Popular Local Cafe Gets New Owners

Kidding is how Steve Carney describes his quest to own the landmark Radcliffe Café in Bristol Borough. In November, the joke became reality when Carney and his wife Maria, took over as the restaurant.  

Steve still manages supermarkets – he worked for 24 years for Jim McCaffrey, owner of McCaffrey’s Food Markets – so he’s an old hand in the food industry. Maria changed roles from home schooler to circulating among Radcliffe Café’s kitchen, tables, and phone station.

“I’d been joking with the former owners (Vince and Robin DeMarco) for at least 10 years. I’d tell Vince that, when he was ready to sell, to let me know. In November, Vince told Maria to tell me to call him,” Steve said. 

And, that’s how the Carneys transitioned from 23 years as regular customers to head honchos, keeping the same employees, including the waitresses and the four cooks. Even Robin DeMarco, not yet ready to hang up her apron and still works a couple of days a week. 

Few customers seem to require a menu to decide their breakfast or lunch choices. It’s what some customers call a “Mel’s Diner” setting. Others, make a comparison to the TV show “Cheers.” 

“It’s like everyone knows your name, and waitresses seem to know, before they get out their order pads, what we want to eat,” said one observant customer. 

‘The regular?’ is an often-used query.

Anticipating the question, Steve addressed his plans for Radcliffe’s future. No changes on the current menu, but he and Maria have some additions in mind.

Lunchtime is “not as strong” as breakfast, so the Carney’s are looking to attract more customers by adding salads: chicken Caesar salad, chef, or Mexican salads, Steve said. 

Also on the horizon are new sandwich choices, including pastrami. There will also be “Beyond burgers and sausages,” citing the popular plant-based meat substitute maker, the new owners explained.

“We will still have meat, but we also want to cater to a wider customer base. We plan to use the best of meats, and they will be a little more expensive, but we believe people will be willing to pay for quality products,” Steve said. 

The former owners always welcomed the crowds – Saturdays and Sundays especially. Singles, couples, babies, and oldies were greeted with friendliness and quick service. But with heir 30-year reign coming to a close, the DeMarcos looked forward to Radcliffe Café at at 1705 Radcliffe Street continuing its family-like tradition. The Carneys believe they fit the profile, having been customers since their own children, now ranging in ages from 13 to 21, were babies, Maria said. 

That belief is illustrated in one of their sons, a recent graduated, is interested in becoming part of the business, Steve said. 

“It’s what he wants to do so he works with us doing some cooking, some of the shopping, and even mopping the floors,” he stated.  

The Radcliffe Café is opened for eat in or takeout from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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