Dream Dinners believes that home is where the heart is and the heart is in the stomach

Sisters Charlotte Chambers and Marsi Haney took over as owners of La Mesa Dream Dinners one year ago along with their mother. On Aug. 11 they celebrated this milestone with a commemorative ribbon cutting hosted by the East County Chamber of Commerce (ECCC).

Sisters Charlotte Chambers and Marsi Haney took over as owners of La Mesa Dream Dinners one year ago along with their mother. On Aug. 11 they celebrated this milestone with a commemorative ribbon cutting hosted by the East County Chamber of Commerce (ECCC).

The ECCC praised these local business owners for their part in providing fast, affordable meals to the community. They were given a certificate of special congressional recognition. Community members and various pageant representatives came together to honor them and this anniversary.

Haney was glad to see the support from the community and the turnout exceeded her expectations. She spoke about operating this branch alongside her sister and mother and how their focus is family oriented. Before choosing this business venture, they considered other options, but they felt the way Dream Dinners is set up has more of a family focused feel to it.

“We looked into Quiznos, we looked into Coldstone, we looked into Subway, but those didn’t fit with what we wanted to do with our family,” Haney said.

It has been important to them that they make sure people feel welcome as soon as they step inside. 

“We feel like this is our home and were inviting our friends into our home,” she said. “That’s what we love about it.”

Champagne was served as well as samples of three of its menu items, pub style chicken with mashed potatoes, herb crusted flank and creamy chicken risotto.

“The most popular thing that the franchise offers, which is also on the menu this month, is the pub style chicken with mashed potatoes,” said Chambers.

Because it is popular, the dish usually returns to the menu every other month. The menu switches up and is fresh every month so clients can try different dishes. Dream Dishes values feedback and works to create dishes that fit the needs of their customers. 

“The franchise is superb at listening to listening to customer feedback so they will definitely bring back items that were a big favorite,” Chambers said. “It amazes me at how well they listen to what the customers have to say.” 

Shift manager Lisa Stratton estimates that its meals average between four and seven dollars depending on its contents. She said that what might take eight hours of at home preparation takes an hour and fifteen minutes in their businesses kitchen.

“We’re here to make lives easier,” she said. “We save people time and money.”

The evening was about commending their accomplishments, but Chambers said their triumph had not come without tribulations. They have succeeded by bringing different abilities to the table.

“We thought we knew what was going on, but then we stepped behind the scenes. It was a huge learning curve, but the three of us are a triangle of talent.”

The process of participating begins with visiting the website, dreamdinners.com, picking a location and making an appointment. Once clients come in, they are able to assemble chosen meals quickly.

Haney said each meal is made with restaurant quality ingredients and are fresh and healthy portions. Because the client they can choose to leave out ingredients they may be allergic to, they are able to prepare meals that fit their lifestyle and needs.

“If you turn over a meal at one of those big box stores, your going to find all kinds of things you can’t pronounce,” she said. “If you come here you’re looking at ingredients that are fresh.”

As Chambers spoke about what their goals as a business have been, she stressed the importance of families spending time together at the dinner table.

“The purpose that this serves is bringing families together. In this case, bringing them together during dinnertime. That’s something that’s sorely lacking,” she said. “I remember it growing up, but nowadays it’s something that’s tough for families to do.”

Chambers said no matter what the composition of a family is, their service works. She says that once families come in they are hooked.

“We understand that you can get food anywhere. This isn’t so much about food as it is about homemade food,” she said. “What we can do for people out there is make their lives easier for them. It let’s them get their families together.”