Finally was able to check out this old bookmark of mine!
The place was empty when I arrived, but the kitchen was busy preparing takeout orders. WT is a very small space: a small walk-up counter where you lineup to order, which also offers goat milk caramels, fresh flowers, and t-shirts for sale; a refrigerated beverage case; one communal table with about eight chairs; and an L-shaped counter space with perhaps eight or nine high bar chairs. Be careful sitting at the communal table chairs if you have long hair-- the chair's back ate a few strands of my hair, even when I was trying not to lean on it. I considered saying something about this to the young lady helping me out, but decided to cut her some slack.
Before I continue, know that the breads here are from PROOF, a local bakery, and almost everything else is made in-house. Well, "except for the mustard, mayo, ketchup..." There are Italian sodas and spritzers, local Danzeisen dairy's chocolate milk, cocktail tonics, and bottled veggie/fruit juices in the chilled case, along with free bottles of purified water. (Nice touch!)
Everything on the menu sounded delicious, and I first had a hard time choosing. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/worth-takeaway-mesa?select=6yZvaA831Ij1HiehZUtWBw However, between the menu descriptions and my a handful of questions, it seemed like every selection had at least one item I couldn't eat, and most had two, or more allergens I'd have to ask to omit. Yes, I can deduct this, or that, but a Cuban sandwich isn't a Cuban sandwich without the pickles and mustard, right? The chicken sandwich options sounded divine, until the cashier pointed out that the dredge/batter contains cornstarch (corn allergy), so I had to skip those. After a while, I decided on the $9 veggie sandwich: roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, pickled cabbage, and herbed ricotta on sourdough. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/worth-takeaway-mesa?select=gXwBJjE9urRAtmXa1BLMRA I also ordered house made sea salted potato chips for $2. I was still debating on getting the sandwich special, the turkey with Hatch chilis, so I thought I'd see how the veggie sandwich turned out first. $9 for a sandwich? This better be good!
Turns out I needn't have worried. (And I really wasn't, since I'd read so many high praises from so many trusted Yelp friends.) The roasted sweet potatoes were tender, yet thickly-sliced and hefty enough to withstand bites into the toasted bread and still retain their integrity so that I could discern bites of bread and sweet potatoes as they intermingled in my happy mouth. The tart pickled cabbage was the perfect foil to the sweetness of the potatoes AND the herbed ricotta, and the dried cranberries added another layer of texture to the bed of ricotta, all of which just added to my enjoyment of the meal. I wouldn't hesitate to order this again! Now, those housemade chips on the other hand... https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/worth-takeaway-mesa?select=ib3RlbgQkxjteU803WO65w For the most part, they were good; I enjoyed the crispiness of most of the chips, and the amount of sea salt was just right, but some of the chips were definitely stale. Since it was just me dining solo, a few stale chips was no big deal, but if I were sharing these with others, I may not be so flippant about this.
I'll be returning very soon to try two of the "all-day breakfast items:" the Pastrami Croque Madame and the Chicken Veggie Hash. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/worth-takeaway-mesa?select=MYrPlSTHO81y_idyhM1LXg That is, depending on what the seasonal veggies are that are served with the chicken veggie hash... Wish I could try the house made banana pudding, but it too also contains cornstarch as a thickener. I would love to try one of the goat milk caramels from Simple Farm (eight pieces, I think, for $10), but I need to wait until I have a few relatives/friends with me to share with. WT, why don't you sell these by the piece?? I know, I know... the bag's seal keeps them fresher longer. I'll try them, eventually.
So happy I stopped by!
p.s. I ordered the turkey special to "takeaway," but I had to try a couple of bites at the restaurant. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/worth-takeaway-mesa?select=g7b03A7i09SwrQC15E45qA Goodness! Loved the Hatch chilis in this! They gave the perfect kick to the sandwich; just spicy-enough without being overwhelming. There were tomatoes, frisee, and maybe provolone (??), with some apple cider vinaigrette. All delightful! This was served a bit chilled, though. Don't know if it's because I'd ordered it to-go, or if it really is served out of the kitchen like that. No matter-- another winner! Come in and try this before the turkey runs out! (She said they have enough to probably last the weekend.) read more