Readers, I feel like every one of my write-ups since March of 2020 has included the words COVID, pandemic, mask requirement, or social distancing. I have adhered to every rule, got myself vaxxed, did my part to curb the illness, and sat at home like a good little girl. So now I’m ready to go.
What better way to do so as a 43 year old mother of two than to frequent a new spot in Mahomet that includes food, coffee, and treats for my kids — and is attached to a freaking adorable boutique named En Route. It’s an Xennial’s dream come true. Do not even get me started on the fact that Whisk sells cocktails for dine-in, wine and spirits by the bottle, and also has a drive through. It’s the little things, guys.
My visit to Whisk occurred before the CDC changed up masking requirements, so all employees and patrons had face coverings, and social distancing guidelines were enforced. Sorry, I tried to avoid it, but it had to be said.
Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.
Whisk has a walk-up order counter with several of their menu items on display including sandwiches, macarons, gelato, and açai. (My kids are addicted to three of these tasty treats, by the way). The staff here was so friendly and helpful, and I was instantly comfortable and felt like they really cared about my dining experience. The Whisk manager, Harry, is now my new favorite person.
Once I ordered and paid, I was able to sit at any table available, and the staff brought my menu items out as they were completed, approximately seven to ten minutes later. Pre-packaged silverware was provided, and straws were available upon request (save the turtles).
Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.
I asked the owner Jennifer what I should order because I wanted to be sure and try some of the “must haves” that patrons seem to love. One of the first items she mentioned was the chicken bacon ranch pretzel sandwich ($8.95), an off-menu item that few people know about. You had me at pretzel. The sandwich consisted of huge chunks of white meat chicken, bacon, and melty cheese topped with mixed greens and piled high on a toasted pretzel bun. While this sandwich combo may sound similar to any other you might find at a local sub store or restaurant, it’s the homemade ranch dressing with fresh dill that takes this bad boy over the top. I want to pour it on everything.
Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.
To wash down my toasty entrée, I decided to try That Whisk Drink ($4) which was freshly brewed raspberry hibiscus tea with strawberry syrup and topped with a splash of coconut milk. The drink was just a bit too sweet for me, but my eight year old loved the ice-cold refresher and sucked the whole thing down. Whisk can customize just about every beverage on the menu with their large assortment of flavored syrups which is a great option for the more adventurous souls.
Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.
My grown-up dining partner that day was craving a salad. She chose the blueberry citrus which consisted of mesclun greens topped with fresh blueberries, juicy orange wedges, candied pecans, and crumbled goat cheese ($7.95). She opted to add bacon which was a nice salty twist to the sweet poppy seed vinaigrette. Not only is the salad delicious, but the presentation was a feast for the eyes.
Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.
Y’all know the fast food joint that serves up the sweet and salty breakfast sandwich, right? Drive past that place, pull into Whisk, and grab yourself their hugely upgraded version of a waffle sandwich ($5.95). Sweet fancy Moses, I actually muttered, “Holy shit,” after my first bite. The sweetened waffles are huge, fluffy, and the perfect vehicle for egg, chees,e and breakfast meats to be shoveled into your face-hole. I chose the perfectly salty turkey sausage patty for my sandwich, but bacon was also available. I washed the sandwich down with an iced oatmeal cookie latte ($4.50) which tasted just as delicious as it sounds. It had a strong coffee flavor, a touch of cinnamon, and the perfect amount of ice which balanced out my piping hot sammy. I dare you to go to Whisk today, and try out this breakfast entrée. You will not be disappointed.
Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.
As if the pretzel sandwich, waffle sandwich, drinks, and salad weren’t enough, I just needed to add the avocado toast ($6.95) to my order because you know what, I’m grown and I can do what I want. The base of the toast was an avocado mash spruced up with fresh lemon juice, sea salt, and a touch of red pepper flakes which I was a bit skeptical about before I tried it. The pepper added just the right amount of zip without overwhelming the flavor of the avocado mash or being too spicy. The options to customize are wide-ranging: greens, tomatoes, bacon, an egg, cream cheese, hummus as well as goat and feta cheeses. The bread was nicely toasted while my add-ons (goat cheese, tomato, and greens) complimented the avocado perfectly.
Photo by Stephanie Wheatley.
I am thrilled to have an establishment like Whisk in our sleepy town of Mahomet. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, or a place to take the kids for an after-school treat, Whisk has it all, including friendly staff and a great atmosphere. Drive a couple miles to Mahomet and try any one of their fantastic menu items. Heads up, friends: Whisk will soon be expanding their hours on Friday and Saturday nights and include a new outdoor seating area.
Whisk Coffee and Wine Bar
1704 Patton Drive
Mahomet
Su 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
M-F 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sa 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.