The Cafe on Hawk Creek truly soars

By Sabine Wilson

For the TODAY

Wood-fired brick oven pizza with house-made dough, award-winning clam chowder, fresh seafood, a thoughtfully curated wine selection and even an ice cream truck during the warmer seasons — The Cafe on Hawk Creek goes above and beyond to serve its wide customer base.

The quintessential architecture, weaving exposed brick with robust woodwork then sprinkled with an array of beautiful live plants, brings a homey feel with a rustic warmth that is both aesthetically pleasing and cozy.

“We wanted it to be a place where people felt comfortable,” said Genie Ullrich, who, with husband Frank Ullrich, went from patron to owner in 2013.

“We used to come here before we owned it. It was like our home away from home and we wanted to maintain that feeling.”

In 2018, they did a major remodel of the building, increasing the size of the kitchen, doubling the capacity, opening the deck for outdoor seating and adding a bar.

“My husband did a lot of it,” Genie said. “He built the tables and did a lot of the work and planning himself.”

Staying true to the phrases “family-run business” and “loyal to local,” Genie added that her husband’s son had a place in the renovation as well.

“Frank basically had the vision, and we had his son do the contracting,” she said. “Then we hired someone local to do the engineering.”

While capacity is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions, the cafe still offers dine in, with the option of outdoor seating as weather permits, takeout and delivery to addresses in Neskowin and Pacific City.

After purchasing a business, they enjoyed for several years, the couple managed to pay homage to many item favorites while also expanding on the menu.

“We make the items on our menu from scratch,” Genie said. “We make pizza dough every day and even our dressings are made fresh.”

While no one can argue with freshly-made ingredients, The Cafe on Hawk Creek goes the extra mile to incorporate mouth-wateringly delicious seafood.

“We’ve really grown the seafood part of the menu since we know that’s something people look for when they come to the coast,” Genie said. “I’d probably have to say that my favorite is the macadamia halibut. It’s halibut that’s been rolled in crushed macadamia nuts and then finished with a creamy beurre blanc sauce.”

Genie highlighted some customer seafood menu favorites including: rockfish served with crab, hot and crispy fish and chips and fish tacos, while acknowledging that the clam chowder has received the highest accolades.

“We are known for our chowder,” Genie said. “It has won a number of awards.”

In addition to their delectable menu items, they also offer an ample selection of wines in addition to beer and cocktails.

“We have a large domestic wine collection featuring Willamette Valley Wineries,” Genie said. “We also offer some from Spain and New Zealand.”

The best part?

“We sell our wine and beer at retail prices,” Genie said.

Happy to participate in a local economy, Genie and Frank Ullrich incorporate local artwork into their decor and support a local and sustainable coffee company.

“We show local artists’ work including Michael Schlicting, Liisa Rahkonen and Ken Dust,” Genie said. “We wanted to keep the flavor of local artistry. We also serve Cape Foulweather Coffee Co., which is a coffee company in Lincoln City.

With thoughtful and personal touches at every step, the Ullrichs have managed to create a beautifully distinctive experience for customers in a warm and beautiful atmosphere.

It is clear that Genie and her husband have a profound love and respect for their coastal community. Whether it was providing meals for those who were unable to get out during the pandemic or giving out meals to evacuees, Genie believes there is a role to play.

“The community has been incredibly supportive. Even through these COVID times, people will thank us for just being there,” Genie said. “We greet many of our customers by name.”

What else sets The Cafe on Hawk Creek apart?

“Something that we added several years ago is an ice cream truck called the Village Scoop,” Genie said. “We have sundaes, malts, shakes, cones and of course Tillamook ice cream. My husband had these wooden tokens made up that we give to families with kids to get a free kid’s cone at the Scoop.”

Open from spring break until October, you can catch The Village Scoop ice cream truck right outside the cafe.

For now, you can settle for their affogato malts.

“That’s a vanilla ice cream malt with a shot of espresso,” Genie said. 

The Cafe on Hawk Creek is located in Neskowin at 4505 Salem Avenue and is open from noon until 9 pm, Thursday through Monday.

Call ahead to be added to the indoor dining wait list; reservations are accepted for larger parties.

For more information, go to www.cafeonhawkcreek.com.