Recalling the days of Huffman’s Cafe
ASH GROVE, MO. – The 1950s and 1960s diners were a quintessential slice of Americana. They were the cool hangouts for teens and adults alike.
In 1952, N.C. “Cotton” Huffman and his wife Mary Ann opened Huffman’s Café. Located in the heart of the Ozarks, Ash Grove, Mo. The young couple operated the popular hometown eatery for a total of 40 years.
Huffman’s Cafe was known for its great burgers and Cotton’s delicious homemade raisin, pecan, coconut cream, cherry and apple pies. All-time customer favorites were his custard pies, and sour dough bread, all a big hit.
The counter was always abuzz with regulars catching up on the local happenings while drinking nickel coffee and 10-cent sodas.
“My husband baked about 15 pies a day,” Mary Ann recalled. “He was a cook and baker in the military.”
“Dad was the pie king,” son N.C. Huffman added. “My mother and father were the real stars. They worked for 40 years together, and I am very proud of them.”
Cotton was known for keeping a lively conversation going with customers from behind the grill while Mary Ann ran the cash register and waitressed.
They offered seven to eight entrees a day along with their regular menu.
Huffman’s Café officially opened its doors to the public on Oct. 1, 1954. It was by chance that Cotton and Mary Ann got their start in the restaurant business. They purchased a new 1954 Chevrolet from Bill Robert’s Chevrolet in Bolivar, Mo. The car was green, and Cotton specifically wanted a black car. The dealer agreed to contact area dealerships to acquire a black Chevrolet.
Bill Roberts told the couple to drive the green car to Ash Grove and pick up a black one. The new vehicle was at Hulston Motor Company. They also wanted to see if Joe Brown’s Western Auto Store was for sale. It wasn’t.
The young couple stopped at Firestone’s Fine Foods in Ash Grove for a cup of coffee. Cotton prompted Mary Ann to ask the owner, Mildred Firestone, if the restaurant was for sale.
“Yes. I am closing tomorrow,” Mildred said.
And the rest was history.
Cotton and Mary Ann leased the building and equipment opening Huffman’s Café at 100 East Boone Street, the epicenter of Ash Grove.
One year later they relocated to their newly-constructed restaurant on the adjoining lot at 106 East Boone Street. They operated for a total of 40 years, with the exception of two years when Cotton managed a steakhouse in Bolivar, Mo.
The restaurant included living quarters in the back, so the family worked and resided on the property. They later purchased the lot behind the restaurant so N.C. could have a place to play Wiffle ball.
I grew up in my parents’ business,” N.C., said. “I have met so many people over the years. Ash Grove is a small town. I love these people. Its fun being born in a town, growing up and graduating here.”
Cotton and Mary Ann were known for feeding their customers at all hours of the day or night.
“I remember a school bus driver coming through town and telling my husband that the kids wouldn’t be eating until midnight,”Mary Ann said. “Cotton responded, ‘no problem.’”
During big storms, the couple would open the restaurant at 3 a.m., and feed the workers from the power company.
“My father passed away in 2017. He was very special person. Both of my parents are special. It really takes a team,” N.C., said.
Cotton was a WWII veteran, receiving three bronze stars.
Today, Mary Ann Huffman has a wealth of friends and memories that she made during the years her busi-ness was open.
Huffman’s Café closed its doors to the public in 1994. People still talk about the good times and food they had there.
