For 30 years, from March 1967 to March 1997, the Orion Cafe was a popular place to eat in the village. Bill Allred, a former resident of Orion, always mentions the cafe when his band plays in Central Park.
Although 12 years have passed since owner and operator Audrey Cook closed the restaurant, people still remember it fondly. Her granddaughter, Chris Cooper Noble, started an Orion Cafe page on Facebook and quickly drew more than 225 fans.
The Orion Gazette chose the cafe as the first of our reader callouts, which ask area residents to share their memories, experiences or comments. To share your thoughts on the Orion Cafe, send them to oriongazette1@frontiernet.net, or go to the Orion Gazette page on Facebook. Tell us what your favorite meal (“the usual”) was, or what day and time you were most often there, or something funny that happened during a meal.
Our first reader callouts are from former employees or their families. We want to hear from former customers, too.
Making Grandpa laugh
I think my fave memory would have to be when I was in first grade (I think) and my sister and I were playing tag at home and she pushed me into the woodwork and I cut my lip and had to get several stitches (okay, maybe I fell, it was a long time ago and we have conflicting memories, right, Jen?).
Anyways, I could only eat through a straw for a week or two and Grandma Audrey picked me up from school EVERY day for a week or two, and brought me to the cafe for lunch, where I sat with Grandpa Bill at the three-person table by the pie case, and they made me chicken noodle soup and a strawberry shake for lunch every day.
I distinctly remember how Grandpa laughed at me every time I sucked a noodle into that straw. I must have made one heck of a face when it happened, because anyone who knew Grandpa Bill knew it took a lot to make him really laugh.
Editor’s note: Grandpa Bill is Audrey’s husband, Bill Cook, and Jen is Chris’ sister, Jennifer Cooper Smutzer.
—Chris Noble, Andover
Snatching the doughnut holes
There are so many. I will start with one of my first. I remember going in the back door of the cafe, which took you right into the kitchen. Grandma Audrey had a butcher-block table where she worked. She used to make her doughnuts from scratch, and the doughnut holes were a treat for anyone who was in the kitchen. If any of us grandkids came in, we snatched them up before school.
Of course, later in the morning the delivery drivers started coming in and they would look for the doughnut holes. They knew when us kids must have already been in, because they were gone. I loved the glazed doughnut holes.
—Jennifer Smutzer, Orion
Hosting birthday parties at dawn
The cafe was a BIG part of my life for over 30 years. I started there as a dishwasher at the young age of 12 (isn't that illegal). I was promoted to waitress at age 15, worked nights after school and weekends. Then after marriage, worked days, 6 days a week. Lots of hard work, but made some of the best friends and memories there.
Most of the customers who patronized the cafe became very good friends, just like family. A lot of them are gone but the memories last forever. I could write a book about that place and all the fun times we had there. Birthday parties at 5:30 in the morning with, of course, Doc DeZeeuw's famous cherry bounce. That stuff was a good start for your morning. And all of the regulars with their USUAL. Thanks to all the wonderful customers who made this a place never to forget.
Editor’s note: Pat Cooper is Bill and Audrey Cook’s daughter. Doc DeZeeuw is retired veterinarian Earl DeZeeuw.
—Pat Cook Cooper, Orion
Eating the best sandwich
My mom worked there briefly and I remember having their hot roast beef sandwich. I have never found a hot beef sandwich that could compare.
Editor’s note: Chris Benson’s mother is Lois Catlett Johnson of Moline.
—Chris Catlett Benson, Rock Island
