Rockwell Cycle Cafe was 10 years old in July
Flapjack Fridays….
Take-out Tuesdays….
Taco Tuesdays….
$1 coffee refills with your own mug….
Field trip/school lunches….
Breakfast all day….
Hiker friendly….
Pet friendly….
If none of that entices you to stop by Rockwell Cycle’s Cafe (aka Perry’s) in Fort Montgomery, you may just be one of those super-organized people who prefers to cook all of your food at home.
For the rest of us, 1005 Rt. 9W and 446-2189 are numbers we may want to keep at easy reach. It’s a busy little cafe located underneath a motorcycle shop … quite possibly the best kept secret in the community. Hikers, bikers, high school students and commuters, however, have found it and love it.
Behind the counter at Perry’s for the last 10 years is Fort Montgomery’s Perry Spacone. He’s a master of breakfast sandwiches and quick comebacks. With him five days a week behind that counter since last summer is Highland Falls’ Meredith Johnson. The mother of seven children, she’s, by nature, quick with the orders and with a smile.
The cafe is located underneath Rockwell Cycles, with parking right out front. On a warm Thursday morning in September, a couple sat outside enjoying breakfast sandwiches while Spacone’s niece slipped their two dogs a few slices of meat. People popped in and out for late breakfast sandwiches or early lunches, or just to take advantage of those $1 coffee refills with their own mugs.
“It’s good for the environment, and saves me money on paper products,” Spacone said. “We encourage it.”
Johnson says she enjoys working with Spacone.
He’s a former corporate chef, who got his start at the Trading Post in Fort Montgomery, and also worked at the Officer’s Club on West Point.
“He knows everyone,” she said. “And usually before they are in the door he’s already told me exactly what they are going to order.”
The two share a secret — both love sweet treats — and often share a morning pastry (“mmmm, danishes,” Spacone says, and it’s Boston Creme donuts that get Johnson salivating).
“Our crumb cake is to die for,” Johnson added. Spacone notes too that he enjoys an occasional Pop-Tart (which are for sale on the front counter).
It’s not a fancy place — well-worn wood floors and a half-dozen tables which look right at the front counter and work area. From the tables you can’t see the menu, but, really, Spacone says, the menu doesn’t matter all that much — they’re happy to make you whatever you want, and say they are very willing to cater to special diets.
New since the summer are Take-out Tuesdays, when from 3-5 p.m. customers can pick up that week’s dinner special, which serves four people, for $21.60. You need to pre-order by Monday at 2 p.m. Some recent examples of Take-out Tuesday meals (prepare for your mouth to start watering…) include pork loin, cabbage and potatoes this past week, meatloaf and mac & cheese, chicken or shrimp penne alfredo, BBQ with scalloped potatoes…. “family friendly — anything I’d feed my own kids,” Johnson said, “and all fresh ingredients, nothing comes from frozen.”
On the daily menu on Tuesdays are tacos — three for $4.95. And on Fridays get three pancakes for $3.95. And any day of the week — should you have forgotten to get what you needed for your child’s school lunch — get a small sandwich, chips and a juice box for $3.95.
They also do catering.
There’s just one thing you have to be careful of when you visit Perry’s — there’s just about no doubt you’re going to get a couple of wisecracks with whatever you order.
“Some might say you need thick skin to come in here,” he laughs.
For any questions about specials, or to place an order, call Rockwell Cycle Cafe at 446-2189. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
