Grandma Leeth’s plays around with comfort food

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Dec 3, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Jaime Valdez / Times Newspapers

Sharon Richardson’s unique family restaurant, Grandma Leeth’s, caters to special needs eaters and families with young children.

Grandma Leeth’s Restaurant challenges families to raise their expectations when it comes to dining out.

In a world of growing dietary sensitivities, allergies and preferences, Sharon Richardson is a firm believer that family-dining restaurants should cater to every palate.

In the past two years, Richardson has put that belief to action at Grandma Leeth’s.

Located in Cedar Hills at 10122 S.W. Park Way, Grandma Leeth’s offers an array of world comfort food specially prepared for any diet.

“The family restaurant of today has not evolved since the ’70s, and they have a bad rap because they offer horrible foods,” Richardson said. “For decades they have overlooked certain classes of diners and made people feel like second- and third-class citizens because of their dietary needs.”

In her restaurant, the Grandma Leeth’s team strives to offer real choices for every member of the family.

A father who enjoys red meat, a mother with a penchant for really spicy food, a vegan daughter and son with a gluten allergy can each choose from several meal selections on Grandma Leeth’s menu, Richardson said.

“We make our food from scratch and know what goes into our food because we start from the basics and construct most items in-house,” she said. From creating quiches, smoking its own salmon, forming fresh fish cakes to cooking up gluten-free burgers, Grandma Leeth’s team in the kitchen does “little things that make a difference.”

Its dishes also reflect a commitment to healthy living.

“There is no artery clogging stuff here,” Richardson said. “We do not own a deep, fat fryer and we do not offer soda or carbonated beverages.”

House rules of the restaurant also set a two-drink maximum for beer and wine.

“This is a family place where we can all get a break and just enjoy our food,” Richardson said.

That especially includes children, she added.

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