Em's Cafe a family business

The sign above the new restaurant in Plains reads, "Em's Cafe Family Dining Since 1976." The new owner, Emily Sexton, has been in the family restaurant business her entire life. Her grandfather, Dallas Sexton, opened three restaurants. Her Uncle Miles started Minnie's Cafe in Thompson Falls in 2004. Murray Sexton, Emily's dad, worked in the California locations that his dad, Dallas, opened. The first one was in 1976. Now Murray is in Plains helping his daughter.

Emily studied biology and got a degree and then had the idea that she wanted to go to Colorado to culinary school. There she received her pastry chef degree and a business degree.

"I knew this is what I really wanted to do," Sexton said.

The restaurant is open 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Sexton says she would like to eventually expand the hours, but will probably keep Monday and Tuesday closed. She bakes fresh pastries and pies daily for the restaurant and supplies Rode Haus Coffee in Trout Creek with cinnamon rolls, cookies and fudge.

One of the restaurant's specialties is its chicken fried steak. Sexton said they have been busy since their recent opening. She usually sells out of pastries fast. Her new items are her huckleberry cinnamon rolls and huckleberry snickerdoodles.

"Dad [Dallas] started the whole thing," Murray Sexton said about his father. Dallas said he is often at Em's Cafe for "support." He likes to hang out with his son and granddaughter while they prepare for the evening's opening. Dallas moved from Moscow, Idaho, to Thompson Falls five years ago to be near Miles. Emily is happy to have his and her father's help on her new culinary adventure.

Emily can be reached at [email protected] or call the restaurant at (406) 826-2233.