Rachel's Hi-Way Cafe — Restaurant in Alexandria

With no dining allowed in restaurants in Michigan, we wanted to go out to eat. It happens that we know some people in Alexandria, so we drove all the way from Lansing for a good, hot dine-in meal. Rachel’s did not disappoint!! The atmosphere was homey and friendly, they made us feel like family!

Our waitress, Anahleise, was friendly, funny, efficient and adorable!!! She knew that menu like the back of her hand. The food was brought out quickly, and it was so darn good! I normally take pictures of the food but I was so wrapped up in conversation I didn’t think about it. Portions are generous.

One of the reviewers complained about the prices being high. I felt prices were fair for the amount of food that you get-especially when you compare it to a fast food menu meal. You can pay as much for mediocre, cardboard-like food and idk where this person is going for a steak if they’re comparing prices to a steak house.

I saved the best for last-THE PIE!!! This is not your pre made Gordon’s or sams club pie. This are REAL, honest to goodness-HOMEMADE pies!! In addition, there are a multitude of flavors to choose from! My slice was a sugar cream pie, hubbs got caramel apple, my sister got the chocolate cream. Every single chew burst with delicious flavor and...

My wife and I were passing through town, and on impulse stopped in. They were fairly busy at the end of a lunch hour, full of locals. We were promptly greeted, and given menus. I chose the tenderloin and onion rings, she had the beef and noodles, with a side salad. My tenderloin was moist and tasty, not pounded paper thin. The onion rings were most excellent, crispy batter with tender well-cooked onion within. Great flavor, I could eat a large plate of them with no guilt! My wife let me sample her beef & noodles, and it was a pleasant surprise to find real beef (not just chopped little bits) in it. Very tender and flavorful, not too salty either. I stole some of her mashed potatoes, too. :) I wish I'd saved room for dessert, as I later got a look at the offerings in the dessert case. Our waitress was friendly and came by often to check on us.

Rachel's isn't anywhere on a direct path to where we usually go on our travels, but I'm willing to make it a destination next time. I'd give them 5 stars, but I need to try more...

The cafe is just as you enter Alexandria, IN from the south. The atmosphere is very rural and local. The customers seem mostly to be locals. When we visited on a Friday lunchtime, the place was pretty packed.

The portions were sizeable, delicious and reasonably priced. I had breaded pollock with green beans and homemade cottage cheese. My mother had beef and noodles with mash potatoes and corn. I was quite satisfied with the food. Regrettably, the coffee was lukewarm and weak. It was the only negative point in an overall good meal.

On the downside, the service was not friendly. It seemed like they were very friendly to regular, local customers but quite cold to newcomers like us. Also, the bathrooms are best avoided, if possible.

Still, the food was good enough to make it worth a visit in my opinion.

Pro Tip: The cafe closes at 2PM (kind of slows down after 1PM) so don't get...