What's Cooking: Beaver Falls gets new coffee shop & restaurant; Ambridge coffeeshop grows

Scott Tady, Beaver County Times
Updated ·4 min read

(What's Cooking is a twice-a-month look at the Beaver Valley food and drinks scene.)

Seventh Avenue FishChick & More opened a few weeks ago at 1424 Seventh Ave., in Beaver Falls.

"We have a nice full-size menu and offer breakfast lunch and dinner," owner Ron Jaber said. "We are known for our fish and chicken. We serve six types of fish; haddock, cod, perch, whitening, salmon and catfish and we also offer a variety of whole wings breaded with our famous Linmar seasoning" (one of 29 wing seasonings).

Seventh Avenue FishChick & More has opened in Beaver Falls, a takeout restaurant with sit-down tables and stools, too,
Seventh Avenue FishChick & More has opened in Beaver Falls, a takeout restaurant with sit-down tables and stools, too,

7th Avenue FishChick & More appetizers range from grape leaves and pita to cauliflower bites; four kinds of shrimp (battered, popcorn, butterfly and Buffalo butterfly) to clam strips and mac and cheese wedges.

Six styles of wraps include the Bacon Ranch chicken and Buffalo Chicken (both $9.95).

Mexican fare includes burritos, tacos and quesadillas,

Seventh Avenue FishChick & More has opened in Beaver Falls, a takeout restaurant with sit-down tables and stools, too,
Seventh Avenue FishChick & More has opened in Beaver Falls, a takeout restaurant with sit-down tables and stools, too,

Dinner entrees include items like hot meatloaf sandwiches ($8.95), mushroom Swiss burger ($7.50), crab cakes ($12.50), baked or battered cod ($13.95) and salmon ($15.95).

Open daily at 9 a.m., breakfast options include such favorites as pancakes, French toast, waffles and steak & eggs.

Takeout will be a big part of the business, though the restaurant has seating for 30, including a few booths and stools at counters.

7th Avenue FishChick & More also will sell takeout beer and alcohol slushies.

Jaber formerly owned Reeniko’s Sports Bar and Grille a few blocks down Seventh Avenue, and Fifth Avenue Taphouse in New Brighton.

He's also planning to open a new restaurant in downtown New Brighton, Big Rock Bar & Grill, near the wine store.

Seventh Avenue FishChick & More has opened in Beaver Falls, a takeout restaurant with sit-down tables and stools, too,
Seventh Avenue FishChick & More has opened in Beaver Falls, a takeout restaurant with sit-down tables and stools, too,

Beaver Falls coffee shop debuts

Chaotik Java coffee shop opened last week in Beaver Falls.

Fresh-brewed coffee, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches and more are on the menu of the shop, located at 1409 Seventh Ave., across from Oram's Donut Shop and a block from Neighborhood North Museum.

Breakfast choices include the sausage, egg and cheese bagel ($5.50) and bacon, egg and cheese bagel ($6.25).

Baked goods include muffins, chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

Coffee cravers can choose from macchiatos, espresso, lattes, Americanos and straight-up coffee or cold brew. Iced teas include peach and strawberry.

Chaotik Java has opened in Beaver Falls.
Chaotik Java has opened in Beaver Falls.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.

Formerly located in Midland, Chaotik Java sells items like pumpkin spice lattes and bagels with homemade cream cheese.

Online ordering is available at chaotik-java.square.site.

Chaotik Java coffee shop has opened in downtown Beaver Falls.
Chaotik Java coffee shop has opened in downtown Beaver Falls.

Ambridge coffeeshop expands kitchen

Merchant Coffee Co.'s cafe held its soft opening last week in Ambridge.

The expanded kitchen at the popular Merchant Street coffee shop now includes elevated menu items such as sausage gravy and toast points, breakfast pockets ($6), candied bacon, gluten-free vegan frittatas ($7.50), quinoa salad, chicken salad wraps, gluten-free Cauliflatbread ($14), overnight oats ($3), and Grown Up Grilled Cheese (with gouda and bacon onion jam on sourdough) for $9.

Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge has expanded its cafe options.
Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge has expanded its cafe options.

"Everything is super fresh, made in-house," Merchant Coffee owner Kimberly Fabrizio said. "We source some of our ingredients locally."

Lettuce Ladies, an Economy farm growing hydroponic lettuce and microgreens, is one key supplier. House-made tomato soup, sausage gravy, salsa and pickled veggies adhere to the zeal for freshness.

Grilled cheese at Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge.
Grilled cheese at Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge.

The Little Bellies portion of the menu, includes a grilled PB&J with a side of carrot sticks or chips for $5.

Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge has expanded its cafe options.
Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge has expanded its cafe options.

Located at 922 Merchant, current hours, during the soft opening, are Mondays through Fridays from opening time (7 a.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. weekends) until 2 p.m., "but this is anticipated to change to a full seven days a week and maybe even longer hours," Fabrizio said. "Not sure how long that will take, though."

Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge.
Merchant Coffee Co. in Ambridge.

Wassail Walk in New Brighton

People will come a-wassailing in New Brighton on Dec. 1.

It's the sixth annual Wassail Walk, a benefit for the New Brighton Public Library.

For a $15 advance ticket ($20 at the door), people will stroll downtown and visit participating businesses serving homemade wassails and various appetizers.

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Wassail, seen in this Food Network recipe, will be served at downtown New Brighton destinations this weekend.
Wassail, seen in this Food Network recipe, will be served at downtown New Brighton destinations this weekend.

The list of participants keeps growing, but at last check, Polly's Leggings and Gifts, The Smoke Shop, The Blue Marble, Pappy's Hand-Crafted Candles, Quality Time and Carry Out, The Brighton Music Center, First Presbyterian Church of New Brighton, Forte Financial, Mila Jai Boutique, Kopicko's Pizza, Silver Foxx, We're At Your Service, Altman's Gunsmithing and The Lisa Lathom Team at EXP Realty all will be offering wassail.

"This is more than we have ever had," Lauren Cesnales, New Brighton library director, said. "We also have over 25 baskets and items that will be raffling. We will have carolers strolling the town and music performances in some businesses."

As the Merriam-Webster dictionary reminds us, wassail is a "hot drink that is made with wine, beer, or cider, spices, sugar, and usually baked apples and is traditionally served in a large bowl especially at Christmastime."

Homemade wassail recipes were judged by participants of the New Brighton Public Library's third annual Wassail Walk.
Homemade wassail recipes were judged by participants of the New Brighton Public Library's third annual Wassail Walk.

More: Sheetz plans to open in Vanport Township

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: What's Cooking: Beaver Falls gets new coffee shop & restaurant