Amid the Aquidneck Avenue construction Chelsea's makes it worth the bumpy ride
The coffee mugs at Chelsea's on Aquidneck Avenue make a simple boast: “A great place for breakfast.” It’s not a lie.
To start with, they serve a great cup of coffee. Fresh brewed and steaming hot – the way coffee in a diner should be. And if you need a warm-up, the friendly servers are always on alert to keep your mug full. The menu has everything you need for a hearty breakfast. For those days when you just want eggs-over-easy with hash and a side of toast or those other days when you need the sweetness of fresh blueberry pancakes off the griddle, Chelsea’s has it all. Nothing too fancy, but everything a simple breakfast menu should be and done right. The food comes out fast and delicious and the service is quick and friendly. Coffee mugs don’t lie – It’s a great place for breakfast.
You can sit at the counter at Chelsea’s and enjoy your breakfast alongside the regulars who chat cordially about the Sox or Patriots, or you can find a cozy spot at one of the many tables inside the dining room. Old photos that highlight the history of the community and Chelsea’s (which opened in 1993) adorn the walls giving the restaurant a distinct hometown and welcoming feel. There are daily specials and on the weekends, they roll out a few more specialty items like authentic Rhode Island Johnny Cakes and Eggs Benedict in two or three different varieties.
While breakfast is the big show, they also serve up lunch daily. If you want to fill up for the whole day, indulge in their Chourico & Cheese sub with fries. Or maybe opt for classic diner fare like grilled cheeseburgers or a stacked BLT. On Fridays, they offer seafood additions like Fish and Chips or Fried Clams and as you would imagine, breakfast is available throughout lunch too. For a quick and delicious meal at reasonable prices, look no further than Chelsea’s. They are open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and close at 1 p.m. on Sundays. Be aware that they only accept cash for payments (although there is an ATM on site).
Chelsea’s is great. However, the road to get there is hell. If you have not been on Aquidneck Avenue lately, you are missing out on a bumpy ride. Beginning last year, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation started rebuilding a badly deteriorated section of Aquidneck Avenue between East Main and Green End Avenue. Here we are in August and the project continues. The latest updates from the DOT say the road is being closed nightly for pavement rehabilitation and they will continue to do drainage and advance prep work for sidewalk installation until paving is complete. The recent torrential rainstorms have not helped matters either and now the unpaved road is filled with bumps, holes, trenches and caverns. It makes a slow trip down Aquidneck Avenue an adventure in shock absorber testing. When all is said and done, having a newly paved road will be a benefit to the area. But for now, it’s not helping anyone. Especially the businesses on Aquidneck like Chelsea’s.
With the road in its current state, you may decide to travel a new route rather than drive through the construction. But before you turn away, I ask that you consider all those many businesses on Aquidneck Avenue that have been dealing with the traffic situation since last year. They have remained open throughout and could use your support. It’s a street that has so many great businesses, especially those that are food-related, but sales have dipped because the road to get there is in such disarray. From the best of the Island bagels at Bagel Boys to the new exciting offerings at Roasted Clove, each spot is worth the slow, bumpy drive.
Dine out: New restaurants in Newport and beyond are building buzz. These menu items are worth a try.
Sometimes you forget how many great options for food there are within that section of Aquidneck Avenue. You have Anthony’s for fresh seafood. You have Pickles, A Deli, and Aquidneck Meat and Provisions for fresh sandwiches. There’s Custom House Coffee for fresh coffee. You have Food Love Market and Pizza Hollywood for pizza. There’s Provencal Bakery and Cafe and June Love's English Bakery for fresh baked goods. There’s Sprout & Lentil for amazing vegan options. There’s Flat Waves for tacos and burritos. And of course, there’s Chelsea’s, for great breakfast. Some of the best food in town all packed into one construction-ridden area. We need to continue to support them throughout it all.
Construction means progress and even though it has been a major inconvenience, when it’s finally completed, the road and the businesses there will be better off for it. It’s taking a long time, and it’s hard to run a business when customers have to drive like Mad Max to get there, but there’s hope that things will be better soon. In the meantime, all we can do is brave the bumpy road and take the slow drive to support all our favorite spots.
Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality related. His column appears on newportri.com and Thursdays in The Daily News. Cheers!
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Chelsea's shines among great collection of Aquidneck Avenue eateries
