The Couch Tomato Café, known for its organic and locally sourced pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and soups, is getting a new outpost in Conshohocken. Owners Craig Mosmen and Michael Cassano hope to open the brand’s third location sometime this spring or summer in the former Pennsylvania Railroad train station building, at 2 Harry St., the right off the Schuylkill River Trail.
“We just loved this building. It’s the original train station from the 1800s. It’s in the heart of everything in a very recognizable spot. When it fell into our laps, it just seemed like it was meant to be. It was an easy sell once it became available to us,” Mosmen told What Now Philadelphia.
Conshohocken’s Couch Tomato Café, formerly inhabited by the now-closed Cafe at Riverbend, will be a BYOB location and offer counter service in a 2,200 sq. ft. space with indoor and outdoor seating for about 40 guests. The eatery will serve signature and build-your-own gourmet salads, sandwiches, and pizzas with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options and focus heavily on takeout, delivery, and catering. The Couch Tomato has been using thoughtfully sourced organic and local ingredients prepared at peak freshness since before it was cool. Mosmen says it’s been the key to the brand’s success.
“We keep it simple. But put a twist on classic menu items, which seems to be ageless when you use high-quality ingredients. I think the number one reason we stayed so relevant is because of our food quality. It’s important for people to know we try to go that extra mile to put better quality ingredients in our food,” Mosmen said. “If you read our reviews online, it’s always about people loving our quality. We tweak the menu every six months to keep it exciting and new, and that’s worked. My partner and I stay passionate and involved. We care a ton, and it shows.”
Mosmen and Cassano were college friends at the University of Delaware, where they also spent time working in the restaurant industry. The first Couch Tomate Café opened in Manayunk two years after their graduation in 2003. That location later expanded to include The Tomato Bistro, a full-service dining restaurant in the upper level of their café. They opened a second Couch Tomato Café in West Chester in 2015. Mosmen says he and his partner plan to expand in the future and are eyeing Havertown and Kennett Square for turnkey locations.
We have a big hope to get early morning coffee