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Suburban café pouring fruit-forward V60 pour-overs and latte art, torch-topped Brûlée Waffles, and family-friendly plates like crispy chicken tenders.
Grace Coffee Co. nails the sweet spot between specialty coffee and family-friendly comfort, with light-to-medium roasts, legit latte art, and brunchy plates that don’t require a downtown parking battle. It’s the kind of spot where you can knock out emails, meet a friend, and still grab a crispy chicken tender basket for the kid—without waiting an hour for a table.
Recommendations based on quality, value, and visitor feedback
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
|
“The Grace” Latte (Vanilla + Cinnamon)
House-favorite latte with warm vanilla and cinnamon; ask for one pump less if you like it balanced.
|
$5.95 |
|
Brûlée Waffle
House batter waffle with a torch‑fired sugar cap for crème brûlée crunch.
|
$12.50 |
|
Lox Toast
Smoked salmon, dill, capers, and lemony whipped cream cheese on toasted artisan bread.
|
$13.00 |
|
Chicken Tenders Basket
Crispy tenders that get regular shout‑outs; comes with dipping sauce.
|
$10.50 |
|
Single‑Origin Pour‑Over
Rotating light/medium roasts brewed to order; ask for fruit‑forward picks.
|
$5.25 |
|
Almond Croissant
In‑house laminated; best before 10 am. Request “lightly toasted.”
|
$5.25 |
Grace Coffee Co. emerged in the late 2010s as a Madison-area specialty coffee brand focused on light-to-medium roasts and approachable café food. The concept pairs third‑wave espresso standards with a friendly, family‑forward service model.
The Sun Prairie café at 1261 Cabela Dr opened as a new build-out within the Prairie Lakes development, designed for a clear bar flow, bakery case visibility, and ample seating. The space was configured with wide pathways and front-window seating to handle both remote workers and weekend brunch traffic.
Operations emphasize consistent in‑house roasting, rotating single‑origin offerings, and a bakery program that supports early morning pastry demand. The team prioritizes customer‑direct adjustments—half‑sweet builds, alternative milks, and brewed‑to‑order pour‑overs are standard options.
The menu balances coffee-first offerings with waffles, crepes, and savory toasts tailored to Sun Prairie’s family and commuter patterns. Mobile ordering and counter pickup are integrated to reduce lines during peak Costco and weekend rushes.
Today, the location operates as a suburban hub for meetings and study sessions, with practical features like plentiful outlets along one wall and two single‑stall restrooms. Seasonal sidewalk seating appears in warmer months, extending the café’s capacity without changing the counter‑service format.
Prairie Lakes is a well-lit, high-traffic retail area with steady evening activity from big-box anchors. Typical suburban risks apply—lock vehicles and avoid leaving bags visible; occasional car break-ins are reported in large lots across Sun Prairie. After 9 pm the plaza quiets, but lighting remains strong around storefronts and main aisles.
Continuous sidewalks connect Grand Ave to Cabela Dr with marked crosswalks at the Costco entrance. Morning glare and wind can be strong across the open lots, and winter plow berms sometimes narrow curb access near the café entrance for a day or two after storms.
Large free surface lot; closest consistent openings are along the south/pond side and mid-aisles. Madison Metro Route B stops on Grand Ave near Cabela Dr (about a 3–5 minute walk) with ~15‑minute daytime frequency on weekdays and ~30–60 minutes on weekends; fare $2 adult single ride, day pass ~$5.
Weekend traffic stacks at the Costco gas entrance 9–11 am, slowing turns into Cabela Dr. Construction pops up seasonally on Grand Ave; expect lane shifts and brief delays during Summer 2025 paving windows.
For work time and easy seating, go Mon–Thu 1:30–3:00 pm—quiet room, strong Wi‑Fi, and open outlets along the right wall.
Place a mobile order 5–10 minutes out; pickup is on the left side of the counter. It beats the weekend queue when Costco traffic spills in.
Ask for croissants “lightly toasted” and lattes “minus one pump” for better balance. Seasonal syrups often run out by early afternoon on Sundays.
If the front row is packed, swing to the south/pond side—those rows stay open even during 9–11 am weekend rush.
Your guide to making the right choice
Remote work sessions with real coffee, casual meetups before a Costco run, kid‑friendly brunch without a long wait, and coffee folks who prefer bright, single‑origin flavors.
You need a drive‑thru, absolute library‑quiet on weekends, or strictly gluten‑free prep with zero cross‑contact risk.
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