Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Road Island Diner, Oakley UT

Today we got the idea to drive to Oakley and eat lunch at the Road Island Diner, which has been in existence since 1939 but has only been in Oakley since 2006.  It began as the Road Island diner in the actual state of Rhode Island but was moved to Fall Rivers, Massachusetts and then back to Rhode Island.  The Canadian fast food folks, Tim Horton's, bought it up and stuck a Tim Horton's there--I love Tim Horton's doughnuts by the way.

Okay, I don't remember the particulars because I have the brain of a sluggish sixty-six year old, but the diner was put on a flatbed and moved across country to Oakley UT, home of the Oakley Rodeo, which is the only rodeo I've ever been to that didn't bore me into catatonia.  It's a real rodeo, not one of those flashy, sequined affairs with bustier-wearing cowgirls.  When I attended the Oakley Rodeo, a man was chased by a bull, and while he was scrambling up the chain-link fence, the bull gored him and broke his leg.  Now THAT's entertainment.

Back to the diner:  way cool as only things from 1939 can be.  I had a BLT with avocado on wholewheat and a glass of milk.  Tom had the Smith-Morehouse burger.  Diner food.  The food wasn't really the point.  It was the drive up the canyon, green as Switzerland, the yellow daisies and Queen Anne's Lace, and Jordanelle and Rockport filled to the brim.  It was a tiny vacation. We oohed and aahed our way up and back.  It rained.  

Tom and I decided to date other people and not just each other.  This made us laugh for fifteen minutes.

We drove into Salt Lake to Tulie Bakery on 7th South just west of 9th east where we bought a brownie to share, a brownie made of real butter, a brownie worth a triple-bypass. Thanks for the tip, Erica.

Ann, I know I'm plagiarizing your format.  It won't be the last time either.

8 comments:

Margy said...

So Roger and I (without directions or an address or anything) drove all through Oakley (we thought) looking for the diner and never found it. We'll have to get more info and try again.

And we love Tim Horton's doughnuts, too!

Becky said...

Why hasn't Tim Hortons caught on here? Every year when I visit family I have way up there in northern BC, that's one of the first things that I ask for. "It's taken a plane, a bus, and small van for me to get here! I want a donut and peppermint tea. [Beat] Ooohh. And a mars bar for later!"

As for the diner. All the way from Rhode Island, huh? What would compel a person to flatbed-ship a restaurant from the other side of the country all the way over here? It baffles me. Simply baffles me.

ps I agree with you about the rodeos.

Katy said...

What a fun day. Wish I was in the car while you talked about dating other people. So funny!

Katy said...

I meant to say: Wish I were in...

Ann said...

Laughing and loving you, too. Talking about turkey sandwiches does not constitute plagiering.

erica spelman said...

Oh my gosh I live right next door to Tulie and have yet to try that brownie....this news does not bode well for my waistline...

LucindaF said...

You and Ann and your food. You guys crack me up.

I've been to Oakley - don't blink.
My husbands grandpa grew up there.

I had five college roomates from Delta, Utah, right by Oakley. Those chics were a kick in the pants. Still miss em.

Your idea of a good rodeo is my idea of a good hockey game. No fun until the gloves come flying off.

Joy said...

I've been "stalking" this blog for several months, but this post got me out of

Oh, I keep hearing about this place, but I can't seem to get my family to try it out when I'm in Kamas Valley. I go to Peoa several times a year, but I haven't been to Oakley for several years (which is possible to do, but really weird considering how close Oakley and Peoa are to each other).

I haven't lived in UT for 8 years, but Delta isn't right by Oakley. Delta is 130 miles from Oakley. They are different regions of the state. Oak City however, is next to Delta. ;)

The Oakley rodeo is a favorite. Small town, real PRCA rodeo. Fun fireworks. I might be biased though because my mom's family is from Kamas Valley.