When Lynne Davenport walked into The Craftsman Shop, which I owned and managed for 35 years, looking for fabric to cover cornices for the restaurant she had purchased the last of May 1995, she glowed. Lynne told me how she had tried to purchase several restaurants previously but none of the prospects had materialized until the present. Then she gave me the location of the building in Mathews she felt God had chosen for her. Memories flowed back to the late 1960’s when my late husband, Elwood K. Brooks II, had designed and built the building.

     Lynne, with the help of her husband, Joseph Davenport, and her parents, Wade and Mary Ellen Powell, refurbished the building. The dining area has a nautical appearance with a border of lighthouses as on three sides and seafaring objects on the walls. There have been constant improvements. Today the building has new awnings on the outside that make it pleasant for the evening diners to enjoy a tranquil atmosphere when the afternoon sun pours down on the front of the building. A refrigerated glass cabinet displays some of the available desserts in a snow white area. 

     May 1995 Lynne advertised for help, and in June I went in after work for a delicious home cooked meal at a price I could afford. The regular dinner menu gives a large selection from hamburger steak to a Texan chicken selection (a chicken breast with ham and melted cheese with or without salsa), steaks, fried chicken, fresh fish, shrimp, crab cakes, clam chowder and more with a large selection of veggies. But there are always specials on the board or your waitress will assist by reading them to you. Friday there is usually a prime rib special and Saturday, prime rib and/or seafood-soft shell crabs, steamed shrimp or whatever is in season. Then the desserts are the top of the line and homemade. Choose from lemon meringue, coconut cream or the many other pies. There is hot fudge cake or a chocolate pie, bread pudding with sauce and hand dipped Breyers ice cream or soft yogurt. Pies and cakes may vary with the seasons, but you can be assured there will be something for you from the wide selection, and it’ll be yummy.

     You don’t need to wait until evening to eat at Lynne’s Family Restaurant. They open at 7 a.m. for breakfast. Select from omelets, ham, sausage or bacon and eggs, pancakes with butter and syrup, Aunt Lynne’s homemade creamy gravies with chipped beef or sausage on hot homemade biscuits or cereals. If you prefer sandwiches, ham, bacon, or combinations with cheese and egg added come on homemade buttermilk biscuits. You may order orange juice, coffee, hot tea or just water to savor with your meal. You’ll find people eating breakfast until after 10 a.m.

     By 11 a.m. the lunch specials are posted. Many selections include a full meal for $4.95 or you may prefer just soup or a lone sandwich for less money. There are also menus with a club sandwich, crab cake sandwich, hamburger, cheeseburger, chicken cordon bleu (Lynne’s own recipe and my favorite) and more, all served with chips or side orders of your choice. Desserts are made for the day and the selection is like the evenings will be.

     On your next trip to Mathews, look for the brick building with windows on the entire front and a ways down each side with striped awnings, sitting to the left of Rt. 14 & Rt. 198, just past the intersection where they meet. You won’t be disappointed unless you choose a dish you normally dislike.

     In May I left Mathews Court House area, heading to Lynne’s Family Restaurant. Just ahead of me I saw a church bus from Portsmouth, belonging to the same denomination I attend. As we left the 25 mile per hour zone, the driver held to the same speed. I practically coasted along behind the bus and wondered if they had engine trouble. Lo they turned into Lynne’s Family Restaurant with me following. I asked the pastor, who drove the bus, if he was having trouble. “Oh no,” he replied. “Just didn’t want to miss this place so I took it slow.” He gave good admonition for those not familiar with the area. 

© 2001 Catherine C. Brooks All rights reserved.