Copper Penny is a very well known restaurant in Kingston. When I moved here in 2005, I was already very familiar with it just from visits to the city over the course of growing up... but in to time, it became apparent that very rarely is there someone in town who doesn't know of its' existence. What is perhaps more often a source of surprise regarding Copper Penny is that there are actually two locations in Kingston. Most are familiar with the downtown location, which (as stated by their website found here) "opened in 1981 and has become very well known as one of Kingston's best casual dining experiences". However, I have found that people tend to learn about the second location in the west end of town: Copper Penny Grill'n Home - specializing in take out and delivery orders - after some time of being in the city. In my case, this was news to me until as recently as two years ago. Based on the online menus, both locations seem to have the same variety of delicious offerings, which means that for those of us living in the west end of Kingston, Grill'n Home provides an opportunity to get some Copper Penny food without having to drive all the way downtown to get it. The fries alone leave me tempted to do just that.
Before I get to the fries in more detail, though, I will try to give you a sense of the menu. There truly isn't anything overly fancy about it, but the key to the Copper Penny menu is that there is a good variety (some may argue that there is too much to choose from) and the prices are good enough to ensure that you don't reconsider whatever your heart lands on. As Kendra looked through, she stated, "I've been looking at this menu and I really could eat just about anything!" Copper Penny offers less common starters like calamari, shrimp and crab cakes in addition to the more traditional choices like bruschetta, garlic bread and mozzarella sticks. For main courses, patrons can choose from salads, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, flatbread pizza, pasta options and what they call "grill dinners" - which include steaks, fish, ribs and more. If you are a first-time visitor of the Penny, though, I would highly suggest that whatever you order, be sure to have a side of the famous Copper Penny fries (I certainly had to get to this soon!). What makes them so famous? They are just plain delicious. Simple as that. Cooked well, every time, with a special seasoning that means you don't even need ketchup (and that's saying a lot coming from me - I NEVER eat fries without it). What is in the special seasoning? Well, I certainly have my ideas, as I'm sure a lot of other people do... but I don't believe that it would be fair of me to speculate. After all, I'm sure that Copper Penny would like to continue to call their fries "legendary" - and this is done much more easily with a delicious little secret :)
Service at Copper Penny is great. The restaurant is long and narrow - but has a good number of tables and is often quite full. In spite of this, you won't be expected to wait too long for attention, and this attention will continue well through the evening. One of the impressive aspects of the service, too, is the fact that the servers can carry the plates the way that they do. Each plate is large and loaded (or, as Kendra liked to call them, "honkin'") - certainly this must result in quite a bit of weight to carry... but it is done with ease. On this night, we were seated in the back section of the restaurant in a cozy (other than the draft coming from the gap between the cushions...?! Seriously... a freezing draft was blowing - Jordan had to move in order to stay warm) large corner booth next to a gas fireplace and close to the kitchen entrance, which meant that we saw lots of plates coming and going - and those that were being returned all had something in common - they were empty. I can't think of a sign that indicates happy customers more than empty plates.
The atmosphere at Copper Penny is very relaxed. Televisions show the current sports games going on, art is simple and there is a bit of a "homey" vibe going on (not like a "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" kind of homie... homey like "Just had a visit with Mom and Grandma"). Near us, there was a model sailboat and a small horse - both reminded me of things that I've seen in cottages. Basically, if you are looking for a fancy place to take your date, this isn't it. But if you want somewhere to go that is relaxed and laid back with good food - you could go here with anyone... parents, friends, partners... You'd probably even be quite comfortable with a stranger.
Luckily for us, we didn't have to go so far as to sit with strangers (or maybe, luckily for them?)... but here is what we ordered:
Carrie: I ordered bruschetta for the table to share, and then had the Chicken Cheddar on a Bagel sandwich (don't think too hard, it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like!) with a side of "legendary" fries.
Tonia: Chicken Cheddar on a Bagel. Hold the tomato. Side of fries.
Kendra: Single order of chicken wings (hot sauce), sweet potato fries.
Jordan: The Penny Burger (cheeseburger with an egg and 2 strips of bacon), side of fries.
Samer: Old Fashioned burger - ordered as a chicken burger instead of beef. Side of fries.
Plates arrived in good timing, and, were as expected. They didn't look extraordinary, by any means - they were simple. In some places, that wouldn't make the cut... but in Copper Penny homey land, that was just fine by us. It was actually kind of nice to get some food that was somewhat understated in design and created to just plain taste good. Certainly, if the restaurant has been open since 1981, it hasn't been a horrible plan for them to follow.
Outside of telling you about how I had a sneezing fit and Kendra would stop the sneezes by putting her hand in my face and saying "I STEAL THEM!" (I couldn't believe it actually worked!), I don't feel I have much more to say except for to give you our ratings.
Carrie: 4.5 forks. The bruschetta was flavourful - the tomato base that they used on the bread was fantastic, and the cheese on top was melted perfectly. I enjoyed the sandwich immensely - the chicken was crusty on the outside and moist on the inside... I did as for extra pickles and didn't get them, which was a pretty big disappointment, but I also didn't speak up once I noticed, so - partially on me. The fries were, of course, fantastic. The only complaint I have about the restaurant is completely unrelated to the food, but instead, (like many restaurants downtown) related to accessibility. The restaurant itself doesn't seem very accessible (one step up to get in, narrow doorway, 90 degree turn to another doorway...), but on top of that, the bathrooms are up a very narrow and steep stairway. I don't even want to walk up there - someone with mobility issues certainly couldn't make it up easily - perhaps not at all.
Tonia: 4.5 forks. Bruschetta was very tasty. The sandwich was also very tasty. Tonia said that the sandwich doesn't "completely knock her socks off", but she knows that it is one that she will crave.
Kendra: 4.5 forks. The only reason Kendra gave 4.5 forks instead of a full score was because she chose to order sweet potato fries, and liked them, but didn't love them. "My fries were good, but not stellar like your fries". As a big lover of dipping sauces, Kendra certainly talked a lot about the sauce that was served with her sweet potato fries, though, and she said her wings were good too.
Jordan: 4.33333333... forks. Jordan thought the fries were really good. He enjoyed his burger, but the meat was a bit dry. Like Copper Penny overall, Jordan's comments on this night were simple and to the point.
Samer: 3 forks. The fries saved the meal BIG time for Samer. Sadly, the chicken breast that was the major component of his burger was dry and hard. It must have been cooked for far too long because Samer said "If I didn't have a new crown, I'd need to pull my tooth out". Yikes.
OVERALL SCORE: 4.2 forks.
Well, Copper Penny, you done good, kid. I hope to see you again soon.
Next week - JORDAN'S BIRTHDAY!! We will be heading to Akira to celebrate with sushi!
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| "Seriously... what is causing that cold draft?!" |
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