Go to Vandalia to eat around the world: World Café
I’m pretty sure a bunch of you will tell me I’m about 2 years late sharing this gastronomical find, but it’s worth talking about. Located in the butt fugly strip mall off the Northwoods exit on 75 by the airport, 2 doors down from Kroger is a former Quizno’s gone eclectic.
The World Café’s sandwich menu is split between Americas, Europe and Asia and each can be had as a toasted sandwich on white, multi-grain flatbread or as a wrap. I tried the Chicken BLT and the Brazilian Steak sandwiches as well as a sampler of three kinds of hummus, tzatziki and olive tapanade. The tapanade was so awesome I kicked myself for not getting the “New Orleans Muffuetta” which about 5 people recommended online. What makes the chicken BLT special is the avacado mayo, the Brazilian steak had a chimichurri sauce and cilantro mayo. It’s the little things that make a sandwich special.
There are 16 different sandwiches and all of them sound good to me, which is rare. The only thing I’d hope to see changed is an improvement in the bread- what I’d give for it to come from either Bakehouse Bread in Troy or Rahn’s Artisan Breads (you might know them from the 2nd St. Market- full disclaimer, I’ve done work for both)- which turned me into a bread snob. Next visit I’m curious about the Thai Steak Wrap or the Mandarin Orange Wrap as well as the Muffuletta.
The sandwiches are $6.50 or available as a half for $4.00 and there are combos with soups, or salads too. I tried a soup too- don’t ask me what it was- but it was hearty and flavorful with a tomato base. Everything is made from scratch, and the portions are definitely American sized, despite the place being owned by a Pole.
Robert Krzak ended up in Dayton after working cruise ships and traveling around the world. Don’t get him talking because he doesn’t stop. Those of you who enjoy dialects/accents will be laughing all the way as he goes between an Aussie with a g’d day, and some slang, to a heavily accented Eastern European English, all with a big smile. He came to Dayton after meeting a fair lass from Beavercreek on the cruise ship and has been here since 2005. He’s working two jobs to keep his dream of a chain of World Café’s growing, you can find him some nights at Therapy Café on E. Third in the Cannery tending bar. He was recently featured in the Dayton Daily news in a piece about immigration.
For those of you who think immigrants steal your job, I’d like to point out that this guy is hiring Americans and building his American dream for his family. If you need a reminder of immigrants’ impact on Dayton, just drive around old North Dayton and see the Polish Club, the Lithuanian Club etc. This town was built by European craftsmen.
The restaurant is at 786 Northwoods Blvd., Vandalia, OH 45377, the phone is 937-264-0100. hours are Monday- Friday 11-8, Sat. and Sun. 11-2:22. They do catering as well and deliver within a 20-mile radius.
If you’ve eaten here and had a good experience, share it in the comments, and if you haven’t- go try it and tell them Esrati sent you.
Reminds me of Quizno’s, not that that’s a bad thing.
Ah, there’s a reason it reminded me of Quizno’s — it’s in an old Quizno’s location, which is why it has some Quizno’s equipment.
@David Lauri- or you could have read my opening paragraph “2 doors down from Kroger is a former Quizno’s gone eclectic.”
Hmmmm…..
Yep, I totally missed that. I did like Quizno’s, though, when Dayton had them, so it’s not such a bad thing to have a Quizno’s-esque alternative in town.
It is a nice place with a great local repuation in the northern area. They take care of large lunch orders as well.
Best thing about the place, other than the food, is the owner. He has been in there every time I have eaten there and is more than happy to get you samples of some of his homemade soups, etc…everything is tasty.
Definitely worth the trip if you are up north.
Sad news — World Café has closed.
@David Lauri- thanks for the update. I know where Robert is planning on moving to- and it will be awesome. The people in Vandalia are losing out- the people of Dayton are winning.