During her time as a teacher, Melissa Hericks and her colleagues carried out a running joke about starting a coffee truck.
The group had witnessed the challenges within their roles as teachers, but saw how quickly the challenges were evolving.
“We all had families and our own lives, but often joked about owning some shares in a coffee truck and supporting other teachers by delivering coffee to the various schools in Sioux Falls,” said Hericks.
In 2016, Hericks took the chance to step back from teaching and moved to Watertown when she married her husband.
“Watertown has always felt like home to me since I grew up on a ranch a couple hours away,” shared Hericks.
Though growing up on a ranch was challenging, the experience instilled a strong work ethic and motivated Hericks to discover her purpose.
With that mindset and her expansive set of hobbies like baking, woodwork, repurposing furniture, coffee brewing, and winemaking, Hericks began brainstorming what Watertown needed.
“I found the north part of Watertown was slim on eating establishments and nutritional foods as a whole,” stated Hericks.
“We are often the first stop when cyclists come through town, or the first outing with newborns, bridal/bachelor gatherings, and the weekly meeting spot for business meetings.” -Melissa Hericks
Shortly after this revelation, Hericks purchased a piece of land on North Highway 81 and opened Backroads Coffeehouse & Lunchboxx in November 2019.
Hericks shared Backroads Coffeehouse & Lunchboxx started by offering a variety of drinks, such as coffee, tea, and smoothies.
“We also had a small bakery and one sandwich— which is still our number one selling sandwich, the CranAlmond Chicken Salad Sandwich—but the community quickly showed me that they wanted more food options,” she added.
Hericks implemented her community’s suggestion, adding an all-day breakfast menu including the Dakota Croissant Sandwich and Breakfast Bowl.
She also added seven lunch menu items, from salads like the Chipotle Salad and Caesar Salad, to sandwiches and wraps like the Clubhouse and the Turkey Cranberry Salsa Sandwich.
Customers can customize their meals with various side options, such as macaroni and cheese or soup, chips and salsa, a baguette, or a house salad.
“Our dishes are made in-house, which speaks volumes to how popular these dishes have become,” shared Hericks.
MORE ON THE MENU
BREAKFAST ALL DAY
» Jo Jo’s Burrito
Soft scrambled eggs, an option of bacon and/or sausage, pico, black beans, cheddar cheese, herbed wrap, and salsa.
SANDWICHES & WRAPS
» Turkey Avo BLT
Turkey, bacon, lettuce, housemade avocado spread, vine-ripened tomatoes, toasted bread or croissant.
» Chipotle Bowl
Seasoned chipotle chicken, cilantro rice, black bean and corn, lettuce, gluten-free chips, grape tomatoes, cilantro, and house-made chipotle sauce. Can be served in an herbed wrap or as a salad.
ESPRESSO BAR
» Depth Charge
Oak Cliff Espresso shot into a house blend coffee.
» Mocha
Two shots of espresso melted with a choice of chocolate sauce (white, milk, or dark chocolate) and combined with creamy, velvety textured steamed milk.
BLENDED DRINKS
» Brian’s PB & Caramel Cloud
Peanut butter and milk chocolate combination with an option to add caramel.
» White Raspberry Cloud
Part of Backroads’ creamy blend with white chocolate sauce and raspberry syrup, drizzled with raspberry sauce, and whipped topping.
SMOOTHIES
» Organic Smoothies
100% fresh fruit smoothies with ice and milk for “a daily dose of deliciousness.”
Other culinary options include oatmeal, granola, yogurt parfaits, and a selection of rolls, pastries, and cookies that are baked fresh every morning.
“Our house-made bars and cookies, like our Scotcharoos and Monster Cookies, are a Midwest staple,” said Hericks.
As for beverages, Backroads Coffeehouse & Lunchboxx has made a name for itself with their smooth Cold Brew and espresso.
Hericks shares there’s one cold brew item that gained instant popularity, enough to achieve a permanent spot on the Backroads menu.
The One with the Cheesecake, also known as The Chandler Cold Brew, was introduced during the Friends TV show drink series.
Other popular coffee options include the Latte Caramel Macchiato, the Turtle Mocha, and the Espresso Macchiato.
For non-coffee drinkers, Backroads offers an abundant variety of sweet drinks like their Hand-Shaken Summer Teas, Chai Lattes, House-Made Lemonade, Italian Cream Soda, Refreshers, and Lotus Plant Energy drinks.
Hericks says a popular choice during the summertime are the Backroads Cloud Drinks. Choose between the Snickerdoodle Cloud, Cookies and Cream Cloud, Frozen Hot Chocolate, and more.
Cloud drinks can be made “stormy” by adding espresso and whipped cream.
Backroads Coffeehouse & Lunchboxx is more than an eatery—it’s a haven for the Watertown community.
“I want to be a platform for others,” explained Hericks. “I want to help launch other small businesses in our area and help support their passion.”
Hericks holds a labor of love towards local artists. She shares she often visits art festivals to search for new artwork to showcase to her customers.
“If I see something that fits our atmosphere, I reach out to the artist and tell them of an opportunity to present their work on my walls,” expressed Hericks.
She continued, “At Backroads, creating a presence for them is important to us.”
Hericks also sells unique antiques from Sweden and Southern Europe.
A FLOURISHING PARTNERSHIP
Every spring and summer, Pixie Acres Flower Farm uses Backroads Coffeehouse & Lunchboxx’s storefront for easy in-store pickup by customers.
To continue to support the community, Backroads offers a rental space—the Americana Room—to its customers.
The large room caters up to 25 guests paired with a full food and beverage menu.
Customers can rent the entire establishment for a larger event, accommodating up to 100 guests.
“The atmosphere of those events is incredible,” shared Hericks. “Our home is welcoming, and it’s used to create memories.”
The growth of Backroads Coffeehouse & Lunchboxx isn’t finished yet, shares Hericks.
“We’re currently expanding to office catering,” she said. “The next phase of Backroads Lunchboxx is still evolving.”
As a self-titled visionary, Hericks sees Backroads as more than a restaurant; she sees it as a platform for leadership, honesty, and honing in on skills to follow a passion.
“I want to give others the steps to visualize their passion, question how hard they’re willing to work, and teach them the skills to execute it,” said Hericks.
