How to Brunch Like a Local in Johnson City

 

Breakfast and lunch, together.  What’s not to like? We recently took a trip to Johnson City in search of a brunch that serves up local ingredients with a modern urban flare.

 

Having visited Downtown Johnson City in search of cocoa for my daughter’s birthday treat, we were familiar with Dos Gatos Coffee Bar. A local favorite that showcases exclusively crafted javas in a cozy atmosphere surrounded by local art.

 

Truly unique to Dos Gatos is the food program located inside the coffee bar known as The Orchard Mason. The combination of The Orchard Mason restaurant and Dos Gatos makes for something really special in this urban downtown location. And, after seven months of service inside Dos Gatos Coffee Bar, The Orchard Mason will be opening up a permanent location soon (details coming)! Before I show you what chef, Nathan Brand, cooked up for us, let me tell you a bit about The Orchard Mason and Dos Gatos Coffee Bar.

 

Fresh and local!  These are the two words that come to mind when I think of what I experienced at The Orchard Mason.  Downtown Johnson City is beginning to take the lead in the region on the fresh and local food front, and The Orchard Mason is already ahead of the curve.  The Orchard Mason name, itself, celebrates the beauty of one of the Appalachian region’s greatest assets: its natural setting and hardworking people!  The orchard and the mason represent the farm and the farmer and all the bounty that they provide in the stunning mountain region, as well as a native bee to Northeast Tennessee.  The food and atmosphere of Dos Gatos and the Orchard Mason demonstrate an appreciation of the long time heritage of the hard working mountain people in Northeast Tennessee, while simultaneously bringing Johnson City into the growing urban development of downtown America.

 

Dining in a restaurant that knows its menu is always beneficial for my family, as we have multiple food allergies in our home. The Orchard Mason (with plans to open more locations this year) happily worked with us and we were able to determine that the locally made sourdough bread was safe for my child to eat. Nathan modified their seven-minute egg into a scrambled egg with side of Benton’s bacon for my children.  We were especially excited to discover that the hot chocolate at Dos Gatos was also safe for my son as he is often unable to enjoy this treat in most coffee shops.  My husband and daughter enjoyed the Avocado toast which was very fresh and flavorful, while I had a hearty egg sandwich and sampled an amazing homemade apple butter “pop tart.” The pop tarts are prepared by J. Bake Co., a husband-wife baking business in the area. The food definitely has an urban upscale feel to it, yet tips its hat to the Appalachian down home breakfast with the options of grits and apple butter toast.

If you enjoy fresh ingredients in a quaint atmosphere and are in the mood for an urban downtown breakfast, check out The Orchard Mason and Dos Gatos Coffee Bar.  We are sure that the friendly staff and chef, Nathan, will be more than happy to see you.

 

Dos Gatos Coffee Bar is located at 238 Main Street in downtown Johnson City and is open seven days a week.

Stay up to date with The Ochard Mason’s plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant by visiting their Facebook Page.

Other brunch locations we recommend in Johnson City include:

Main Street Pizza Company hosts brunch on Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.  

First Watch is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Maple Street Biscuit Company is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Café Lola on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Label on Sundays from 11:30 to 2 p.m.

For more information on planning a trip to Johnson City, go to visitjohnsoncitytn.org.

Written by: Amanda Bowers of VeraVise WOW Travel