What are your hours of operation?

Our Hours are dictated by the season. 

In the Spring Season, beginning the first week of March, we are open Monday to Satuday from 10am to 4pm.  We close on Sundays and Statuatory Holidays.  The Exeption is Mother's Day, we will be open from 10am to 4pm.

In the Summer Season, beginning on Father's Day, we are open 7 day's per week 10am-4pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  We open later on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm.  And on Sundays we open from 11am to 4pm.  We close on Statuatory Holidays, with the exception being Canada Day, but we will only open if it lands on a Weekend, and there will only be window service.  We maintain these hours until the last Sunday of September.

In the Fall Season (October and November).  We are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.  We are closed Sundays and Statuatory Holidays.

In the Winter Season (December to February), we are open Monday to Saturday 11am-4pm.  We are closed Sundays and Statuatory Holidays.  We may close the restaurant early if the weather is not favourable, or close for the day if it is really not favourable.  Over Christmas, we close from December 23 for about 2 weeks, and either open back up the first or second week of January.

Where are you located, and how do I get there?

We are located at 118 4th Ave SW in High River, Alberta. T1V 1R3.  Right in the centre of town.  There are only a few places to park on our street, and most are handicap spaces, but 1st St. and McLeod Trail have lots of angle parking.  There is public parking on McLeod Trail.  

The downtown area is designed for enjoyment and walking.  There are murals scattered thoughout the town.  George Lane Park is just around the corner, as is the Highwood Museum.

Do you offer online ordering, delivery or pick up?

We use Doordash for online ordering. You can order through them for pickup or delivery.  It is usually best to call us at 403-652-1887 for pick up.

Do you take reservations?

We do not take reservations, as the business is too small.  So we are walk in only.  If you want to guarantee yourselves a seat, it is best to arrive by 11am, or arrive after 2pm.  Wait times vary, order ahead to save some time.

What's on your menu, and what are your most popular items?

You can view our full menu Here

Guest favourites are The Bird (locally grown hutterite chicken, roasted on a seven grain bread with mayo, lettuce & cranberry sauce), and the Beet Salad (beets, apple, dill).  Guests also enjoy our reuben, rick salad, and turkey club sandwich.  Of course, we are moslty known for our ice cream, hand crafted, in house.

Do you have vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, or allergy friendly options?

Yes, we clearly mark all dietary options on our menu.  If you have an allergy, our team is always happy to help guide you.

What is your price range?

We are in the $$ range.  Most items fall between $10 & $20.

Do you offer catering or private events?

We do not offer private events at this time, but we definitely do cater.  Our Catering page is ADD LINK HERE.  It is best to call us 403-652-1887, or e-mail us at contact@mlcafe.ca.

We offer Soups, Sandwiches, Salads & Beverages.  We can package them individually or box them up so everyone can pick and choose their favourite half sandwiches.

Is Parking Available?

There are a few handicap parking spaces on the street, and there is parking nearby in front of the Highwood Museum on 1st St.  There is also parking on McLeod Trail and public parking on the North Side of McLeod Trail.  If you're in the mood for a walk, you can also park at George Lane Park and enjoy the sites of this historic town.

What makes your restaurant unique?

My family loves a meal out with friends and loved ones.  This is an historic family friendly restaurant in the downtown of High River.  It is a must visit in the summer for our homemade ice cream, and in the winter for our hot comfort soups and specials.  

We love good food.  We love REAL food.  Everybody else can serve burgers and fries (which we also love), but we want to offer something that is healthy, fresh, memorable and takes you back to when your grandmother used to make food and baked goods from scratch.  We serve full hospitality style, in a quick service environment.  We hire local youth and train them to be the best they can be before they move on to their next adventures.

This restaurant has been a staple in High River for over 30 years.  It began as an ice cream shop, run by Oscar & Pat.  It was Oscar who "invented" the Medicine Tree Ice Cream Flavour (a praline base with Butterscotch & Chocolate Shavings Blended in), which we still serve today.  It was then purchased by Evelyn, who changed the name, added sandwiches and coffee to the menu.  Later it was sold to Hubert, who fine tuned the restaurant into what you see today.  He sold the business to Tanya & Dave and their families in 2022.  Tanya and her husband left the business in 2025, and it's Dave's (and family's) show now....  We still serve ice cream, soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods made from scratch, in house...  I'm having a ball, and yes, the train works... sometimes.