Smokey Joe's Cafe

Smokey Joe's was a vegetarian breakfast/lunch joint in Berkeley, CA (at 1620 Shattuck Ave., to be particular). I put this page up so that it wouldn't be forgotten.

It was awesome. Great food, great local crowd.

I spent the morning of 9/11 in there drinking coffee and listening to the radio with Ned and Charlie.

Ned was the owner. He used to get mad when people would try to order decaf, but was a fantastic guy. We ate there a lot.

Then one sad day—probably around 2005—Ned informed me he was selling the place. "I don't want to die with a spatula in my hand," he said.

He asked if I wanted anything from the place. I took three things:

• A coffee cup.
• A bumpersticker off the wall that said, "Thank You for Pot Smoking".
• A menu.

I've scanned the menu, above, so follow the link to relive your old favorites: Primos, Jeff's Usual, and the Holy Mole Frijole Bowl.

I still miss the place to this day. Ned, I hope you're well, wherever you are.

Addendum! Ned has written a book! lightnin, one g no apostrophe: a kid in the navy, romance of the sea, realities of war. I can personally certify that this is one of the most touching, human books I've ever read. And you shouldn't miss it, especially if you've ever met him. Buy it now!

—beej@beej.us, 2022