Aptly named, Simple Cafe is one of the true gems of Southern Oregon. I first tried this lovely…read moreshack of a restaurant last year when I was leading our school's trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I had recently shifted to a strict pescatarian Mediterranean diet, so I was scrambling to find places that had grilled fish and brown rice. Simple Cafe did not disappoint. I dined here twice in August of 2023, and again four times during my most recent trip to the OSF last month. My review is based on a composite of all six visits.
Food: The food is delicious. I exclusively order the fish tacos, which are (possibly homemade) corn tortillas stuffed with grilled steelhead trout (looks like salmon to the layperson, but it's trout), a light sauce, avocado, and veg, served with a side of organic brown rice. Incredible! My wife sometimes orders the tacos as well, while my daughter prefers the teriyaki chicken and vegetable bowl on a bed of organic brown rice. My delighter can't stop talking about how tender and juicy the chicken was. Needless to say, we'll be back.
Service: The service is appropriately basic, in the best possible way. There is no table service, but our interactions with staff when ordering at the shack (it's a very nice shack) have always been pleasant, professional, and quick. The food comes out quickly, so listen for your name! Your taste buds want that fresh food!
Ambiance: The ambiance reminds me of the shacks you might find in beach towns right by the ocean, selling incredible food to the hungry masses. A number of tables with sturdy attached umbrellas fill the patio beside the shack where all the magic happens, and the staff come out and clean the tables regularly. The street on which Simple Cafe sits is a small tree-lined street off the main thoroughfare, so you'll be able to enjoy your meal in an equally beautiful location. As others have noted, Simple Cafe is right beside the local hardware store, which gives the place that "locals only" secret location kind of feel.
To paraphrase Gordon Ramsay, Simple Cafe is simple (duh), rustic, and delicious. If you are stopping by Ashland for a visit or just a quick pit stop, head on down to Simple Cafe. If it isn't obvious by now, I recommend the Fish Taco plate, perhaps two.