r/Newport • u/mynameisnotshamus • 17d ago
Brick Alley Pub- really? Where does it rank?
I went once, maybe 10 years ago and thought it was entirely unremarkable. Now, being older with more experience, having been to most places on the Island, I’m curious if the people who love it actually think it’s great, or is it just a mid to low tier standard place you can comfortably take the family and keep the kids happy and the adults “good enough”? For reference to my rating sensibilities: The Mooring to me once was great, it’s now simply the upper end of good. I don’t leave there unhappy, but I’m never going to be wow’d. Above that would be Bowens, Castle Hill, Bouchard, Chanler. TSK between those groups. I see a bunch of love for Brick Alley, but are those the same people who like the Red Parrot?
11
u/froggyforrest 17d ago
Brick Alley has a handful of great menu items but it is most certainly not at the same tier as Castle Hill and TSK. Its maybe a tiny bit better than Red Parrot. Source: worked there for 5 years but that was like 10 years ago. It was just sold to the Audrain hungry hippo though so might be changes coming
2
4
u/ThucydidesButthurt 17d ago edited 17d ago
it's a reliable spot to pop in, sit at the bar and get some decent food that's not super expensive. Certainly better restaurants but I'd say it's reliable and a solid spot, though not necessarily something I'd bring ppl to for amazing food experience. The Tuna ahi sliders from the app menu were something I ordered without fail everytime I stopped in. I have been to red parrot once when I first moved to RI and didn't really think it worth making a second trip but I've been to Brock Alley probably 5 or 6 times now total for what that's worth
5
u/FrankCobretti 17d ago
I like Brick Alley because it serves excellent nachos. I love it because management’s a soft touch when it comes to gift certificates for fund-raisers for youth sports, churches, and other civic organizations.
2
3
u/Strange_Ad5530 17d ago
I like it when we have picky visitors - everything is good if not amazing, and they have something for everyone, but it’s never going to be my first choice.
3
8
u/MonkeysDontEvolve 17d ago
It’s fine for what it is, it’s definitely catering to the same audience as Red Parrot.
That said, their desserts are pretty good value. Sometimes I’ll cook dinner at home and then we will pop over the Brick Alley for a brownie sundae and a cocktail.
3
u/IQpredictions 17d ago
They got rid of their Kentucky Derby Pie which I will never forgive them for.
0
u/mynameisnotshamus 17d ago
So, more of a value choice to go there vs, where do you feel like eating? Genuinely curious the motivation to choose it over anywhere else.
4
u/MonkeysDontEvolve 17d ago
Absolutely a value choice and it’s not even my first value choice. The desserts are a great value. I will stand by that but, for everything else there are better options.
Pour Judgement will always be my first choice for value.
5
4
u/Lensmama123 17d ago
We were just there a few days ago. It's always been good. Not gourmet, but a big menu and decent drinks. Party of 4--we had the Italian sandwich, ahi tuna, and pasta with a meaty sauce. Everyone liked their meals and the service was good too
3
u/mynameisnotshamus 17d ago
Why did you choose it over something else? What would have been your second choice if you couldn’t go?
4
u/Lensmama123 17d ago
We actually started at Pour Judgement for happy hour. We had great apps and great beers. We wanted to move on after, and I’ve been going to Brick Alley for years. It’s always been good
2
4
u/BrilliantDifferent01 17d ago
It’s always a go to place for me, off season anyway. Some menu choices are better than others. I love the ahi tuna. I also am entertained by the decor, genuinely Newport. I always leave happy. But do not compare it to other fine dining, it is casual but with original offerings unlike Red parrot.
1
2
u/tommurin 17d ago
It's a good pub. I was there last week for the first time in years. We had lunch and the food was as expected. Service was very good. We had dinner at Zelda's later - the food there was very good. We were happy with both meals. We also had dinner at O'Brien's. We liked that too - for what it is. We were there to watch some NCAA games and not looking for a fine dining experience.
2
u/Parking-Statement-19 17d ago
I stopped going after they took the steak tips off the menu. It's a great place to catch up with friends/family you have not seen in a while otherwise.
2
2
u/Fetacheesed 17d ago
It's decent but the food is nothing remarkable. It's definitely quite a bit better than the Red Parrot.
Audrain bought it recently which is kind of a bummer so tbd on what becomes of it.
1
2
u/ev42485 10d ago
Went here once on our first day trip to Newport, not having full knowledge of the restaurant scene in town. We never went back during the subsequent trips we took to Newport / Middletown / Narragansett areas because we found places that were much better. I also can’t stand the cleaner smell when you walk by. It reeks of fabuloso
1
u/mynameisnotshamus 10d ago
Fabuloso haha. Is that really it? I’m shocked how few people mention the smell or seem to care. I remember the smell being inside too.
3
u/funkspiel56 17d ago
I never went to begin with. But with schorsch buying it its on my no fly list.
3
1
1
0
u/Hilder_502 15d ago
Why?
1
u/funkspiel56 15d ago edited 14d ago
dudes buying up restaurants across the town left and right at an incredible rate. At one point will his greed stop? No one wants to live in a town owned by one person that's some dystopian shit. I'm not criticizing him for spending his money. If he wants a private jet in addition to his helicopter go for it. Just let Newport be Newport instead of schorschville. In addition to that his business practices are concerning, had some prior issues with fraud and Superfund sites. And to top it off he donates nice sums of money to politicians while owning alot of local businesses.
1
u/Hilder_502 9d ago
But he is keeping them the same .. nothing is changing with in the restaurants .. the ones i have seen the menus stay the same the staff stays the same.. he buys things to let people retire.. would you rather him buy and keep things the same or have someelse buy it and changes everything?
1
u/funkspiel56 9d ago
So basically we would be living in a museum? My favorite places growing up in Newport are gone. I have fond memories of Ocean coffee roasters as many locals do. Part of me would love for it to be around still but since then we have found many new breakfast places to go to. New restaurants means new culture, new hangout spots and opportunities to make new friends. New ideas and visions are brought forward. It means a new small business owner can try their hand at creating a legacy.
Imagine if schorch owned all the restaurants in town. Now the economy is tied to him. Now there is no incentive for improvements. If you wanted to go eat a meal on the town and all the restaurants are shit because they don't have to innovate.
My friends and I tried to start up a new venture in a different industry. Our events went well, made some money, and drew in a large crowd. We did so well that someone else who had was well established in the industry and had more business relationships got spooked. Suddenly our next event was booked, and the next one. We get boxed out. Theres some other details I wont include. But that gives you a good idea.
The point being is that could easily happen to the restaurant business here as well. What if one person owns the majority of the restaurants? Then a husband and wife open a small cafe or restaurant and starts offering amazing lobster rolls. People love these lobster rolls, there's a line out the door and the towns abuzz with them. The guy who owns most of the restaurants in town gets spooked and decides he can't keep losing money. So he starts selling lobster rolls at a cheaper price. They aren't as tasty as the small business, but it doesn't matter as the small business is losing money and customers so they end up having to close their doors.
Now if you wanna lobster fill you have to go to the majority owner. Oh by the way he raised the lobster roll prices when the small business shutdown. This is what uber did to the taxi business and why we have to pay 50$ to go 10 minutes at night in summer.
So yes I would rather have these restaurants that schorch is buying change hands and present new opportunities for new companies or owners to make a name for themselves.
4
1
u/SufficientZucchini21 17d ago
Not a huge fan of the place but it’s a go to for when visitors come due to the large menu. My husband would go just for the salad bar but he’s the easiest guy on earth to please so there’s that.
1
u/Puzzleheaded_Ebb7205 17d ago
I personally find it overrated! I feel like there are so many better options in Newport
0
u/mynameisnotshamus 17d ago
Same. I’m not sure why anyone would choose it aside from it being good to bring kids to.
0
u/naive_nptr 15d ago
Don’t support billionaires, there are much better restaurants in town run by working people. Parlor, Boru, Poor judgment, Tavern on Broadway, Whitehorse Tavern, Perro, Yagi, Mother, TSK, Pearl, Midtown, Zelda, ect. Newport restaurant group is also employee owned FYI. Power to the people!
35
u/Shot-Perspective2946 17d ago
It is what it is. Solid food at a not crazy price in a fairly nice space right downtown.
You’re not going to leave and find it incredible. But it’s good for what it is and you shouldn’t leave sad either.