‘Gary’s’ Secret Ingredient

By: Anne B. Falcetano
Posted In: Entertainment

The sound of the sizzling grill sets the tone for the hustle and bustle of Friday at Gary’s Handy Lunch.

Pulled from the pages of an Eddie Bauer catalogue, sporting a familiar cable knit sweater, a man no more than 35 years old, wanders in for a quick bite to eat, something he does on a regular basis.

He winks.

“What’s new?” asks one of the three waitresses behind the counter.

“Same ‘ol. Same ‘ol,” responds the sweater.

“Different day,” the waitress comments.

At 12:30 p.m., food in this establishment is almost literally thrown around. Black and white tiles line the dance floor that the waitresses boogie on, barely stopping to take an order. “I’m coming!” yells another waitress to a booth of college students just up from a late Thursday night out.

The specials read, ‘steak and cheese’, ‘reuben’, ‘fish and chips’. None priced over $5.95. To college students in Newport, R.I. the prices are ideal when money is tight. “I enjoy going out for breakfast and Gary’s allows me to do so without putting a dent in my wallet,” commented Christine Reidy, a junior at Salve Regina.

The clientele however, goes beyond just the beer drinking academics. Mike and Dave, names we learn from their ‘Eastern Ice’ uniforms, sit perched on stools at the counter. Dave orders his tuna and chowder while Mike enjoys a mountain of fish and fries after his warm cup of ‘chowda’ as well. “No matter what time you walk in you are bound to see a familiar face” Reidy said.

The coat rack in the corner by the kitchen tells the story of who is eating in today.

Green flannel, brown trench coat, blue U.S. Postal Service jacket.

Tucked at the end of the counter is a brown haired mail woman who took some time from her route for a quick bite and a little reading.

At Gary’s you can dine alone in your own little greasy heaven like the postal worker, or chat it up with those around you like the booths of construction workers and talkative women. Good luck trying to slow down a waitress long enough to talk, but the man with the spatula and red ‘Patriots’ hat will take the time to talk while flipping eggs and burgers. On this particular Friday he chatted with a camouflage clad youth about his 70 hour work week. Three stools away over tuna and fried fish, Mike and Dave commented under their breath about a fellow ‘Handy Lunch’ proprietor and whether or not he is still spending his nights on the couch.

Is it the people? Is it the food? Is it the price? Or is it the throw back to a more familiar, relaxed and comfortable time in history?

What brings so many people to this establishment time after time?

Whatever the draw, Gary’s makes an effort to hold onto that secret ingredient, the same way that they keep their lips sealed on what makes their home fries so yummy.

Finding the eatery is simply a matter of following the signs. One sign in particular. From six blocks in either direction on Thames Street a bright red Coca-Cola sign hangs over the entrance. Inside the front door the d