What a NICE story... If you ever visit Denver, pay the place a visit.

Cafe deals in business of donations

By CAtholiC newS ServiCe

DENVER – If Jesus opened a restaurant, it might resemble Denver’s 8-month­ old SAME Cafe – a priceless joint where all the food is made from scratch and anyone’s welcome to eat regardless of ability to pay. SAME stands for “So All May Eat.” But it’s not a soup kitchen, by any stretch. With organic menu items such as “garlic and feta” or “eggplant and roasted red pepper” pizza, the menu leaves no yuppies behind. Yet neither the rich nor the poor see a price attached to anything. Instead, all customers see a donation box on the counter. They are asked to consider what the meal was worth and to pay what they can. Those who cannot pay are asked to consider busing tables after dining, or helping in some other way. Sometimes, families with children are found washing dishes after a classy restaurant meal the parents normally couldn’t afford. Brad and Libby Birky, who opened the cafe last fall, have no system for policing their “pay-at-will or volunteer” system, and they’re certain a small fraction of customers dine and dash with no dona­tion of any kind. But they also know that some customers pay far more than anyone would ask. One man ate a modest meal last fall and quietly left a $500 check in the box. “If Jesus ran a restaurant, would he use this model?” asked Brad Birky. “We’d like to think so. Not that we’re comparing ourselves to Jesus or his work. We’re just inspired by him and his work.” The Birkys put about $50,000 into establishing the not-for-profit cafe and it’s almost to the point of sustaining itself. Neither takes a pay­check from the cafe, and Libby teaches to pay the bills. “We absolutely love it,” he said.