Boot and Buckle knows how to provide a generous meal

When I heard a new restaurant with the delightful name Boot and Buckle Cafe had opened in Topsham, I immediately imagined it was the sort of place for folks dressed in chaps, cowboy boots and fringe. I fully expected country western music playing in the background. I don't have any of the aforementioned clothing and I'm not a huge fan of country western music but I am a fan of a home-cooked meal, and this cafe was advertising home-cooked breakfast and lunch.

On a Wednesday morning, I sauntered into the cafe and noted that not a single person had on clothing with fringe (frankly, I was disappointed). No country western music played over the music system, but the cafe did have a down-home feel to it with images of horses and horse riding adorning the walls. It also had funny signs, such as the one advertising for employment with the Pony Express (which read, in part, that the Express was looking for young, skinny, wiry fellows – orphans preferred – for a salary of 25 cents a week, risking death daily).

A long counter runs through the center of the room, with seat-yourself booths along the wall and more booths and tables just as you walk in.

I selected a sunny booth looking out at the parking lot. The menu had a lot to offer, plus I could select from specials handwritten on a board by the door (the raspberry chocolate chip crumb cake sounded very tempting). I decided to order the rodeo breakfast – 2 eggs, 4 pieces of bacon and two slices of French toast for $5.50. I had it steaming before me within five minutes of ordering.

The plate was covered with food. The eggs must have been jumbo. The thick slices of French toast were a perfect golden color and the bacon was crispy. Everything tasted great. I was one happy woman. I was so full from my breakfast, that even though it was only 9:30 in the morning, I could have taken a nap. That one meal carried me through the day, too.

The Boot and Buckle Cafe serves breakfast and lunch only. Breakfast items include the very simple two eggs and toast for $2.75 to eggs benedict with homefries for $6.50. There is also a selection of omelets, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes and crepes.

Lunch offerings include a reuben sandwich for $6, a grilled cheese sandwich for $4, a hot dog for $3.75 and a six-ounce hamburger for $5.25. All sandwiches are served with a choice of chips, French fries, cole slaw, vegetables or mashed potatoes. Lunch dinners include the Roper (chop sirloin with grilled onions and peppers) for $6.95 and the Pony Express (an open-face hot chicken or roast beef dinner) for $6.75. You can also order wraps, salads and soups and chowders. And don't miss the homemade desserts (some made sugar free).

The Features staff of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram anonymously samples meals for about $7.

Boot and Buckle Cafe