Infinity CaFe a refreshing choice

I had walked a good portion of the Possum Walk Heritage Trail in Hancock County, and both the sun and my stomach were telling me it was lunchtime.

The trailhead is just behind the parking lot for Infinity Science Center, which is right behind the Mississippi Welcome Center at Exit 2 on Interstate 10. The trail ends at Logtown Cemetery three miles away, but time and other restraints kept me from doing the whole six miles.

Nevertheless, it was one of those June days that makes one say, “Hey, did I miss the first day of summer?” The last drop of water in my water bottle plopped onto my tongue as a river of sweat rolled down my back. I was glad to know that Infinity has a cafe.

Make that CaFe, as in Ca and Fe, for calcium and iron, respectively. Perfect for a science center.

Despite my bedraggled appearance, I didn’t feel out of place. It was a good mix.

Moms, dads and grandparents sat with kids in shorts with swimsuits. A couple looked like they probably were interstate travelers taking a lunch break. Office co-workers were enjoying a meal together.

The CaFe is to the immediate left as you enter Infinity. An aquarium will keep kids entertained until the food appears.

You place your order at a counter, take a seat, and your name is called out when your food is ready straight from the kitchen. The menu includes sandwiches, burgers, po-boys, sides, a couple of salads, baskets and a kids’ menu.

The catfish filet sandwich ($8.49) called to me. Maybe it was because, having just been on the banks of the Pearl River, I was reminded of my childhood in an interior part of the state where rivers are the big bodies of water. The sandwich was served with fries, and with that inexplicable logic I sometimes have, I got a diet drink.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the fries were seasoned and nicely crispy on the outside — not a soggy one in the bunch.

As for my catfish sandwich, it’s served on grilled Texas toast and it’s open face for a reason. It’s huge.

These are truly two whole catfish filets, a bit curled and crispy on the edges, but still tender and flaky. I opted for dressed (gotta get the veggies in somehow), which meant shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and a pickle slice.

Condiments are available in packets to add for your individual taste.

I ate my sandwich with a knife and fork to the fascination and amusement of two kids sitting nearby. I apparently outdid the fish tank.

The CaFe opened in April 2012 along with Infinity, said John Dumoulin, director of strategic planning for Infinity. The Cosmic Combo — classic cheeseburger, fries and a small drink for $8.50 — is one of the big sellers, he said, along with the shrimp basket ($9.95) served with cocktail sauce and fries.

The menu, he said, is designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors.

“It’s a good mix for many age groups,” he said.

Kids’ meals (under age 10) are $5.99 and $6.99 and include grilled cheese, chicken nuggets or tenders and fried fish or shrimp; each meal is served with fries and a drink.

On the regular menu, consider the Infinity BLT ($5.95), mushroom Swiss burger ($7.95), chicken Caesar salad ($7.95), Infinity Deluxe Basket (Gulf shrimp, catfish filets and chicken tenders with dipping sauce and fries, $12.95) or one of their po-boys ranging from $8.49 to $9.95.

The CaFe’s hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. six days a week. Infinity is closed on Sundays.

This story was originally published June 23, 2016 at 5:48 AM with the headline "Infinity CaFe a refreshing choice."