Located in the heart of North Chelmsford, Rosie’s Diner is a cozy and warm breakfast and lunch place full of red-and-white checkered chairs, assorted paintings, and the smell of bacon. The waitresses are kind and patient and the diner is well-decorated, with hearts on the windows and various plants outside of the diner. Photographs of the owner and her family on a shelf welcome guests by the entrance. However, while the atmosphere of Rosie’s Diner truly stunned me, the food is average.

The menu is limited online, but much more food is offered in the diner. Rosie’s Diner serves french toast, breakfast quesadillas, pancakes, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and many sides. 

Something to note is that Rosie’s Diner isn’t a good choice for those with severe allergies. The only menu items suitable for people with nut allergies were waffles, since everything was made on a grill. However, when asked about the allergen information for what was ordered, the waitress was sincere and explained the cross-contamination in a patient manner and said that the grill could be shut off and cleaned if we requested.

Another issue with Rosie’s that although a lot of beverages are offered, there is no beverage menu which makes it difficult to look at all the options. Also, there weren’t many tea options. When hot tea was ordered, I was brought a steaming cup of water and a singular teabag that was “a blend of selected teas”. The tea actually tasted just like English Breakfast tea, which was disappointing and not what I was expecting by the description.

On the other hand, the Veggie Omelette ($14) exceeded expectations. Loaded with mushrooms, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, and American cheese, the omelet was the perfect blend of flavors. The vegetables were fresh and grilled, which made them extremely flavorful, and balanced out the simple taste of the egg. I added on bacon for an extra $2, and the bacon was crispy and contrasted with the softness of the egg. The omelet was the highlight of my meal.

The omelet came with home fries and two pieces of toasted white bread. The home fries were good but subpar. There was a mix of crispy, spiced fries, and fries that seemed more like pieces of steamed potato. Still, I enjoyed the home fries and they were gone within seconds. The slices of toasted bread, which were too salty for my taste, were still buttery, warm, and toasted perfectly, which created a nice crunch when you bite into them. While the price was a little high, the omelet was worth it since it was extremely filling and came with the home fries and toast.

Served with a tiny amount of whipped cream on the side and a few slices of peaches on top, the peach pancakes ($8) weren’t anything special. The pancakes were fluffy, warm, and soft, and had peaches in between layers, but the peaches were just basic canned ones and not fresh. The center of the top pancake was soggy because of the fruit. Overall, the pancakes were dry and mediocre and tasted as if any person who had never cooked before could have made them.

The BLT breakfast sandwich ($10) also failed to impress. The sandwich was composed of maple hardwood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on toasted brioche bread. The brioche bread was not the right choice for the sandwich because it was too thick and crispy, and took away from the taste of the other ingredients. The sandwich was average at best and easily forgettable. 

The breakfast sandwich came with home fries as well, but I substituted it for a fruit cup for an extra $2. The fresh fruit came in a small bowl and included grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and cantaloupe. Put together, the fruit cup was a perfect accompaniment to the sandwich.

I would recommend Rosie’s Diner to anybody looking to start their day off right. If you are looking to support a family-owned business, Rosie’s Diner is the place to go. While the food was average and tasted like a home-cooked meal, the warm and cozy atmosphere make up for it and made me truly feel at home. 

7.5/10