Micheletti's in Seekonk a Family Tradition

Micheletti’s in Seekonk was started in 1976, and current owner John Whitelaw said he’s felt blessed to be a part of it.

“It was my first restaurant,” he said. “I wasn’t a cook and I had a lot of hands on training.”

Whitelaw said he had worked ten years in the food service department at the Providence Civic Center, but it was nothing like Micheletti’s.

“I was more of a manager at the time,” he said.

He added he had some real trouble with cooking breakfast.

“It’s sort of an art,” he said. “You have to be lightning fast. Flipping eggs sounds easy, but it isn’t.”

Whitehall said he took over in 1996, when his father-in-law, of whom the restaurants name is derived, passed away.

“He died in the middle of the night and threw everyone into a tizzy,” he said. “I’ts been a family restaurant the whole time. Prior to Micheletti’s, it was called Arnold’s in the mid 60s.”

Whitelaw said though it was a rough start, he’s come to love the restaurant.

“Now my kids work here too,” he said.

Whitehall said he thinks keeping his regulars happy is the most vital key to his success.

“We have plenty of people who come in for three meals a day,” he said. “It’s really about taking an interest, asking their names, that kind of thing, and that’s what a lot of people are looking for.”

Whitelaw said it’s not all a one-way street in the customer service area. He said he’s built relationships to the point where now some of his customers are working for him as well. Whether it’s electrician, plumber or painter, Whitelaw said he hires a lot of his regulars to help him out.

“I always try to use people that come in,” he said. “Everybody does something.”

The menu gets looked at every year, Whitelaw said, and they’ve had some success in experimenting with new menu items.

“We try to do a lot of different types of specials,” he said. “We’re well-known for our chowder. We won the Chowderfest in Newport, and we go through tons of chowder a week.”

He said experimentation has really opened up the door for the restaurant.

“Last week we tried buffalo fish and chips,” he said. “The buffalo hash is also really popular. I have a guy who comes in for it every week.”

Whitelaw said he sponsors youth football in Seekonk, and donates food (mostly chowder, he said) to church bazaars, charity fundraisers and raffles.

Micheletti’s is located on 1053 Newman Ave. and is open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.