I was unexpectedly emotional walking into West Lorne’s newest addition SoSo’s Breakfast Tacos this morning. What used to be Pine Creek Gallery from my childhood is now this warm, cozy, love-filled breakfast spot — and watching Jess and Kris pour so much care into our little village of West Lorne honestly got me. This isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a labour of love.They built something really beautiful. The food? Incredible. The chicken & waffle taco is comfort food perfection (not spicy for me 😉), their own “Mexican” hot cocoa is rich and cozy, and dipping my My Little Sourdough Kitchen pistachio cookie into it felt like the most joyful collaboration I didn’t know I needed. They’ve thoughtfully renovated the space, added a beautiful community table right at the entrance, and created something that feels welcoming the moment you walk in. This is their first brick-and-mortar location after years of markets on their Blackstone, and it shows how much intention they’ve put into every detail — including their hours, which protect family, health, and community. That matters. SoSo’s officially opens to the public Tuesday, December 16, and West Lorne is better for it. If you love supporting small, family-run businesses that lead with heart, boundaries, and quality — this place is a gem.

SoSo’s Breakfast Tacos: A Labour of Love Finds a Home in West Lorne

When the doors opened at 236 Graham Road this week, it marked more than the launch of a new restaurant. For Kristina “Kris” Melhuish and Jessica “Jess” Watson, it was the arrival point of a journey built slowly, intentionally, and deeply rooted in community.

Their first brick-and-mortar location sits in a building rich with local history. Longtime residents may remember the space as Pine Creek Gallery, later a salon, and before all of that, a florist. Today, it has been thoughtfully reimagined as a warm, welcoming breakfast spot that honours that layered past rather than replacing it.

From Markets to Main Street

SoSo’s Breakfast Tacos began under a tent, on a Blackstone griddle, serving breakfast one market at a time. “Every single penny, we made at the markets went into this business” said Kris.

Their very first market was the Komoka Community Market in June 2024. From there, Kris and Jess showed up consistently across Southwestern Ontario, refining their menu, listening closely to customers, and learning what kind of business they wanted to build. Of all the markets they attended, it was the Dutton Farmers’ Market where they felt most at home. The sense of connection, familiar faces, and strong community spirit there helped shape the values that now define SoSo’s.

Meet the Founders

Kristina “Kris” Melhuish brings a steady, grounding presence to SoSo’s. She was hired by Canada Post on April 15, 2013, and has been with the organization for 13 years. In January 2025, she stepped away from work due to injury, entering a period of grief around the loss of a previously active physical and social life.

Opening SoSo’s has brought new rhythm, connection, and purpose into that season — offering a different kind of social and creative engagement rooted in hospitality and community.

Kris has also been 12 years sober, something she speaks about openly and with pride. Her sobriety is not separate from the business she’s building; it’s part of the clarity, steadiness, and care that shape how SoSo’s operates.

She shares her life with four rescue dogs, including Sofi (SoSo), the youngest and namesake of the business.

Jessica “Jess” Watson, originally from Texas, brings extensive restaurateur experience to the partnership, along with heart, creativity, and humour (“she’s the funny one,” she says). Jess spent five years working under her mentor Nick Badovinus, a prominent Dallas-based chef and restaurateur. During that time, she helped run and oversee 11 high-end restaurants in Dallas, Texas, serving professional organizations including the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Stars. She credits much of her professional growth to Badovinus taking her under his wing, and she still carries his lessons with her.

It’s not uncommon for Jess to quote “Nick-isms” in the kitchen — and when Kris does something that reminds her of her mentor, Jess will laugh and say, “You’re the female version of Nick Badovinus.”

The couple have been together for three years and married for two, building both a life and a business side by side.

Food Made with Intention

That same care is reflected in the kitchen.

SoSo’s breakfast tacos are made with farmer-raised eggs, fresh peppers and onions, melted cheese, and golden hash-brown potatoes, wrapped in lightly grilled flour tortillas. Gluten-free options are available, alongside classic sausage and bacon tacos, veggie options, and their popular chicken-and-waffle taco.

Nothing is deep-fried. Both the crispy chicken and hash browns are baked, reflecting a thoughtful, health-conscious approach to preparation.

Their salsa verde is made in-house using ingredients sourced from local farmers, including Field of Greens. Even the granola is homemade. A loyalty program rewards regular customers — after seven tacos, the eighth is free.

A Space That Welcomes You In

One message the owners want people to hear clearly is simple: don’t hesitate to come in at anytime.

Even if it looks close to closing time.

Even if it appears quiet.

Even if others are already inside.

“You’re not being rude by coming in close to closing time,” Watson says. “If it’s 1 p.m., my griddle is already on, so please come on in anyway.”

That openness is intentional. SoSo’s is designed to feel approachable, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming.

Choosing a Different Measure of Success

After years of working long hours in other roles, Kris and Jess made a conscious decision to build a business that protects their lives as well as their livelihoods. That philosophy is reflected in their hours, including being closed Sundays and Mondays — a boundary set early and with purpose.

They believe success is not measured only in revenue, but in health, presence, and the ability to actively participate in the communities they serve.

During the soft opening, the space was filled with familiar faces — tradespeople stopping in before work, neighbouring business owners, and longtime residents reconnecting. It felt less like a launch and more like a gathering.

SoSo’s Breakfast Tacos officially opens to the public Tuesday, December 16, adding not just a new restaurant to downtown West Lorne, but a new sense of care and intention.

It is a reminder that small businesses can grow without burning out, that community investment still matters, and that when something is built with patience and heart, it shows — in the food, the space, and the welcome at the door.

Marsha Knapp studied journalism at Humber College, worked in news and production, and now lives in West Lorne with her family. She is rediscovering her voice as a local storyteller. Read more at yougottaeatthis.net.