Fresh to Order

What’s on the menu: The menu is broken-down into panini sandwiches, salads, and long plates, which are entrees served on long rectangular plates, featuring a protein, a starch, and a vegetable or salad. We saw interesting options such as “Brown Sugar Roasted Pork Loin,” “Coconut Curry Salmon,” and “Fire-Grillled Chicken,” to name a few. Panini choices included “Asian Chicken Crunch” and “Grilled Prime Steak,” and familiar favorites like “Chicken Caesar” and “Grilled Salmon.” Finally, the salads are offered standalone or in soup and salad combos with choices like “Southwest,” “Mediterranean,” “Blue Cheese Fig” and more. The dinner menu options ranged from $7-$15.

Why kids will like it: My kids were intrigued by the flames on the grill of the open kitchen, and they enjoyed seeing the cooks bustling around to have our food out within 10 minutes of ordering. Two of my boys ordered the chicken finger platter with mac and cheese sides, and I was shocked at how quickly they polished off the lightly battered yet crisp tenders. (If your kids don’t like sauce, be sure to ask for it on the side, since it arrives on the same long plate as the chicken.) My other son ordered his typical grilled cheese sandwich, which arrived perfectly toasted with a “Garlic Jack Grit Cake” on the side. Kids with more adventurous palates might enjoy “Coconut Chicken” or “Grilled Steak Medallions,” along with other appetizing choices off of the kids’ menu. At $4 a plate, the kids’ options are a great deal, and kids’ drinks are 99 cents.

Why parents will like it: Adults can order fancier entrees without having to take the whole family to a fine dining establishment. I thoroughly enjoyed my “Almond Crusted Trout” with sweet mashed potatoes and salad for $14.50, while my husband was pleased with his calamari entrée with wheat berry rice and Asian slaw for $11. I noticed many vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. Adult fountain drinks are $1.99.

We were so full from our entrees that we didn’t save room for dessert, but the ice box pies, brownies, cupcakes, and cookies were very tempting. Of course, this means we’ll just have to come back for more of the fast-yet-fine-dining options.

– Felicia Barman