Wedgies: A Funny Name For Serious Drive-Thru Salads

Wedgies is a funny name for serious salad-lovers. This drive-thru restaurant has been open since January, at 2212 W. 1800 North, in Clinton. There’s no inside seating, but there are a few tables on the front patio if you want to enjoy your food on site.

When I interviewed owners Jordan and Jennifer Olsen for a Standard-Examiner story, here are some things I learned:

1. The goal is to make getting a gourmet-level salad just as convenient as getting a drive-thru burger and fries. Drivers can order 12 different, customizable salads such as Mango Berry, Chicken Bacon Avocado Wedgie, or Elaine’s Big Salad, all without getting out of their car.

2. Wedgies also serves protein breakfast-y items and ice cream.

3. It’s located next to a Fiiz, also owned by the Olsens. They own two other Fiiz stores in Kaysville, and three Subway sandwich shops. (if you’ve wondered about the jokes on the Kaysville Subway sign, credit Jordan Olsen.)

4. The Olsens came up with the Wedgies idea because “I was trying to solve a problem for myself,” said Jordan Olsen. When he worked as a touring musician, it was hard to eat healthy on the road.

   “All too often if you want to eat a delicious healthy salad, it’s a chore to stop into a restaurant, wait for a table, wait to order and get served, and pay a high price for the experience.”

5. About the name: It came from the wedge salads his mother, Sandy Olsen, used to serve for Sunday dinner. (Sandy Olsen also works at Wedgies.)

  “We always called them wedgies,” he said. “So, when we came up with this concept, we played into the name. I’ve heard people say the name seems strange, but I think salads could use a little levity.”

  6.  Wedge salad history: The classic wedge salad has been around since at least the 1920s, after a sturdy crisphead lettuce was developed that could be shipped cross-country in ice-filled railcars. It became known as “iceberg” lettuce. Most high-end steakhouses still have a wedge salad on the menu. It’s made by cutting a head of iceberg lettuce into wedges, with each wedge served individually. Traditional toppings are crumbled blue cheese, chopped tomatoes and bacon.

7.  Although some of Wedgies’ salads include an iceberg wedge, they can also include other greens such as romaine and spinach, and are loaded with ingredients like carrots, cucumbers, peas, avocado, cherry tomatoes, mango, strawberries, raspberries, bell peppers, onions, and broccoli. Most also contain proteins such as chicken, meat, or hard-boiled eggs.

8. Many fast-food places also offer salads, but Olsen said the difference is that Wedgies are made to order, and use fresh-made dressings.

  “They’re crafted on the spot,” Olsen said. “We have fresh produce, delivered three times a week, and nothing is ever pre-fab or just sitting waiting to be purchased.”

  Because of that, it may take a few minutes’ wait once your order is placed. But you can also order online ahead of time.  (Wedgies doesn’t have a phone number, so there are no phone orders.)

9. The Good Greek Wedge is unique to Wedgies. It starts with a wedge of romaine resting on spinach leaves, covered in a bold house-made Greek dressing, Then there’s shaved gyro-style lamb, feta cheese, cucumbers, red onion, green peppers, Greek olives, pepperoncini peppers, and a side of tzatziki sauce. It comes with a side of hummus and hot pita points.

  “When we started building our menu, I knew we had to have an absolutely killer Mediterranean salad,” said Jordan Olsen. “And I think our hummus is a standout item. It’s infused with garlic and lemon juice, topped with virgin olive oil, herbs and spices, and served with hot pita points or veggies.”

10.  Elaine’s Big Salad is named for a “Seinfeld” episode where Elaine asked George to go get her a big salad. Fresh-cut greensare topped with grilled chicken, ham, bacon, avocado, hard-boiled egg, cheddar, red onion, tomato, broccoli, cucumber, peas, croutons, chives and oregano, and a choice of dressing.

11. The most popular is the Chicken Bacon Avocado Wedgie. A crisp iceberg wedge is covered in house-made buttermilk ranch dressing, resting on fresh-cut greens, along with crispy chicken, slices of avocado, hard-boiled egg and cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, and drizzled with a avocado ranch dressing.

12. One of Jennifer Olsen’s favorites is the Santa Fe with Burnt Ends, featuring barbecued “burnt ends,” fresh-cut greens, tomatillo lime dressing, cotija cheese, avocado, black beans, corn, tomato, red onions, cilantro, tortilla chips, and crispy jalapenos.

12. Although salads make up over half of the sales, breakfast-y sandwiches and breakfast burritos, and ice cream are also part of the business

   The Eggy sandwich is a low-carb creation, where egg is made into waffles to hold the filling instead of bread.  An Atomic Eggy features ham, bacon, pepper jack cheese, green pepper, red onion, fresh jalapeno, spinach, and house-made sriracha, between two Eggy waffles.

  “When we waffle the egg, you’re not getting any carbs. It’s so great because you can hold it and eat it like a sandwich,” said Olsen.

  You can also get Wacos, similar to a breakfast burrito, and parfaits with chia seeds and Greek yogurt.

  13. The soft-serve ice cream, supplied by Farr’s, can be customized to over 25 different flavors, such as Dreamsicle, pistachio cream, and blueberry vanilla.

  “A lot of people ask us why a salad shop would also sell ice cream,” said Jordan Olsen. “We believe in all things in moderation. After a protein packed breakfast, and lunch filled with fresh veggies, ice cream is a great way to treat your healthier decisions throughout the day.”

 14. He stressed that Wedgies isn’t a “health food store,” but a “healthier” option. “We make our food delicious and interesting.”

Prices: Salad prices range from around $5.99 to $11.99.

Hours:  Open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m .-11 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Closed Sundays.

Website: https://www.ilovewedgies.com