More of the same at SAME

The idea sounded too good to be true. But after less than two years in business, SAME Café -- the philanthropic restaurant based on the simple yet revolutionary idea that everyone deserves a healthy, fresh, organic meal at whatever price they can afford-- is expanding.

The name of the place is an acronym for So All May Eat, and everyone who comes into SAME Cafe is offered the same rotating menu of fresh pizzas, salads and soups. Instead of paying a set price, diners pay what they think the meal is worth -- placing their money in a donation box, or simply volunteering time to the restaurant.

Owners Brad and Libby Birky originally hoped to open SAME in the old Walnut Café space at 338 East Colfax Avenue, but that spot wound up going to Emilio's Super Chef. So instead, the Birkys found a cozy storefront at 2023 East Colfax. Too cozy, it turns out. Thanks to a recent boost in traffic, SAME is nearly bursting at the seams, and so the cafe will be expanding into vacant space next door.

There's no timetable yet for the expansion; in the meantime, SAME will be doing business as usual in its original spot, offering organic Oogave sodas and a tasty seasonal menu that today features turkey, brie and cranberry pizza; tomorrow tomato soup with chicken and gorgonzola; and Friday potato bacon soup and puttanesca pizza.

More of the SAME, please. -- Aubrey Shoe