Royal Lunch

I had not been to the Royal Lunch at 211 North Kent Street since it had changed hands early in 2012 when owners Ann Wadsworth and her husband had decided to retire. On July 1, 2013 I went been back to see what it was like with the current owners.

It's open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Thursday and Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Saturday 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM; and Sunday, 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The phone number is 667-5131.

The floor plan was essentially the same as before. There's a jukebox in the front, up against the left wall; next to it was a dart game. A flat-screen TV in the front was turned on, but the two picture-tube TVs along the back wall were turned off.

The principal seating area is still a U-shaped counter slightly to the right of the center of the room. A high-rise table and chairs for two are next to the front window, and several tables with chairs along the left wall.

Bottled and canned drinks are in a refrigerated case in the rear. There are lots of pictures and posters on the walls. The place has a worn look, but the ambience is comfortable, as befits a neighborhood eatery without frills.

The lunchtime clientele at this visit seemed to be regulars who knew each other and the staff. There should be more places like this instead of so many pizza parlors.

The menu listed Breakfasts, Sandwiches, Subs, Sides, and Beverages, along with a note that Lunch Specials were available every day. Monday's Special was a bowl of vegetable beef soup and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. I ordered it and found both the soup and sandwich tasty.