Okay. This is a little deli cafe attached to a Butcher Shop/Grocery Store. So what would you expect? Probably nothing but dry sandwiches and bland soup; right? Well, you would be wrong. We wandered in expecting very little but we were hungry and this little spot was where we were. Were we surprised! The sandwiches are imaginative, made with fresh ingredients, hearty and taste marvelous. The surroundings are what you would expect; formica booths and not much else. Not unpleasant but nothing special either. The food is what we came for and it was excellent. If you are shopping in the area stop in. It will be a worthwhile lunch.

My mom and I frequent the coffee shops in Chambersburg, and the Big Oak Cafe on Stouffer Avenue (exit 16 off of I-81) is a treat. They boast some wonderful coffees plus desserts, pastries, sandwiches, and soups.

In the past, I've only had coffee at the Big Oak Cafe. This last visit, I ventured into the world of their baked goods to discover how wonderful a cinnamon scone was. The Big Oak Cafe was built just a few years ago attached to The Butcher Shoppe. There they sell fresh, premium quality meats and seafood, plus cheeses, deli supplies, a salad bar, homemade soups, desserts, and side items. For all of the food in the Big Oak Cafe, it's made there at the establishment using the same ingredients and supplies for items sold in their retail establishment. They use higher quality ingredients and make the stuff from scratch. A plus is that (as of 2011) no desserts contain high fructose corn syrup (including the icing!).

When you walk into the Big Oak Cafe, your senses are delighted. It's a rather small place, but they've packed in various styles of seating. You can get a table for two tucked away in a corner by the window, or sit on a couch in front of the (non-working) fireplace.
They've decorated with lots of earth tones and wooden accents. The lighting isn't harsh like a fast food place, but more of a relaxing essence. The whole place smells so wonderful, as well!

They brew their coffee constantly, so it remains fresh. They offer a variety of flavors of brews daily, as well as specialty coffees. I've had both flavored and non-flavored, and both are exceptional.

The menu is fairly vast for such a small place. I've heard (and seen) from others that their sandwiches are amazing, as is the soup. The desserts are tasty too, freshly baked and never stale.

The employees are helpful and patient as you make your tough decision on which dessert to choose. If you're getting a sandwich, they'll bring it to your seat if you so choose. Even on busy days they have ample staff and have an efficient flow of work.

On a Saturday, walking into the Big Oak Cafe you'll find it packed. That's a popular day and it's never without a continuous flow of patrons. But this establishment is family-owned, and they don't believe on being open on Sundays, so keep that in mind if you're cruising through town.

If the weather is nice, you can sit outside at one of their tables. While the view of the parking-lot and road out front is nothing spectacular, at least a little fresh air can greet your face. I personally enjoy sitting inside with my coffee on a cold day, as it's so warm and cozy in there.

If you're visiting the Big Oak Cafe, don't fear about it being too pricey. Everything is reasonable and the quality is high, so you're getting a good deal. I do highly recommend this establishment whether it is for lunch or just a coffee. Either way, you're bound to be delighted!