Aunt Tammy’s response was always “Did you add a pinch of love?”

When the sisters decided to share their cooking skills with the community, there was only one name fitting for the venture.

In October of 2017 the two sisters decided to make their love of cooking available for everyone, opening up A Pinch of Love Cafe in Fort Dodge.

The cafe, which is located at 850 S. 18th St. in Fort Dodge, offers a variety of Mexican dishes as well as their soda bar.

-Messenger photo by Chris Johnson
Legend Jondle displays the new shirt that will be handed to patrons who finish the burrito challenge at A Pinch of Love Cafe. Standing behind Jondle are his grandmother Crystal Mikesell (left) and his aunt Angie Reiter (right), owners of A Pinch of Love Cafe.

A Pinch of Love Cafe is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

The two purchased the store in 2017 which was known for its coneys. They still serve coneys, but have diversified their menus, offering birria tacos and steak tacos as the favorites.

“We kind of switched after COVID,” Crystal said. “Before it was traditional pizza burger and coneys. Then when we came back we offered a new menu.”

The taste of the traditional Mexican entrees has quickly spread through Fort Dodge, making it a hot spot for a sit-in lunch and night time take-out.

“Leading up to COVID it was Angie and I for a long time by ourselves,” Crystal said. “Now we have seven to eight employees. Our families help a lot and jump in when needed.

—Submitted photo
St. Edmond baseball coach Jordan Miller recently attempted the burrito challenge at A Pinch of Love Cafe. Here is the before picture of Miller’s attempt.

“We are in a secluded location, so it’s great to get eyes on it through social media so people know where we are.”

The cafe which cooks their food fresh every day is always cooking and deciding new ideas for its patrons.

They recently started serving the hot trend of dirty sodas.

But the newest hot item is their burrito challenge.

Patrons are challenged to eat a 5-pound burrito in 33 minutes at the cost of $33.

—Submitted photo
St. Edmond baseball coach Jordan Miller recently attempted the burrito challenge at A Pinch of Love Cafe. Here is the after picture of Miller’s attempt.

The burrito consists of rice, beans, ground beef, queso, salsa, green onions and cilantro with salsa on top with the traditional burrito grilled cheese crust.

Around 35 people have attempted the challenge with as of press time, eight have succeeded. Only one female has attempted and completed the challenge.

Starting this week there will be an added bonus to completing the task as winners will get a free T-shirt to commemorate their accomplishment.

The idea came on a whim.

“On Wednesdays and slow days we come up with fresh ideas,” Angie said. “I was bored and was going to make my daughter Jazzlyn a big burrito. Crystal was coming in to film a Tik Tok and I threw it together.

-Messenger photo by Chris Johnson
Crystal Mikesell (left), angie Reiter (right) and Crystal's grandson Legend Jondle stand outside A Pinch of Love Cafe.

“We wrapped it up and took it to family and then talking with Jazzlyn and Crystal, we thought we could make it a challenge. We just had to figure out the price and amount of time.”

The cafe puts the challenge together at any time, but if customers call ahead it is appreciated.

A Pinch of Love Cafe has become a staple in Fort Dodge and its name is making it across the state.

“I was in Sioux City and wearing my Pinch of Love shirt,” Crystal said. “A nurse asked me about it and said she has heard great things about that place.

“It just shocked me that people in Sioux City had heard about our cafe.”

-Messenger Photo by Chris Johnson
Crystal Mikesell and Angie Reiter, owners of A Pinch of Love Cafe stand at the stove.

Now approaching their 10th year, the sisters are grateful for their decision to open the cafe.

“We are grateful for the community,” they said. “Their support has been great.

“We might be hard to find, but we’ll make it worth the search.”