Roger’s Coney Island at North Main and Brightman
Yes, it is probably a little cheeky of a non-local to presume to know all about the great little out-of-the-way eateries around the city. It has taken a good many years of sleuthing around on my own or annoying locals who are “In the Know” about Fall River’s top eateries and bakeries. I have been blessed to know FR natives who willingly inpart these pearls to an Outsider, and even share more than a few meals.
First thing to know- you will NEVER starve for want of plain good cooking in this town- and the options are diverse and mouth-watering. Whether it is the Meatloaf Special at Almac’s Diner on President’s Ave. or the choicest prime cut at Giorgio’s on Third Street- it’s all GOOD. One of my favorite haunts for lunch is Roger’s Coney Island, pictured above. It’s always tidy, usually you can get lucky and find a comfy booth in one of two dining areas, you can pick up some baked goodies from the case to take home, and the food is consistently dependable.
Naturally Coney Island Dogs, in all of their incarnations, get top billing. The hot dog specialties have catchy names and are served with fries or baked beans. There is something magical about that meat sauce they sling on those dogs. I am still trying to figure out that secret spice which leaves the unique after taste. I understand there used to be a guy in the city who would line up the dogs all along his fore arm, managing 6 at a time while he loaded the redhots with all the extras. Wish I could have seen THAT!
I never miss the kale soup- winter or summer. The savory broth, thick and brown, chock full of potato and chourico and green kale is a poem in a bowl. Chourico itself is a wonder of the world. I had it all mixed up with Linguica, which apparently is a sausage of another breed. But then my knowledge of Portuguese food is still at the toddler stage. Kale soup and sweet bread were my intro to all things Portuguese- and if you can’t find the best of Portuguese food in Fall River- well, then there’s no hope for you! Yes, there is great kale soup all over the city, but for my buck, it has to be Roger’s, with Sagres’ on Columbia Street off South Main coming in at a close second. The Sagres kale soup is a paler, thinner version, – delicious, yes, but not as stick-to-your-ribs as Roger’s.
Roger’s has the addition enticement of homemade artwork which changes with the seasons and holidays, and if you visit on a lucky day, you can watch the staff paint leprechauns or bouquets of flowers on the windows while you glance with satisfaction at the dessert case laden with grapenut pudding or gooey chocolate cake. Families come to Roger’s. Old friends come to Roger’s to gab over coffee and omelettes and the morning Herald newspaper. Nobody rushes you out the door, and the staff seems to stay the same-and they know their Regulars! So for my maiden post, I give Roger’s my highest rating for casual and tasty eats, served in a homey and happy environment. My last soul-satisfying nosh was an open-faced hot turkey sandwich layered with sage-ful bread stuffing, served with smashed red bliss potatoes swimming in gravy and crunchy carrot coins. Could I get a side of cranberry sauce? You bet! Go for breakfast, or go for lunch- but do GO to Roger’s Coney Island.
This comment is in regard to Mee Sums Chinese Restaurant. I grew up right behind Mee Sums when they were further down on S. Main St. near Dwelly St. I was raised on chow mein sandwich’s and Mee Sums has the BEST! These delicous meals in themselves used to be for $1 or under and they realy filled you up. If you are a daring native Fall Riverite you eat them with vinegar on them…YUM! I think the Lizzie Borden family must have eaten them this way since they kept barrels of vinegar in the cellar.
I lived in Fall River as a little girl, and we would eat at Mee Sums all the time. Every time since then when we would go back and visit our family in Fall River, Mee Sums was usually 1 of our first stops as soon as we would arrive.
My mom and dad were high school sweet hearts and would go there after school for chow mein sandwiches.
As a mom myself, my children love chow mein and we must order it on a regular basis, even though we donot live in Fall River.
The BEST chinese food ever!!!! Just thinking about it makes me want some!!!!
Guess I will order some today….