Grand Center is adding another spot to its roster of breakfast and lunch spots. Squatter’s Café, the daytime eatery from chef Rob Connoley, is set to open Monday, Nov. 6, at 3524 Washington Ave., the former location of KDHX’s Magnolia Café.
While the space itself has changed very little since the Magnolia days, the menu at Squatter’s is light-years removed from the previous bill of fare. Connoley, who was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest in 2014, has developed a streamlined menu that features frequent culinary surprises – like the tiny white chocolate cup filled with espresso nestled in the raw oatmeal, or the soup dumpling at the heart of the cassoulet.
“I don’t do health food, but I do healthy food,” Connoley said.
He has also recreated sophisticated versions of childhood favorites like Crunchy Cinnamon Toasters served with pecan milk and an upcoming take on the venerable Pop-Tart.
Sustainability is also a focus at Squatter’s. Most serving dishes are compostable, and the yogurt and raw oatmeal on the breakfast list are served in glass jars diners can take home.
The Squatter’s space has approximately 24 seats, but many of the menu offerings are made for the grab-and go contingent like the foldable Sidewalk Tart, Connoley said, is “a full breakfast you can hold in your hand as you walk down the street.”
Squatters Café will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here’s a first look at Grand Center’s newest lunch spot.
Matt Sorrell is staff writer at Sauce Magazine.
This article appears in November 2017.