Just Follow the Red Brick Road

By: Jennifer Lundsford
Posted In: News

Photo credit: Jennifer Lundsford
The antique truck parked in the middle of a dining room at Brick Alley Pub

Photo credit: Jennifer Lundsford
Brick Alley Pub

Photo credit: Jennifer Lundsford
Brick Alley pub, on Thames Street

We arrive at 2:22p.m. and are seated and situated by 2:24p.m. It appears the Brick Alley’s reputation for long waits on Friday nights does not hold true for mid-Sunday afternoons.

This, however, does not impose that the restaurant is lacking in patrons. Even at this odd time the dining areas are all filled, but the large wait staff and the efficiency of their operations keep customers moving in and out in a remarkable manner. The customers are not rushed out and are even encouraged to stay as long as they like, but the large amount of seating allows for such hospitality in this area.

What I found delightful (you might feel the same if you’ve ever dined in a place where the plates and mess of the last patron sit on the table until what seems like the last possible second), is that the staff quickly cleans a table almost immediately after the customer has left, allowing for the ambiance of the restaurant not to be soiled by plates of half eaten burgers muddling the picture.

The hostess was also constantly cleaning, sweeping the rug at the entrance and wiping off hand prints on the glass paneled doors. The cleanliness was not only impressive, but in a world of slow busboys, very much appreciated.

Now, let’s get down to what really matters here: the food. My roommate and I, young college students accustomed to eating cafeteria food, and just coming from a morning of shopping, wouldn’t seem very hard to please. But, we put our critical taste buds to the task at hand.

We decided to start with what the menu claims to be the “best nachos” as an appetizer. When the nachos were brought out it seems this claim was based on the gigantic proportion covering all visible signs of a plate underneath it.

This well stacked dish at $8.95 is definitely your money’s worth. Despite the pilings of chips, chicken, salsa, and a whopping scoop of sour cream being a bit of a mess to eat, the flavor and mildly-spiced plate delivered a great starter. Judging by the size of the dish, four or five people could share this as an appetizer easily.

For main dishes, I ordered the broiled chicken and artichoke sandwich, which came with a small Caesar side salad for only $9.95. My friend ordered the chicken Caesar wrap, which she opted to get with a side of fries, for $8.50.

The food was very good and the only complaint we could make was that there was too much food. The Caesar wrap, though tasty, was over-stuffed and hard to eat, but one could easily combat that, if necessary, by taking a fork to it. My chicken artichoke dish, a mixture of artichokes, red and yellow peppers atop boneless, skinless chicken, had great flavor but was drowning in melted cheese. I easily scraped some to the side of the plate.

The clientele was varied. One party of four that came in after us sported chaps on top of their denim jeans. Other tables were filled with senior citizens, college aged couples or groups of friends, and families with young children. The fresh and comfortable atmosphere seems to appeal to everyone. Also, the menu, aside from the chicken and nachos mentioned above, has a great deal of seafood, steak, pizza, and burgers as well.

The Brick Alley Pub and Restaurant has become a native favorite for residents and visitors alike. The large white-trimmed yellow building, with matching yellow and white striped awnings, consists of a front room with tables, a back room made up of booths, and then a room, to the right of their well stocked salad and soup bar, which has the front of a truck poking into the dining area with more booths and tables.

There is also a waiting area/bar at the top of the stairs upon entering. The partial truck, as well as the old-time memorabilia adorning the walls and ceiling, gives the restaurant a quirky and comfortable setting and it makes the consumer feel they are partaking in a Newport tradition by eating here.

This could account for why many residents enjoy the comfortable and familiar atmosphere, and why the visitors also enjoy getting treated like regulars by the friendly and helpful wait staff. The restaurant, which also boasts of being 100% smoke free, has accredited much recognition over the years including the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence in 2003, Best of Newport County, and the Best of Rhode Island.

Brick Alley Pub and Restaurant
140 Thames Street, Newport, RI

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 11:30am-10:00pm

Saturday and Sunday 11:00am-10:30pm

(Accepts all major Credit Cards)

Phone: 401-849-6334, www.brickalley.com

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