Craft Coffee House in Pendleton Center

Fresh Roasted Coffee with Elevated Options for Breakfast and Lunch

Life has been busy as of late. Days off have been booked with appointments, plans, and items off the to-do list. As the holidays approach, it will undoubtedly get busier. We hadn’t a completely open day in over a month, so this past Saturday felt special. We took the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely day beginning with breakfast at Craft Coffee House at 6612 Campbell Boulevard in Lockport (Pendleton Center), followed by the trip to The Book Corner in Niagara Falls, an institution and book lover’s dream which I previously wrote about here.

Craft Coffee House opened in 2018, but this was our first visit. Walking into this beautifully renovated space was akin to the moment Dorthey opened the door to a technicolor wonderland. Housed in the former home of Brauer’s Restaurant, those familiar with the former incarnation, would not even recognize the interior as the same space.

What used to be a go-to for a fish fry with a former neighbor, is now a destination for elevated breakfast and lunch featuring as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. It is, of course, also a coffee house serving up coffee and espresso drinks from beans roasted on site.

Some of their local food and drink providers include Hoover’s Dairy, Wilder Greens, R. Urtel farms, the Chai Guy, Happy Earth Tea, Johnnie Ryan Soda, Lock Ridge Apiary, Menard Family Maple, and Kith ‘N Kin.

Come in, grab a seat, and scan the QR code at your table to place your order, pay by card, and have your food and drink brought out to you. Or, if you are more old school, you can go up to the counter to make your selections.

Nitro Cold Brew & Latte

Choosing something to eat from the tantalizing menu proved to be challenging. We gave into the breakfast sandwiches—more about them shortly. But we were also tempted by the breakfast plates including The Art Vandelay, an elevated version of the classic combo of eggs served with bacon, sausage, or homemade hash browns. Breakfast tacos also beckoned to us as well as two versions of avocado toast and waffles served in several versions including sweet with berries or savory with buttermilk fried chicken.

From six selections of sandwiches, we ordered two. Jeff chose The Frenchy, a fried egg atop a smoked sausage patty, topped with melted Munster cheese, served between the halves of a buttery toasted croissant. For myself, it was the Dancing Nancy, also served on a buttery toasted croissant, this sandwich melded the flavors of scrambled eggs, ham, Swiss, and a garlic & herb cheese spread.

We also ordered a side of the homemade hash brown patties because, who is doing that? Seriously, if you know of others, please tell me in the comments. Lightly seasoned and perfectly crisp, these were a true treat. That’s a malt vinegar aioli on the side but they needed no accoutrements.

In addition to breakfast options, the lunch side of the menu features various handhelds, sandwiches, wraps, and several salads. I’ll be back to try the smoked chicken in a club sandwich or on top a Caesar salad. The BLT calls to me as well, made with crisp Applewood smoked bacon with lettuce, tomato, and Duke’s mayonnaise on Country White bread. Or perhaps we will try that buttermilk fried chicken, if not on a waffle then a sandwich.

If a classic cup of coffee seems boring, you can enjoy a seasonal drink this time of year or sample several versions of cold brew, lattes, ice tea, lemonade, or mimosas served as flights. Both mocktails and boozy beverage options as well.

Craft Coffee House is open daily from 8 am to 3 pm.