Food Friday: Penelope’s Lil’ Cafe focuses on family, fun, and comfort food

At Penelope’s Lil’ Cafe, you can walk in any day of the week to a menu of comfort food and a friendly face.

Owner Brenda Failor previously ran a restaurant in a small town near Lincoln, before opening Penelope’s in 2014.

She wanted to bring some of that small town feel into the Capital City.

“We just wanted something very comfort food, easy going, and family owned,” Failor said.

Family owned is exactly what Penelope’s is.

Brenda’s daughter, Jessica, is the main chef back in the kitchen, serving up all kinds of breakfast and lunch comfort food staples.

Her mother, nieces and nephews all help out on the staff, and her husband and brothers help with the up-keep of the building and filling in when needed.

With all that family bonding, it hardly feels like work.

“We all enjoy it and we have so much fun here,” Failor said.

Penelope’s Lil’ Cafe is open seven days a week, 7 a.m.- 2 p.m.  They also have several vegetarian options and a gluten-free menu.