Spokane Playground's Guide to Charming Cheney

BY ANNA SENCHENKO

From coffee to groceries and dining to drinks, Cheney’s growing food and drink scene is lighting up the small town and is giving people a reason to visit.

With a population of roughly 12,200 and only a quick 20-minute drive from Spokane, Cheney is best known as the home of Eastern Washington University.

But who knew that there were so many noteworthy food and drink destinations?

The sense of community, the smiling faces, the safety and pride in the town itself are irresistible. The little town of Cheney will leave you wanting to come back for more.

Coffee

WEST PLAINS ROASTERS
westplainsroasters.com 
509.688.9704
108 College Ave, 
Cheney WA

Part of historic downtown Cheney since 2019, West Plains Roasters is more than just a great salted caramel latte.

Through their joy of sourcing the best beans, roasting their own specialty coffee and their love for service and relationship, Andy and Hannah LaBolle have created the perfect place to share their hopes and dreams with the community.

Try one of their cherry pie pop tarts or the Sicilian specialty toast and find out why Best of the West voted them 'Best Small Business in Cheney' in 2021.

Breakfast

BENE'S
benesamfix.com 
509.951.5207

24 W 1st Street, 
Cheney WA

Bene’s is serving up breakfast and brunch seven days a week, with 12 different options of Eggs Benedict. From Chorizo Benedict to Avocado Toast Benedict, there is something for the picky eaters as well as the adventurous!

Owners Derek and Alexx Baziotis feature a house made strawberry jam and said that it is what people come in for. Bene’s also crafts freshly squeezed mimosas, the perfect pair to any brunch date.

Lunch

MARKETPLACE BAKERY & EATERY
marketplacecheney.com 
509.235.9176 

1011 1st Street, 
Cheney WA

Shop the Amish and local mercantile while enjoying one of the largest sandwiches of your life. And top it off with a monster slice of one of the many house-made cheesecakes!

Owners Lori and Holly Musgrave focus on supplying the store with farm fresh ingredients, while crafting the biggest and best sandwiches with freshly made bread. Grab groceries and lunch at this spot.

Drinks

NORTHSTAR TAPS

northstartaps.com
509.498.4052

1818 2nd Street
Cheney WA 

This craft beer taproom has 16 rotating taps of brews that you won’t just find at any bar you walk into in the Washington area. The focus is on quality and exposing the community to different styles of beer that they have not seen or changing their minds about styles they have not liked in the past. With weekly trivia at 6:30 on Wednesday nights, Northstar provides Cheney with a social spot to get together and share a couple of special drinks.

Dinner

FARMHOUSE CAFE
farmhousecheney.com
509.304.2333

1630 1st Street 
Cheney WA

If you're looking for comfort food with a flair, head over to 
Farmhouse Cafe. With a mostly gluten-free menu and many vegetarian items, everyone can find something that appeals to their palate, regardless of dietary restrictions. Farmhouse opened in April of 2021 after Cheney native Tracee Sanchez and her husband, Luis, partnered with another local couple who all felt that the town was missing an accessible sit-down restaurant. Together, the Sanchezes have over 21 years of restaurant experience, including Spokane's Mizuna, Cochinito, Wild Sage and Gander & Ryegrass. Now, they are aiming to foster a local food scene that Cheney can be proud of at Farmhouse.

For More in Cheney

BARRELHOUSE
509.235.4338
122 College Ave
Cheney WA 99004

BENE’S
509.951.5207 
24 W 1st St
Cheney WA 99004

CHENEY LANES
509.235.5263
1706 2nd St
Cheney WA 99004

EL RODEO
509.235.5679
505 2nd St
Cheney WA 99004

FARMHOUSE CAFE
509.304.2333
1630 1st St
Cheney WA 99004

THE JAR
509.235.9911
115 W Betz Rd
Cheney WA 99004

LENNY'S CLASSIC
509.498.6533
1204 1st St
Cheney WA 99004 

MARKETPLACE BAKERY AND EATERY
509.235.9176
1011 1st St
Cheney WA 99004

MASON JAR
509.359.8052
101 F St
Cheney WA 99004

NORTHSTAR TAPS
509.498.4052
1818 2nd St
Cheney WA 99004

OWL PHARMACY
509.235.844
1120 F St
Cheney WA 99004

SUGAR MAMA'S BAKERY
509.235.0475 
1831 1st St
Cheney WA 99004

WEST PLAINS ROASTERS
509.688.9704
108 College Ave
Cheney WA 99004

WILD BILL’S LONGBAR
509.235.4758
405 1st St
Cheney WA 99004

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