Debbie's Breakfast Place — Restaurant in Woonsocket

For years, I've been wanting to stop in to visit this place - all the way back to when it was called the Park Avenue Spa or something of the kind. I'm talking early 2000s. However, I never did stop in until today.

I'm usually up quite early, and finding a place that is open at 5am is somewhat of a rarity, especially one that is actually good. So, dressed in my rainbow sweats and a warm hoodie, I set out for my morning run to be capped off with breakfast. I arrived at Debbie's at 5:02 on the dot, making good time. However, the door was locked and the lights were low. I checked the time that they were supposed to be open, and 5 was on Google and 5 was on the door.

It has happened to me before that I've put off going somewhere and when I finally got around to going, they were forever closed. I decided to wait a few minutes when a car pulled up. "What are you doing there?" "They open at 5." "We don't open right at 5 - I need time to setup."

It was the owner and apparently I was too early. I assured her that I'd be back - I walked down the street to the bank and took out some cash and by the time I returned, things were in full swing.

Debbie's Breakfast Place is the exact sort of breakfast first diner that my Dad would have brought us to when we were kids. It conjured instant memories of the early 80's and the far too greasy Annex Diner and the way too smokey Paul's Diner and a dozen other small breakfast spots I grew up on. Between the counter and the ambiance - local news, the sounds of a griddle griddlin', the early morning light - I was transported through space and time to a beautiful slice of American Breakfast Diner Heaven. This isn't the faux 50s nonsense - this is a diner as experienced through the 70s and 80s.

A mug of tea was my start. I almost went for coffee, but I am not a fan. Properly hot water, basic Lipton black tea in a bag. A fine, traditional start. Am I accustomed to a wide selection of tea? Yes. This is not that kind of place.

Tea in hand, I listened to the news and mused about the day ahead. My main dishes arrived with all due expediency - kielbasa and cheese omelette, home fries, toast, and pancakes.

The toast was so-so. Not as crisp as I like it, it was fine as a vehicle for jelly and butter.

The home fries fared better - better still with some hot sauce and ketchup. They could have had more browning, but the important part for me was that they were quite fresh and not at all greasy or heavy.

Greasy and heavy was the calling card of the kielbasa and cheese omelette, and I'm not going to complain about that - I knew what I was getting, and it was pretty much perfect. I do tend to like my kielbasa pushed a little more towards "maybe that is over done?" but it all worked well. Nice, melty cheese, well cooked eggs. Simple. Perfect. Some hot sauce and ketchup? Heavenly.

The pancakes were last and they were good. Nice and fluffy, with some crispy bits, they are an ideal American style pancake. While I liked Breakfast Nook's more, these were a close 2nd, and if someone never had an American pancake, I would take them here first because these are a classic example of them and were well executed.

I was nearly done eating when the owner apologized for for not telling me that their credit card machine was broken and that I'd need cash. Well, if you recall, I happened to walk to the bank earlier and took out money. I had enough to cover my bill and a tip - which she seemed to be surprised to receive.

Overall? This was a good breakfast experience that left a powerful sensory impact on me. It was like living a memory and really? I'm here for it.

Will I go back? I could see myself becoming a regular, but my lifestyle doesn't have room for weekly pancake based indulgences. Still, I wouldn't think twice about stopping in on another early morning. Just gotta wait until 5:30 and all...

Walked in this morning with my husband and my cousin, and the regular customer of Debbie all welcomed us. We are Hispanic and usually we make breakfast at home but my brother in-law and nephew came here to eat on a Sunday and omg talked about this place all day long. So I had to see what the fuss was all about 🤣 and we instantly knew what is was all about. The Staff: extremely attentive of your needs your refills very nice. The Cook: " Debbie" wow amazing on how calm she is while seeing alot of people and her being the only cook. I would be a mess🤣 but I could tell she puts her heart into each plate that she cooks. The Food: omg the coffee is amazing the food is amazing. Our experience was wonderful definitely coming here for our...

My food was delicious, but when I asked for more coffee, Deb, the owner said “I only have two hands” with a sassy attitude. She was by herself till another waitress came in. When Deb brought my food she forgot the bacon so when the other waitress came in, I told her about the bacon, Deb was rude to the waitress when she asked her about the bacon! When I went to pay, I said nicely, “I don’t know how you do it?” She looked down while getting my change and said “nevermind, just don’t come back!” I couldn’t believe an owner of a restaurant would have such a RUDE attitude to say that to a paying customer and I told her so!!! I feel bad for that friendly waitress!!! This owner should seriously consider...