Rolling Farms Offers Fresh, Tasty Bounty From the Land

April 5, 2015

For Chris Roller and his crew, the farm to table movement is old hat. They’ve been a part of it since they opened Rolling Farms Café in 2009.

The menu states "From our farm to your table," and that’s the truth. Whatever doesn’t make it to the café from the Roller family farm in Leelanau County goes to the Father Fred Foundation.

"We have lettuce, potatoes, squash, pumpkins, berries, corn," says Roller. "We use it all here or donate it to Father Fred. Food should be a right, not a privilege. We grow some extra things (for donations) like honeydew, cantaloupe, beans, snap peas. Plant it, grow it, use it," Roller says with a smile.

THE SCENE

The café is bright and cheery with lots of light from the walls of windows. When the patio opens in the summer, things get even cheerier. "It’s a spectacular view [down Silver Lake Road to Traverse City]," Roller says. The café and farm are both family endeavors.

"My whole family lives here," says Roller.

"To have everyone in one area is nice. The food is handcrafted with care and love."

THE MENU

Rolling Farms combines a breakfast and lunch café with a coffee shop and ice cream/ dairy bar, so the menu is expansive. Morning folks can choose from several espresso and cappuccino selections, as well as tea, chai and tisanes (herbal teas). Those rising with an appetite can opt for eggs and meat, omelettes, breakfast burritos, croissant French toast, scrambles, skillets, pancakes or bakery items.

Come lunchtime, options include cold sandwiches (turkey, roast beef, and almond chicken, with cheese and condiments) and hot sandwiches, such as the Omaha (rare roast beef with roasted red peppers and horseradish sauce) and the Maryland (turkey, olive oil, garlic, oregano, tomato and cheese). Vegetarian sandwiches feature a host of greens and cheeses along with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, avocado, sprouts and condiments, served hot and cold.

Salads, soups and dessert choices round things out. The latter also includes ice creams from Moomers served in shakes, smoothies and sundaes.

THE BEST

Roller describes the Oregon as an unexpected delight. "It’s got turkey, cheese, pickles and preserves," he says. The fact that Swiss and turkey go together is no shock. However, adding cream cheese and your choice of raspberry or cranberry preserves may be a stroke of genius.

Another top choice is the Michigan, with turkey, melted Havarti and cheddar cheeses, red onion and hot honey mustard. Among salads, he points to the chef, with turkey, ham, Swiss and cheddar cheese, hard-boiled egg and croutons. For vegetarians, the Florence features fresh mozzarella and pesto with tomato, lettuce and mayo.

THE REST OF THE STORY

Roller says having a farm and a restaurant appeals to him.

"We wanted to be in Leelanau County and this part of Traverse City," he says. "People care about the community. I like people, enjoy interacting with them. People in Michigan care about what they do, whether it’s car repair, food, medicine. They’re honest and straightforward."

In addition to serving dine-in customers, Rolling Farms offers take-out and delivery, including picnic basket rental (just $5, plus a deposit) or choosing to have it filled with sandwiches, salads, chips, cookies and drinks for two, at $24.95.

THE SKINNY

Sandwiches start at $5.25, as do salads. Combinations start at $7.15. Omelettes start at $5.95, breakfast burritos at $5.25.

Rolling Farms Café is open 8am to 4pm Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.

It’s located at 4000 Eastern Sky Drive, No. 4, in the Copper Ridge development in Traverse City. Call (231) 421-5711 or visit them online at RollingFarmsCafe.com.