I pull off 95 at exit 1 looking for a place to park myself for breakfast – I’ve been traveling all morning and need to recharge my batteries. Not just me but the laptop, the phone, the spare batteries, the camera, etc.
I’m in the mood for a place where the wait staff treats you like family, the food is just plain good, and the feel is going to be nostalgic. Right off the exit I find The Brick Oven.
Immediately I feel right at home as Patty says to me, “Good morning! Grab a seat anywhere.” She has a way of maintaining control while allowing me to choose the start to my meal. I know my experience here is in good hands with Patty, so I’m going to focus on getting some work done.
As I unpack all of my gear and start to plugin, Patty brings over the day’s menu and the classic brown coffee cup filled with delicious Autocrat coffee – a Rhode Island staple.
It’s as if they turned on a homing beacon, because the place is starting to fill up with the “regulars”.
“Hi Joe.” “How you doing Bill?” They start greeting each other like they haven’t seen each other in years – the mark of old friends.
Now it’s time to check out the menu – without a good offering for breakfast, all of the pleasantries that just transpired would be pointless.
The menu abounds with the usual suspects we as Americans have come to expect from a classic breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, omelettes, fresh veggies, muffins, homemade jams, pancakes of all flavors, thick sliced french toast, and my favorite – homemade corn beef hash! That’s what I’m getting.
One thing I’ve noticed in my travels, menu prices over the years have changed. They keep getting closer and closer to whole dollars. These prices are different – prices ending in .15, .90, .40 & .65. This tells me they are focused on putting out a terrific product at a terrific value and charging accordingly. A small detail, but next time you are out, see if the restaurant does this on their menu.
The table that just sat down in front of me is a group of bus-drivers and they have been up since 5am! Naturally, they are hungry and already know what they want – and Patty obliges – making people feel welcome comes naturally to her.
Wanting to know a little more about the owners, Keith and Eva, I start asking a few questions.
Keith Knott and Eva Platt have been involved in the restaurant business since they were kids working in their family restaurant – The Beacon Diner. This restaurant is still run by their sister and father, and in 1990, Keith and Eva set off on their own.
Keith Knott and Eva Platt are a brother and sister team who opened The Brick Oven Restaurant over 23 years ago. In that time they have aquired quite a devoted group of regulars.
From their website:
Whether its coming in for their awesome Fish & Chips, Eva’s homemade soup or famous pie, Keith’s homemade ice cream, or a great breakfast (which is served all day!) they do their best to make sure that you get a great meal! We also have many daily specials, beer, wine and select cocktails!!
We have been in business since 1990, and both Keith and myself (Eva) cut our teeth in this exciting industry at a young age. Our family business is the Beacon Diner and is still run by our sister and father.
All of our recipes are homemade – Keith is responsible for all the dinner items as well as the ice cream. I do all the baking and the soups.
Most people are surprised when we tell them we are brother and sister — because we get along so well and compliment each other. Keith prefers the afternoon/evening shifts and is good with the finances; while I’m a morning person and I’m good with the personnel.
Our menu is quite extensive — breakfast, lunch and dinner with lots of specials and a full liquor license.
My food has arrived. All the usual suspects – eggs cooked perfectly, homemade hash, perfectly toasted rye bread and of course seasoned potatoes. Time to dig in!
“For flat board joinery you can’t beat the biscuit.”
I used to be a carpenter in a former life, so I immediately knew what the gentlemen behind me were talking about. To the average person, you would think they were talking about food, but they were talking woodworking – the mark of a carpenter. The conversations in here are not what I’m used to – they’re talking and enjoying each other’s company. They’re not trying to impress each other, or one-up each other – they are practicing the lost art of conversation!
Not one person is talking politics, money, what Trump said last night – none of that! It’s just good people, enjoying good conversation over a great breakfast. Nothing more, nothing less.
As I politely inhale my food, Dee joins Patty on the floor to help with the mini rush The Brick Oven is experiencing. Like a well choreographed dance they handle the guests with military precision – anticipating each others moves and adjusting as necessary. Not one coffee cup is empty, and no one is asking where their food is.
After enjoying my breakfast, I ask Patty to see the lunch and dinner menu. As I expected, it is full of local favorites, and I will definitely take a detour to come back here for lunch and dinner.
Part 2 — The Return for Lunch
It’s a strange coincidence that I happen to make my way back to The Brick Oven so soon – for lunch this time!
I grab the same table I had yesterday for breakfast and scan the lunch menu. Patty is here again today, and of course I receive the same warm greeting I did yesterday.
The lunch menu is extensive – burgers, cold cuts, grinders, italian favorites, club sandwiches and dinner entrees as well! The specials menu is no slouch either – the stuffed flounder catches my eye as-well-as the lobster roll. I came in for a burger, and that is what I’m going to stick with!
Bacon Cheeseburger
My bacon cheeseburger arrives and I ordered it with onion rings this time, because the option was there! While I was waiting for my lunch to arrive, I’m amazed with the conversation – again. The place has filled up with the regulars and the table behind me is asking Dee about her house (I assume she is doing some renovations). The kind of conversation you get when you know someone – sincere and genuine.
My food arrives and I am impressed – crispy bacon, bright red roma tomatoes, crisp lettuce and of course the onion rings. I waste no time digging right in.
While eating, I decide to check out the rest of the dinner menu. Classic New England favorites abound – meatloaf, pot roast, ham steak, grilled pork chops, baked cod, fried seafood and of course Fish N Chips! The menu is very diverse with items you’ll immediately recognize.
Breakfast is served all day everyday, fish n chips is served Thursday-Sunday and they do have a kids menu – making this the perfect place for the family on a weekend night. They do have daily specials that feature fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Everyone can find something they will enjoy, and the best part is no cleanup at the end of the meal!
The burger was cooked just the way I ordered it, and my appetite has been tamed once again.
I’m glad I returned to The Brick Oven one more time before I left town. It left an impression on me, and I know I’ll be back again for dinner – not sure when, but soon.
