Cyd’s Cafe, located at 2420 Alcock, is Pampa’s newest go-to spot for breakfast and lunch, serving up made-from-scratch omelette and hotcake plates, philly sandwiches, burgers, chicken fried steaks, and much more, topped off and served with that hometown love only this part of Texas is known for.
The cafe’s owner, Andrew Morriss, wanted to offer Pampa a locally-owned restaurant that would always hit the radar for folks trying to decide where to go for a bite to eat and for those early risers who needed somewhere to fill up before heading to work.
“I felt that Pampa needed another restaurant because we’re very scarce on places to eat in different parts of town,” he said. “Our location is great for a lot of the guys that are coming through to work. I mean you’ve got Hunting, B&G, Larry Baker, National and SWM right down the road. It’s just one of those things where it’s easier to come right in at the edge of town and get something to eat and leave for work.”
Andrew is no stranger to owning and operating his own business, as he also owns Scallywag’s Grocery & Grill in Lefors that opened in March of last year, and also runs his granddad’s company, Roberts Electric. It’s clear that Andrew’s entrepreneurial endeavors aren’t just about the money-making side of business, but the desire to serve others in an area he holds dear. “I grew up with a convenience store in Lefors that I ate lunch at every day as a school kid, or sometimes late at night, you wanted a soda or a snack. So when the opportunity came up to open up Scallywag’s, I did. It’s somewhere for the community to kind of come together and get a meal, not have to drive all the way to Pampa-it’s a convenience, so if you need milk or just a snack, it’s right there. That was the main purpose of having that down there.”
While it would seem that anyone with that many places to run and maintain, especially in two different towns, would have a difficult time keeping up with their operations, Andrew feels blessed to have a solid crew who he can fully trust to make sure both establishments are running smoothly and the customers feel welcomed upon entering and satisfied upon leaving.
“When you have good people in your establishments that you can trust and you have good managers that you can trust, it allows you to be able to step out and do your own thing and let them run your business.”
When it comes to Cyd’s Cafe, Andrew gives a ton of credit to Kristin Shouse and Chris Hartley for the success of the brand new, week-old business, with Kristin being the smiling face greeting, seating, and servings guests, and Chris with an enormous amount of experience working his magic in the kitchen.
“I would really like for people to come out and give us a try,” Chris said. “I’m hoping we can build on the feedback we’ve already gotten, and so far it’s been pretty good and I want that to continue.”
Something that Andrew, Kristin, and Chris agree on is the vast difference a ‘mom-and-pop’ establishment is from a corporate-owned chain, with guests having the opportunity to actually see and talk with the owner, providing a more personal experience.
“I prefer to work for the smaller businesses because the owners are more involved,” Chris said. “When you get into big corporations, you can’t talk to the owner, you can’t voice opinions or options, and you usually can’t ask questions to someone that would know the answers.”
While his passion to serve the community has been proven to be a big motivator in this newest business endeavor, the name and meaning behind the restaurant is truly Andrew’s driving force.
“Cydney was my mom. She had been in the restaurant industry part of her life. I have a cousin that owns and operates Green Chile Willy’s in Amarillo, so she worked there quite a bit. She worked for the Dyers throughout the years and she had recently managed Toot ‘n Totum. About a year and a half ago, I talked to her for the last time-which we didn’t really have a stable relationship, but we had made amends and I talked to her for the last time at 9:03 AM on October 14. The last words I said to her were, ‘I’ll see you later. Love you, bye.’ Those were the last words I told my mom before she was killed in a car wreck. So in honor of her, I put Cyd’s.”
With that immense sentimentality and mission to serve the community being at their forefront, Cyd’s Cafe carries an atmosphere and vibe that can be felt as soon as you walk through the doors, and whether you’re coming in for just a quick bite or to sit with friends over coffee, you’re certain to always feel at home.
Cyd’s Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 6 AM to 2 PM, breakfast ending at 11 AM and lunch beginning at 10:45 AM. Andrew also invites folks to stop by Scallywag’s Grocery & Grill in Lefors, located at 201 E. 2nd Street, Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 9 PM, closing at 8 PM on Wednesdays.
