Keys Cafe: A Place Where Everyone Feels Like Family
Since opening its doors in 1973, Keys Cafe has been more than a restaurant—it’s been a warm, familiar place where food is made with love and people are treated like family. From the kitchen staff to the customers who stop in every week, Keys is a place where real connections are made, and where everyone belongs.
A Legacy of Love and Togetherness
It all began with Barbara Hunn, a woman who once dreamed of being a pop singer. Life took her down a different path, but she found her true voice not on a stage, but in the heart of a bustling kitchen. With a dream to create a place where people felt truly at home, Barbara opened the first Keys Cafe on Raymond Avenue in St. Paul.
Over the years, her four children—Carol, Jean, Celine, and Roy—grew up in the warmth of the cafe, learning not just how to cook, but how to care for people. Now, they run their own Keys locations, carrying forward their mother’s vision. Now Barbara has 18 grandchildren, all of whom have worked in the restaurants starting at a young age.
A Workplace That Feels Like Home
Walk into any Keys Cafe, and you’ll feel it—the closeness, the laughter, the sense of shared purpose. The staff aren’t just coworkers; they’re a work family. Many have been with Keys for decades, showing up day after day not just to serve food, but to serve the community.
One longtime team member said it best: “No, I’m not family—but yes, I am.” That’s the kind of bond that forms when people are cared for, supported, and treated like they matter.
Familiar Faces, Meaningful Moments
For regulars like Joe and Cora, Keys isn’t just a breakfast spot—it’s a weekly ritual, a place to catch up and feel seen. The staff knows their orders by heart—Joe gets pancakes with real maple syrup; Cora orders cinnamon French toast and eggs. These small gestures, repeated week after week, become shared memories.
And it’s not just them. From the early morning crowd to the dinner regulars, people return to Keys because it feels like walking into a room full of friends.
Comfort Food, Made with Heart
At Keys, every meal is made from scratch, just like Grandma used to make. Each location has its own in-house bakery, where fresh breads, rolls, and desserts are made daily. The food is simple, hearty, and full of comfort—the kind of dishes that bring people together.
Whether it’s a stack of pancakes on a Sunday morning or a slice of pie after a long day, the food at Keys tastes like home.
The Heart of Keys
In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, Keys Cafe is a reminder of what matters most: human connections, good food, and honest work. Whether you’re on the clock or just stopping by for lunch, you’re part of the Keys family.
At Keys Cafe, you’re not just a customer or an employee—you’re family. And that’s the difference you can feel in every smile, every plate, and every heartfelt hello.
