Cyn Shea’s is a casual cafe-style eatery close to the heart of Huntsville. The majority of their lunch menu is comprised of specialty sandwiches and salads but they also have a few hot plates with your choice of two sides. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily (except Sunday) but also has an extensive catering side of the business.
In 2016, Cyn Shea’s owner, Cynthia Shea Hart, added on a non-profit organization called Serving Hope, Inc., which, according to the Cyn Shea’s website, is “a 7-month employment and life skills curriculum that develops good character, self-confidence, and dependable work ethics by mentorship in the workplace and community.”
The Boss
I was so hungry by the time we got to lunch today. As we walked into Cyn Shea’s I admired the pretty plants all amongst the patio seating. The presence of these beautiful, healthy plants makes you feel like you’re not really in the middle of the city, but instead you are sitting on a laid back, breezy patio of a good friend who definitely has a green thumb! The gentle swaying of the leaves around us was so relaxing as we sat and ate our lunch. Inside the restaurant there was abundant seating in the spacious, cheerfully decorated dining room as well.
WHAT SHE ATE:
1/2 Bird - Rotisserie Chicken w/Macaroni and Cheese and "Huntsville's Best Cornbread" - $10.79
As I said before, I was pretty hungry when we arrived, so I ordered the half chicken with macaroni and cheese and cornbread. All of the food was pretty good, but nothing stood out to me as “great”. The mac n’ cheese didn’t have much flavor and had an odd consistency. The cornbread was served lukewarm and I thought it would have been much better if they had thrown it in a pan to toast it before serving it. The chicken was a little tough and dry and the seasoning didn’t seem to make it past the outer skin of the bird. But all in all, the meal was very satisfying and we all wanted to take naps afterward!
Mr. Clearwater
I go to Cyn Shea’s probably once or twice a quarter. I’m not sure why I don’t go there more often as they easily take the cake for having the best sandwiches in town. It’s a very warm and inviting setting and the food tastes like something your mom or grandmother would make you when it’s Christmas. Don’t go here for lunch unless you plan on taking a nap afterward.
WHAT HE ATE:
Today I got the rotisserie Chicken sandwich and mac and cheese. It was awesome. This place embodies everything you are looking for when you are hungry for something southern.
Strings O'Shaugnessy
I had been to Cyn Shae’s years ago with my mom, but did not remember much about it. When I walked in, everything suddenly came back to me. It looked exactly like a place anyone’s mom would eat for brunch or lunch. It gave off strong cafe vibes, the walls were covered in crosses, and there was soft music playing over the speakers. The service was pretty quick, and the weather was perfect for sitting outside.
WHAT HE ATE:
The BLT was pretty good overall. I asked for no tomato, but I still think there was tomato on it. The bread and the salmon were both very good, but the aoili, tomato, and bacon didn’t seem to harmonize very well. Perhaps if the bacon was crispy it would have fit better. The mac n’ cheese was oily and didn’t have a super strong cheese flavor. It wasn’t bad; it just didn’t have much going for it. I’m not a huge fan of cafe style food, so it is difficult for me to pin the true rating, but I’ll give it a 3/5.
The Hipster
Cyn Shea’s is a great local cafe that is fairly large, compared to the status quo cafe, and can easily fit many people. This location is great for people downtown if they wanted to have a work lunch meeting or just a casual meal with friends and family. The environment is clean and well kept.
WHAT SHE ATE:
Grilled Salmon BLT w/Gluten-Free Bread - $10.19
Toasted Sourdough, Roasted Tomatoes, & Garlic Aioli, Applewood Bacon, Lettuce
I ordered the Grilled Salmon BLT with gluten-free bread (which was an option I found out about there at the restaurant). I looked at their website prior and decided to have no bread, ironically, but the lady who rung up my order let me know of the gluten-free bread option. So, that information was much appreciated! Because the weather turned cooler this week (yasss fall, come on!), we decided to sit outside. It was a very pleasant view and I had a great time chatting with others at the table. The Grilled Salmon BLT was very tasty and I loved the Aioli sauce that they had on it! The salmon was grilled to perfection. Now, on the flip side, I had fruit as well and it was starting to getting old. I didn’t eat the tomato on my sandwich or the pineapple in the fruit bowl, due to it looking old, but that is a slight oversight, in my opinion. Also now that I think about it, they forgot to put the Apple bacon on my BLT! But it was so tasty as it was that I didn’t even think about it until later! I always love tasting Cyn Shea’s unique cafe delights and will be back later for more!
Give them a visit!
Cyn Shea's Cafe and Catering
415 Church St NW
Huntsville, AL 35801
