VIBE: An Italian restaurant in same building as gas station/large C/Store. Sounds like unlikely combo but it is very popular. No reservations - cash or check only. Usually has line standing outside the entry under covered awning area with free bottle water in cooler if you like. You don't give you name or number in your party, you just wait until you hear NEXT. Sign inside front door says.... If you have reservations, you are in the wrong place ..... When you go to use restrooms, you enter the large c-store area - a jolt to the mind. Interior of restaurant is nicely decorated with interesting automobile artifacts and a lot of antique cameras. Ambience of an Italian restaurant or French bistro. Service is very prompt and the owner (his initials are REL) works the crowd. ORDER THE: Corned beef sandwich at lunch was lean and tasty. Have a large selection of pasta entrees. Large portions - plenty to take home with you. Meals served with comp bread and olive oil/tomato appetizer that with a bottle of wine could make a full meal. read more

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It is amazing that a restaurant of this caliber is located in the same building as a gas station/convenience store. This fine bistro is the best restaurant in Franklin and probably the best restaurant in all of western North Carolina. Their menu is lengthy - from soups and salads to appetizers and sandwiches and a great selection of entrees. The selection of desserts is extensive and very tempting. There must be at least eight cakes on display and the slices are huge. We were here for lunch and had about a fifteen minute wait. I chose a delicious Mac and Cheese appetizer, which was a special this day, and a Hot Pastrami on Rye, Double Stacked Sandwich - thinly sliced pastrami with red onion, swiss cheese and a delicious stone ground mustard and then pressed to be lightly toasted. DELICIOUS. Could only eat half - took the other half home. Finished my lunch with a cup of Cappuccino. This cup had to be at least 10 ounces, the largest cup of Cappuccino I've ever had. I guess everything is oversized at Café Rel. This a great restaurant, even considering the gas station location, and I hope to return for dinner one night soon. read more

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This place is just "off the chart " delicious. Never come To Franklin without a meal here. Bring cash, because they do not accept cards. read more

Cute French bistro in the heart of Franklin...uh...next to the gas station? Who would of thought? Yummy french bread with garlic marinara and olive oil while u read through the menu. Highly recommend: Mac and cheese. So rich and savory. You will need a nap later. Toasted Buffalo mozzarella over bow tie pasta: Bold garlic zing. Bring some mints for after. Great freindly staff. read more

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Don't be discouraged by the location, this place is a gem! Everything cooked to perfection, service outstanding, and reasonable prices. On my fave list... read more

Caffe Rel - Pan seared scallops, in a light fresh garlic tomato sauce. - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

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If I could give this place 6 stars, I absolutely would! The food was amazing, easily some if the best food I've ever had in a Southern restaurant. The service was fantastic and it wasn't a long wait at all (about 15 minutes on a Friday night). The place only takes cash or check, no credit cards. Started with with the house bruschetta and I had the special of Roasted Pork Tenderloin over European mushroom risotto and a side of the Caffé vegetables. It was the best risotto I've had in the states. My fiance had the mahi mahi special and it was so flavorful and delicious. We ended with the tiramisu and a slice of the Italian cream wedding cake. We ended up taking half of each dessert home, the portions are generous. It was a delicious experience that I definitely will return for again! read more

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Excellent service. Unbelievable food.. I have eaten shrimp and grits all over the east coast this ranks top 3 of them all and of all places in a small mountain town in Nc... read more

Caffe Rel - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

Always delicious food! The shrimp curry is fabulous. Come early to get a seat - they open at 11am W-SAT read more

Cede Rel has 5 star food at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is completely intriguing. The service is spot on. My favorite spot in the mountains. Try it. You won't be disappointed read more

Great food. Not so good location...,,,the restaurant is adjacent to a convenient store and you have to go to bathroom in there. Only outdoor seating was available. Very friendly waitresses. read more

The town of Franklin, North Carolina is quaint. The gas station and intersection where Caffe' Rel is located in Franklin is not. But one taste of one of their exquisite entrees, served by their engaging and charming wait staff, and you'll forgive them for their location, and perhaps even for not taking credit cards. Come eat here and marvel at how food this sophisticated could show up in this unique location. read more

The most amazing food and service. We had the blue crab soup and it was exceptional. The marinara sauce on the fettuccine was perfect. Highly recommend read more

Yes, it really is attached to a busy gas station, but Caffe' REL is fabulous! The Shrimp & Grits dish was the best version I've ever had anywhere. It was served with a delicious French Cognac sauce over the shrimp, and less grits compared to other places. Everyone at our table loved the freshly baked bread. It was a lovely discovery in western NC. read more

Caffe REL, what has happened? I had the most unappetizing looking plate of food last night. Steak and shrimp scampi. I asked for no pasta, maybe the chef could do something else. I used to get spinach, sautéed or raw instead of pasta. My plate had the steak surrounded on one side with the shrimp and garlicky sauce. Nothing else. Brown and beige. No color. My companion had pot roast. Same thing. Pot roast on one side, potatoes on the other. No garnish, no color. I didn't realize how important presentation was until I saw these plates. The food was very good, but ugly. Plates used to be beautiful with edible flowers and great care. Please fix this. read more

A bit of a wait, because there is only one table for 6 people, but it was worth it. I had the linguini carbonara. It was delicious. Very unique place with a wide variety of dishes. Never had such delicious food at a restaurant attached to a gas station. The servers were nice as well. Their cakes looked delicious but we were too full to try any! read more

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Visiting The Franklin area & this restaurant came highly recommended. There was a long wait & they are a cash only operation. Well worth it! Staff was super friendly & the food was delicious! I will definitely be back & bring the family on the next visit. read more

Caffe Rel - American Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

We visit this little café twice a year. This is located and attached inside a gas station so it might be a little weird but food is amazing. We come here with a bunch of petrol head that shares the passion for cars. They are super accommodating and speedy service. Nice little spot to have cappuccino and sweets. Thumbs up and highly recommend. read more

Love this place. Food and service is always great, its nice to have something different in town.

We stopped here for lunch on the recommendation of people we were doing business with in Franklin. We were so pleasantly surprised at the food and service in an unassuming gas station location. What a hidden gem! read more

Located in the Hot Spot Gas Station, but don't let that fool you. Some of the best food around. Highly recommend!!

Shrimp and grits changed my life. This is the real deal. Sooooo delicious. Service was amazing and fast. A+

Hands down THE BEST place to eat in this town... or in all of western N. Carolina for that matter. I've tried several dishes, appetizers, and desserts and I've never been disappointed. Incredible every single time. read more

Called to ask for a current wait time. The person said "I don't have to tell you the wait time. Just come in and wait if you want to eat." That alone was rude enough, but when I asked for the manager he said "This is Richard and I am the owner"!!! My wife called back and asked how long the wait was incase I had dialed incorrectly. He said "F... you. Get your a.. down here if you want to eat." Confirmed online Richard Long is the owner, and the number dialed was the restaurant. You could hear people in the background eating, so wasn't an error on our part. read more

Do not let the gas station freak you out. Best shrimp & grits we have ever eaten, anywhere. French Beef Stew was out of this world. Couldn't believe this was in Franklin, NC. CashOnly but worth a trip to ATM. read more

Got some yummy food to-go. On a Thursday evening. The place was packed with a 20 minute wait. After a look at the menu, I decided to get take out. The crab bisque was very tasty, not much crab though, but is there ever? The salad with salami and ham was basic and I had hoped for more veggies, I got one cucumber and a couple tomato wedges. In fact, I ordered a side of sautéed vegges for 2.00 which, I think, was the only fresh vegetable option in the whole town and within a 25 mile radius. A neat little place, in a gas station (yep) who shares the restroom with the gas station. (Gross) the staff was busy and it was hard to pull a smile out of the lady who took my order, but she finally caved and smiled. The food was good and I would definitely come back. No credit cards accepted and shared bathroom makes it a solid 3.5, I rounded up. read more

All I can say is the food is fantastic. Try something new and unique you won't be disappointed. Be prepared to wait but it is worth it. Service is excellent and food was quick. This is a must while in Franklin no disappointments here. Cash only restaurant. Enjoy! read more

The town of Franklin isn't big but, this restaurant is as good as any place in a big city. The menu is extensive and we haven't ever had anything that was not amazing. Save room for dessert because the homemade cakes are incredible!!! read more

Service was subpar. Food was mediocre at best. I can cook better at home and I don't burn my potato chips. Portion size for an $18 plate was insulting. In addition, it's 2018! Join the 21st century and get Square or something to allow customers to pay with CC's! read more

This restaurant is amazing. Great French Cajun entrees and do not forget the crab soup and dessert! Always a favorite do not forget to bring cash. read more

We lived in Franklin so, even though a long wait to get in. Best french food, best service. The manager saw my husband was not touching his rolls and brought him something else. That was about 5 years ago. We've moved back to Florida since then. So, maybe it was better when Richard Long was alive. I have no idea. But still, pretty good for a small Town restaurant. read more

A great little gem on the way from Atlanta to the Smoky Mountains. Friendliest service, menu that goes beyond what you'd expect in a small town, delicious food and unique atmosphere. Highly recommended. Be aware it's cash only. read more

I love this place more and more. Right now the seating was limited, but the service was outstanding. I had been craving their wonderful shrimp and grits and the one night we came, it was not on the menu. The waitress promised that if I came back, she would make sure that I got my beloved deliciousness. Well, she amazed me. She saw us pull in, put the order in, and had them to my table immediately. This is an amazing place for delicious food, impeccable service and that hometown feel. read more

Service was top-notch. Food was excellent and even though it's the second half of a convenient store, it was very well decorated and a very fun atmosphere. The wait was a bit long but they gave us water, checked in on us, and kept us informed. This place is five stars for sure! read more

Stopped here on a trip to Asheville because the ratings were good. They aren't kidding when they say to not be put off that this place is connected to a gas station! The ambiance is comfortable and the decorations tasteful except for the random abandoned wasp nest on one of the shelves! There were three of us. One person had the lamb burger and said it was fantastic. My husband had the burger special of the day with horseradish sauce which added a unique kind of spice to it with a kick. I had the Chicken Cordon Blue without a bun. The chicken was nice and tender and the mustard sauce that went with it was the perfect accompaniment. Be sure to get the house made chips with your meal! read more

Love Caffe' Rel!!! Great food and a menu with lots of choices. We are particulary fond of the "Tails and Snails"......crawfish and escargot in a wonderful sauce. read more

We are particularly fond of unique establishments next to gas stations, they seem to bring great food, legitimate value and a solid dining experience. Cafe' Rel is awesome! We had the tomato bisque and a caprese salad.. It was excellent! Our waitress Maggie was super! She recommended we try the scallops next time! It is on our list! We travelled from Asheville and will be heading back soon for the scallops! read more

The 4 of us all got different meals & all were outstanding. The shrimp & grits & Caffe Rel's cordon Blu were my favorites. Big portions for the price. We all got REL's homemade dessert to go, so big & heavy, the cakes needed the large take out boxes. Def. going back. read more

Set in the relatively small downtown of Franklin, NC, this resturant is attached to a gas station and could appear off putting from the outside. However, after walking through the doors, you suddenly realize that there is more than meets the eye hear. Antiques on the wall, cozy, with simple classical music playing, you can't not be happy whenever you walk in. "If you blindfolded me and brought me here, I would never think it was attached to a gas station" my father says once we take a seat. We are greeted by a friendly server, and receive bread after ordering. The bread is homemade and delicious. I order a Rueben on the. Only criticism is that is was a small amount of meat and I should have went with the Double Stack. My whole family enjoyed the meal and would definitely recommend to others! read more

Not child friendly. No high chairs in the restaurant. Cash or check only. Food was ok but would not return. Not accommodating for being located in a tourist town. read more

I enjoyed a nice lunch at Caffe Rel. It was much better than I expected, since it is attached to a gas station. I ordered eggplant parmesan. It looked good, but the sauce had way too much garlic for my taste. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals. read more