Café Strudel first opened its doors on October 3, 1997, when founders Trip and Marila Turbyfill launched the beloved neighborhood café in a cozy 600-square-foot space at 134 State Street. With just 10 tables, the restaurant quickly earned a loyal following and outgrew its original home. It moved to 118 State Street in 2000, and in 2012 relocated once more to its current location at 300 State Street — a historic 1920s building offering expanded seating, a private dining room, and a covered patio. This move also introduced a full bar and an expanded menu, enhancing the restaurant’s atmosphere and offerings.

From 2015 to 2019, Trip and Marila’s son, Kyle, led Café Strudel as General Manager and Executive Chef. Drawing on experience from Mangia! Mangia! under Chef Jamie Braislford and Owner Paul Chernoff, a three-year apprenticeship with Chef Josef Ruckstuhl, and eight years as Corporate Sous Chef with Sysco Foods, Kyle brought a refined culinary perspective that further enriched the Café Strudel experience.

In 2025, Café Strudel entered an exciting new chapter when it was acquired by The Foundry Group, a Columbia-based restaurant development and management company. The Foundry Group is dedicated to creating exceptional dining experiences rooted in craftsmanship, community, and warm hospitality. Their portfolio spans chef-driven concepts, neighborhood favorites, and luxury dining destinations — all guided by visionary leadership and hands-on execution across concept development, branding, culinary innovation, and guest experience.

At its heart, The Foundry Group is committed to raising the bar in modern dining while thoughtfully cultivating the people, places, and partnerships that make each restaurant feel uniquely memorable and built to last.