Rachel's Cafe & Creperie

Participated in the May 2009, August 2009, and May 10 Taste the World events, and participating in the 2010 Taste the World coupon book.

Opened in April 2006

Rachel Adams, owner
309 N. Queen St.
Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 399-3515
TuWThF 7am-8pm,
Sa 9am-8pm, Su 9am-3pm
(open first and third
Fridays until 9pm)

To try on your first visit: Nutella crepe, a classic French crepe, "basic and very yummy," says owner Rachel Adams. She notes the menu also has a section that allows you to build your own crepe concoctions based on your favorite ingredients.

Rachel Adams' favorite food as a child was hot dogs and funnel cakes. "My favorite food now is still funnel cakes but thankfully I've grown beyond hotdogs. I eat crepes just about everyday and haven't gotten sick of them yet," she says. "They're very versatile, and I absolutely love them!"

Adams, who is from Lancaster, was studying environmental science and marketing at Penn State University in State College when she took a part-time job at a creperie and fell in love, she says, "with the whole idea!"

This, she decided, was what she wanted to do. More than marketing. More than environmental science. And Adams already knew she wanted nothing to do with the medical professions. Her mom is a nurse, her dad a dentist. "No one wants to be in the hospital, and no one wants to go to the dentist. But people love food," she says. "Everyone loves food."

"It's something that's unique," she says. "You can make them cater to your personal tastes. You can put anything from eggs and ham in them to fresh veggies and cheese, to fresh fruit and cream!"

Step through the front door and sink into the atmosphere of a cozy French creperie. Listen for French or jazz music playing in the background. Local artists are featured each First Friday, and there's local entertainment on most third Fridays of the month.

To do: Adams says the Creperie is planning to start having kids art nights. "We open the shop to kids and their parents to come and create art that will be used to decorate the shop or your homes," she says. Check at Rachel's for more details. Or create your own kids' art night: Grab a book about France - anything from a tourist guidebook to France or a book about French impressionism. Use it as inspiration to create your own drawings or paintings.

written by Marla Pierson Lester; photos by Matthew Lester Photography