This hidden gem in Somerset, Massachusetts once transported passengers; now it serves breakfast
Somerset is home to many residents of Portuguese descent, and the menu of the Railway Cafe has plenty of options that reflect the locals' heritage. Chourico is a staple of the Portuguese diet, and it is featured prominently on The Railway Cafe menu as an ingredient in their Portuguese omelet, as a side dish, or as a component in one of their two-egg breakfast options.
Sweet bread, another Portuguese favorite, is also on the menu.
A recent Yelp review circa March 2021 described the charming ambiance of The Railway Cafe, "Step back in time to the early 1900s. Sit at a high-back booth in an authentic railway car. The luggage racks, antique refrigerator and little details make you feel like you're in a slower more peaceful era."
Prior to its current incarnation as The Railway Cafe, the train car and caboose served as The Bagel Express, or The Bagel Train Cafe. Before that ... it's a bit of a mystery.
Surprisingly little information is available about the history behind the train car and caboose sitting stranded in an asphalt Massachusetts parking lot on busy Route 6. Fortunately, a certain train aficionado was able to supply some information about the type of train.
Acording to Jerry M. LaBoda on Flickr, "Ex-Adirondack Scenic, erxx-Black River & Western Enterprise, exxx-PRR 7002 Camden, nee-Pullman. Great to see the car still around... not many of these left these days." Indeed.
From the Railway Cafe official website:
Railway Cafe is a true railway dining car experience. At Railway Cafe we have a very clear and precise mission, to exceed our patrons expectations for both quality and service. Our goal is to impress our customers by giving them the highest degree of service possible and by providing them with the freshest, finest, and best quality food at reasonable prices, in a friendly, family oriented atmosphere. Enjoy some of our chef’s specialties, including the Crunchy Cinnamon French Toast, House Portuguese Steak Omelet, or a Cinnamon Roll Pancake. The choice is yours! All Aboard!
Not only do we serve a unique dining experience, but we also carry a complete line of gourmet fruit and bagel baskets. These handcrafted gift baskets are filled with a variety of bagels, spreads, including cream cheese, muffins, fruit, cookies, tea and more!
Ah, restaurants in old trains! The very idea brings a smile to travelers and non-travelers alike, doesn't it? I mean, how many times have you or your kids asked if there's a "real train" at a restaurant? At least once I'm sure. Next time that happens, head for the nearest place that used to be a working train like The Railway Cafe. The novelty is hard to beat, plus this unusual cafe offers some really tasty breakfast options.
It may be hard to believe, but there was once a repurposed train car connected to a McDonald's restaurant in neighboring Fall River, and yes, it was open to fast food diners as seating. The 1950 passenger car arrived at McDonald's on Canning Boulevard in 1982 and departed thirty-four years later. Initially destined for the scrap heap, the old train car was rescued by the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad Company.
The new owners planned to use the McDonald's train as a museum or gift shop temporarily before refurbishing it and returning it to the rails for passengers to enjoy once again.
#HiddenGems