Finally made it to this classic Rhode Island restaurant on South County Trail for lunch the other day. We’d been wanting to pop in for a while but every single time we drove by, the parking lot was packed.

Yes, I’m talking about the local favorite Richard’s Pub, open and family owned since 1976.

Once you sit down, you get a free bowl of popcorn and order of pickles which is a nice, old time-y (the only other restaurant that still does something like this, I think, is Gregg’s) welcome gesture.

It sure seemed like everyone around us was ordering lobster rolls, but we went with sandwiches. I, for one, was pleasantly surprised (thought it was going to be all burgers and such) to see a section of their menu devoted to meatless sammies. Applause, applause!

The portions are generous (we ended up taking some of our orders home because we couldn’t finish the sandwiches) and our server was quite good about checking in, bringing extra napkins, making sure we had everything we needed (drinks, et cetera), and so on.

Regulars rave about those lobster rolls, the fish n’ chips, French onion soup, sips that come with a side car (their espresso martini for one), their mushroom burger and more.

It’s an easygoing and unpretentious spot for a midday nosh, catch-up drinks with friends or a relaxed din din.

Find Richard’s Pub at 3347 South County Trail in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

As always, if you go after reading THIS, please let them know you were inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.