Ashley's Wins Best Breakfast in Inaugural Braintree Patch Contest

With nearly 500 votes cast in Braintree Patch's first in a series of "Best Of" contests, members of the community turned out in force to select their favorite breakfast spot – on Washington Street.

started off with heavy voting on Monday morning, and by Tuesday it looked like in Braintree Square would maintain its lead all week, ahead of and Ashley's at a distant third. But as the days passed, Ashley's supporters really started weighing in, dropping positive comments and piling up largely glowing reviews on its .

The winner was selected based on a combination of the poll, comments and reviews. The poll results for the top picks were as follows: Ashley's – 42%; Kristin's – 28%; Olympian Diner – 19%; and and at 1% each.

Ashley's has been a mainstay of South Braintree Square for decades, and features a dedicated group of employees and customers, many of whom have stuck with the restaurant through ownership changes because of its inexpensive, quality breakfasts and top-notch customer service.

A Patch user named Steve summed up the winner's merits in a comment on : "We have been going to Ashley's for several years off and on. It is exactly what it looks like, a good old local diner, the service is honest and good. It is a busy place and everyone is always friendly and efficient, which is what I want."

Ashley's menu has all the breakfast and lunch basics – Eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles, BLTs, tuna melts, grilled cheese, etc. – and a constantly updating list of specials. Just a few weeks ago, for instance, the owners poured their culinary creativity into a low-calorie menu.

"The base stays the same, but we always try to add specialties," co-owner David said on Friday after he heard the contest results. "It doesn't matter who owns the place or cooks, as long as the people are happy."

Cooking alongside his business partner Airan, David said he likes to fly under the radar, preferring not to publish his or Airan's last name. Both men came to Ashley's 12 years ago, they said. In 1977, David moved to the United States from Russia, where he was a civil engineer. Airan is from Albania.

In the dining room, Patti Rogers, a waitress at Ashley's for more than 17 years, and longtime customer Frank Dangora bantered about their time at the restaurant and the loyal group that for many years staked out the same table every morning – the "Retired Old Men Eating Out" or Romeos.

"This is like home," Dangora said. "I've been coming here forever."

For both Rogers and Dangora, it's the good company that has glued them to Ashley's. "They keep you coming back," Rogers said. "There's always new conversation every day."

For Patch commenter Judith, one of the many reasons to support Ashley's is Patti herself: "I love Ashley's... The food is great... Omlettes are so delicious. Service is absolutely the best. Patty - one the the waitresses is awesome."

Next week, starting bright and early Monday morning, vote in our Best of Braintree Dentists contest and share stories about your best (or worst) dental experiences. The poll opens at 6 a.m. Monday and closes next Friday, March 9 at 9 a.m.