The Roadrunner Kitchen––

Food For Those On The Run

By Kaaren Valenta

Adam Watt and Susan “Gail” DelVecchio have opened the Roadrunner Kitchen, a deli and grill where the slogan is “home-style cooking at your speed,” at 286 South Main Street, adjacent to Buzz’s Mobil Station.

The business is the culmination of a dream for Mr Watt, 40, who was a partner in Rockwell’s restaurant in Bridgeport for three years in the early 90s but also has been a contractor and builder contractor for 22 years.

“I’ve lived in Newtown on Washbrook Road for 27 years and drove by [this location] every day,” Mr Watt said. “I finally claimed it.

“We totally renovated the interior and put in new electric, plumbing, floors, ceilings, equipment –– everything,” he said. “We went to the health department and did everything they asked.”

The Roadrunner Kitchen is open for breakfast and lunch during the summer and will be open some days for dinner beginning in the fall. It offers a full menu but is already known for its specialty sandwiches and wraps, especially the Roadrunner breakfast sandwich, a Portuguese roll stuffed with ham, bacon, cheese, eggs, hash browns, and ketchup “for the hungry coyote.”

“Truckers like it because it has everything they want in one sandwich,” Mr Watt said. “We quickly got back all the regulars –– contractors, landscapers, truckers, the employees of local businesses –– because of our food and great parking.”

The eggplant parmesan and the meatball grinders fly out the door, largely because of the home-style Italian sauce, which Mr Watt says is the best in the area. But Gail’s Sit-Down Chili Dog, the real steak sandwiches, and the wraps and fajitas also have their devotees. Porquetta sandwiches are available every Saturday.

 “He’s the grill master and I’m the wrap queen,” Ms DelVecchio said.

The couple shares an interest in music, collaborating on songwriting. It was on a trip to Nashville, to bring several songs to be reviewed, that Adam Watt came up with the name Roadrunner for the deli.

“We were sitting in B.B. King’s Restaurant eating homemade meatloaf sandwiches when it struck me,” Mr Watt said.

In Memphis, Tenn., where the couple was staying at the Heartbreak Hotel, the couple got a recipe from the chef for Elvis Presley’s favorite deep-fried pickles.

“I couldn’t believe how good they were,” Mr Watt said. “They are garlic pickles, battered and deep fried, and served with horseradish sauce.”

Music memorabilia is displayed in the Roadrunner Kitchen, reflecting the couple’s interests and the fact that Adam Watt used to play guitar in a band called Uzz.

“My uncle Billy is a founder of REO Speedwagon and a songwriter,” he said. “But my band didn’t get signed so I let that dream go.”

Although he has always been interested in restaurants and has many friends in the business, Mr Watts first career was as a contractor. “My dad retired but I started up his business. He came back and worked for me,” he said. “Now I’m phasing out the contracting, except for building projects. I had the idea of diversifying [by going into the food business] but I really have a love of it. It’s not so much the money, it’s what I want to do.”

The Roadrunner features all Boars’ Head quality lunchmeats, fried chicken dinners, and a complete breakfast and lunch menu. In the fall, fish and chip dinners, and fried shrimp, clams, and oysters will be added. Customers also can order special meals for special diets, such as Atkins. Catering also is available.

The nonsmoking deli has several tables, counter seating, and a television to watch. Summer hours are 6 am to 3 pm weekdays, 7–2 Saturday, closed Sundays. For more information call 426-5800.

The couple has no doubts that the Roadrunner will be a success.

“Location is important but I believe you could be located in the desert but if you have good food they will come,” Mr Watt said.