It all started Aug. 30, 1994, when Shirley Langen bought the property just off of Maple Valley Highway. It was a bait shop, making fish hooks. They only had nine seats and served little burgers.
When Shirley bought the building, she only intended for it to be a drive through espresso stand. But while looking around the area, there was a grill. So Shirley thought, ‘Oh I better cook.’
Now Shirley even admitted not being able to cook, but with the help of the amazing staff, it all happened successfully. There is Rose and Lela who met Shirley while she was working at DoubleTree. Also there is Rebecca, Michelle, and Angie. Angie is Shirley’s niece — she has been with her since day one. Also two new employees, Pam and Shelly.
Shirley used to know everyone, she worked from morning until night, doing everything for the first three years. On Monday through Friday, the cafe is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturdays, it is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., and finally on Sundays, they’re working from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
As you can see the Testy Chef is closed in the time frame between late lunch and early dinner. About five years ago, the Testy Chef girls did do dinner every Wednesday night, but the Testy Chef was successful enough to go without an evening menu, leaving the staff more time with their families.
How did they get the name? It’s an interesting story. Another good friend of Shirley from Germany, Isolde, thought of the cute but clever name: Tasty Food Testy Chef.
But most know it as the Testy Chef. It fits the situation perfectly!
“I didn’t know what I was doing so I incorporated my own menu,” Shirley said. “I just wanted to do things I liked from the 1950s.”
Some of the favorites for breakfast items include, of course, the classic Testy Mess. This dish was invented by Shirley’s grandmother, a mess of egg, bacon, peppers, and many other goodies. If you’re like me, and have a small appetite, you could munch on The Mini — two eggs, some bacon and toast — a simple, yummy breakfast! Another good one, especially for some people like my dad (oinkers), is The Biggie. Chow down on this dish that’s smothered in gravy. Yummmmmmmmm!
Another recommendation is the eggs benedict. This particular dish is occasionally a special of the day and if you get lucky you should really try it. It has a delicious hollandaise sauce made by Shirley’s husband, Dennis, drizzled on top.
OK, now I want to get in the car and drive down to the Testy Chef right now. Food Lovers Unite!
As for the lunch menu, I guess Shirley and I think alike, we both favor Uncle Jimmy’s Garlic Burger. The dish is named after Langen’s one and only Uncle Bob! No, just kidding, it’s named after her Uncle Jimmy. Also, the fries they serve are delectable! There are new things being added to the menu once in a while too. There was recently the addition of beer and wine, also there is a new lunch special, halibut and chips. I haven’t got a chance to try it but as soon as I can, I will.
“We only use organic vegetables, and we have the best cuts of meat, like bacon,” Shirley said.
Now let me tell you a little bit about the atmosphere of the Testy Chef. As you pull up and park, the little red building dominates your eyesight. Walking up to the door, over the doorstep is like walking into a friends house. The first thing to notice when you step in is the grill side ‘50s diner stools. You see the busy bee girls hustling and bustling to tables, and families enjoying their steaming breakfasts. A small flat-screen TV up on the wall, and pictures covering all the walls, give a comforting feel to the eatery.
Another diner essential is the espresso bar, with a small window for the drive through. If you prefer, you can go to the next room, the deck, which is closed and heated in the winter. If you choose to sit out there you can gaze at the picturesque view of the Cedar River.
Obviously a lot of people like the Testy Chef, because it’s usually packed! When you take your seat you could have a chance of seeing Rick Rizzs, the Mariners baseball announcer, who dines at the Testy Chef regularly. It’s like, if I have a test at school, I need a good breakfast. Same thing goes with being a baseball announcer! Also Tom Douglas stops by once in a while. You know, Tom Douglas, the well known chef and owner of many restaurants in Seattle including Lola — awesome donuts! Boy, would I sure want the table next to him! Shirley said it’s nice to know that such well known people like her food, but it’s patrons like my mom, dad, and me, and all the others that make their restaurant special. Over the last 19 years, Shirley has enjoyed seeing children grow up into teenagers. I’ve been going there since I was maybe 6 years old and will keep the tradition of my family going.
Other than the occasional breakfast or lunch together, the tradition is to go to the Testy Chef on Black Friday every year. The day after Thanksgiving is the day we always get our Christmas tree, and when it’s a bright and early morning, there’s nothing better than a warm breakfast at the Testy Chef to lift your spirits.
For future changes, really the only thing is to keep progressing on the menu! Shirley said that every time she considers expanding or making changes, nobody wants her to! The Testy Chef is perfect the way it is. It’s special. Thank you so much Shirley and team! My family and so many others love your food!
Annie Livengood of Covington is an aspiring journalist and sixthgrader at Crestwood Elementary.
