Arizona owl-themed cafe offers vegan-friendly meals, vintage items for sale
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Dozens of owls and vintage decorations adorn cafes in Flagstaff and Phoenix, where customers can order delicious breakfast and lunch like “owlrageous” omelets, hot or cold “owlwiches” or “owlzona” burgers.
The Toasted Owl Cafe opened in downtown Flagstaff on the original Route 66 in 2013 after being too busy for their first small location. The owner, Cecily Maniaci, wanted a place that combined her three favorite things: vintage, food, and people.
Since then, she has opened a second location in east Flagstaff near Cortland Boulevard and Soliere Avenue.
Customers soon asked Maniaci, a native of Phoenix, to open a location in Phoenix. She picked a spot near 3rd Avenue and Camelback Road because of the bookstore next door.
Those who dine at the Toasted Owl Cafe will receive an owl-shaped menu filled with various food, such as pancakes, omelets, tamales, biscuits and gravy, salads, sandwiches and burgers. There is also a separate vegan menu for those who are plant-based.
“I try to do a restaurant that has really good food, a large portion of food, so that you don’t go hungry. A lot of alternatives because I understand that people all have different eating styles. Now we’re more aware of celiac, we’re more aware of vegan diet and vegetarian diet. And I really take pride in trying to provide something for everyone on the menu,” said Maniaci.
“One of our best-selling dishes is the Horned Nest of Goodness, which is like kind of a sampler platter of you can have French toast or waffles with chicken tenders, French fries, potatoes, everything like that.”
One thing that makes the Toasted Owl Cafe different is the surplus of wide-eyed birds in the restaurant. Maniaci says her love of owls began as a high school teacher during the Harry Potter days. She started having little owls in her classroom. When she stopped teaching, her owls found a new home in the cafe.
The owls and all other vintage items, including tables, chairs, cups, and plates inside the Toasted Owl Cafe locations, are for sale.
Maniaci says she jumps in her van and travels around the United States, visiting vintage places and looking for owls. The owls have made an impact on her customers, as Maniaci says people also bring and ship owls to her.
“The owls just are funny to look at all of them. You would not believe how many owls in different shapes, sizes, everything,” said Maniaci.
The downtown Flagstaff location of the Toasted Owl Cafe hosts events, as its patio can seat over 100 people. In June, they will host a fundraiser for the homeless community and help with the Hozhoni Foundation, which provides services to people with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.
In the future, Maniaci hopes to open more locations across Arizona.
“Every day I wake up and I say I’m extremely lucky to have such an abundant life with my restaurants,” said Maniaci. “I’ve had a lot of help from friends and family, and I’ll never, ever say anything other than a huge thank you for all of the people who have helped me lift me up and build these restaurants.”
Toasted Owl Cafe
Phoenix location: 300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013
Hours:
- Friday-Monday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Downtown Flagstaff location: 12 S Mikes Pike St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Flagstaff Eastside location: 5200 E Cortland Blvd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Hours:
- Monday & Thursday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
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