Craig's Coffee House in Mountain City

The Fourth of July special at the Dry Hill General Store in Butler Tennessee near Watauga Lake Tennessee

All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2008
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.

March 2008

Craig's Coffee House has been described as a pub - with coffee rather then beer. And so it is. At breakfast-time most customers are huddled in the coffee bar drinking coffee, eating a snack or a meal and talking and laughing with each other and the owners, Daniel and Tia Thomas.

Craig's Coffee House (named for the former owner) is more than a coffee house. It's a place to start your day. It's a restaurant to grab a fresh but quickly-served lunch. And, 2 nights a week, it's a dinner restaurant with unique dishes made with seasonal ingredients. And then there's the cheesecake.

Cheesecake at Craigs Coffee House in Mountain City near Watauga Lake Tennessee

Daniel and Tia took over Craig's Coffee House in January of this year. They kept much of what they loved about the business and are slowly introducing their unique touches.

Daniel has considerable experience in the restaurant business and Tia has been selling her cheesecakes locally for a while and loves introducing unique ingredients to classic dishes. She is from the Mountain City area and Daniel is from southern Virginia. They have 2 children and Daniel is also Pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church nearby.

Owners Daniel and Tia Thomas Craigs Coffee House in Mountain City near Watauga Lake Tennessee

Craigs Coffee House in Mountain City near Watauga Lake Tennessee

The coffee house is in a white cottage across from the Mountain City Elementary School. Besides the coffee bar room, there are 3 other spacious rooms with seating for meals, talking over coffee, or using their wireless internet service.

Customers at Craigs Coffee House in Mountain City near Watauga Lake Tennessee

At lunchtime the phone rings with customers who are finding out what the specials are and placing their orders. The parking lot fills with other customers, many regulars, and the friendly atmosphere resumes.

It is easy to see how visiting Craig's Coffee House can become a habit. Good coffee, good food, friends - old and new, and the unique atmosphere of, well, a coffee pub.

Craig's is located at 122 South Murphey Street in Mountain City (see map below for directions from Watauga Lake). Their phone number is (423) 727-0567. Their hours Monday - Wednesday are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. with dinner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.