Chef Tara and Volunteers Serving Lunch
CHARLES AVENUE CAFÉ:
Quality Lunches at the Pinole Senior Center
Are you tired of spending upwards of $20 for lunch at
a restaurant, or grabbing fast food because it costs less (even
though you know it isn’t really healthy for you?) Or do you
sometimes skip lunch because you’re tired of eating the same
old thing every day? What if I told you that you can get a fourcourse,
freshly-cooked hot lunch every weekday in Old Town
Pinole for just $5.50 (and you don’t even have to pay tax!) If
this sounds too good to be true, read on to learn more about this
hidden gem right here in our community.
Charles Avenue Café operates out of the Pinole Senior
Center, serving hot, healthy, and balanced meals for the nominal
price of $5.50 to anyone who comes through the doors hungry.
Although many of the regular patrons are seniors, the café
welcomes all members of the community, including families,
students, and local employees who may have limited time for
30 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM AUGUST 2018
By Vickie Lewis
lunch breaks. The four-course meal is served cafeteria style and
includes soup (made fresh daily); green salad with choice of
dressing; entrees complete with vegetables and rice or potatoes;
and your choice from several desserts. Meals are often also served
with bread or rolls, and also include coffee, tea, milk, or fruit
juice. Where else can you purchase such a hearty meal for under
$6.00?
Early in the mornings, teams of community-minded
volunteers arrive to begin preparation of the day’s lunch
offerings. Under the expert supervision of professionally trained
chef, Tara Shaia, the teams prepare the daily meals with love
and care. The Pinole Senior Center/Charles Avenue Café is
generously provided with food donations from local grocery
stores and businesses, as well as the Farmers Market, which help
the center to continue to offer nutritious meals at an affordable
RESTAURANT REVIEW
2550 Charles Avenue (at the Pinole Senior Center,) Pinole | (510) 724-9800 | seniors@ci.pinole.ca.us
