On the corner of Central and 2nd, at the former site of the Literary Dairy restaurant and ice cream parlor, and before that, the beloved coffee shop, Town Square, stands a new eatery in Orange City, The Corner Kitchen. The Corner Kitchen officially opened last year on Oct. 24, 2023. Interestingly, Corner Kitchen’s owner, Aaron Lenz purchased the building back in 2022 after Town Square left but leased it to Literary Diary before choosing to open a new restaurant himself. However, this is not his first experience opening a restaurant.
Lenz is also the owner of another restaurant in town, The Roadhouse. He first opened The Roadhouse for solely to-go orders in Sep. 2020, but despite what some may have seen as a difficult beginning, The Roadhouse has become very popular among Orange City locals and college students alike and was recently a finalist for the “2023 Best of N’West BBQ” competition. However, The Corner Kitchen seems to offer a different food selection and experience for restaurant goers.
The Corner Kitchen offers a selection of fresh lunch and dinnertime options. These include a range of pasta dishes, wraps and salads, all around 10-15 dollars. There are also a variety of sides, including chips, soup, side salads and breadsticks. However, most of these are add-ons and cost extra. Each of the pasta dishes are very customizable. Customers can add a wide range of cheeses, oils, spices and protein like meatballs, grilled chicken, bacon, sausage and quinoa to name a few. These also come with an additional charge, but most of the pasta dishes, such as the Philly Cheesesteak Pasta, already come with plenty of cheese, meat and flavor that these additions are not needed.
One of The Corner Kitchen’s most popular items is the Truffle Steak Wrap. This wrap is savory and full of fresh green lettuce, making it feel light, while the steak and mushroom add plenty of flavor. After trying this wrap himself, Northwestern student Joseph Callahan said, “I really like the mushrooms in there. The sauce is nice, garlicky and it has a lot of flavors.” Callahan gave his final verdict saying, “I wish it was a little larger, but overall, very good.” Though they may be on the smaller side, these wraps do come with one side. Visitors to The Corner Kitchen can expect light, fresh food that is unlike the other dining options around, including The Roadhouse.
Another thing that is unique about The Corner Kitchen is the atmosphere. The seating and ordering are laidback. Like most cafes and coffee shops, The Corner Kitchen customers come up to the counter to order. A descriptive menu hangs directly above. The new structure of the restaurant stays true to the previous style set by the Town Square and Literary Dairy predecessors. There are tables in the back to sit at, but otherwise, the building is fairly minimalistic and relaxed. As opposed to the TVs playing sports in The Roadhouse, The Corner Kitchen plays music that fits the more upbeat, yet less busy aesthetic. Overall, the atmosphere is lively, yet simplistic.
However, conveniently for busy college students at NW, Corner Kitchen offers online ordering. The Corner Kitchen has a website for online pick-up orders. After customers confirm they are picking up from the correct location and selecting a pick-up time, they are able to access the menu and even customize their orders by making additions to their entree, adding sides or even getting The Corner Kitchen ice cream as dessert. Customers are also able to pay online, so they can save time and avoid the hassle during pick-up. These orders are completed quickly, and customers can pick them up at The Corner Kitchen location.
The Corner Kitchen is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or visit the-corner kitchen-square.site website to order.
