New England Has 2 Of The Most Historic Restaurants

When deciding where to go out to eat, how often do people think about the history of the establishment? Well, Daily Passport has highlighted seven historic restaurants In America, and two of them are in New England.

What makes a restaurant qualify as being "historic?" Daily Passport explains, "Dating as far back as the 17th century, the oldest eateries in America remind us how people gathered, ate, and drank throughout the decades." Therefore, an obvious mandate here is that the establishment must date back many years. In addition, it ideally still contains some old artifacts or layouts that emphasize its its roots dating back many years. Lastly, the food matters, too. Does the menu feature items that the restaurant made its name off of back when it opened? Are the most popular dishes still prepared using those special recipes?

These elements all hold true for the two New England restaurants that were named among the most historic in the country. In fact, they are both quite different from each other, offering different cuisine and atmosphere styles.

Arguably the most charming town in Rhode Island is home to a historic restaurant. The qualifying factors for White Horse Tavern also include the fact that it is the oldest restaurant in America. "In addition to being the former site of Rhode Island’s general assembly, notable patrons of the establishment include Ernest Hemingway, E.E. Cummings, Bob Dylan, and Jack Kerouac," Daily Passport said.

Their menu presently includes a nice mix of seafood, meats, soups, and salads. White Horse Tavern is located at 26 Marlborough St. in Newport and is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner only.

The next New England restaurant that is among the seven most historic in the country is only about 70 miles north. It's not quite the oldest restaurant, but the Union Oyster House dates back almost 200 years (1826). Furthermore, Boston's Freedom Trail is right outside the door.

As for the menu, there is both a lunch and dinner option. They don't vary from each other too much, although the lunch options seem to favor sandwiches. As you would expect, items such as oysters, clams, and fish chowder are the main attractions.

Union Oyster House is located at 41 Union St. They are open seven days per week starting at 11 am.

As a father of four, my mornings are always a bit hectic. I enjoy being an early bird; however, I rarely have the time to prep a good breakfast. Therefore, I was quite thrilled to see that Tasting Table recognized three New England restaurants for having the best breakfast sandwiches in the country. I'm always looking for a good quick breakfast.

A morning in my world usually consists of a sunrise workout, followed by a scramble to get myself and the kids out of the house. Then I embark on an hour-long drive to the office. On the weekends, it's taking one of my kids to their sports game. Let's focus on the latter for a moment.

While I am more lenient on my breakfast choice (a banana or shake will do), I insist upon a healthy start for the little guys. Driving them all around New England on weekends requires a few drive-thru meals that you eat in the car. My preference is for the kids to have something substantial, with a protein they enjoy. A breakfast sandwich is often the choice.

The perfect breakfast sandwich should follow three simple rules. It's quick, both to order and make. It's fresh (not a microwaved egg slab pulled out of plastic). Finally, it's a balanced hand-held item that is not too heavy, processed or sugar-filled.

When trekking through interstates and unfamiliar towns at sunrise, it's easy to settle upon the quickest Dunkin' Donuts. Now, there are some other options that you (and I) should know about. These three New England restaurants ranking among the best breakfast sandwiches in the country.

Before we get into the list, it is necessary to give one other shout-out. The Portland, Oregon establishment named by Tasting Table has both the best restaurant and sandwich name. The "Yolko Ono" by Fried Egg I'm In Love.

Sofra Bakery and Café in Cambridge, MA, is the first stop. Tasting Table calls out "Geno's Egg Sandwich." This is a brioche bun filled with egg topped with halloumi cheese, feta butter, tomato concasse, and spicy green cilantro.

Next, we hop on 95 North and pull into the Elephantine Bakery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Here the selected breakfast sandwich is called the "Egg Simit." It's the healthiest of the three choices based on pure ingredients. This sandwich consists of egg, hummus, beat pistachio spread, feta, and spinach on a sesame simit.

I actually had a very hard time securing a quick bacon, egg, and cheese this past spring while in Maine for a lacrosse tournament. Now I know I need to go to a coffee shop next time. Tandem Coffee has something so good, it doesn't even need a clever name. "The Breakfast Sandwich" is simply egg, American cheese, and smoked paprika. However, when you rest it upon a homemade buttermilk biscuit, you reach a new level.