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New downtown eatery marries sweet, savoury combinations

'We are now in Barrie to offer a relaxed upper-scale funnel cake and waffle cafe with both dine-in and takeout options,' says Bird’s Nest Barrie co-owner

Bird’s Nest Barrie is bringing traditional Southern-style chicken and waffles downtown.

This new addition to Barrie’s food scene opened recently at 9 Dunlop St. W.

The classic recipe that tops waffles with fried chicken is just one of the stars at Barrie's first Funnel Cakery and Waffle House. The new eatery serves a variety of specialties, including house-made cheesecakes, bread pudding, and freshly made panini.

Among the most popular funnel cakes are strawberry and ice cream, caramel apple pie, and hazelnut pretzel funnel cake. And the eclectic menu goes on and on, featuring a variety of bubble waffles and house-made ice cream sandwiches, cookies, and pastries.

“We are now in Barrie to offer a relaxed upper-scale funnel cake and waffle cafe with both dine-in and takeout options,” says Francesco Petrusa, co-owner of Bird’s Nest Barrie.

Petrusa said the idea of the new lunch cafe came after his wife and partner, Maeghan, felt there was a missing eating option to be filled in Barrie.

“We used to drive to Canada’s Wonderland for a funnel cake, and the last place we had great chicken and waffles was in downtown Toronto," he says. 

Customers walking through the door at Bird’s Nest Barrie will find flavourful combinations as diverse as funnel cake topped with sugar icing, and cheddar jalapeño waffle and chicken.

Add on the beverage section, and customers have many options to accompany the bites, including specialty drinks, iced coffees, lattes, frappes, and more.

And the menu doesn’t stop there. In addition to featuring specials regularly, the new dining space is expanding offerings to include soups and salsa in September.

Beyond providing good food, Petrusa focuses on promoting local producers by using fresh ingredients sourced locally, such as Kawartha Dairy products.

“We carry only Kawartha Dairy ice cream for all of our desserts. Everything at Bird’s Nest Barrie is locally sourced,” Petrusa noted.

Bird’s Nest is Petrusa’s second eatery in Barrie. He also owns Limoncello Bistro at 41 Maple Ave. He defines his new location as a ‘fun, comfortable eat-out space that brings families and friends together over the food they love.’

With many choices of waffle and funnel cake toppings available in-store, Bird’s Nest Barrie is an option for those in the mood to snack on sweet-and-savory combos and eventually discover new tastes in town.

Bird’s Nest Barrie is located right beside Five Points Theatre in downtown Barrie.