by Anthony DeMatteo
Staff Writer
Members of the YMCA on Riverside Avenue might be making fewer fast-foods stops on the way home from their workout.
The Metro Cafe opened in late January on the YMCA’s first floor. The restaurant serves what owner John Davoli calls “healthy comfort food” to the fitness center’s members.
“It’s going better than expected,” said Davoli. “We’ve been getting a good response from members.”
Davoli owns the Metro Diner in San Marco with his son, Mark. He said they plan to open another cafe on San Jose Boulevard soon, and they hope to have restaurants in five YMCAs in the next few years.
The Metro Cafe serves smoothies and entrees on the go, including meatloaf and California wraps. There are also eight tables for members who want to dine in.
Davoli, who leases the space in the YMCA, said the Metro Diner has done the YMCA’s catering for the past seven years.
“They had a need for a quality, stable food service and, hopefully, we are delivering that to them,” said Davoli. “It’s a really good partnership. They are glad we’re there and things seem to be going well.”
John Ream, the marketing and communications director for the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast, said the cafe improves the association’s services.
“It’s been great,” he said. “We’ve had a great response from all the members.”
He said the on-the-go meals have been very popular.
“Members just fill out the little sheet and their food is ready to go when their workout is done,” he said. “These are healthier alternatives to fast food that, in this fast-paced society, they can grab on their way back to home or work.”