A hospital may not seem like the ideal place to start a cafe, but Ascension St. Vincent Evansville is exactly where Daniel and Maria McClure found their culinary calling.
Both worked in the restaurant industry for about a decade, and Daniel had studied culinary arts at Vincennes University. It was his dream to one day have a place of his own, but “it was never the right time,” Maria says.
In 2023, a friend decided to sell space at Ascension’s Medical Office Building. The McClures took a chance, and Fly By Faith Café was born on March 1, 2023.
“First mission accomplished!” Daniel says.
The name is inspired by their religious devotion.
“We literally are throwing everything into our faith in God that God put us here for a reason,” Maria says. “Sometimes it’s hard to just let go and fly by your faith.”
Diners can order burritos, casseroles, sandwiches, oatmeal, yogurt, biscuits and gravy, fruit, wraps, melts, salads, smoothies, and baked items like scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. Breakfast is an all-day affair, with coffee including lattes for sale. Daily lunch specials range from pasta to smoked pulled pork or chicken-loaded baked potatoes to taco salad. Maria says customers’ favorites are the breakfast burrito consisting of an egg mixture with a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham, as well as the California wrap, filled with chicken, bacon, avocado, onion, tomato, spinach, and chipotle dressing.
Customers also have responded positively to the café’s name, remarking on it during difficult times in their lives.
“I’ve had a lot of people take pictures of [the sign] … and say, ‘I needed this,’” Maria says.
Fly by Faith Café offers catering and delivers to nurses and, when permitted, patients throughout the hospital campus. Plans include serving the public through evening hours.
“There are opportunities we can always venture into,” Daniel says.
Fly By Faith Cafe
801 St. Mary’s Drive
Online ordering available
Open 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday
