There's something to be said for having a restaurant in your neighborhood you can depend on. You know, the default place you go when your friends come over, or a coy corner to stop on lunch break where the staff is going to mean it when they ask how you're doing today. In this era the corporate franchise, the family-owned restaurant has become a treasure. This week I went down to Riverside to visit a couple of places that are, well, treasures. 

When I lived in Riverside, Bucket's Riverside Grill was my default breakfast nook. Located in Riverside Square, this classic dinner has been a part of the community for nearly half a century. Now owned by the Bucket family, Riverside Grill serves up steak sandwiches, New York System-style wieners and a mean veggie omelet (just to name a few!) It's a great place to escape during lunch break or read the paper over breakfast.

Town Pizza is run by the father and son team of Socrates Sr. and Socrates Jr. They have been serving some of the best pie in East Providence since 1972.  Walking into Town Pizza, it's obvious they are a real part of the Riverside community. The front wall is decorated with awards and newspaper clippings spanning the decades. They also sponsor a Little League team every year.

I had a chance to sit down with Socrates Jr., and asked him where all the Little League photos went. It turns out they've been sponsoring the team for so long they couldn't fit them all on the wall anymore!