Our Story

Owners Stefani and Alysha have been friends for over 16 years, with a bond close enough for them to
consider each other and their children family. They forged their friendship through multiple individual
endeavors when they decided to buy the Café in 2021.

Through the transition of the restaurant Toni has become a friend and mentor to both the women.
Alysha’s restaurant experience ranges over 20+ years, beginning in her hometown in New Jersey before
coming west to Merced to hone her skills in the culinary field. Then she started attending culinary school
in California and working with some top chefs in the area. Farm to table culture was always at the base of
Alysha’s cooking and living in the rich agricultural community of the central valley was such a blessing. It
was an easy decision to make Merced her permanent home; as she met and married her husband, built a
big beautiful family and is now living out her lifelong dream of owning her own restaurant.

Stefani was born and raised in Merced. This gives her the hometown girl advantage, and it’s apparent when she knows everyone who walks in the restaurant doors, greeting them with a big smile while welcoming them in. When you combine her management skills with her ability to make every guest feel like family, partnering with Alysha was a no brainer. Growing up her parents wanted to own and run a family restaurant, she is now livingout this dream. With her mom, auntie, and family support Stefani is building a legacy that her father would be proud of.

Both Alysha and Stefani are thrilled to welcome you to Toni’s Courtyard Café, “Where everyone is family!”
We can’t wait to see you!