Experience: The Rhody Hen Cafe in North Providence

The Rhody Hen Cafe first gained a following in Pawtucket, and then at their second location in East Providence. A visit to the most recent iteration in North Providence quickly revealed the charming diner-style eatery’s lure. My niece and I were taken by the adorable decor, from the tiny curtains framing the sweeping windows to the greenery and walls adorned with quaint wooden cutting boards and cheese graters. We knew we were in the right spot for brunch.

While sipping fresh-squeezed orange juice at a cozy booth, we had the pleasure of chatting with owner Tiffany Barrera, whose upbeat attitude and refreshing sense of humor made this cafe visit all the more delightful. Hospitality industry
veterans, she and her husband Antonio both dreamed of opening their own restaurant even before they met. That dream became reality in 2018 when they opened their first location in Pawtucket.

The cafe prides itself on avoiding the greasy-spoon diner label by incorporating fresh ingredients into their dishes. Many items started out as specials – Tiffany joked that these often stemmed from pregnancy cravings while carrying her second daughter when the first cafe opened – and were so popular they found a space on the regular menu.

I decided on the Habanero Benny, a twist on traditional chicken and waffles. The crispy fried chicken cutlet is slathered in a sweet and spicy mango habanero sauce, served on a waffle, and topped with eggs over hard. The delectable dish is covered in hollandaise sauce with fresh cilantro and comes with home fries seasoned with smoky paprika, which I enjoyed dipping in the sauce. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and umami.

My niece enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros and Carne Asada, which came with grilled-to-order marinated hanger steak tips, scrambled eggs, sauteed black beans and veggies, pico de gallo, sour cream, and fresh avocado slices, all assembled on corn tortillas. She raved about the crispy edges of her well-seasoned steak.

On the sweet side, we indulged in a couple of choices from the griddle: the Blueberry Pancakes include berries baked into the batter and sprinkled on top, with whipped maple butter that gradually melted into the soft pancake and a mint sprig complementing the summery treat. My niece described the French Toast as “dangerously delicious,” made with thick slices of Texas toast, crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, dipped in vanilla cinnamon custard and finished with homemade maple syrup.

For a wholly satisfying brunch made fresh, The Rhody Hen is a must-visit – and the North Providence location keeps the fun going late with fish and chips served until 8pm. Swing by during July to catch the Klondike Bar Pancake special, too. We left full, with boxed leftovers in tow – the cafe lives up to its motto of “small state, big plate.”

The Rhody Hen Cafe

1525 Smith Street, North Providence

854-7798 • RhodyHenCafe.com