Castings Public House

One of the newest eateries in the area has taken up residence in a building with a long commercial history in Wingham’s downtown core. Castings Public House, which recently opened its doors (or at least its take-out window, thanks to the COVID-19 restrictions currently in place), is a joint venture between Danielle Sutton and Murray Simpson, both veteran entrepreneurs.

The pair has renovated the space for accessibility and function, while paying homage to the industries that have sustained Wingham for decades. The building has housed many businesses over the years, including a sewing factory, a dairy and a restaurant. The decor can be best described as “industrial chic” with artifacts such as a local foundry stove serving as a sideboard in the front area of the dining room and old barn vents finding new life as light shades.

Sutton has assembled a core team of employees who have worked together for a long time, which provides a great base for a new restaurant.

The menu is barbecue with a smoke flair, as a traditional smokehouse is something that Sutton has always hoped to be able to have and is still in the works for future expansion plans. The pandemic has modified both their opening plans and the menu, as they could only offer take-out at the beginning, but the menu has proven a hit with locals. The buttermilk fried chicken sandwich has quickly gained fame in the region, along with the “to-go” version of Combat Juice, a fresh and fruity cocktail with a bit of a kick. 

As the region begins to reopen, the expanded patio area is sure to be a popular place to spend a warm summer evening. The team has plans to bring live music in and have already begun a list of local artists to feature once they are allowed. 289 Josephine St, Wingham. www.castingspublichouse.com