When the old-timers of Mathews walk up the steps of the building on Church Street that Mr. Lee Miles had built in 1922, they may look for him, sitting on the porch, smoking his crooked stem Wellington pipe. Miles, who operated a general merchandise business in Mathews for 60 years, closed the store in the late sixties due to ill health.

     The building, though sold, stayed unoccupied until the former owners of Dolls and Deli purchased it in 1995. They completely restored the building to its original condition and charm, using the existing interior walls, shelving and flooring. Early in 2001, Dia and Ned Lawless purchased the building. Today instead of a deli, they operate a café. 

     The Lawless’ moved to Mathews and were married here in 1993. They operated Waterstreet Landing in Yorktown, and though they had a successful business, the commute became tiresome. When they closed that business, Dia worked for Juvenile Services in the county while Ned built a barn and did archeology work. In the meantime they wanted something unique for Mathews; and since Ned made excellent hearth baked pizza and bread, they looked for a building that was already a restaurant. In time they purchased the building Miles had built in 1922.

     In mid-April menus rolled from the copier and an open sign appeared. When one enters at 11 a.m. or later, the aroma whets the appetite. Fresh baked bread does that.

     One may order pizza for lunch or dinner by the names on the menu (they give the combinations), or you may create your own with selections of meats, cheeses, veggies, fruit and herbs. Either way you start with a hand tossed crust topped with one of their homemade sauces. Salads made with leaf lettuce, and sometimes a bit of spinach, may be ordered in various sizes, from a side salad to a chef salad, all with your choice of dressings and home made croutons. They always offer a soup of the day.

     For lunch there is a wide choice of sandwiches on homemade white or whole wheat bread. Combinations of meat, cheese and sautéed or fresh veggies for fillings make tasty lunches. Read the specials of the day before you enter on the menu board. Variations of quiche with fresh fruits has become the special that delights many. You may find another favorite when you visit Southwind Café.

     If you prefer dinner, pizza remains the preference of many. However, they offer salads and soup and fresh pastas topped with homemade sauces. You may select from shrimp, beef, chicken, cheese, spaghetti and vegetable, or ask your waiter about the selection of lasagna. The special varies but they always offer a traditional dinner.

     For those who can eat dessert after their lunch or dinner, one chooses from the wide selection of homemade pies, cake, cookies or ice cream. Perhaps you’d prefer to take the sweets home for a late snack.
Treat yourself to a day in Mathews, visiting unique gift shops, antique stores, the art gallery, visitor’s center and more with a meal at Southwind Café. 

    See our ad located in the Mathews Virginia Shopping section of ChesapeakeStyle.com

© 2001 Catherine C. Brooks All rights reserved.