
Annie’s Food Rating
4 of 4 forks
Cafe Plaid
1333 W Boyd, Norman, 405-360-2233
Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am–4pm; Sunday 9am–2pm
Prices: $3-$7; Sunday Brunch $2-$7