New owners at Sodes Perk Central

By Caroline Rosacker

Early this spring businesswoman and physician Beth Sadewasser approached two of her dedicated, longtime employees, Linda Hines, and Krystal Hyde of Guttenberg, and asked them if they would be interested in taking over Sodes Perk Central, the restaurant portion of Sadewasser's enterprise located at 7 Goethe St. 

"Beth, who placed great trust in us, had already relegated many of the restaurant's business decisions to us," they began. "It was a bit intimidating at first, but we had some experience." 

Hines began her career as Sadewasser's head cook at the former Sodes Sports Bar and Grill in 2014. Hyde joined the Sodes team in 2017. 

Sadewasser will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations at Sodes Green Acre Country Market and Liquor Store, which includes a gift shop. "It is nice to know that Beth will still be available if we have any questions or concerns," they told The Press. 

New hours 

Sode's Perk Central has extended their hours and is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. They will be adding some new items to the menu and will continue to offer the same great service, including the budget friendly Iowa Café for seniors. "We took over ownership of the cafe on March 1st, but Beth still owns the building," they explained. 

Iowa Café

The Iowa Café is an innovative partnership between Iowa's Area Agencies on Aging and licensed food service establishments like Sodes Perk Central. Every menu is approved by a dietician to meet one-third of the daily nutrition needs for an older person.

 Participant eligibility

To participate in The Iowa Café, individuals must be 60 years of age or older, or a spouse of an eligible individual regardless of age. Meals are provided on a voluntary contribution basis.

How to register

Eligible seniors can register by filling out The Iowa Cafe' registration form on-line at https://appengine.egov.com/apps/ia/ida_nutrition. Once the registration is processed participants will receive a key card in the mail. 

For additional information call 1-800-779-8707.

Iowa Café menu 

All breakfast items are offered with a choice of mixed berries, tropical fruit blend, peaches, or apple. Breakfast will also include coffee, milk, or juice – one refill on coffee, no refill on milk or juice. Substitutions are not allowed, but you may decline any item. 

• Egg sandwich - English muffin, sausage patty, egg, and slice of cheese

• Biscuits & gravy - biscuit covered with sausage gravy with 2 eggs on top

• Quiche

• Eggs made to order - 2 eggs with the choice of bacon, sausage or ham and 2 pieces of toast

• Pancake & parfait - pancake served with Greek yogurt topped with choice of mixed berries or tropical fruit and granola.

Sandwiches & Wraps

All sandwiches and wraps are served with a choice of soup, or one side, and either coffee, milk, or juice.

• Grilled tuna - tuna grilled with American cheese on honey wheat bread

• Fresh tuna - tuna with lettuce and tomato on honey wheat bread

• Grilled turkey berry - grilled turkey with Swiss cheese and cranberry sauce on honey wheat bread

• Fresh turkey berry - turkey with Swiss cheese and cranberry sauce on the side on honey wheat bread

• Grilled apple ham & cheese - grilled ham, cheddar cheese, honey mustard, and thinly sliced apple on honey wheat bread

• Fresh apple ham - ham, cheddar cheese, honey mustard, on honey wheat bread with an apple sliced on the side

• BLT wrap - bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo wrapped in a flour tortilla

• Chicken bacon ranch wrap - chicken, bacon, lettuce, cheese, ranch dressing wrapped in a flour tortilla

Soup options are:

• Tomato basil

• Vegetable 

• French onion 

Sides include:

• Coleslaw

• Cottage cheese

•  Peaches

• Applesauce

"We are grateful people are taking advantage of the Iowa Café," they said. "It gets people out of the house to socialize and enjoy a nutritious meal together." 

Sodes' menu includes daily specials, homemade soups, desserts, specialty coffees, fruit smoothies, and everyone's favorite – homemade ice cream. 

"We are grateful for Beth's guidance and trust in us." they commented. "We are looking forward to serving our local customers and visitors to Guttenberg."