By Chad Neal
There is a hidden gem a lot of folks round these parts don’t know about. The Nickel restaurant in Frewsburg, NY. About 45 minutes southwest of Ellicottville on Bone Run Road, sits an historic restaurant that has recently changed ownership to a local gal and her fella. Lisa Mendell and Chris Lynn (pictured) have taken over the Nic-L-Inn, which was also called the Mooney’s Tavern and Lucky Dollar back in the day, more than 40 years ago. It was established on the main thoroughfare twixt Jamestown and Bradford then. The Nickel restaurant has some stories to tell and this one here, is the beginning of the rabbit hole, because you’ll want to hear more once you’ve entered the established roadhouse.
The Villager caught up with Lisa Mendell and grilled her for some more information on their endeavor in Frewsburg at the Nickel. Mendell grew up in Ellicottville and has worked at many a place in the area, starting her restaurant career at the Spinning Wheel in Salamanca. She also worked in the food and service industry at Holiday Valley and HoliMont and she poured many a drink these past 8 years behind the bar at Dina’s in Ellicottville. Not to mention her role at Nature’s Remedy for 25 years as well. She also told The Villager about her partner Chris Lynn. He grew up in Frewsburg and subsequently his first job was dishwashing at the Nic-L-Inn and since went on to union work at Allied Alarm as a technician for two decades.
Mendell said, Chris “became a journeyman, worked in 8 different states over 19 years, and was a partner for 8 years until they sold the company and created LDI in 2011. Then in 2018 LDI bought this place {Nic-L Inn}. The official name was still the same, but most people refer to it as “The Nickel” so we ran with it.”
After the purchase Mendell said that Chris redid the bar and refurbished the décor consisting of a mounted deer, a buffalo head and a mountain lion. “Chris had always wanted to own and run a restaurant. He enjoys talking and working with people, and what better place to buy than one where you had your first job.”
Mendell also proclaimed The Nickel is in a great spot, “It’s has a great setting because it’s close to the Marina, (Onoville) and ATVs can easily access the restaurant. Very ideal to see boaters, fishers, bikers come in.”
They opened as The Nickel on April 6th this year. They are open all year long and their hours are Wednesday to Saturday 4-10pm and Sundays Noon-8pm. “The type of food we serve,” Mendell said, “is classic American cuisine, seafoods, pasta, steaks, and our famous Nickel Bread. We have a full bar with specialty cocktails that I brought from my 8 years of experience in Ellicottville. Our décor is on the rustic cabin side, we also have some wildlife in the building. Outside we have a patio bar with outside seating, with a beautiful waterfall too!”
On select nights there will be live music on the patio as well, and the great outdoor games of cornhole and mega Jenga too! “We’re really excited to bring some of the old nostalgia from the Nic-L-Inn with a new touch. Chris and I are hoping for this to become a legacy for our family and generations to come. But also, to make the memories with the community and friends.”