Yelp Review: The Beef Barn, North Smithfield RI
Five stars.
A hidden treasure, and a real gem. I didn't like roast beef until I tried Beef Barn. Their hot roast beef sandwiches are like none other: small (about hamburger-sized) on soft grilled rolls, piled high with perfectly-cooked thin-sliced roast beef.
On some days the roast beef is better than others, I think; I try to go on Thursdays through Sundays.
The fries are excellent. Burgers and hot dogs likewise. The burgers have a unique flavor that reminds me very much of the ones I used to get at Big Top in Westport, CT, many years ago (Big Top has been closed for at least twenty years now). All portions are smallish, but the prices are in proportion. One sandwich and a large fry (or maybe two fries) makes a decent meal for me, and I'm not a light eater.
The barbecue sauce that they have at their tables is worth special mention: it's not smoky at all, not at all thick, but it has a nice heat to it. It's good enough that they actually sell it in fifty-cent containers to go. They also have packets of barbecue sauce, but those are the standard stuff. If you like a little spiciness, it's worth spending the extra 50 cents. I like to dip fries in the sauce.
The parking lot is a bit of a pain. There are effectively two sides to it, and the passage between the two is often blocked by inconsiderate drivers who park and block the lane.
The decor is really, really memorable. It's a barn, with all sorts of imaginative and whimsical decorations. There's a train that circles around the ceiling in the middle of the place (it's not always running, though). There's a small chicken-coop dining area with stuffed chickens and other oddities. There are also a number of two-person tables in the silo, with a balloon and other strange things looking down on the diners from above.
At Christmastime they have a set of automated bells outside that play Christmas carols; a very nice and tasteful touch.
All in all, the layout is VERY compact - but it works. In addition to tables and booths there's a counter with stools. The bathrooms are really tiny, though, and definitely not wheelchair-accessible.
They only accept cash, and there is no ATM machine on the premises. The closest machine is at the Stop & Shop a few minutes up the street.
What can I say? The Beef Barn is a really special place. There's nowhere else like it!
A hidden treasure, and a real gem. I didn't like roast beef until I tried Beef Barn. Their hot roast beef sandwiches are like none other: small (about hamburger-sized) on soft grilled rolls, piled high with perfectly-cooked thin-sliced roast beef.
On some days the roast beef is better than others, I think; I try to go on Thursdays through Sundays.
The fries are excellent. Burgers and hot dogs likewise. The burgers have a unique flavor that reminds me very much of the ones I used to get at Big Top in Westport, CT, many years ago (Big Top has been closed for at least twenty years now). All portions are smallish, but the prices are in proportion. One sandwich and a large fry (or maybe two fries) makes a decent meal for me, and I'm not a light eater.
The barbecue sauce that they have at their tables is worth special mention: it's not smoky at all, not at all thick, but it has a nice heat to it. It's good enough that they actually sell it in fifty-cent containers to go. They also have packets of barbecue sauce, but those are the standard stuff. If you like a little spiciness, it's worth spending the extra 50 cents. I like to dip fries in the sauce.
The parking lot is a bit of a pain. There are effectively two sides to it, and the passage between the two is often blocked by inconsiderate drivers who park and block the lane.
The decor is really, really memorable. It's a barn, with all sorts of imaginative and whimsical decorations. There's a train that circles around the ceiling in the middle of the place (it's not always running, though). There's a small chicken-coop dining area with stuffed chickens and other oddities. There are also a number of two-person tables in the silo, with a balloon and other strange things looking down on the diners from above.
At Christmastime they have a set of automated bells outside that play Christmas carols; a very nice and tasteful touch.
All in all, the layout is VERY compact - but it works. In addition to tables and booths there's a counter with stools. The bathrooms are really tiny, though, and definitely not wheelchair-accessible.
They only accept cash, and there is no ATM machine on the premises. The closest machine is at the Stop & Shop a few minutes up the street.
What can I say? The Beef Barn is a really special place. There's nowhere else like it!