Chef Mike Schramm is laid back, jovial and very at ease. For a guy tackling the demands of feeding 400 or more hungry diners on a Saturday morning, that is no small feat. The 32-year-old keeps his chin way up as the Green Street Grill’s captain of the kitchen. Being busy is a good thing.
The Main Line native is at home at the Green Street Grill. “My boss gives me free reign—complete freedom—to make whatever I want.” Green Street’s eggs Benedict are legendary. The waffles are the fodder for which tales are told. “Local produce is from around here … if I have it, I’ll make it for you.” Chef Schramm insists the mission of daily operations includes pleasing everyone. “Every egg is cooked to order!”
Able to relax after lunch with some “research,” Schramm takes in “anything [Gordon] Ramsey does.” Chef Schramm is also a fan of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. “Good homework!” The breakfast/lunch-only eatery allows Schramm to take a breath from the demands of the usually very arduous schedule of restaurants that run late into the evening with dinner service.
Out and about, Chef Schramm is a fan of nearby Amani’s BYOB as well as West Chester’s Roots Cafe—both places similar in their down-to-earth approach, much like Chef Schramm’s calculated kitchen dance. Manning a busy kitchen, the menu engineering is evidence of a very intentional orchestration of the five-man crew that reaches a frenetic pace. Nearly everything is scratch-prepared with some plans to get “grits and Cajun stuff” on the menu.
Chef Schramm is looking to “smoke my own stuff,” for upcoming menu additions. You will see those grits on the menu folded into a shrimp and tasso dish. A self-professed “anything pork” fan, pork belly is also in the experimental stage for the Grill’s menu.
Green Street Grill is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week from 7 a.m.–2:30 p.m., except Sunday brunch, which closes at 2 p.m. Catering available.
Find Green Street Grill at 150 E. Pennsylvania Ave. in Downingtown; phone: (610) 873-1700.
Photos: Jim Berman, Ed Williams, Nina Lea Photography
