Specialty pies, lunch and more at Frank's Karma Cafe

From an open door at Frank's Karma Cafe and M. Belle's Pie and Bake Shop wafts the smell of grilled banana peppers. It's nealry 11 a.m. on a Friday just before opening time at the shop on Wauconda's downtown Main Street.

Owners Cliff Mulnix and Andrew Mansour and other employees are busy not just preparing fresh ingredients for the lunch rush, but also baking more than 200 pies for upcoming farmers markets – they participate in several throughout the county, including the Barrington and Liberytville farmers markets.

What makes the pies so special, Mulnix says, its the use of lard in the crust.

"It's the old fashioned way," Mulnix says, adding that the name M.Belle's is an homage to an old friend who taught the owners the crust-making recipe. She has since passed away, but her influence lives on through the pies.

To prepare for farmers market season, Mulnix or Mansour will arrive at the shop at 4 to 5 a.m. to start baking.

"People come from all over for our pies," he says.

The name Frank's Karma Cafe is also named in tribute to a dear friend – a German Shepherd the pair named Frank after discovering the dog as a 4-pound stray.

The pair nursed him back to health, despite being told the dog had a less than 10 percent chance to live.

The duo believe that Frank, who passed away in 2009, ultimately led them to the opportunity to follow their dream.

"The dog we found led us to live in a house [rather than an apartment to accommodate the dog]. We then sold the house and got a substantial return and used that money to [start the business]," Mulnix says.

A picture of Frank hangs in a large clock on the dining room wall.

Starting the restaurant meant abandoning a career in corporate America for both restaurant owners – Mulnix worked in human resources and Mansour as an attorney.

Mansour mixes fruits and sugar for the nine different fruit pies they sell at the market – cream pies are also available in the restaurant – as he talks about his love of cooking. Mulnix spreads dough onto a pan to make focaccia bread for sandwiches and other employees buzz around the small, but efficient kitchen preparing for the day.

"My mother didn't cook," Mansour says. "My father's mother cooked. I learned to appreciate good food. I learned to eat good food. I grew up on Hamburger Helper. So, I started cooking around age 10 and cooking family meals at 12."

A new sandwich called Frank Sinatra, a tribute to the famous singer, has been popular with diners, Mansour says. Capicola, salami, pepperoni, home-made red sauce, provolone cheese and sautéed mushrooms, banana peppers and onions are served on freshly baked focaccia bread.

Frank's also offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, wraps, soups salads and more.

To learn more about Frank's Karma Cafe and M. Belle's Pie and Bake Shop, call 847-487-2037 or visit www.frankskarma.com.