In Easton: The Olde Blue Bird Inn

Written by Fran Sikorski
Thursday, 17 July 2008 10:31

The ride along scenic Black Rock Turnpike (Route 58) is a bonus when planning to have breakfast, lunch or brunch at The Olde Blue Bird Inn in Easton. It’s been owned for eight years by former employees Elaine Haslob, her daughter, Jennifer Weller, and a cousin, Lori Lowell. The original part of the building has been there since 1919, and it was once a hot dog stand. The owners who have combined a 1940s atmosphere with a delicious contemporary American menu.

In addition to an early American design dining room, there is an atrium, but the most fun is sitting inside at a 1940s diner counter in another small room where you will either meet someone you know or make friends with diners sitting alongside you. Most diners at The Blue Bird are repeat customers, like the charming couple from Weston I met when I stopped for lunch. The word was out that Bavarian dumpling soup was a special on the menu that day, and they said they stop by for lunch at least three times a week.

The Blue Bird is also a favorite stopping place for take-out. With no commercial development in the area, it is an oasis for those who want to get away from it all for a short time.

If you have a hearty appetite, there are pancakes: plain, blueberry, apple, cinnamon, cheddar cheese or nutty. A Blue Bird special is poached eggs on a toasted English muffin with Canadian bacon, melted cheddar cheese and home fries. Sides are ham, sausage, corned beef hash, homemade muffins and poppy seed, orange cornbread or coffee cake.

Available for Saturday and Sunday brunch are cheddar-walnut pancakes or coconut-mango pancakes (Sunday), eggs Benny, omelets, Texas french toast with housemade blueberry sauce, and apple-cinnamon Belgian waffle (Saturday) with whipped cream, and pumpkin-walnut Belgian waffle with maple butter and a choice of bacon or sausage on Sunday.

I enjoyed a cup of the famous Bavarian dumpling soup, a side of the inn’s wonderful chicken-walnut salad (served with cranberry sauce, apple slices, Swiss cheese in a full-size order) and a sirloin burger, and I was happy.

Signature sandwiches are roast beef, turkey, ham, french dip, and the turkey round-up, with lettuce, diced tomato, bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and honey mustard in a soft tortilla wrap. Homemade potato salad, cole slaw or chips accompany sandwiches. Love the coleslaw!

Dessert choices are apple crisp, chocolate brownie sundae, and carrot or chocolate cake.

A visit to The Olde Blue Bird Inn is a relaxing experience, thanks to the owners who enjoy making it so.

 Open every day serving breakfast Monday to Friday from 7 to 11:15; lunch 11:15 to 2; a la carte Saturday and Sunday brunch, 8 to 1.

Reservations accepted, weekdays only; major credit cards; handicapped accessible entrance, but not bathrooms; child-friendly; BYOB; contemporary American food; vegetarian dishes; take-out; pick-up catering; BYOB; casual dress; private functions up to 75; parking adjacent to the restaurant.

Eggs: $3.95 to $7.95

Homemade muffins: $1 to $3

Pancakes: $6.25

Side dishes: $1 to $3.95

Soups: $3.95 to $4.95

Salads: $7.75 to $11.95

Sandwiches: $6.75 to $10.95

Burgers: $7.25 to $9.95

Desserts: $4.95 to $5.25

Side dishes

Union Square Hospitality Group of New York is readying Blue Smoke Chop House in Greenwich, featuring barbecue and wood-fired cooking of prime meats and seafood as well as down-home desserts. A former Howard Johnson’s is being transformed into a “green” design-forward hotel on East Putnam Avenue. Kenny Callaghan, a partner in Blue Smoke Chop House, will serve as executive chef collaborating with Chef Michael Romano, president of culinary development for Union Square Hospitality Group. This will be the first restaurant the group has launched outside Manhattan.