Toasted

Toasted is located in a strip mall (between Tijuana Flats and Outback) on the corner of Aloma and Lakemont in Winter Park. From the “About Us” section of their website “Toasted restaurant specializes in crafted grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers and natural cut fries, served in an effortless, fast casual dining environment. We also offer a full Vegetarian and Vegan menu, packed with specialty Vegan grilled cheese and burgers featuring our house made Vegan cheese.”

With the excitement of a new restaurant dedicated to Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Specialty Burgers I was truly hoping that I would enjoy Toasted. As I walked in my first time I realized how small the space is, but was delighted to see how cleverly they had it set up

On my first visit I was delighted to see how many mouth-watering items they had on their Vegan Menu. Now if they tasted just half as good as they sounded then this place would get a thumbs up from me. I ordered The Bella (Vegan Burger, Vegan Cheese, Confit Portobellos, Caramelized Onions, locally sourced Artisan Bun $6.50) and a side of Natural Cut Fries (Truffle Oil and fresh Rosemary $2.50).

The Burger was fantastic. The Patty was really tasty, the In-House Made Vegan Cheese was thick and creamy (made with Coconut Milk) and the Bun was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It combined beautifully with the toppings and made for a hearty Burger!

The Fries were so good, the Truffle Oil and Rosemary gave them an interesting twist, and I knew that I would be ordering them again and again. Well worth the $2.50!

My second visit I had the Holy Basil Burger (Mozzarella, Spiced Tomato Chutney, Pesto, Arugula $7) only I swapped out the Beef for another one of those amazing Vegan Patties and a side of Toasted’s Mac & Cheese (Jarlsberg, Extra Sharp Cheddar, Gruyere $2.5).

This Burger was also very good and the huge quantity of Mozzarella really took it over the top.

The Mac & Cheese was also good, it seems like they scoop it onto the flattop and grill it, which gives it a really crunchy crust! (However I still prefer the Truffle Oil/Rosemary Fries for my side item – they are really that good!!!)

Third visit – Forever Fall from the Vegan Menu (Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Apple Chutney, on Levain Bread $6).

This was the first time that I actually ordered a Grilled Cheese Sandwich here. I liked the sweetness of the Sweet Potato and the Apple Chutney.

And on my fourth visit I ordered the Fig & Goat (Havarti, Goat Cheese, Fig Preserves, Basil, Honey $6.25) and some Fries of course!

This sandwich was by far the sweetest that I have had here, but what a wonderful combination of flavors it was!

 

As you can see I am a fan. Toasted provides delicious comfort food to the masses, but I am highly impressed that they do that for the Vegan community as well. (Not always an easy task) I will continue to support this place and I expect that they will be around for awhile!

The Greek Corner

I love Greek Food and have tried it from Florida to New York, but nothing has compared to The Greek Corner. I feel very lucky that my all time favorite Greek Restaurant is about ten minutes from my house.

 Open since 2005, this modest eatery with a quaint atmosphere sits across the street from Lake Ivanhoe. There is indoor seating, but if the weather is nice I recommend sitting outside and enjoying the ambiance.

Greek Restaurants often lean towards Mediterranean Cuisine offering things like Falafel and Hummus. The Greek Corner does not do this, if anything they lean a little towards American (offering Chicken Wings and Burgers) and Italian (offering Pastas and Chicken Marsala).

As for the Food, what makes me love this place so much is their Gyro!

Gyro Sandwich – a mixture of Ground Beef and Lamb, combined with Herbs accompanied by fresh Tomatoes, Onions and Tzatziki Sauce, wrapped in grilled Pita Bread and served with Fries or a Salad $9.95

The Gyro meat is so Garlicky and Well-Seasoned that I just can’t get enough of it. There have been many occasions where I have just gone there and gotten some Gyro “To Go” ($5.50 includes a side of Tzatziki Sauce), and of all the many places that I have gotten Gyros over the years I have never had such a flavorful one as here at The Greek Corner.

Other standouts that I have enjoyed are the Chicken Kebob Salad (Marinated Greek style Chicken over fresh Garden Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Onions, Olives, and Feta Cheese topped with House Dressing $9.95). There is tons of tender Chicken on this Salad and you will not leave hungry.

The Moussaka (Alternate layers of Minced Beef, Roasted Eggplant and Potato topped with Bechamel Sauce, served with Salad and Greek Roasted Potatoes $15.95) is also pretty amazing. Because of how good it was the first time I tried it here at The Greek Corner I have also ordered this dish at Greek Restaurants everywhere but most places make it with a Tomato-based sauce (making it too Italian for my tastes) and nowhere has ever been able to compare to this masterpiece.

Even the Greek Burger (Crispy Bacon, Feta, Lettuce and Tomato served with Fries $9.95) is really pretty good and a great choice for someone who is a “Greek Beginner”.

Even if you have your favorite Greek Place or you are new to Greek Food, I encourage you to try The Greek Corner. They keep things simple but pack in the flavor!

Piccadilly Cafeteria

Piccadilly Cafeteria in the Volusia Mall is a place that I have been going to for at least 25 years. I probably haven’t actually been there in over ten years but my parents go there quite frequently. On a recent visit to Daytona my mother and I went there and it was exactly like I remembered.

As you go down the line you can pick what you would like to eat and the servers will dish it out and pass it to you.

There are plenty of Salads, Entrees, Side Dishes, Breads and Desserts to choose from.

The prices can’t be beat. My mother and I each had a Vegetable Plate (3 Side Items and a Bread) and then we shared. I think our bill with an Iced Tea came out to about $12. No wonder my parents dine here regularly.

My mom had Turnip Greens, Cabbage and Carrot Soufflé with a Soft Roll.

Their Carrot Soufflé is one of their signature dishes. It is very sweet and reminds me of Sweet Potato Casserole. 

I had Broccoli Cheese Casserole, Mac N Cheese and Black Eyed Peas with a Corn Bread Stick.

By the time we finished eating we were both stuffed and had each gotten to try 6 different things!  

Cafeteria style dining seems to be a dying thing, so being here was both nostalgic and a little bit sad as well. However by looking at their website I see that there are still tons of locations all over the country, and with the deals that are to be found I truly hope that Piccadilly will continue to thrive!

B & B Junction

B&B Junction is a “Farm to Table” Burger joint that focuses on high quality grass fed local Beef. They are located on Fairbanks Avenue in the former location of 4 Rivers.

The set up is basically the same as when it was 4 Rivers, only now instead of getting your food “cafeteria style” they give you a number and then bring your food out to you.

The seating area is much nicer then before, and I think the parking is even a little better. (I try to go at slower times during the day so I still haven’t seen it too busy)

They offer a “Loyalty Rewards” card so when you spend a certain number of dollars there you automatically get $5 off of your next meal. I always like a little extra incentive!

They also have a decent “ever changing” selection of home-baked Desserts, I still have not tried any but I am always tempted.

Now on to the food….

The first time I went to B&B I had the #18 (House Made Veggie, Seasonal Wild Mushroom, Gruyere, Truffle Aioli, Watercress, Tomato, Whole Wheat Bun $8.5).

As I bit in to it I noticed that the Veggie Patty had some interesting flavors, it was unlike any “Veggie Burger” I had ever had! Possibly a bit of Curry Powder? Who knows? But I do know that I Love It!

I think that it is actually the Best Veggie Burger that I have ever had!

My friend ordered the #5 (House-Made Bourbon Ham, Pecan-Smoked Bacon, Over-Easy Fried Farm Egg, Brie, Brioche French Toast $9.5).

It looked really good and he was very pleased with it. He wasn’t expecting the Powdered Sugar, and would have preferred it not to be on there but enjoyed it nonetheless.

I also found it interesting that rather then asking how he wanted it cooked they just asked “Pink? or No Pink?”. I actually like that idea because some times I feel that people get too hung up on the cooking temperature and the bottom line is that want it either Well-Done or they want it somewhat Rare. This eliminates too many choices that sometimes are not fully understood in the first place.

I have been back to B&B three additional times and I have become quite a fan. I’d also like to add that I have already received a $5 off bonus, and I didn’t sign up for the card until my second visit!

I like their Veggie Patty so much that I can’t seem to order anything else, but you can substitute it on any of their delicious Burger Combinations!

To date my favorite has been the #3 (Blackening Spices, Creamy Blue, Fried Fennel, House Sauce, Butter Lettuce, Tomato $8.5).

 

With the Veggie Patty, the Blue Cheese and the Fried Fennel it makes the perfect flavor and texture combination and is pure Heaven!

I also must tell you to get the Salt and Pepper French Fries! Think Five Guys Fries but only without the Guilt and maybe even a little tastier!

You can get a side of them with your Burger for $2, but I would go ahead and get the large order for $5 especially if you are sharing.

They also make their own sauces.

They have Horseradish Mustard, but what I am in love with is their Homemade Ketchup!

It is a little Sweet and a little Spicy and I find it to be quite outstanding!

So if you are looking for a Burger experience that is Local, Fresh, and a little Different then I highly recommend B&B Junction!