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Little Red Caboose Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Sandwiches Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches [Edit]
795 Peace Portal DrBlaine, WA 98230
(360) 332-1900
- Hours:
Mon, Sat 8:30 am - 3 pm
Tue-Fri 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Little Red Caboose Cafe
7 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer G.
Ferndale, WA
10/21/2011
I loved my lunch!
My friend and I tried out Little Red Caboose for her birthday. The people were friendly, my sandwich was super yummy and, best of all, the slice of carrot cake was absolutely perfect!
I am so glad we decided to try something new instead of sticking with the boring plans we'd originally made for that afternoon. We will be back! -
Review from matthew F.
Chino Hills, CA
2/26/2011
Best sandwich I have ever had!!
My girlfriend and I ate here while we were trying to figure out how we were going to get back to Seatte, after being sent back at the US-Canada border. The boyfriend and girlfriend who own the cafe are two of the kindest people I've ever met.
This place has a panini list that will put to shame any deli in NY, SF, LA, CHI, MIA... ANYWHERE!!
I hope I can get deported from Canada again so I can have and excuse to stop in Blaine's best kept secret. -
Review from jian w.
Blaine, WA
5/14/2010 2 photos
"Get off the Subway, get on the Train." That's the Little Red Caboose's slogan. It is worth the suggestion. You will definitely want a ticket to this train.
Technically, the LRC is actually a Cupola, the center of a train. I am sure the owners thought it would sound odd as The Little Red Cupola. Located in Blaine's scenic Drayton Harbor it is a picture of quaintness. A 1920s era train restored and painted red with humble Café, Breakfast, Espresso, Soups and Sandwich signs. What more can you expect from such a small space?
You are in for a treat.
It seats 8/10 inside, 12 outside on its patio overlooking Drayton Harbor, White Rock, Semiahmoo - it is a beautiful backdrop. The LRC is tight but comfortable with friendly tableside service (at a sandwich shop?). This is really a restaurant in disguise as a sandwich shop.
The atmosphere and music is great - 1930/40s era music ranging from Jimmy Durante, Josephine Baker, Nat King Cole, The Boswell Sisters, Jack Teagarden, Django Rhinehart (Bulgarian?), Vera Lynn (British), Lale Andersen (German), Edith Piaf (French) and John McCormick (Irish). The music reflects the era the train was in its prime of service. If you are a fan of older golden era music, the era before Elvis, you will enjoy this as it reflects the beginning roots of Jazz, Rock, and Swing. The interior is also tastefully done with local artwork and photos lending it a unique identity - it has soul. This is really a fun experience and a joy.
The LRC serves breakfast and lunch, and the menu is amazing! This is a menu that one would find in SFO, NYC, CHI, or DFW. And that is what makes it such a value because one would normally pay $9-$14 for these Entrée panini, and at the LRC they are priced at $7.25-$7.50.
The panini are all signature creations - that means you can only get it at the LRC. To further add to the identity all the food items are uniquely named with local references, such as "D-Street" Turkey & Balsamic Onion Marmalade, "Semiahmoo" Veggie Sandwich, or "Border Rights" Bacon, Spinach and Tomato. Get it? What happens is that you know immediately who are the regulars because they quickly and happily order their favorites. You will often here someone say, " I want the Peace Portal", or "I want the McBride", or "I want the The Plover". So you quickly here the guests call out their favorites and they will quickly give new patron advice on the menu as many will proudly proclaim they have tried all.
The coffee and espresso options are just as flavorful. The LRC does not do the latest gimmicky flavor and creations, they stick to the basic Latte, Caps, Mocha, etc, and the favorite flavors that would accompany these drinks if requested. So in this sense the LRC is not trying to keep up with the Starbucks and Tully's of this world. The LRC stays with good value and flavorful coffee. For example, you can actually taste the espresso in the mocha. Typically at a Starbucks I received a mocha that taste more like hot chocolate drink because I can not even discern the slightest hint of coffee!
I can only say great things about this unique location. The LRC is simply one of the best places I have eaten at in a long long time. As the other 10-12 reviews have suggested it is nothing but a great experience. I would recommend you read the other reviews (most are on the filtered section at the bottom) because they consistently state the same experience. I would say more but I do not want to spoil the surprise and the treat in store for you. -
Review from Josh D.
Wichita, KS
8/12/2010
A sandwich is typically a soulless meal one eats when one has no other choice. Someone wanting to expand beyond the bland might drive to their local sub shop for an overpriced grinder. I'm a big fan of subs at The Market. Sliced meats and cheese slapped between long pieces of bread and then smothered with whatever veggies you'd like for around $6 is a lazy way to eat quickly.
It's also boring!
Imagine my surprise when I went to a little diner in Blaine where sandwiches on the menu were neither typical nor bland. It has everything to do with the use of fresh, local ingredients and interesting choices like cilantro basil pesto. This is sandwich art!
While I expect my sandwich to have some pizazz, I myself am a bit of a bore and each visit to the Little Red Caboose results in ordering the Divorced Eggs with chorizo, bacon, and ham. There are so many other choices. For example, I could expand my horizons with a "Rail Stop" Monte Cristo delivered on battered sourdough with ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, mustard, raspberries and powdered sugar. When you find something as enticing as those eggs, why quit on a good thing? Eventually I'll get around to trying everything on the menu but I'm pacing myself. I'm also hoping, like the McBride's Club named for one of the LRC's customers, divorced eggs will become synonymous with me and my claim to fame will be having my name on this menu.
To go along with the great food, Kylie and John who own the LRC are two of the nicest people you'll ever meet. The small staff of themselves + 1 are courteous and attentive. They'll help you find your way around Blaine, back to the I-5, or to the local tourist attractions. If you're up for some fun and John happens to pop out from cooking, ask him about his love for all things Texas. You'll find a lot of inspiration for the menu comes from John's experience as restaurant manager and club owner in his native state.
I'm very glad him and Kylie ended up moving to the Pacific Northwest! -
Review from Phil S.
Chicago, IL
2/21/2010
Great food and friendly staff! Staff gave some good tips for new visitors to the area headed up to Vancouver. Sandwiches and coffee were great and reasonably priced.
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Review from PeaBoy W.
Seattle, WA
5/24/2008 1 photo
Little Red Caboose isn't the last car on the train, its the first place I want to go every time I'm in Blaine!
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Review from Jenise S.
Blaine, WA
5/28/2010
Great sandwiches, great spot, great view in a restored 20's train car.
I've only had lunch there, but can attest to a very unique soup and sandwich menu. But what really makes it special is the way the husband and wife team take care of their customers. He cooks while she takes care of the tables, and since this is both their livelihoods it's really true that every customer matters. You can feel that in the way the regulars, and there are many, are welcomed back.
