Tricia and Ken Fontana having worked in area foodservice establishments and hotels since the early 1980's decided to go out on their own. In 1994 Cold River Coffee Company was opened by them thus bringing specialty coffees teas and chocolates to an area where they were not available. Tricia's baking expertise, bolstered by her studies at Paul Smiths College, led them to pursue a place to showcase their wonderful coffees, teas and baked goods.
When one of their first customers decided to close in 1997, an opportunity arose. The rest is history. 1996 the first coffee bar in the area, 1997 Fresh Fruit smoothies made without mixes or additives and the first panini menu inside the blue line. Since day one our menus included cheese, eggs, produce & foraged goodies from the north country as well as locally raised beef.
When one of their first customers decided to close in 1997, an opportunity arose. The rest is history. 1996 the first coffee bar in the area, 1997 Fresh Fruit smoothies made without mixes or additives and the first panini menu inside the blue line. Since day one our menus included cheese, eggs, produce & foraged goodies from the north country as well as locally raised beef.
Reviews (18)
Jason A.
Nov 28, 2021
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Derek H.
Nov 13, 2021
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Federico C.
Oct 11, 2021
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The best place for breakfast in Saranac
Traditional food is revamped with some great ingredients! I love everything here, especially the family feeling you breathe since the welcome in.
We stop here every year during our multiple trips to Saranac.
Don't get the exit door before trying their stellar muffins!
Traditional food is revamped with some great ingredients! I love everything here, especially the family feeling you breathe since the welcome in.
We stop here every year during our multiple trips to Saranac.
Don't get the exit door before trying their stellar muffins!
Tom F.
Sep 11, 2021
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Kevin S.
Aug 21, 2021
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We stopped here for breakfast it was a little busy so there was a little wait because they're short staffed as is every location which we totally understand since we are in the business. Bloody Mary and mimosa's was delish. Pancakes were phenomenal and the corn beef hash was excellent definitely homemade. Hi son had a Reuben which looked phenomenal and he said was really good and he is a Reuben connoisseur.
Jame D.
Aug 21, 2021
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Mieko O.
Aug 09, 2021
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Very good food and service. We enjoyed our breakfast in the back of the cafe and appreciate the homemade touches of the food. Our 6-year old daughter liked her blueberry pancake which was quite filling for her. I enjoyed the Benedict with ham and home baked English muffins. Felt safe and distanced from other parties.
Kristina Z.
Jun 26, 2021
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I would've given it 3.5 stars, but I'm in a good mood so I went with 4 rather than 3:) Negatives: the food was kind of under-seasoned to my taste, and home fried potatoes burnt, and I love potatoes, so that was disappointing. Positives: English muffins that they bake on premises were delicious, and poached eggs were cooked perfectly. I don't think I would come here again, but I wouldn't discourage you from trying this place out.
Laura S.
May 24, 2021
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The food here is just fabulous! We went on a very busy Saturday morning and there was a wait. The staff was absolutely up front about that and communicated frequently. It was worth the wait. The eggs were perfectly cooked, the ingredients were so fresh, and the staff was so friendly even though it was obvious they were all working their you know what's off! Loved the fresh fiddlehead dish was offered - now that's local!
Karen S.
Dec 27, 2020
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Laura L.
Dec 10, 2020
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Rachel D.
Nov 12, 2020
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This was the perfect breakfast place heading home from Lake Placid. Right on the way with minimal detour.
Small and quaint with that homey feeling. Service was great and with Covid so around, every precaution was in place.
We ordered the Egg,cheese and bacon breakfast sandwich on an Asiago cheese bagel and a plate of 2 sunny side up eggs, homemade wheat toast and a side order of taters(slice potatoes with peppers and onions).....DELICIOUS!!
The prices were great for the large portions you recieved. We couldn't even finish, but you bet we took it to go. How could you not?
We cannot
Small and quaint with that homey feeling. Service was great and with Covid so around, every precaution was in place.
We ordered the Egg,cheese and bacon breakfast sandwich on an Asiago cheese bagel and a plate of 2 sunny side up eggs, homemade wheat toast and a side order of taters(slice potatoes with peppers and onions).....DELICIOUS!!
The prices were great for the large portions you recieved. We couldn't even finish, but you bet we took it to go. How could you not?
We cannot
Perri L.
Oct 16, 2020
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I am an immune compromised person and I felt very safe eating here. The spacing of customers
was great. The wait staff was very careful to maintain social distance and wore masks. AND the food and coffee were AMAZING. I had French toast with eggs and potatoes... so so yummy! Great safe place to eat!
was great. The wait staff was very careful to maintain social distance and wore masks. AND the food and coffee were AMAZING. I had French toast with eggs and potatoes... so so yummy! Great safe place to eat!
Martin B.
Aug 21, 2020
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Julia W.
Aug 07, 2020
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I want to like this place. The food is fine and they have the biggest breakfast selection in town, but the service is awful. I've dined in three times: the first time it took a half hour to get my food. The second time, my boyfriend and I waited 25 minutes for them to take our order and then we just left. The third time, about 15 minutes to take our order and 25 minutes to get it. The first two visits were pre-covid, fully staffed.
Just now I tried calling for takeout and was put on hold for ten minutes while I listened to the girl on the phone take 3 people's orders in store and then
Just now I tried calling for takeout and was put on hold for ten minutes while I listened to the girl on the phone take 3 people's orders in store and then
Colleen T.
Aug 28, 2019
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HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Went here for lunch and got the tomato mozzarella panini with a side of garlic and herb mayo. My father got the Reuben sandwich and switched out the chips for coleslaw. Both where so delicious and flavorful on their homemade breads! We hardly talked outside of saying "mmm so gooood" cause we couldn't get enough!
We got there at a busy time and while they were understaffed. Staff seated us as quickly as possible and were extremely nice and attentive. Place was clean and nicely decorated with local art!
It's even a treat when you go to the bathroom, which
We got there at a busy time and while they were understaffed. Staff seated us as quickly as possible and were extremely nice and attentive. Place was clean and nicely decorated with local art!
It's even a treat when you go to the bathroom, which
Nicole L.
Jun 02, 2019
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Liar, liar pants on fire!
Got there on a Sunday at 11:57. I asked if they served lunch as well as breakfast. She went to ask and told me I could only order it at 12. Like really? We said fine and asked for the menu because she didn't seem like she wanted to give us one. She reminded us once again that we could not order until after 12. Great customer service.
The menu said their corn beef was made in-house. Wonderful, what a treat I thought and I ordered a Reuben. Well, they need to take that off their menu because it's an out right lie.
I knew it was not made in house after
Got there on a Sunday at 11:57. I asked if they served lunch as well as breakfast. She went to ask and told me I could only order it at 12. Like really? We said fine and asked for the menu because she didn't seem like she wanted to give us one. She reminded us once again that we could not order until after 12. Great customer service.
The menu said their corn beef was made in-house. Wonderful, what a treat I thought and I ordered a Reuben. Well, they need to take that off their menu because it's an out right lie.
I knew it was not made in house after
Jessica D.
May 12, 2019
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Had a very nice brunch here today. My eggs benedict was very tasty but the hollandaise sauce was a little too thin and lemony for my liking. It was hard to get past the lemony flavor and should of been much more subtle. The bread used was different then a typical English muffin but it was good. It also had nice thick pieces of ham. I loved the side potatoes and that they came with peppers and onions. My boyfriend got the panini #1 with turkey, bacon, tomatoes etc. He was very happy with his sandwich and had a hard time finishing it since it was so big. One strange thing is that the coffee is self