Tucked on Westby’s Main Street, Borgens Cafe feels like walking straight into Sunday dinner, no matter what day you visit. The bell on the door jingles, coffee aromas swirl, and plates arrive piled with comfort favorites that taste like home. Locals lean in with friendly tips about lefse, pies, and the daily Blue Plate. Bring an appetite and a little time, because you will want to linger.
The Blue Plate Comfort Special
The Blue Plate is the heartbeat of Borgens Cafe, changing slightly but always delivering that soul-warming comfort you crave. Expect tender roast beef or meatloaf, real mashed potatoes, and silky gravy that clings just right. It feels like a Sunday hug on a Tuesday, and you will clean the plate.
What stands out is the made-from-scratch care you can taste, from seasoning to portion size. Locals recommend asking what the Blue Plate is before you sit down, because it often sells fast. Pair it with coffee or a slice of pie if there is room.
Service keeps things moving, but no one rushes you. Sit, breathe, and let Westby’s pace reset your week.
Lefse Love: Norwegian Roots On A Plate
Lefse at Borgens Cafe is more than a novelty. It is soft, warm, and delicate, like a potato tortilla that knows your favorite childhood memory. Order it with butter and brown sugar, or try it wrapped around savory fillings for a playful twist.
You will hear regulars talk about lefse like it is a tradition they refuse to skip. Ask your server for their favorite way to enjoy it, and you will likely get a smile plus a few insider tips. It is simple food treated with respect.
That first bite has a quiet sweetness and a whisper of potato. Before you know it, you are planning the next visit just for another round.
Homemade Pie That Steals The Show
The pie case at Borgens Cafe is a beacon. Lemon meringue peaks tower like clouds, and fruit pies glisten with the promise of flaky crusts. Even when you swear you are too full, you will start negotiating for just one slice.
The kitchen bakes with a classic hand, favoring balance over gimmicks. Cream fillings taste clean and bright, while fruit pies hold shape without losing juiciness. Ask what is freshest that day, then trust the recommendation.
Pro tip: get a slice to go if you are racing the clock. That little box will make your afternoon drive feel like a victory lap.
Breakfast Until 2 PM
Breakfast lovers, rejoice. Borgens Cafe serves morning favorites straight through 2 PM, so no need to rush the day. Eggs done your way, crisp hash browns, and bacon that actually crackles are the vibe.
The menu leans classic with a few Scandinavian nods. Portions feel generous without tipping into overkill, which keeps the pace unhurried and happy. If you lean sweet, ask about pancakes or a side of lefse instead of toast.
Weekends can be lively, but the staff moves with friendly efficiency. Sip coffee, watch Main Street wake up, and order that extra side you were debating.
The Sunday Dinner Feeling Every Day
Even on a Wednesday, Borgens Cafe serves that Sunday dinner feeling. The plates are sturdy, the food is honest, and conversation flows easily between booths. You can taste the commitment to home cooking in each bite.
There is a rhythm here that invites you to slow down. Servers make time for refills and quick chats, and the kitchen respects the classics. Expect roasts, gravies, and vegetables that taste like they saw a real stove.
It is not fancy, and that is the point. You leave satisfied, a little calmer, and maybe planning to bring someone you love next time.
Scandinavian Cafe Charm
The space feels like a well kept time capsule with Scandinavian undertones. Wood accents, simple decor, and soft lighting create a gentle welcome. It is the kind of room where coffee tastes better for no obvious reason.
You notice small heritage touches without the place turning into a museum. The menu honors tradition but stays practical and approachable. Locals mingle with travelers, which keeps the energy personable.
Come as you are and settle in. There is no pretense, only real food and genuine hospitality.
Soup And Salad Bar Nostalgia
When available, the soup and salad bar reminds you why buffets had a moment. Greens are crisp, toppings are thoughtful, and the soup tastes like someone watched the pot. It is a simple pleasure that pairs perfectly with hearty mains.
You get control over your plate, which makes lunch feel custom. Add a ladle of soup before your Blue Plate arrives to keep things cozy. It is a small but welcome ritual.
Ask your server about the day’s selections. Freshness is the tell here, and Borgens keeps it honest.
Pulled Pork And BBQ Ribs Sundays
On Sundays, a tow behind smoker sometimes parks out front and the neighborhood gets hungry on scent alone. Pulled pork and BBQ ribs show up tender and sauced just right. It is weekend theater for your appetite.
Locals talk about the ribs like a seasonal event. Hash browns on the side can be spot on, and the portions satisfy without regret. If you care about smoke rings, you will smile.
Arrive early for best odds, especially during peak lunch. The special board moves quickly when the smoker rolls in.
The Lefse BLT Twist
Take a classic BLT and wrap it in lefse. Suddenly, crunch meets tender, and the whole thing becomes greater than its parts. It is playful, light, and a perfect mid day meal.
The bacon brings the salt, the tomato brings the juice, and the lefse adds a soft, potato kissed cushion. You will not miss the bread at all. It travels well if you need something to go.
Ask for a side that balances the texture, like sweet potato fries when available. This is a local favorite for a reason.
Real Mashed Potatoes And Gravy
There is a difference between instant and real, and you taste it here. The mashed potatoes have body, butter, and that gentle seasoning that welcomes gravy. It is the quiet backbone of many plates.
Gravy arrives silky and balanced, not too salty, not too thick. Spoon it over meat or just chase it across the potatoes. Either way, it comforts without trying too hard.
Order an extra side if you are the person who steals everyone else’s. No judgment at Borgens, only nods of approval.
Friendly Service With Small Town Warmth
Hospitality drives the experience at Borgens Cafe. You are greeted quickly, refills arrive without fuss, and questions get real answers. Even when it is busy, the staff keeps things kind and steady.
That care shows up in small gestures, like grabbing brown sugar for your lefse without being asked. It is personal without being pushy. You feel looked after from start to finish.
Tip well and share some patience during rushes. Good food plus good people is the whole equation here.
What To Know Before You Go
The cafe sits at 109 S Main St in Westby, easy to spot along the downtown stretch. Hours run 7 AM to 2 PM Wednesday through Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday closed. Call +1 608-634-4003 if you want to double check specials.
Expect a comfortable price range around 10 to 20 dollars. It is popular with locals, so there can be a wait during peak hours. Bring a flexible attitude and you will be fine.
Parking is straightforward on the street. Step inside and you are already halfway to contentment.
Value That Feels Honest
Prices at Borgens Cafe make sense for the quality and portions. You pay for scratch cooking and hometown care, not bells and whistles. It feels like a fair handshake between kitchen and table.
That honesty shows up in the way staff steer you to what is best that day. Specials are priced to be tried, not to sit on the board. You leave full without buyer’s remorse.
Save room in the budget for pie. You will want that treat as your final note.
Atmosphere: Quirky In The Best Way
Some call the atmosphere a bit quirky and a bit outdated, and that is part of the charm. It is clean, welcoming, and unpretentious, the kind of room where conversation drifts. You come for comfort, not a trend report.
The pie case glows like a lighthouse. Coffee mugs are sturdy, plates clink, and the door chime makes you smile. It is a soundtrack that invites seconds.
If you like polished edges, adjust your expectations. If you like heart, you will feel right at home.
For Travelers Passing Through
Driving through the Driftless? Borgens Cafe is a perfect refuel stop, minutes off your route and worth the detour. Seats are plenty, and takeout is easy if you need to keep rolling.
The Blue Plate travels well, but sandwiches and pie by the slice make the smoothest companions. Grab coffee for the road and thank yourself two exits later. Staff will help you pack it right.
Westby’s friendly pace will rub off even if you stay 20 minutes. You might plan your next pass to line up with lunchtime.
Plan Your Perfect Order
Here is a winning lineup: start with soup and a small salad, then go Blue Plate or the lefse BLT. Add a side of real mashed potatoes if it is not already included. Finish with lemon meringue or whatever the server swears by.
Ask for timing so the pie lands after your plate is cleared. You will enjoy each course without crowding the table. Coffee ties it all together.
Simple, satisfying, and absolutely repeatable. That is Borgens Cafe in a nutshell.