I wandered downtown yesterday, intending to take a rare opportunity to stop in at Rotondi’s Luncheonette—I’m working during their usual hours these days. Much to my surprise, the venerable Troy establishment no longer exists, and hasn’t for four months—I guess I’ve been too busy to notice. Its replacement, though, definitely made the trip worthwhile.
Arnet’s is a family-run restaurant in the former Rotondi’s location on the corner of Fifth and Broadway downtown. Mom, Dad, Grandma, and two sons were in evidence when I visited for lunch Tuesday.
In chatting with Mom Arnet, I discovered that they spent three months renovating the building before opening in December, and it really shows. Everything looks new and clean, and at the same time gives off a cozy feeling.
I ordered even before I sat down—the Oriental tunaboat wrap on the specials board had caught my attention. I ended up taking a seat at the long counter and glanced over the rest of the menu.
Arnet’s serves breakfast and lunch each weekday—they have a fairly typical selection: eggs, pancakes, bacon, and the like for breakfast, and soups and sandwiches for lunch. However, everything on their menu is homemade. Even the french fries are made from scratch—and yes, they actually have French fries, not jingoistic zealotry masquerading as a side dish.
My tunaboat was quite tasty—white rice, tuna, and lettuce with some other greens and a sesame soy sauce wrapped in a steamed tortilla. It’s not all that much different from what you can get in the McNeil Room, except that it tastes better and it’s about a buck cheaper. I washed it down with some iced tea that seemed about half lemonade—just the way I like it.
Prices are excellent: You can get breakfast for about $3-5, and lunch for $4-7 (both including beverage). The service is great as well—Mom and Grandma talked with me in between bustling over to other tables, and my drink was never empty. My food was ready five minutes after I walked in the door; walking downtown, eating at Arnet’s, and walking back up to campus can easily be done inside of an hour.
Arnet’s has definitely made my list of regular lunch places. I recommend you give them a try at your next opportunity.
Arnet’s is located at Fifth and Broadway in downtown Troy. To get there, walk down the Approach and go around the Best Western—the street on the other side of the hotel is Broadway. Arnet’s is one block further on the right. They are open weekdays from 7 am to 3 pm.
