4 minute read
Food For Thought - Toasty's Cheese & Salad Bar
Food For Thought - Toasty's Cheese & Salad Bar
By David Clark
Crafted with care, the yummy gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches at Toasty’s Grilled Cheese & Salad Bar, have created a stellar reputation as a favourite niche eatery in the downtown core since 2013.
This unique one-of-a kind restaurant is all about the cheese — 26 different flavours in custom specialty sandwiches to be exact (outlined on a chalkboard menu). Side by side, you can also order your choice of soup and/or salad.
According to Co-Owners/Operators (twin sisters), Stephanie and Vanessa Clark, the shop follows a simple motto — “We provide COMFORT food in a comfortable setting, CREATE new inventive sandwiches and salads, and always provide a sense of COMMUNITY.”
When you walk in, the atmosphere is inviting. You can see the energy emanating throughout the room. The modern look and youth-oriented appeal speaks to the owners, two proud millennials who recently secured a spot as a 2019 Biz X Award nominee for “Marvellous Millennial Manager.”
As Vanessa explains, “So many remember growing up with grilled cheese as a staple in their home, and we love providing a way for people to re-live that. We take cheese one step further.”
Peeking at the menu, you can’t overlook the Toasty’s Original, a timeless classic. This is the flagship signature sandwich of the fleet, the cheesiest of them all! It’s a hefty four cheese blend of flavours, oozing with Cheddar, American, Mozzarella and Swiss. If you’re interested in what others order, the most popular sandwich on the menu is the Toasty’s Cuban. In the Windsor food scene, it has been gaining momentum, challenging less exotic sandwiches to the table.
Ham, Pulled Pork, Swiss, provolone with pickles and mustard will get your motor running.
A specialty sandwich and new to the menu, the Toasty’s Stuffed Mushroom, is a hidden gem. It does vegetarian in a serious way!
Everyone loves a good Clubhouse and when you hear this word you usually know what’s in it, but with Toasty’s Club Sandwich you get that extra dose of cheese to make it right!
Another inventive specialty at the shop is The Dipper, made with a unique spinach and artichoke dip, combined with cheddar cheese and fresh spinach.
If you’re into healthy choices, the Goat Cheese Salad is the most popular item on the menu. Loaded with lettuce, cucumber, spinach, broccoli, cheese, and more, it is truly a satisfying experience for veggie lovers.
The Mexican-style Santa Fe Salad is also a good choice because of its BBQ ranch dressing.
“Regarding food specials, we have customer favourites we bring out every once in a while,” Vanessa notes. “This option allows us to be inventive and try new ideas on our customers to see what works.” The Taco Supreme Grilled Cheese and the Pierogi Grilled Cheese are a couple of the food special surprises in store for you on any given day.
Of course, takeout for large and small orders, is an option. Please give them a little extra time on the large orders. And yes, they cater as well!
Toasty’s does it all including catering special events either onsite or remotely. They can accommodate 50 people at the restaurant or come to your location.
The Toasty’s Original Grilled Cheese is the boss — the cheesiest sandwich on the block! Photo courtesy of Chris Mailloux, Mayyou Photography.
“In the future, the goal is to stay consistent in what we do, but try new things,” indicates Stephanie. “Personally, I’d love to reach the 10 year mark. The possibilities are endless, one of our goals is to open a second location, but we are not too hasty.”
Stephanie is also a Board Member with the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, revitalizing the core in these challenging times. The goal is to see downtown businesses like Toasty’s thrive, so be sure to visit them every chance you can.
Toasty’s Grilled Cheese & Salad Bar is located at 357 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor. Find information on hours and the latest happenings on Facebook.com/Toastysgc
