SALINE, MI — Customers at Carrigan Café in Saline can sip coffee while playing board games or hanging out with the restaurant’s iconic stuffed teddy bear, Tobin.
The café opened in September 2014 after Karen and Jason Carrigan purchased the former My Favorite Café space in downtown Saline.
Read more: Carrigan Cafe now open in Saline
Now, nearly nine years later, the café is known for its coffee and customer service, Karen said, adding that one fan-favorite drink is its Mexican Latte.
The latte is made with brown sugar blended with cinnamon, nutmeg and splash of dark Ghirardelli chocolate. Customers looking for something spicy can even add some cayenne pepper to the mix.
Another drink customers often get is the café’s Tiger Latte, Karen said, adding the drink is named for how its dark Ghirardelli chocolate and caramel mimic the animal’s stripes.
The café uses Coffee Express in Plymouth as its coffee supplier offering organic and fair-trade coffee beans. Carrigan also has other drink options to choose from like teas, French sodas, Italian sodas, smoothies and milkshakes.
Menu items for the café include in-house baked goods, salads, sandwiches and everchanging options for quiche and soups. The cafe also serves a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options as well.
A popular menu item for Carrigan’s is its customizable breakfast sandwiches, Karen said. Customers have the chance to choose between bread or Barry’s Bagels and select everything that goes on it including vegetables, cheese, meat and sauces.
When it comes to lunch, Karen said Carrigan Café’s Baja Club is a top pick. The sandwich is served with the customer’s choice of bread, turkey, bacon, pepper jack cheese, tomato, lettuce and chipotle mayo.
Karen said owning her business was always her dream especially since she had experience in the culinary arts and is a “people person.” The owner finally realized she wanted to open a café after working as a barista with The Drowsy Parrot in Saline.
Read more: Reports: The Drowsy Parrot in downtown Saline closes
“I always wanted to open my own restaurant, but never really fine-tuned what restaurant,” she said. “(Working at Drowsy Parrot made me realize) this is something cool. I get to see people, but I get to make their stuff at the same time.”
Since opening, Karen said she quickly became everyone’s “aunt” who offers a safe and comfortable spot in downtown Saline. She said her main goal is to always bring a “positive vibe” with her business.
Over the years, Carrigan Café has served as a place for family gatherings, baby showers and even one couple’s wedding. Karen said she loves that her business can not only help her customers make memories, but that she gets to meet so many people in Saline.
“It makes me feel proud that somebody appreciates or has faith in me and what I do and that they want to bring Carrigan into their lives and be part of it as well,” she said.
Carrigan Café, 101 S. Ann Arbor St., Suite 107, is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.
Learn more about the café online, on social media or by phone at 734-316-7633.
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