Atlas Coffee Mill Riverfront Restaurant

Great Location, very good food, good coffee
Located on the first floor of the historic Atlas Mill, which is the same building as the Paper Discovery Center. Right on the water, a great location pretty close to downtown and easier to get to then you might think. Food is also very good — fresh made, nothing frozen and reheated (a la Starbucks, etc.) Coffee is good, but not Acoca good.
Good place to spend some time, meet some friends or just grab a bite.

Great service & beautiful location. I wish they’d let us sit at the back window area overlooking the Fox but their fare is excellent. Mocha & muffin today. Yum.

This place has so much going for it! But I agree with the less than stellar reviews. There’s a $ 10 minimum for credit cards, so I agreed to pay $ 10 for a less than stellar drink. Also-​they have a cell phone rule, which I also can understand in some situations, however, I think it is unfair to rudely scold an adult drinking a $ 10 coffee for quietly scrolling the Internet. The outdoor space is beautiful, but not worth it to me.

Atlas Coffee Mill was recommended by one of our Appleton friends, and a great recommendation it is. Located adjacent to the Paper Discovery Center (we took the tour on Earth Day, a tribute to Governor Gaylord Nelson’s brainchild) and Fratello’s — Atlas Coffee Mill is tucked in between with a great view of the roaring Fox River and the dam. Things got started slow as there was no one to greet us but once we were, we were kindly invited to sit at the wall counter seats to view the river. One seat at the window was marked «reserved» and Sue gently remarked that it is reserved for her «single» guests… a very thoughtful consideration. You place your order at the counter and she brings your order out to your table. She had the Tuscan Ham & Cheese with Chips, sliced ham with roasted red peppers, spring greens, Gouda and Pepper Jack cheese, and Parmesan Italian mayo. (The kettle chips were perfectly crunchy and tasty). I had the ham and egg panini (this is hefty sandwich) with large black berries, blue berries, seedless watermelon, cantelope; scrambled eggs, ham, tomatoes, provolone and pepper jack cheese — served on a perfectly grilled panini. I also had a cup of the medium roast coffee — exceptionally perfect. As I sipped my coffee and soaked up the local history, I read a story from one of the books stacked on the counter — President Coolidge setting up the summer whitehouse in Superior WI and fishing the Brule for the summer of 1928 — a step back in time. Larry and Sue were gracious with their hospitality and sharing this quiet, serene vantage point of the roaring Spring, Fox River. Their website proclaims, «Fun, Food & Friendship at the Best Kept Secret on the Fox» — their delicious serving and kind hospitality made me a believer of the «fun, food, and friendship» part but we should all do our best to share the secret. If you are in a hurry, I’d suggest a different venue, not because they can’t accommodate your schedule, but because you might not be in the right frame of mind to physically and mentally decompress and soak in the natural beauty of the Fox River, the ambiance of the historic paper mill, and the home town hospitality of the Bogenshutz’s. Give yourself a break — relax and enjoy your next visit to the Atlas Coffee Mill — we did.

Pretty much agree with other less stellar reviews. I went to grab an early afternoon coffee during a work break. I often bring my clean, plastic reusable Starbucks cup, and other coffee shops in the area will put my drink in there (with a little bit of friendly joking about my toting a corporate coffee emblem). Here I was told they wouldn’t put my drink in a Starbucks cup. Ok, no biggie. I realized after the drink was made that there is a $ 10 minimum for credit cards. Purchased a gift card to make the minimum, since I figure I could use it to buy a few greeting cards or something at some point. But after that I will be sticking with my usual, less strict Appleton coffee places.

Strolled in yesterday with 2 other moms and our 3 new babies sound asleep in their strollers. We were told by the owner that she did not have room for strollers in the spacious and EMPTY dining area – there were 2 other people in the restaurant. She suggested we get our treats to go. Needless to say, we walked elsewhere for coffee and treats.

This is a great place to catch up with some friends. The set up to order is a little different than most places. We had to go to the cashier to get menu’s and then they seat you, then when you are ready to order you go back to the cashier and order your food there and then you wait at your table for your food to be served. Like I said, it’s a little different.
Overall, I enjoyed my burrito! They have breakfast items all day along with other sandwiches, panini’s and soups. They even have gluten free bread for those who can’t eat wheat. The views of the river is also a plus. Would go back there for lunch anytime!

Beautiful setting overlooking the River with dams. Spotted an eagle! Placed in a former mill with walls over a foot thick, wood floors, high ceilings paneled in wood, with well and amply placed pieces of folk art on display an easy walk from the dining area. The food was out of this world tasty, but not overly ample in portion, and so, a bit high. We went in winter and thought the view, the building, and it’s contents, were a welcome tonic to the grey weariness of the days. A fun place to hang out.
Since my trip here, I have found out that 2 groups meet here on a regular basis. As well they should. Such a comfortable atmosphere, worth returning to often.

You might get lucky and have a good sandwich. Or, you might get unlucky and not be able to get a seat due to all the empty outside tables being «reserved.» Also, plan lots of time, service is not the specialty. Its too bad this place doesn’t live up to its potential.

If it’s a beautiful day and you can get a table outside, I highly recommend it. I almost didn’t care what I ate because the view of the river is so lovely. Having said that, the strata (sort of a thick, square quiche) and the side of fresh fruit were good. The staff were also very friendly. I wish we’d had time to visit the paper museum next door.

We were given two $ 10 dollar gift certificates to Atlas Coffee Mill Riverfront Restaurant and were so excited to check out such a beautiful and historic spot in our home city. After picking out $ 20 dollars worth of food and beverages, the cashier informed us that were only allowed to use one gift certificate ‘per party’. We decided «What the heck?» and thoughT «We want to try out this place» so we decided to spend the one $ 10 gift certificate on a quesidilia which cost $ 9.95 (wHOAH) and pay cash for our ‘iced’ coffees.
SUDDENLY, after ringing this all up, the total for two iced coffees was $ 9.62 (whoAH again). Without acknowledging out presence, I overheard the supervisor telling the cashier to «add on the gratuity». Being that we ordered our food to go, i wondered what this «gratuity» was for, so i asked. Apparently a gratuity fee is added on whenever a gift certificate is used. I am not sure what the laws are in the state regarding gratuity, but it seems like they are not asking your permission for their tips. But it’s okay according to them because it is going to charity. We can and do give to charity on our own accord thank you very much. Just to some this up– all in all we paid $ 9.62 for 2 coffees and one quesidilla, and that was after a whopping discount of $ 10.00. side note– these «iced» coffee drinks were totally lacking on the coffee portion.
And finally the thing that disappointed us the most… on such a wonderful sunny day we find ourselves waiting inside for our food, isolated to the one table where we can wait for our one 10 dollar meal (we were asked to come inside away from the beautiful view, even though no one was waiting for a table and there were plenty of open tables on the patio) PLUS half of their inside tables were RESERVED! We have been to coffee shops/​cafes all around the world, and none have made us feel less at home than the one in our home town.
We ask you is this, is this place supposed to be a CAFE? Or a highly expensive and exclusive eaters club?

The smoothies were excellent, no added sugar :) I love that they carry beer and wine.

Free wifi! Ghiradelli hot chocolate with whipped cream! Views of the Fox River in a remodeled old mill!
Menu includes eggs, oats, panini, fruit, sandwiches, salads, wraps, platters, and espresso drinks. (Chicken salad on a bed of romaine really means chicken salad on one large leaf of romaine that serves as garnish. I’d have preferred more greens.) They have a nice little riverside deck and inside seating too. Oh, and you can get there on the trolley or by walking along the river, in addition to the obvious choice of driving and parking in the massive lot.