The Pantry — Restaurant in Westerly

So, my husband and I do what we call our "Saturday Brunch Series" every week and patron a new to us breakfast place. Today, on the recommendation of my boss, we tried The Pantry. Now, it did take me a moment to realize they had a HUGE parking lot behind the building. I'm an idiot who didn't really pay attention. However, we found a spot and was debating which direction to take to go inside (Again, wasn't paying attention to where the actual door to enter was located). I noticed a man running to a small building and return within moments later with a large beverage dispenser. I joked that it must be busy if they're busting out the big boy. He laughed and said yes and asked if we were dining today. First visit! He welcomed us warmly as he introduced himself as Justin, the owner. (First impression was good!) We walked in, and while the restaurant was busy, tables were turning and we had an option of outdoor (LOVE those tables with the umbrellas!) or at the counter bar. We opted for the counter bar and sat down. Our server, Jess, was awesome. We had some questions and she answered all of them with ease.

The banter around the counter was HILARIOUS. The atmosphere was extremely welcoming and although there were many of us that were new to The Pantry, the obvious regulars made us feel like family. Every time a dish came out of the kitchen to a counter patron, everyone suddenly turned their head and asked WHAT IS THAT? (There might have been some drooling too) Portions were nice and the food, well, that was beyond delicious. Everything was seasoned beautifully and not over seasoned (as we have experienced at many places prior to this adventure). I knew they hit ever marker when afterwards my husband remarked about coming again NEXT weekend. Y'all, he likes trying new places, but this was legit the FIRST time I've heard him say he wanted to repeat something so quickly!

For the record, my spouse had the Western omelet (eggs, ham, onions and peppers, and he chose Swiss for the cheese) which came with perfectly seasoned home fries. As for myself, I opted for Biscuits and Gravy, I asked if I could substitute the 2 eggs for hash browns and was easily granted that wish. I also had a side of bacon and ended up drinking 3 mugs of delicious coffee.

To Justin and staff, thank you for making our first visit so pleasurable. We will be back again very soon! (Maybe next Saturday, could be 4-8 of us, just...

Last visit my home fries where not even cooked some were still frozen in the middle, all potatoes were cold but a few a lil warm Clearly not a lot of time was placed on this task. My eggs were really really watery I still managed to eat it I was really hungry though during so you'll eat most anything

Service wow I walk in 10 mins to by no one says hello or how may I help you nothing. I move towards the countertop area still nothing like I'm a ghost only after I get a lil louder an call out 3 times am I addressed with no apologies. (I really try to like places to I try to see past things, Still some just make it more difficult then it ever should be)

Be happy to cook an feed others be happy to make others days that much brighter by serving them respect an awesome food. Be happy feeding others or don't do it at all

I greatly appreciate quality an good honest food 🤠

After all that I find my food isn't even cooked properly

I wasn't impressed with is the lack of real deal corn beef hash With actually homemade corned beef. How ever that takes prep time an a decent amount of skill. So worth it though like hungry haven or Kelley's deli near by (note that will cost a lil more) To me it's worth it nothing beats home made corned beef hash An real RI grown potatoes 😄 you really have to make it your self if you want that ace perfection.

Still this place has good prices an decent speed they do care about the people they serve enough to pay for their services so don't write them off

If you have a big family an price is a issue def come here

If not an you want that quality TLC home cooked meal an price isn't a issue HH or kd Even Sunny Side ups is decent near Walmart again though price your going to pay for that love put into the food

Quick an easy def come here for a great amount an a awesome price that's...

A bit of a confusing place to eat out at. My experience was subpar to say the least.

I’m not too sure if they’re having a staffing issue right now but I can understand if they are due to the season changing and kids going back to school. I only saw 2 servers on during my stay and an entire dining room full of guests. Watching food come to the tables was almost like watching one party eat at a time.

The food was inconsistent. Eggs, great! Home fries are frozen and then thrown into a deep fryer and cooked. Dry, no seasoning, no oil. Hash was good but not hot, only warm. The plate warmers in the kitchen might have been broken. Putting his food on cold plates means food gets cold before it hits the dining room. The rest of the food my party ordered came out the same way. Some parts of the dish were good, others were unacceptable.

Drinks are not consistently hot either. A member of my party ordered hot tea, and had to send an entire carafe of hot water back because it was barely even warm. Again if kitchen staffing was an issue I understand.

Though for the price of the food, there should be consistency coming out of the kitchen. Hot water for tea, homemade home fries.. and possibly a menu rework. I’m sort of unsure if I should totally not recommend it or in fact recommend it. It’s an odd place to eat. Some food is good some is not, service is subpar and guests wait forever for cold tea. For now...