Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup? Pay If, What You Can

NORTH CAPE MAY – Who doesn’t deserve a cup of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich? 
That’s the question Drew Gandley asked himself as he decided to offer a “pay if or what you can” program weekdays at his business, The Eat Well, 508 Townbank Road.
The restaurant offers a grilled cheese sandwich and cup of tomato basil soup to anyone coming in from 3-4:30 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays when the restaurant is open. The offer will continue until Memorial Day.
“It’s like I’m inviting you to my house for a snack,” he said. “I saw there were so many programs around Thanksgiving, Christmas and the holidays to help people, but then when the holiday season is over, people think they’ve done their part until next holiday season. Everything ends.
“I heard about a restaurant in (Washington) that did this and decided that I could do it here,” he continued. “I know how hard everyone works to make ends meet, especially during the off-season. If you go down, the whole family goes down so if I can provide a little stress relief, then that’s good. It’s about feeling good, and it just requires my sweat equity. I don’t mind that at all.”
Gandley said he wanted to offer something different from many well-established restaurants throughout the area and thought the “comfort food” of soup and sandwiches would appeal to children and adults alike. He specializes in artisan breads and uses fresh ingredients.
“I use plum tomatoes which I roast for my tomato basil soup,” he added, “and traditional American cheese on artisan white bread for the sandwiches.” (Artisan refers to food or drink made in a traditional or non-mechanized way using high-quality ingredients.)
So far, Gandley is hoping word of mouth, and social media will share the word about his “pay if and when you can” offer. He started the program last year, offering it once a week.
“I’m hoping the good will and good deed will carry the word about this program throughout the community,” he noted.
For two and a half seasons, Gandley operated a stand in Cape May’s Akroteria but found too many restrictions prohibited him from doing what he wanted.
An opportunity presented itself for the Townbank Road property, which he took, hoping to lure bayfront property owners and vacationers looking to try something different.
He calls The Eat Well his “third act,” noting that he worked for a restaurant in New Orleans, La. and was a massage therapist for over 20 years.
He and his wife had friends in Cumberland County, visited Cape May and “fell in love with it.
“Cape May, being what it is, is part of the challenge,” he said. “You see boutique-like shops opening up around town, and if they can stay around long enough to make a go of it, then we all offer everyone something more.”
When he makes his bread, he compares the kneading of the dough to kneading of one’s muscles during a massage. “It’s a sensitivity you have to develop,” he explained. “You have to feel the texture of the dough, just like when you get a massage and have to be sensitive to the touch on the skin or muscles.
“I get a lot of gratification when I’m making my bread,” he added.
Besides his Artisan white bread, he offers a roasted garlic, olive rosemary, Asiago and rye bread for sandwiches. He hopes to expand his offerings in the coming months.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.