Shannon KeoughIf you’re looking for a great local spot off-campus to indulge in drinks, coffee, lunch and delicious desserts then go check out the Gryphon Café.
Two doors down from the Wayne movie theater, the Gryphon Café is located at 105 West Lancaster Ave. in Wayne.
The atmosphere is a great place to relax, catch up on reading assignments, hang out with friends or even do homework, since the whole café has free Wi-Fi internet access.
Gryphon Café serves lunch until 4 p.m. and soup until 9 p.m. Their menu consists of a unique array of sandwiches, salads and soup. Sandwiches are made fresh daily include roast beef, chicken salad, grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, grilled Portobello hummus and roasted red peppers. They also have organic peanut butter and jelly.
Owner Rich Mattis definitely takes pride in his café and enjoys making everyone feel at home. When you step into the café you feel at ease. The décor has a peaceful feeling like home, with calm lighting and a sense of comfort.
The café walls are lined with beautiful paintings and two seated tables. The back of the café has extra seating for more customers in larger parties.
“All our food is from local areas. We are mostly organic, even our milk is from local cows,” Mattis said.
Soups are available by cup or bowl, along with the house salad, Caesar salad, hummus plates, cheese and fruit trays.
Customers can also get combinations of any half a sandwich, soup or small house or Caesar salad. The sandwiches come with a choice of mixed greens or chips and are prepared on fresh-baked Metropolitan breads.
Muffins and croissants are made daily at the front counter, along with an assortment of cakes and desserts.
“Our most popular drink is Sean’s vanilla bean latte. The fresh squeezed lemonade is a summertime favorite. For the winter it’s our rich hot chocolate and in the fall season our apple spice cider is one of our best sellers,” Mattis said.
Another popular drink at the Gryphon is the jalapeno pepper shot. The drink is very spicy and only served in shot glasses.
“I don’t recommend the jalapeno pepper shot, even though I shouldn’t say that. It’s just an extremely hot and spicy drink, but they are certainly very popular,” Mattis said.
The architecture of the building is gorgeous with beautiful glass windows and arches. The café also has an added upstairs and balcony which you can see from the street outside.
“Upstairs is usually where our meetings, live bands and open mic nights take place. Open mic night is on Monday’s and live music on selected nights, which will be added to our Web site soon,” Mattis said.
“Everyone and anyone is welcome and can bring an instrument they play and perform right here at Gryphon on performing nights,” Mattis said.
The Gryphon Café hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s, and 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s. Sunday hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
