I am traveling for a wedding and stumbled across Hugs Cafe for a light lunch. The menu looked great, so we decided to head to downtown McKinney to grab some takeout. We learned that Hugs Cafe is a nonprofit that employs adults with disabilities, which made us want to support them even more. We had the Reuben, the Peach Gobbler, and the potato salad and everything was absolutely amazing. The jams used on the sandwiches were so unique and sweet, and they paired extremely well with the meat on each sandwich. Every bite was flavorful and clearly made with care. The potato salad was also delicious and the perfect side to our meal. Beyond the incredible food, the service was warm and welcoming, and you could truly feel the heart behind this place. If you're in the area, this is definitely a spot worth visiting as it has great food and an even greater purpose behind it! read more

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Supporting a great cause and leaving with a full stomach and a full heart? That's a rare combo these days! This place had me smiling long after I walked out the door. Perfect spot for breakfast or lunch -- just don't sleep in too late because they close at 3pm! I grabbed a sandwich, a cup of soup, and a drink for around $15, which felt like a steal considering the good vibes included free of charge. Everyone working there genuinely seemed happy to be there, and the enthusiasm was so strong we actually had to defend our food from an adorably overachieving employee trying to clear the table before we were finished. Honestly, if the whole world had that level of work ethic, we'd all be retired by now. Do yourself a favor and stop by Hugs -- good food, amazing mission, and enough positivity to restore your faith in humanity for at least the rest of the afternoon! read more

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We had a nice Saturday lunch with four friends at 11:30 am and enjoyed the service and hearty-sized,fresh, delicious hot grilled sandwiches and strawberry pecan salad The restaurant was cozy, light, and bright and servers warmly greeted us and brought us menus and invited us to order at the counter when ready. The Hug's Cafe tumblers and hoodies for sale were extra bonus because we also received hugs from Rickey with the tumbler purchase. There was also outdoor seating out front but it was set for small tables of two so we sat by the window inside instead to enjoy the sunny day. We will definitely be back again! read more

Hugs Cafe - Grilled reuben sandwich on sourdough bread with tomato basil soup side and a Hug's Cafe tumbler ($35) - Salad Near Me - McKinney, Texas

A few weeks ago, we visited McKinney. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Hugs Cafe in downtown McKinney. Service, food, and outdoor area was great! read more

Hugs Cafe - Breakfast sandwich, jalapeño biscuit sandwich, and cookies! - Salad Near Me - McKinney, Texas

Talk about some big portion sizes with a lot of big hearts working here at Hugs Cafe. Upon arriving you get seated, and you can take your time to look at the menu. Afterwords, you go to the front cashier to order and pay, then get your self served drink. The food itself comes quick. & the food was great, and everything kept me wanting more. I ordered a Greek salad with chicken and it was exactly what I needed. Overall, I loved the mission of this restaurant and overall vibes. Great spot to checkout in downtown McKinney! read more

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We had a great experience at Hugs Cafe. I absolutely love the mission of Hugs and supporting and employing those with special abilities. All of our food was delicious. I ordered a turkey sandwich with wheat bread and provolone with a side of chicken tortilla soup and an oatmeal raisin cookie. The soup was hearty and flavorful. The sandwich came with a generous amount of meat and fresh tasting cheese. I also tried some of the Monte Cristo sandwich, which was LEGIT, and I would recommend with all the stars. The oatmeal raisin cookie was thick and chewy, satisfying my cookie cravings. I loved that our food was served with a chocolate Hug. We were visiting during a Christmas event in McKinney, so it was more crowded than usual. The bonus surprise was that I got to eat my lunch next to Santa Claus. Y'all, you know this is *the* place to eat if Santa, Mrs. Claus, and his elf entourage all choose it for lunch. :-) All of our servers were warm and friendly! Definitely try it and spread the word! read more

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Awesome what this company stands for- giving handicapped individuals in our community the opportunity to work and gain valuable skills. That goes to say, the food portions are big and really good! Simple meals done super well! Also, great company to donate to as they are a non-profit. read more

Great place and a great idea for the community. Hugs Cafe Inc is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to providing meaningful training and competitively-paid employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The interior is spotless, lots of seating. Staff were very capable and friendly. Food is solid as well. I highly recommend. read more

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Hugs Cafe is more than a restaurant--it's a place with a beautiful mission. My friend, who's a huge supporter of Creativity Explored - https://www.creativityexplored.org - in San Francisco (an art studio for adults with developmental disabilities), was thrilled to visit this cafe and see a similar cause at work here in Texas. If you're ever in SF, check out the art for sale at Creativity Explored in the Mission District, too! We came for lunch and were treated to delicious food and inspiring moments. We shared the pimento cheese, the turkey and peach sandwich, and a slice of chocolate pecan pie that's a must-try. Every dish was made with care, and you could feel the love that goes into this place. What really touched us was seeing the training in action. There were lots of employees learning not just job skills but valuable life skills. The manager, so warm and patient, gently reminded them to engage with each other and to limit their screen time--a lesson we could all use! It was a wonderful experience, with a delicious meal supporting a cause that deserves all the love. If you're in the area, don't miss it! read more

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Went to hugs cafe after an event. When I came in I was seated immediately and given a menu and told how to order. I ordered the classic sandwich on marble rye and honestly for a basic sandwich it was delicious you can tell it was made with love. The place is simple, yet welcoming and warm. I look forward to going back and trying other items on their menu. read more

Hugs Cafe - Classic Sandwich on marble rye - Salad Near Me - McKinney, Texas

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My cousin and I had lunch here, and in addition to the warm and personal greetings from the staff, the food was very good. We had family members who lived beautiful lives with Down's syndrome and other challenges and it was a lovely way to honor them. read more

Loved Hugs! Went for breakfast on a Saturday around 10am. We were seated immediately, given menus, then ordered & paid at the register. Your food + drinks are delivered to your table with a Hershey hug on your plate. The pancakes are the fluffiest & best I've ever had! I had a breakfast burrito as well which was also delicious. The mission + staff at Hugs made breakfast all the better. We'll be back! read more

We love going to Hugs Cafe. The food is always delicious and the team is so much fun! Would highly recommend anything on the lunch menu.

Customer service was quick and friendly. I got the classic roast beef & the bourbon chocolate pecan pie. I like that they really load their sandwiches with meat read more

Hugs Cafe - Classic roast beef - Salad Near Me - McKinney, Texas

This concept needs to be adopted in every town. A non-profit that gives adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities a great place to work. Everyone there was so warm throughout the entire experience. We ordered the breakfast burrito (which was great), the Ruben Sandwich (bomb), and the Peach Gobbler (the least favorite of the order, but still good). Would recommend stopping by just for the positive vibes. read more

Lovely experience surrounded with love. Friendly volunteers not to mention good food!

Always a great place for lunch in McKinney and for a good cause as well! Great food and service right off the square. Have been here several times and will continue as well. read more

10/10 wondewonderful experience, it's a wonderful place to go eat at. The staff is amazing!​

Have been there many times over the years they've been open. Basic, very tasty sandwiches and an occasional soup. When they open their upcoming location I'll have to check it out. Great concept, with even better delivery of food and service! read more

I love this place. I had a friend visiting from Ohio and we were talking to my neighbors about places to eat while he was here. My neighbor told us about Hugs Cafe and I knew we had to try it. My friend and I both ordered the Grilled Cheese on sourdough with the Tomato Basil soup. We both loved it!! My friend got the oatmeal raisin with cranberries ( I think ). I stayed with classic chocolate chip cookie. My friend said his was amazing and I thought the chocolate chip was perfect. The service was excellent, the food was delicious, and the mission behind the place is Heartwarming. I know I will be back many times. I even purchased a coffee Mug that says, "Have you had your Hug today?" I love supporting local owned businesses, this tops them all. read more

Such great food, people and all around experience here at hugs. The passion in the community and the passion in their love for food and kindness hospitality. This is the best place to have lunch. They have Shane and out door seating if you wanted to to enjoy the beautiful sunny days. read more

Hugs Cafe - Salad Near Me - McKinney, Texas

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Love visiting here. Everyone is so friendly. The food and coffee are good. I love that support our local community with a mission and will continue to return. read more

We had a group of seven and everyone loved what they ordered. The staff were so friendly and accommodating. I highly recommend the grilled cheese. Five cheeses, bacon. and tomato. Yummy! The wedding cake cookies were also very good. I highly recommend Hugs Cafe. read more

What a great cause with excellent eats and great customer service. Also ordered their coffee beans for the road. Definitely would recommend if you enjoy good treats and tasty Sammiches. read more

My wife and I were walking the square .My wife had heard of Hugs and wanted to try it out. The service and food were excellent. I had the peach gobbler and my wife the chicken salad. We both had tomato basil soup. Everything was great. Spoke to several employees who made our day. Enthusiastic and happy. We both left with smiles and can not wait to go back. Highly recommend. read more

Another sketchy review. There are many reasons to visit Hugs Café in McKinney, but I will focus on three. First, the food. This lunch only spot doesn't have a huge menu, but that's a good thing. They do salads, soups and sandwiches, and they do them all well. Each of the sandwiches are customizable and can be mixed with a variety of soups and sides. Don't forget to order one of their sweet treats, they are delicious. Second, the atmosphere. I can't think of another restaurant that lives up to its name better than Hugs Café. From the moment you walk in, You feel the warm embrace of a vibrant and happy atmosphere and are greeted by smiles from everyone you encounter. They treated me like a rockstar, but as I looked around, they treated every customer the same way. The interior is bustling and full of energy and there is a nice outdoor seating area in the front. A truly exceptional experience. Third, the mission. This restaurant employees adults facing developmental hurdles and provides training and employment to help them live a fulfilling life. The employees really seem to like what they're doing. If you are looking for a tasty lunch, go to Hugs. If you need more smiles and happiness in your life, go to Hugs. If you want to support a worthwhile cause, go to Hugs - this joint is worth the trip. You will leave not only with a full belly, but with a full heart too. read more

Hugs Cafe - Salad Near Me - McKinney, Texas

Nice meal, nice folks!! Great concept! Wish there were more places like this. Spouse and I were just walking around town and happened into this place. Glad we did. read more

After spending some time in McKinney for business and pleasure, it was time to go back home. Not wanting to have a heavy meal on our stomach, a co-worker and myself opted to give Hugs Cafe a try. Upon walking in, we were greeted by a very sweet older lady. She asked us if this was our first time in Hugs, to which we informed her it indeed was our first time. Her face lit up with excitement and was very happy to explain the concept of the establishment. My coworker and I sat down and were handed menus and two dry erase markers. She explained the ordering process, and where to order. She explained to us after we had made our selections to proceed to the counter and place our order. After explaining the procedure, she informed us that the individuals that were waiting on us and ringing us up had intellectual and developmental disabilities. She explained to us how Hugs supports their challenges and provides them with training to improve their lives and showcase their talents. God bless this establishment. I fully commend this organization, and their dedication to doing God's work. My colleague and I made our selections and proceeded to the counter. My coworker would order the special of the day: a Tuesday Rueben, the Red Onion soup, and a drink. Myself: the Peach Gobbler, a bag of chips, and a drink. All tips are donated to charity. I opted for the full 20%, and was happy to do so. My co-worker and I sat down and recreated our work day, and in good time, our orders were delivered. His sandwich looked pretty good, and the soup smelled amazing. He instantly tasted the soup and said it was amazing. In retrospect, I regret not ordering it, as it smelled amazing. My sandwich looked very tasty. The sandwich had turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, peach chutney, all on wheat bread. The peach chutney seemed to be an odd pairing, but I was feeling adventurous. My co-worker consumed his meal very quick. Not one complaint. Now, for my sandwich. The bread was delicious and the turkey was very good. The bacon was odd, and was a bit too chewy for my liking. The peach chutney was a bit overbearing and had a strong note of cinnamon. For me, the chutney was too much, and this was indeed an odd pairing. I do applaud the boldness, and the attempt, but it is just not for me. Next time I will select another sandwich. I wanted to try the grilled cheese, or the Monte Cristo, but both were specials on different days. I wish they had those selection on the regular menu. The sweet lady returned to ask us how we liked everything, to which we responded we were both impressed. He bought a shirt for his wife (aw, how sweet), and we high tailed it out of there so we could catch our flights. I highly recommend this little jewel of a deli. Their dedication to humanity was very inspiring, and made me very happy to contribute to their cause. The next time I return to McKinney, I will be back, and will try another sandwich. Please visit this place if you can. Enjoy, and God Bless. read more

Hugs Cafe - Peach Gobbler - Salad Near Me - McKinney, Texas

A friend of mine recommended Hugs Cafe. I enjoyed eating my lunch outside on this cloudy day. I ordered the Peach Gobbler and tomato soup. The turkey is fresh and the dressing adds a unique twist with the sandwich. I removed the cheese. My soup was ok. I know most places in this area add cheddar cheese to tomato soup and I do not like it. They also hand out seasoned complimentary pretzels. The wedding cake cookie is good but the cranberry walnut oatmeal cookie has my tastebuds dancing! I also witnessed the cutest thing. The staff in their Hugs shirt asked if they needed anything? A young boy no older than four responded, "I need a hug." The ladies with their Hug shirts said come here. I hate that I didn't get a picture of that. I have five stars because I love the mission of Hugs Cafe. They provide a place for those that are specially able. If you find your way in the area please come support it. If not for the food support the Lord's mission through them. Such a sweet environment. Shout out to Mike and Tee who are not shy with having their picture taken and posted. read more

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Friendly service and yummy food! The special needs workers and volunteers want to be there!

Great food and service. And for a great cause. I've been several times always consist. Highly recommend! read more

This was my first time here and this place was absolutely amazing! It really deserves way more than five stars, but Yelp won't let me give them more! If you aren't familiar with Hugs Cafe, I should start by introducing their motto/organization. It's a non-profit charity who's aim is to improve the quality of life of adults with special needs. They provide on-site training and employment so that their employees can continue to use these skills throughout their lives. What a beautiful concept!!!! I ended up trying their veggie sandwich and I am shocked by how well made the sandwich was! It was absolutely stunning and I don't think I could have had a better meal! I cannot wait to come back soon and share more about this amazing organization. read more

Came in from Michigan to see daughters and went to lunch today Saturday May 10th. Great atmosphere, clean and friendly staff who make sure your experience is just as great. Thanks for the hospitality, and I was given the best hug while there...thanks read more

Had a great breakfast of eggs and bacon! Perfectly prepared! Serive is A+++! Not to mention, they support this beautiful population of adults with intellectual disabilities. read more

Enjoyed a sandwich and a slice of pecan pie. Friendly and Helpful staff. I wish they had sweet tea! read more

Anybody that loves people, in general, should visit here, period. This is more than a sandwich/chip shop and if you have never had food made from pure love and heart, you will get it here. The foundation of this cafe; to teach special needs adults a few skills and earn income, is genius and heartfelt. But one of my favorite experiences ever happened here. A friend of mine and I came to casually eat and chat. We wanted to visit and catch up. Not realizing the place closed while we were chatting, we just kept talking and laughing. My friend said something sooo funny, I started laughing. (Y'all, my laugh is a force to be reckoned with, it's obnoxious) I thought my laughter was echoing, looked up and every single worker was watching us chat and laughing with us... a boisterous and glorious sound. My friend was like, where'd everyone go? When were were told they had closed and pretty much cleaned up, we apologized profusely. The chef/teacher that day with a big grin said it was a pleasure to have us be just be real people eating and laughing, allowing the crew to just relax and laugh with us after serving. Truly made my day. I buy gift cards here, hoping everyone will have a chance to see joy and love without judgement...and have a pretty awesome lunch. read more

FOUR stars for the idea of this place. It's wonderful that they are helping provide jobs for special needs people in the community. I really like the fact that tips go towards charity and everything is non-profit. It makes you feel like you are contributing to something really good by simply eating here. Everyone working their was super sweet and very helpful! THREE stars for the food. The menu had many options that sounded good. I went with a beef sandwich. The presentation was very nice and you get a Hershey's "hug" with every meal! Despite the looks, my sandwich was pretty bland and way too much like something I could make at home. Almost like cafeteria food? I would say it was what I picked but everyone else's food seemed similar. We ordered some cookies and the bourbon choc chip pecan pie. Now these were really yummy. My almond flavored cookie was TINY, but at least it tasted good! And the pie was super sweet and delicious. Overall, I would come back to support the restaurant, not bc I loved the food! read more

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Great concept, delicious food, casual spot on the square and a non profit supporting the community! Peach gobbler was so good and I'm looking forward to my next visit! read more

The food is amazing. The people are friendly and polite. I love the idea behind this place!

This was our first time here since my review 6 years ago and the experience was just as enjoyable. They have a new menu, and when you enter you are handed a menu and a dry erase marker. After marking your selections directly on the menu, you pay at the register and are given a number. We were allowed to choose our seating as it was a slow time. We ate lunch at 1:30pm on 01/05/22. It was a slow time for them, so we received lots of attention from the staff Our food was terrific!!! I had the Chickie Hug 1/2 sandwich with a cup of tomato basil soup, and my boyfriend tried the Peach Gobbler 1/2 sandwich with a side salad. We shared the chocolate bourbon pecan pie and WOW!!! Loved it. Thank you Hugs Cafe staff for another fantastic experience~ we'll see you again soon! read more

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