The PRIME Objective

Kelli McRobert | Nov 15, 2023

Let me begin by setting the stage. It’s dark out, and the air has taken on a damp coolness indicating that weather is on the way. I pull into a small parking lot where I am meeting with a friend. We chat briefly about our hopes for the opening of a new business at this location. The date, yet, unknown, but a restaurant we have been told.

A shadowy figure can be seen resting on a bench. Casually scrolling his phone, he glances up occasionally as we chatter and natter. Again, he glances up, and then approaches us.

“A restaurant” he said, “one that will offer tasty, locally sourced, and reasonably priced food.”

Many of us have driven by over the past month or so, curious as to what was coming. We had heard that it would be called Prime, but otherwise the teasers online were just small hints as to what was to come. This friendly fellow, Gus, offered to give us a personal tour of the renovations that had been recently completed including the beautiful live edge counter tops, brand new state of the art kitchen, and gleaming epoxy floors.

He toured us through the well-planned front and back of house, and explained the final stages that were in the works to be granted the permits required to open. He introduced us to his son Peter, and then went into detail as to the menu choices and rational behind his selected offerings. Each one had been tested by a familial unit and was met with stringent taste-testing guidelines. He also mentioned that a soft opening would take place the following week, and I told him I would keenly return. We thanked him for his impromptu visit and were on our way. (I for one was starving, and my pending grilled cheese seemed to pale in comparison of the menu items I just heard)

The following Tuesday, admittedly, I was excited to be able to grab a quick bite on the way home. The exterior posts had received a fresh coat of black paint and an elegance was beginning to form on this once dated façade. As I entered, I was greeted by Paula and Ana who helped me make a choice from an extensive menu that begs me to return to sample more options. The starters of garlic shrimp or Tzatziki with pita, help to whet the appetite of what is to come. Prime AAA Takeout offers a Mediterranean style menu with salads, pasta, gourmet sandwiches, pitas, dinners, and bowls. I decided to skip the classics offered like poutine, rings, fries, and garlic bread and dive right into a Souvlaki dinner. I opted for one pork and one chicken so we could swap and sample both. My side was a Greek salad that was just right to accompany my chicken/pork with rice meal. The meat was tender and hot, and the rice had just enough flavour to not overpower the feast. We were stuffed by the end of the meal which left no room for cheesecake nor brownie.

I thoroughly enjoyed the banter at the cash as I watched Paula methodically filling, cleaning, moving, and sorting to support Gus and Peter as they manned the grills. Ana manned the cash as orders came and went with demonstrated savvy as the soft opening began to build momentum. Word of mouth spread quickly over the next few days as the Facebook posts noted which items were completely sold out within hours. The sign has been hung and the black and gold draws your eye. Enticing you towards a ‘gourmet sandwich’ and other tasty treats. Harrowsmith has been waiting for the ‘new kid on the block’ to arrive and offer up something different, something hearty, and something you can grab on the way home, when too tired to cook.

The location is great at 4937 Hwy 38, in Harrowsmith, and is on the way for many commuters heading to and from town. Their current hours of operation are Tuesday to Sunday from 11-8. And closed on Monday for family time. The restaurant can be contacted at 613-372-0333.

Their motto is to “source all our ingredients local and to give you the best eating experience we can”. From what I have seen, and tasted so far, this will be my go-to place for takeout. Next up on my eats list will be the PASTA, or wait, maybe a shrimp bowl…oh dear, it may take multiple visits.

Thanks for the visit, and the yummy eat … congratulations on your opening success!