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Glencoe restaurant owner, caterer care about good food
Tuna salad is one of Lepman's signature items, and she estimates that her store sells three pounds of it per day. | Jackie Pilossoph~for Sun-Times Media
An Apple A Day Catering
Meg’s Café
317 Park Avenue, Glencoe
(847) 835-2620
anappleadaycatering.com
Article Extras
Updated: February 26, 2013 9:24AM
Barbara Lepman estimates that her store sells three pounds of tuna salad daily.
The caterer and restaurant owner prepares a big batch at least three times during a typical day.
“People just love it,” said Lepman, whose businesses, An Apple A Day Catering and Meg’s Café have been on Park Avenue in Glencoe for 15 years. “It has currents in it, so maybe that’s it. Anyhow, we sell so much of it.”
It’s not just the tuna that keeps customers coming back. Meg’s Café, which is open for lunch and dinner, serving contemporary American food, is also known for its chicken pot pies and chicken salad made with homemade roasted chicken.
The restaurant’s lunch menu consists of a large selection of salads and sandwiches, different soups, omelets, and house specials, such as lemon chicken piccata and fish tacos. For dinner, the restaurant serves appetizers, salads, burgers, and entrees that include pecan-crusted salmon, pan-seared whitefish, homemade meatloaf, and baked ratatouille.
“I love the restaurant business,” Lepman said. “I love knowing so many of the people who come through the door so often, and I love the relationships we have. It’s just nice.”
Don Campbell of Winnetka is a retired advertising executive, and said he eats at Meg’s at least once a week, maybe twice.
“The soup is insane, and nobody can touch her tuna salad,” he said, “The ambiance and the cuisine reminds me of France.”
“I got the fish tacos and they were amazing,” said Alison Szot, who lives in Highland Park, but who works in Glencoe. “The curry chicken salad is also delicious.”
Lepman has been in the restaurant business since working at the Pump Room downtown when she was in college. She then obtained a chef’s degree from a cooking school in Glenview that is no longer in existence, and went on to become the co-owner of Glencoe’s The Village Smithy, which was open from 1976 until 1993.
An Apple A Day Catering, which first opened in 1985, is now at its third location in Glencoe. The first was a 500 square foot catering only space, followed by a larger space with a self service dining area, and finally the Park Avenue location that includes Meg’s Café.
“I think what makes us successful is that we really care,” said Lepman. “We go out of our way, and the service is so one on one. We get to know our clients personally and people feel comfortable with us. We have a huge amount of repeat business.”
An Apple A Day Catering services all different size events. The company handles corporate events, holiday parties, showers, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, theme parties, and other special events at homes and businesses all over the North Shore.
Party platters, appetizers, a full lunch menu, a full dinner menu and a brunch menu are all catering options. Lepman said she is also known for her beautiful food presentation that always includes fresh greens and flowers.
“I love this place because it’s a small town, very quaint restaurant and the food is first rate,” said E.J. Mitchell, who works in Glencoe. “The chicken piccata is fabulous.”
“Barb is an incredible cook,” said Campbell. “She spends so much time back there in the kitchen and it really shows.”
