Founded by sisters Lisa Castleberry Barvis and Betty Castleberry Cox in 2009, the Two Sisters Homestyle Cafe offers a variety of cuisine: hamburgers, chicken salad, and healthy menu options.

Privately owned businesses have a difficult time competing with the buying power of large corporations. The traditional “Mom and Pop” diners serving made-from-scratch fare are becoming increasingly rare.

But Two Sisters Homestyle Cafe is not only surviving, it is thriving. 

“All of the food are ‘Miss Betty’s’ and ‘Miss Lisa’s recipes,” says Pam Bright, the restaurant’s manager.

But it isn’t just the Southern comfort food that keeps the parking lot packed at Two Sisters Homestyle Cafe. Bright also commented, “I know all of my customers,” said Bright. “And the people I work with are more like family than coworkers.”

The sisters are natives of Pell City who worked in food service throughout their entire adult lives. They were retired when the building became available and decided to buy it to open a restaurant.

The cafe, located on Highway 231 in Ashville, is open for lunch from 10:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and closed on Saturdays. Friday’s hours are extended for the catfish special until 8 p.m.