Take a Bite
New Owners of Jarretys Place in Rochester Are Excited About the Future
Writer / Lois Tomaszewski
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
Brice Romine remembers going to Jarretys Place restaurant in Rochester as a youngster, growing up on the family farm in Mentone. In February of 2022, he and his wife, Katlyn, became the owners of the long-established breakfast and lunch stop. They also own what used to be known as The Other Side, which has been rebranded as Arlington Public House.
His familiarity with the restaurant and being friends with the previous owners played in his favor. He calls it a huge benefit, in that he had firsthand knowledge of the history and what made the restaurant successful for all those years. He has a history with the restaurant, having worked there and played sports at Rochester High School with the restaurants namesakes – Jarret and Tyler.
After graduation in 2007, Romine headed off to college planning to major in construction management. That changed when he started working in restaurants in Indianapolis and later Lafayette. He changed his major to hospitality, majoring in restaurant management. He studied culinary arts and began formulating a 10-year plan to open his own restaurant.
That switch in major was motivated by watching and participating in Indianapoliss hospitality coordination for the Super Bowl. He liked the planning and setup, and he also liked the money he made. He saw the possibility that a career in hospitality could offer him.
Acquiring Jarretys was, he says, perfect timing.
Romine did not change much of the menu for Jarretys. With a history of serving breakfast and lunch, that continues. Restaurant patrons can choose from traditional breakfast meals and omelets, or opt for house specialties like Eggs Benedict, the Strawberry and Cream Pancake Combo, or the Loaded Avocado Toast. There are breakfast sandwiches, quiches and breakfast pizzas. Of course there is also something for the sweet tooth, with a selection of muffins, cinnamon rolls and scones.
The restaurant is known for its paninis, with 10 different options for diners. The Loaded Baked Potato soup and the Carrot Cake are options for lunchtime diners. Wraps, cold and hot subs, pizzas and several salad choices round out the lunch menu.
The coffee bar, which he helped set up, also remains unchanged. Beverage aficionados can enjoy their favorite hot or cold beverage – frappés, cold brews, teas, hot chocolate and smoothies.
The decor is nuanced, as Romine explains it. He wanted to evoke a bistro feel to the dining experience. Colorful walls and natural light brighten up the dining experience. Work from local artists hangs on the walls, and a friends couch makes conversation with a cup of coffee flow easily. These changes brighten up the space and give it a big-city kind of vibe.
It is a challenge to offer a coffee bar in a town that has multiple options to choose from. There are at least five other coffee-bar concepts nearby. However, Romine found a way to set his establishment apart.
We offer more sugar-free options than anyone else, he says.
For Arlington Public House, Romine wanted it to have its own personality – that of a nice steakhouse restaurant. The decor evokes a steakhouse ambiance, with an industrial design style. It offers casual fine dining, Romine says.
The steaks and chops he offers are locally sourced as much as possible. As both a small-business owner and a farmer, Romine wants to support farmers and other small businesses in the area.
I am a fourth-generation farmer, Romine says. I like to know where my food comes from.
Arlington Public House offers fresh seafood, which is flown in two times per week. Steaks and chops are on the menu. Diners can order small plates, sandwiches, salads and starters, as well as desserts.
Another addition to the spaces between the two restaurants was the creation of the Caddy Shack. This private room houses sports simulators and is available for private parties. The idea behind the Caddy Shack is to provide a place for families, friends and groups to get together and have fun. Like many small towns, there arent always a lot of choices in recreation. Romine saw this as a way to supplement local entertainment options in a family-friendly way.
Catering is also available from both Jarretys Place and Arlington Public House, as well as a third location, Knucklez BBQ. Each location offers different menu items, with Jarretys focusing on soups, salads, sandwiches, box lunches, and trays of muffins and scones, among other selections. Arlington Public Houses catering menu includes an extensive selection of hors doeuvres, sides and desserts.
Catering can be provided off-site, for the banquet room, or for the Caddy Shack.
For Romine, fulfilling his 10-year plan by opening a restaurant in his hometown was unexpected. The opportunity to grow a business in this community is special indeed. He sees it as a chance to build his community.
We are unique, he says. This is really good food for the area. We are an active small business that is doing things.
Jarretys Place is located at 701 Main Street in Rochester. Arlington Public House is next door at 703 Main Street. For more information, call 574-223-7101 or visit jarretysplace.com.
