“I’m going to need an ATV to get out of this parking lot.”

Taking my father for breakfast on our most recent visit, I couldn’t disagree. Undergrounds Coffee provides ample parking in its lot, a luxury compared to most Buffalo coffee shops. The down side is the giant potholes in the road, making each visit seem like this could be your car’s last ride.

The first room in this unassuming ex-funeral home is open with high ceilings and plenty of seating. The floor is a pretty white and black ceramic. As we had pulled up to Undergrounds, the retired realtor in my father came out: “Why did they chose this spot?” He answered his own question as soon as he walked in: “They chose this place for the floor.”

Its location in a sparsely inhabited neighborhood in South Buffalo seems far from ideal for business. Besides on visits to Undergrounds, the only time I have ever been in this part of Buffalo was when our cable guy recommended a nearby Lenten fish fry to my family. [Side note: the fish fry restaurant has since went bankrupt.]

Walking up a few steps towards a landing you come to the counter and some additional booths for seating. A bulletin board highlights upcoming community events, including a weekly yoga class on Monday nights. The menu is large and does not block those already in line, which I very much appreciate. Other swag, like Buffalo t-shirts, Undergrounds mugs, and coffee are also on display for purchase.

On my first visit, I had walked up to a central wall fixture, mini cubbies each filled with a handmade mug that displayed a different deceased celebrity or well-known figure. I immediately grabbed the Chris Farley mug with a zeal created by a childhood filled with watching his SNL clips. Within seconds, my sister pointed my attention to the sign next to the mugs asking that they not be touched.

This was one thing that my father also picked up on. The shop has little signs everywhere. They label the pastries, price the merchandise, request feedback, and explain their membership program. The membership is $100 per year in exchange for one of the aforementioned individually made porcelain mugs, 10% discount on all purchases, a free one-pound bag of coffee, and 10% off a pound of coffee each month. Members also receive special emails with member-only discounts and events. Coffee memberships are such a quintessentially community thing. Heck, I’d sign up just for my own Chris Farley mug.

As usual, my father requested whichever breakfast sandwich was  most “popular.” Much to my chagrin, rather than explaining the different options, the cashier gave him the most basic sandwich. The “Ralph Wilson” is a large, soft bagel with eggs, bacon, and cheddar. My father noted that it was good. He enjoyed it, though mid-way through I stared in disgust/horror as he removed a giant wad of bacon fat from his mouth. To be clear, we’re the type of family that keeps a mug of pork lard in our fridge at all times, but this was a monstrous hunk of fat.

Undergrounds has a great breakfast menu—delicious sandwiches, smoothies, and even the oatmeal is ridiculously tasty (and served in a mason jar—what fun!). On another visit, I sampled the Colonel Francisco, a toasted baguette with egg, sausage, pepper jack, and apricot chipotle. It was drool worthy.

The owner roasts their beans off-site and they have a wide selection of specialty (read: syrupy) beverages, though flat whites are not listed. Instead, I ordered an almond milk latte and received it in a to-go cup, despite sitting down with my father as he had breakfast. The latte was okay. In general, I’d stick with a straight coffee.

My sister describes Undergrounds Coffee as “rustic and urban.” I think that’s quite a stretch. I’d say, it’s a bit of a mishmash design-wise and there are a few kinks, but if I lived in South Buffalo, you can bet I’d be pumped to have Undergrounds Coffee in the area.

STATS

Price of a 12oz coffee: $1.95

Adult beverages: No.

Vibe: Buffalo vibe. Kind of mismatched, but overarching Day of the Dead theme.

Music: Calm.

Work/Study Spot?: Yes.

Wifi: Yes.

Food: Yes (breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, sandwiches, salads, etc.)

Coffee Sourcing: Roast their own beans.

Milk Options: Soy or Almond

Website: undergroundscoffeebuffalo.com

Hours: Mon – Fri (6AM-5PM)

              Sat – Sun (7AM-5PM)

Location:

580 South Park Ave

Buffalo, NY 14210