RESTAURANT REVIEW

Pam's Corner: Cozy downtown spot delivers

Club sandwich

Club sandwich

Have you ever been to a place that puts you in a better mood, almost instantly?

That's what Pam's Corner will do for you. No matter what kind of day you're having, you can't help but smile and relax once you walk through the doors of the snug cafe. The walls, painted in bright shades of chartreuse, blue, and purple, paired with the whimsical decor of stripes and polka dot-covered seats and canvas, give off a light-hearted and energizing vibe.

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During both our visits, the shop was bustling with diners who appeared to have come from nearby offices, some wearing firefighter uniforms and others in business suits or T-shirts. It's easy to bypass the cozy eatery, as it is tucked in a back corner of the Davis Building on Michigan Street in downtown Toledo. Its doors face a parking lot on 10th Street.

The dining room holds about a dozen tables and there's a small counter lined with cookies, brownies, and other desserts, where takeout orders are picked up. The servers are laid back and casual, yet professional and knowledgeable when it comes to the menu, which boasts a number of homemade items. Pam's also caters private parties and prepares boxed lunches.

The restaurant serves up two homemade soups and chili daily. The soups are quite popular and often run out before the end of the day. The chili ($3.50 a cup), was a soupy good combination of beans and meat in a tomato sauce with a bit of a spicy kick. It was quite filling, coupled with the garden burger ($5.50), a veggie burger patty, topped with crispy fresh lettuce and juicy tomatoes. You can have it your way by adding cheese, other fruits and veggies, and opting for ciabatta bread or a kaiser roll.

Garden burger

The club sandwich ($7.50) is a triple decker of Swiss cheese, ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato served on your choice of toasted white, wheat, or rye bread, with a thin layer of mayo. Sandwiches are served with chips. Other side items include macaroni and cheese and sweet potato fries (both $2 when added as part of a combo).

We also tried the Kitchen Sink salad ($8 for a small with six items), a build-your-own type entree, where guests can select from almost three dozen toppings, including a variety of nuts, fruits, vegetables and meats, all served on a healthy bed of greens. Like the soups, specials change almost daily and often include different types of sandwiches. We tried the fish sandwich special, cod, deep fried, smothered with cheese and topped with tartar. The fish was reminiscent of that which you'd find at a fast food joint. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't noteworthy either.

Pam's brings something different to downtown, which is largely populated by pubs. The place has a simplicity about it that creates a welcoming atmosphere, with good vibes and even better food.

Contact Bill of Fare at fare@theblade.com.

Star ratings are based on comparisons of similar restaurants. The Blade pays for critics' meals.

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