Food

By KELLY PREW
Food Editor

Spending a day at the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, visitors meander among the sanctuaries for birds, penguins and reptiles, but they also enjoy a luncheon with giraffes, zebras and elephants at the Chakula Cafe.

The Chakula Cafe offers a unique dining experience at the African overlook, and the experience is not just for the youngest visitors.

"Different times of the year, there are different tempos here," said zoo food services manager Deb Russo. "We are extremely busy March, April and May and instantly fill up with kiddos."

But throughout the rest of the year, the pace is slower, and the cafe hosts a steady stream of families and individuals wanting to spend a day among the animals.

There also are opportunities for business and club meetings and luncheons on the premises, and Ms. Russo said with advanced notice, the cafe can accommodate most requests, even if that means white table cloths and flowers on each table.

"We are limited to space and equipment," she said. "But we're probably the most popular spot in the zoo because people really feel close to the animals here. I say every day it is the best office in the world."

The cafe offers the basics in concession foods, from burgers, hot-dogs and corndogs to a wide variety of snacks and beverages are available, including soft serve ice cream.

"The swirl cone actually got its name from a customer," Ms. Russo laughed. "We were handing one to a little boy and he said, 'Look Mom, a zebra twist!' I thought that was just perfect, so that's been its name ever since."

Although it is a concession-style cafe, Ms. Russo said special menus can be planned around meetings and events.

The cafe has been in the same location in the zoo since a remodel in the 1970s, although 2008 brought a few small renovations and additional express snack lines for busy days.

Zoo officials recommend only cafe patrons use the dining area, but invite families to bring picnic lunches to enjoy at designated picnic areas.

The Caldwell Zoo has picnic spots available for guests located adjacent to the main zoo parking lot on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. They are shady, family picnic spots. Handicapped accessible picnic facilities also are available.

Chakula Cafe hours are March through Labor Day: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m after Labor Day through February.

The cafe also accepts Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card.

The Caldwell Zoo is open everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission for children 2 years and younger is free; children 3 to 12 are $5; adults are $8.50; and seniors are $7.25.

Free parking is available for all zoo guests.

The Caldwell Zoo has picnic spots available for our guests. Located adjacent to the main zoo parking lot on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard are shady family picnic spots. Handicapped accessible picnic facilities are also available.

For more information on the zoo, cafe or programs and special events, log onto www.caldwellzoo.org. Call visitor services for more information or to book the cafe for special events at (903) 593-0121.

Ms. Linda’s class at Hughes Springs Elementary School eats ice cream on a field trip to Caldwell Zoo on April 24. Jamarcus Rayson, 4, of Hughes Springs, laughs as he eats ice cream at the Chakula Cafe.
(Staff Photo By Tom Turner)