AUGUSTA, GA (WFXG) – When you walk into Toaste of Augusta, you see a portrait of a woman on the wall. Owner of Tosate, Domonico Simmons explains, “That is mom. That is Hepsy Taylor and she is the reason why I’m here today doing this business.” Taylor plays an integral part of Toaste. She serves as the guiding force behind Simmons’ business.

Simmons says, “I took her down in my old business. Someone said it wasn’t good to have her on the wall and I listened to them.”

He explains, “One thing about business, I always listened to her and I stopped listening when it came down to 722 (his former business). I put her back on my wall here because I wanted her to talk to me every time I open the door for business.”

The business is a restaurant and venue space. The restaurant portion is only open for brunch on the weekends.

Simmons shares one of the highlights from the brunch menu, “Our chicken and waffles are humongous. I like to see people’s faces when they come together. It’s three pieces of big chicken breasts. It’s awesome. It’s also French fried. It’s battered totally different than traditionally fried chicken.”

His mother, Taylor, lives on through his menu too. “In reference to my mom it’s called the ‘Hepsy grits’. It’s very similar to shrimp and grits but we put sausage eggs bacon shrimp cheese and our signature sauce inside these grits and it’s served in a humongous wine glass,” says Simmons. 

Simmons says following his mother’s guiding principles have been the key to his success, “You know, ‘Perception is everything.’ ‘Take care of your customers...’ What would you do in this situation? I hear her every time and I train my people as well same thing it’s like she’s still here.”

Toaste is open for brunch Saturdays and Sundays from ten to five. Reservations are recommended. To make a reservation, you can call the restaurant at 305-815-6728.

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