Topwater Cafe, Lodi

The history of Topwater Cafe is, first and foremost, a love story. It begins with Matt and Katie meeting at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. As they pursued their mutual passion for food, the two gradually fell for each other, and upon graduating, they worked at various restaurants before striking out on their own. 

Today, Topwater Cafe blends Matt's Californian roots with Katie's Southern hospitality. Though the menus change with the seasons and the fluctuations of the bread-pudding market, each one is inspired by a comfort food and given a gourmet twist. Past dishes, for example, have included johnny cakes with smoked brisket, and a tri-tip sandwich with homemade jalapeno and tomato jam. Barbecue is also a constant specialty, and slow-cooked meats abound in the kitchen. There, everything from baby-back ribs to ropes of sausage take on deep, delicious flavor in the smoker.