O'Rourke's back open!

Just saw the story on the news. O'Rourke's Diner in Middletown re-opened this morning at 5 a.m. to a crowd of hungry patrons. We are very excited, as we still had not been there when the fire broke out. Someone will have to let us know if anything has changed in the rebuilding!

ayersian-
Thanks for the excellent news! Isn't that a bit ahead of schedule? So how soon are you two going?

http://www.middletownpress.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/BigDaily;jsessionid=vS5nHwGGbfWjknvYQY5TqwHGRfQZzWd1MGMJMGRqjwHfyvpdyh2s!-625106091?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FTMP%2FHome&r21.content=%2FTMP%2FHome%2FContentTab_Feature_1560161

Been there before the fire. Hope for future diners sakes' that they will now serve you their famous white cheddar burgers on Saturdays. We drove out of our way to try this place on the way up to Maine and I specifically wanted to try that burger. But it was a Saturday and all they were serving was their brunch menu. It was ok..absoulely nothing special.

If anyone is going there on a weekend, we could meet you.

Walt

It is nice to see a happy ending for once.

We are eager to go sometime soon! Thinking that perhaps this weekend may be a little TOO crazy, but perhaps next Sunday (2/24)? If anyone's interested in meeting up with us, please let us know!

quote:

Originally posted by ayersian

We are eager to go sometime soon! Thinking that perhaps this weekend may be a little TOO crazy, but perhaps next Sunday (2/24)? If anyone's interested in meeting up with us, please let us know!

Sunday, 2/24 will be fine for us.

Walt

If you guys do go, please report back what you thought of the place. I am a big fan and I'm anxious to see how the new digs and the food compares.

Are they still at the same location?

Chris, Amy, Amy's brother, Denise and I will be at O'Roourke's this sunday, February 24th at 10AM. If anyone wishes to join us, we will be meeting in the parking lot.

Walt

quote:

Originally posted by waltpiii

Chris, Amy, Amy's brother, Denise and I will be at O'Roourke's this sunday, February 24th at 10AM. If anyone wishes to join us, we will be meeting in the parking lot.

Walt

Enjoy the meal ... I wish I could join you.

Will you be too early for burgers?

We (Walt, Denise, Chris, and Amy) had a successful and delicious trip to O'Rourke's this morning for breakfast. Still in the same spot--the outside looks exactly the same with a gleaming, new interior. A logbook complete with lots of pictures is coming...

ayersian-
Just read your logbook and saw the photos and everything looks fantastic. Thanks for going and reporting back to us and I could not be happier that O'Rourke's has reopened. Congratulations to Brian and the town of Middletown!

I will definitely find a way to get there this year.

I can't wait to get there myself.

The pictures were great.

I randomly came upon O'Rourke's today while doing a google search on diner photos and read all about the fire and their rebuilding efforts. What a coinkydink!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster
I will definitely find a way to get there this year.

Let us know when you're coming and you will definitely have a couple of RF companions!

I saw[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=5744&RefID=118']this[/url] highly disparaging, recent review of Middletown, Connecticut's famed [url='http://www.orourkesdiner.com/']O'Rourke's Diner[/url] on this site and wanted to offer the following as a counterpoint:




Don't believe the naysayers. O'Rourke's is back and better than ever.

What is odd about the review you posted I-95

is the photos are from the Sterns and others not the so called "reviewer", I wonder what's up?

I'm not sure how all the mechanicals work but the[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=5744&RefID=118']review[/url] in question was contributed to the site by a poster ("rja1104") yet posted on this site's "restaurant review" page, FYI.

While it may have been a repeat, the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" show featured O'Rourke's last night, FYI.

I DVRed it. I can't wait to get home tonight and watch it. I live in Middletown, and I was very disapointe that I didn't know Guy was going to be there in advance.

DD&D is currently my favorite Food Network Show. It is like a televised version of this website.

quote:

Originally posted by CajunKing

What is odd about the review you posted I-95

is the photos are from the Sterns and others not the so called "reviewer", I wonder what's up?

That is a "User Review" added to an existing "Editor Review". Ordinary users do not have to add photos to an existing Editor Review. It does have to get past the gatekeepers, though.

Also, one can submit photos without adding a User Review, which I have done for one or two places.

quote:

Originally posted by i95

While it may have been a repeat, the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" show featured O'Rourke's last night, FYI.

Amazing story. This goes on my list of places to hit in Ct.

joerogo - Unless things have changed (the place did not get any bigger even with the renovation)be aware that on the weekends he has a special "Brunch Menu" and you cannot get normal menu items that he serves throughout the rest of the week. Sorry..I have already mentioned this previously.

quote:

Originally posted by Baah Ben

joerogo - Unless things have changed (the place did not get any bigger even with the renovation)be aware that on the weekends he has a special "Brunch Menu" and you cannot get normal menu items that he serves throughout the rest of the week. Sorry..I have already mentioned this previously.

Thanks Baah Ben, I will probably hit O'Rourke's during the week. That duck hash has my name all over it!

Baah Ben and joerogo,

Partially correct. They serve their full breakfast menu, all 4 pages and 30 kinds of omelets, as well as 4 or so breakfast specials.

They do not serve lunch on the weekends though, so no steamed cheeseburgers. Expect a wait outside the building as well. They do not let people wait inside because it is a fire hazard (haha?? its not really funny.)

The last time I went I had the French Toast Special. It was, "Pistachio Scone Bread Pudding French Toast topped with Bananas O'Rourke, Clotted Cream with Homemade Caramel Sauce, a slice of Orange, Kiwi, Pineapple, Watermellon, and a Strawberry.... It was as good as it sounds.

Went for brunch today.  The best french toast I have ever had in my whole life! Worth the 45 minute wait.  Will be back again.

dzsmith, Let's see....you just joined Roadfood today.  Defended O'Rourke's on another thread.  Now you come to this thread 4 hours later claiming to just had the "The best french toast I have ever had in my whole life!"  Your location says you live in Middletown, Ct.
 
So you want us to believe that for the first time in your life, you ordered French Toast at O'Rourke's.  Four hours after you claimed "problem is solved" concerning personal problems.
 
I'm not buying it. 

Cant please everybody.  I like ORourkes, you dont.  End of story