We were in Winter Park for the afternoon and looking for a good, affordable lunch. I'd heard about…read moreBricks & Bowls before (as well as the Ghost Kitchen concept), so we decided to give it a try.
I was immediately drawn to the Ghost Pepper Chicken sandwich. I noticed they offered a Boxed Lunch combo that included a half-brick focaccia sandwich, a choice of side, chips, and a cookie. Under the Soups & Sides section of the menu, I saw soups, salads, fruit, chips, and bread listed, so I asked if I could get the Kale Caesar Salad as my side. I was told it wasn't considered a side. That struck me as a little odd since it was listed under "Soups & Sides," but I didn't press the issue and instead ordered the sandwich and salad separately. I do wish there had been a sandwich-and-salad combo option, especially since it's Florida and 100 degrees outside--hot soup wasn't exactly calling my name that day!
The Ghost Pepper Chicken sandwich was a bit dry, and I didn't notice much Swiss cheese or enough ghost pepper bang sauce to add much heat or moisture. On the plus side, the focaccia bread was fantastic, and the sandwich was piled high with sliced chicken. Even the half-brick size was plenty filling.
The Kale Caesar Salad was much smaller than expected and, ironically, seemed like it would have fit perfectly as a combo side. It also contained more romaine than kale, with just a sprinkling of baby kale on top. The Caesar dressing, however, was excellent--rich, creamy, and full of flavor. At $6 for a small bowl, I was hoping for a little more substance.
I also treated myself to the Belgian Chocolate Salted Caramel Cookie that would have come with the Boxed Lunch combo, and it was outstanding. Soft, gooey, and packed with flavor.
Bricks & Bowls has a pleasant outdoor seating area in a courtyard setting, with tables shaded by large umbrellas. Just keep in mind that there is no indoor seating, and even with the shade, it can be pretty warm during a Florida summer.
Overall, it was a decent first experience with some highlights and a few disappointments. The food had some strong points, particularly the focaccia bread, dressing, and cookie, but at around $20 for a quick-service lunch, I left feeling that the value didn't quite match the price.