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Kay's Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
4 reviews for Kay's Restaurant
As Jeff P says, this has been a Woonsocket institution for a while now, serving up a basic menu (it's printed on their cocktail napkins!) consisting of hot and cold sandwiches served with chips (ruffled ones that are excellent, wherever they get them from) and some pepperocinis. For years I only had their roast beef sandwich, but in the last year or so I've branched out and discovered that their pastrami, served warm with Swiss cheese, is as good as any NY deli sandwich I've ever had (and yes, I've been to Katz's and the Carnegie Deli).
We often do take-out, but have eaten there a few times. They have a nice bar, but the place is a bit crowded and it can get a little crazy at peak times.
Ah, Kay's. What am I going to say about you? I'm giving you three stars. But if I could, I would give you a split decision: two stars and four stars.
The place is, I'll admit, really cool: it's the antithesis of a chain restaurant. Step into Kay's, and you've stepped back in time. It's quiet, dim, and tastefully decorated, yet not overly formal. The atmosphere is incredible.
Ample parking is available in a free lot across the street, and on the street itself.
The menu is, as others have mentioned, on a napkin. A SMALL napkin. There aren't many choices; five or six sandwiches, and nachos as an appetizer. Most sandwiches can be ordered hot or cold, and all come with excellent wavy chips, sour dill pickle slices, and pepperoncini (spicy!).
There's a wide selection of drinks; the soft drinks used to come in tiny cups, but now are closer to standard restaurant-size. You may want to ask for water as well when you order a soft drink if you're the thirsty type, because there are no free refills.
The sandwiches are simply PILED with meat. I usually stick to their ham or (more often) roast beef, but they also have steak, pastrami, corned beef (I think) and sometimes, at least, lobster. The usual add-ons such as cheese, mushrooms, and onions are available.
But here's the thing: sometimes the sandwiches are great, but sometimes they're awful. I'm specifically talking about the roast beef sandwiches in this case. I've had great ones, hot and juicy, a dauntingly high and aggressively meaty pile of beef. But I've also had roast beef sandwiches at Kay's that had a lot of gristle and were simply inedible - in fact, I had gristle-beef sandwiches on three visits in a row.
Three times in a row is too damned many. I refused to go back to Kay's for a year. Recently I agreed to give them another try (my wife loves their food) and was pleased and surprised to get a good roast beef sandwich. But I'm not sure I'll ever feel comfortable taking that first bite at Kay's again, because I can't know if they're having a good day or a bad one.
Kay's has been a woonsocket institution for decades. Upon entering, you'll notice that it's very informal and makes a great place for lunch. They have a bar and a small seating area which makes it difficult for larger parties but they manage to accomodate you nevertheless. The menu is delivered to you the only way it has ever been....printed on a napkin.
Kay's is known primarily for their steak sandwich. It's the best ever. It's nothing like a philly steak....probably why it's so good. The steak is not shaved, but about 1/2 inch thick and sits between a type of sub roll. It is so tender and juicy. You can get it with cheese if you want or even add grilled onions and bell peppers. That's how I like it and traditionally I like it with ketchup. All sandwiches are served with a large mound of potato chips and a pickle....no fries here. They also have a great ham and cheese and the lobster roll is incredible too!
Prices are very reasonable...................and they have ginger ale on the menu!!....something hard to find out here in Vegas.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
I've only been to Kay's twice, both within the past 5 years. The small sandwich menu (served with chips and a pickle - no substitutions) was printed on a cocktail napkin! On my visits, I've had the steak sandwich (a nice slab steak - not the shaved steak I was used to) and the roast beef sandwich. Both were more than satisfactory, generous portions of meat on really fresh rolls. Toppings are available, but i had mine plain so I could really taste the meat! I've heard that the Lobster roll is also excellent, but I can't say personally because I'm not into lobster.
The place is small with nice decor and is very clean. It's a great place for lunch or a light supper. The sandwiches may seem just a bit pricey, but after a couple of bites you'll know that it's worth it.