Review: Rickyl's

Tucked behind another restaurant just south of Four Corners is Rickyl's. I don't know how many times I have driven by this luncheonette without ever seeing it, but now that I've eaten there, undoubtedly I'll be back.

Rickyl's unassuming building holds a surprisingly large number of tables with dark wood-paneled walls and simple décor. There is also a counter with cushioned stools. On a recent early Saturday morning, my daughters and I slipped into a comfortable wooden booth and were met right away by a cheerful waitress.

We were famished when we walked in, and the aroma of sizzling bacon fueled our hunger. To start with, we ordered the Fruit Cup ($3.95), deliciously ripe scoops of cantaloupe in a cup that was big enough to share. My daughters each ordered French toast. One had the Short Stack ($6.95), which was made with thick slices of egg-battered bread. And the other ordered the special Apple Streusel French Toast ($5.95), which was made using thinner battered bread sprinkled with a cinnamon apple topping. I chose the Broccoli and Cheddar Omelet ($7.95), which came with toast and home fries. And of course, we split a side of that bacon ($2.95).

The kids enjoyed their French toast, finishing both plates. My omelet was also delicious. The bright green broccoli was steamed before being folded into the omelet with plenty of melted orange cheddar. The bacon was nicely crisp, and there was enough for the three of us in the one side order.

The menu offers the standard breakfast fare that every neighborhood place should; however, it was the amazing service that will make me return. The waitresses were so careful with the orders, asking what type of milk, toast and coffee I wanted. They checked to see if I wanted butter on my toast or on the side and if I wanted jelly.

And the friendly atmosphere was contagious. At one point, my daughter could not get the ketchup out of the glass Heinz bottle. A diner at the neighboring table suggested hitting the bottle on the 57. My daughter tried, but to no avail. Seeing her frustration, the man got up, and with a friendly whack of the bottle, made my daughter's home fries that much tastier with the resulting ketchup.

As we were leaving at 9:30 a.m., there was a line gathering at the door, so you may want to grab a table early on the weekends. Rickyl's serves breakfast on the weekends, breakfast and lunch on Wednesday through Friday. Bring cash because the luncheonette does not take checks or credit cards.

Attentive service and quality food are probably the winning ingredients that have kept Rickyl's in business for 30 years. And as the restaurant celebrates this milestone in May, here's one customer hoping for many more years.