This is a review I never expected to write.
Toasted Gastrobrunch gets my highest recommendation. After two lunchtime visits, I’m astonished by the high quality, the amazingly wide variety, fast and friendly service, and extraordinary value of everything I’ve tasted on their menu. Oh, and they have an amazing special promotion right now that I have to tell you about. You won’t believe this.
Here’s the full story.
We used to go to the Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza near Fort Apache and Flamingo. Not my favorite Italian spot, but always serviceable. Then without warning, they closed that location. A new place — I’d never heard of — opened on that spot, named TOASTED (actually it’s full name is Toasted Gastrobrunch). They’re open only for breakfast and early lunch, and close daily at 2 pm. I thought to myself — why bother to go there? Egg and I and similar places do a decent breakfast menu, and I saw no reason to bother going to Toasted.
So, a few years passed by. Drove by it 500 times, maybe more. Never had any temptation to visit. Way too many other places around, and we’re not really into brunch, anyway.
Then, viola! Marieta sees they’re running a special. And, here’s where the story gets good and I really get excited writing about it and sharing. There’s a gift card promotion (through end of the year–check details at the site). For every $100 in gift cards, you receive back $50 in a bonus. So, purchasing a $100 card means you get $150 in food and drinks. Basically 33 percent off. That’s a helluva’ deal.
When we saw the special promotion advertised, we decided to give Toasted a trial run. After all, we didn’t want to spend money on gift cards to a subpar restaurant. So, we went to Toasted for the first time last week.
From the moment we entered, everything was pleasant. Indoor and outdoor seating was available. Tables and booths. There’s even counter seating. Excellent music soundtrack at just the right volume. Oh, and we were greeted by their signature cow (there’s a large dairy cow at the entrance).
I’d checked out the menu online in advance and when we saw the menu in person, suddenly I realized there was a problem. There were at least half a dozen items I wanted to try. Okay, so that’s a “good” problem — if it’s good, then we’ll just have to go back.
On visit #1, I ordered brisket. It was cooked to perfection. Wait — this is a breakfast place and I’m scarfing down brisket? Officially, this dish was listed as “smoked brisket hash, with potatoes, red onion, bell pepper, rosemary, 2 up eggs, chipotle cream, and toast.” I asked for everything on the side because I like controlling portions. Everything blended beautifully. Did I mention the brisket was wonderful?
Marieta ordered shrimp and grits, with cheese, Spanish chorizo, and an up egg. She said it was the best shrimp and grits she’s had outside of New Orleans. High praise indeed.
Since Toasted passed the initial visit and our taste test, buying the gift cards was an automatic. So, we had $200 in gift cards, plus another $100 in bonus cards (which can be used only the first few months of 2024). We expected to return after January 1st.
Then, yesterday I started having food fantasies. Damn, that brisket was good. I wouldn’t mind going back, even though the special promo didn’t apply (yet) since it was still December.
On visit #2, we decided to branch out and order new items. I opted from something seemingly boring — three fluffy pancakes with 2 eggs any style and choice of bacon or Portuguese Linguica sausage. With rye toast. Plus, there was a sauce served that was marvelous. Oh, and real butter scooped into little balls — easy to maneuver on tricky food like pancakes. I don’t know if I’ve ever raved about pancakes, but this meal blended a symphony of tastes. That sausage hit the spot.
Marieta ordered something from south of the border, which surprised me because she doesn’t like spicy food. She choose chilaquiles, with salsa verde, corn tortilla, cilantro, 2 up eggs, chipotle cream, beef barbacoa, and cotija. She loved it. Like a magician, she made it disappear.
Toasted was a perfect 2 for 2 on our duel visits. The first meal came to $38, with tax. The second meal came to $37, with tax. That was the full regular price. When the bonus gift cards are applied to this same meal in Feb,-Mar., the net cost dips to about $25 per visit. This isn’t just a great bargain. THIS IS A STEAL.
While writing this article/review, I found out that Toasted is owned by the same entity that opened and owns Sammy’s. I also learned the owner is Sami Ladeki, a Lebanese-born immigrant who started with nothing but $200 and a dream, opened his first restaurant in San Diego, expanded, and is now branching out from pizza to other fare, including the brunch-themed Toasted. [See Sami Ladeki in the photo below]
Toasted is open daily and closes as 2 pm.
It’s rare to find a restaurant that checks every box of satisfaction and meets (and even exceeds) every expectation. The fact that Toasted is also a terrific value makes it even more appealing. Add the special promotion, getting a third off the price with a gift certificate makes this a mandatory visit for anyone on the west side of Las Vegas.
I expect if you try it, you’ll go back again and again.
Come to think of it, I’ve already got my next two meals picked out. Is it lunchtime yet?
