Toastique opened a new location at the Santa Clara and San Pedro entrance, offering a new destination for healthy food. Between the food and the atmosphere, it’s already a place I know I’ll be visiting often.
The new location store itself is incredibly welcoming. The interior sage green and wooden theme is supported by a variety of many different plants both inside and on the patio. Toastique’s slogan is printed in large letters on the wall “NOURISH Every MOMENT” ties the whole room together.
Brianna Keefe, the founder and CEO of Toastique, said every bit of the new location’s design was intentional.
“We really do try to find locations that have like the unique feel and bring a lot of natural lighting in,” Keefe said.
The location has a large patio that provides a place for friends to catch up, couples to dance, families to enjoy a meal together and everything in between.
“This is definitely, by far, a location with one of the biggest patios, which is very nice for California weather,” Keefe said.
Toastique’s menu offered a variety of coffees, cold pressed juice, waffles and smoothie bowls. However, the chain is best known for its gourmet toasts.
I had the 3 Cheese Italian toast. It included melted Swiss and fontina cheeses that blended perfectly with the roasted garlic onion jam on jalapeño toast. The slice of prosciutto adds new texture and pairs perfectly with the cheeses below. All of that is topped with arugula and a slice of lemon that adds a level of freshness to the toast.
Linna Sim, a Toastique customer, said she appreciated the addition of a relaxing atmosphere to San Pedro Square.
“In downtown San José, it’s like all party, drinking, things like that … this is a little different,” Sim said.
Keefe said that is the reaction she hoped for out of her customers.
“You feel like you’re part of Toastique when you come here and they remember your name,” Keefe said.
The company started in Washington, D.C. in 2018 and had been growing through franchising with owner operators since.
Keefe said these owner operators are key to the success of Toastique in each location. The partner for the San Pedro location is local.
“(The franchise owner) is from the community and that’s really important to our brand,” Keefe said.
Since expanding from Washington, D.C., California is Toastique’s biggest market, with the San Pedro location being the ninth in the state, according to Keefe.
There will be two more openings by the end of February. One in downtown LA and one in West Lake Village, according to Toastique’s webpage.
I was drawn to the warm presence, expansive menu and community that Tostique offers. Everything including the sauces and peanut butter is made in house. Because of the quality of the food, the prices are higher than some people may be willing to pay.
Shiv Acharya, a Toastique customer, said that while he appreciated the coziness of Tostique, it was too expensive.
“Just price versus how much food we’re getting. We’ll see if we come back,” Acharya said.
The Gourmet Toast options range from $13 to $17, with add-ons including Gluten-free bread and lump crab priced from $2 to $6. Bowls are $14 and smoothies are $11 for 16 ounces and $13 for 24 ounces. All juices are $9.5 and the overnight oats options are $7.5, while the coffees and teas range from $3 to $.75 without add-ins.
The good news for San José State students is Tostique is currently working on getting a student discount.
Toastique is an important shift for San Pedro Square, adding a wholesome location and offering a variety of healthy options.
This restaurant left me feeling refreshed.
