Rose’s Diner

After working down the street from Rose’s (often referred to as «RosIE’s» — — - INcorrect!), my coworker and I decided to pop in for lunch! I was hoping for pancakes and coffee, but found that the menu on display over the ordering window doesn’t offer such flapjack jazz. I settled for a cuppa cawfee (zipzipzipZING! — strong stuff!) while my coworker scored big on her grilled cheese & fries order.
We sat at the wrap-​around counter (two or three other small table are also available for use). Listening to the conversation emanating from the other two rough-​n-​tumble gentlemen discussing the news while the teeny television in the corner played TV Land. Glancing around at the floral wallpaper, pictures of Rio de Janeiro and news articles about the diner. Rose delivered our order with a smile, then returned to the tiny kitchen behind the window.
We chatted, and eavesdropped on diner talk. My coworker reports that the grilled cheese hit the spot, and that the fried were crisp and delicious. We paid **CASH ONLY!** and took our leave, returning to our car parked in the small, dirt lot behind the diner. It was a decent lunch, but not the kind of place I tend to select when looking for a lunch-​time getaway.
If you’re looking to disappear for lunch where your coworkers aren’t likely to find you. If you’re looking for a good, comfort food lunch. If you require rocket-​fuel-​grade coffee to get you through the afternoon. Then this is a good fit for you, just remember your cash and an open mind [insert smile here].

Chicken club with fries. Plenty of bread, mayo, bacon and fresh fries. Simple and tasty.
A small little diner-​ish place in an industrial area, right off the beaten path. Even though it was clear that everybody else knew everybody else, it still felt friendly. If you want to seem like more of a regular, pay after you eat.
Thank you Rose.

My 12 year old daughter stumbled upon Rose’s Diner as we were making our way to the Providence Mall on a Friday. This is a little gem of a café that would go overlooked, if you weren’t already in the know. It has no connection to pedestrian traffic or other storefront businesses to draw a crowd — so a bit of Unilocal help is a way to support a wonderful, small business owner in the neighborhood.
A cozy house situated dead-​center of a vacant lot, surrounded by light industrial, Rose’s Diner is a homey breakfast and lunch refuge to many of the workers in the area. Not to mention Rose herself, a sweet Brazilian-​American mama who prepares the home-​cooked diner fare to order, including sandwiches, burgers and the local favorite — her minestrone soup with sausage.
We entered looking for breakfast, and although she was offering the lunch, her customers persuaded us to stay and try «the best minestrone soup in town»…So we took their advice and Rose made us an off-​menu fried egg sandwich with tomato slices along with a cup of her yes — delicious soup. I had a robust cup of coffee and the meal was as good as classic lunch counter food gets and is equally well-​priced (everything under $ 5). The best part is Rose’s culinary touch and personality.
As we sat chatting with Rose through her order window, we learned a bit about her — she started the business 16 years ago when her kids were young. With the languishing economy that is hitting most towns like Providence, many of the small businesses who employ most of her customers are moving away for cheaper rent, Rose says that she struggles to keep the place open.
As two out-​of-​towners from California, we want to be part of Rose’s global fan club. Places like Rose’s diner and people like her are hard to come by and word needs to spread fast to keep her alive and going… Aside from saving a local small business owner, you won’t be disappointed, if you love diners — simple, good food, well-​priced and in a tidy, cozy setting. Open for breakfast and lunch weekdays.