About Melilli Cafe & Grill
Melilli Cafe & Grill pairs a casual diner atmosphere with clearly Italian-American flavors: brick-lined oven pizza, stacked grinders, and hearty breakfast plates.
Regulars praise the friendly staff and the owner’s hands-on presence, which keeps service warm and personal.
Inside you’ll find family-style portions and a menu that covers breakfast through dinner along with catering and delivery.
The room is cozy and unpretentious, with an emphasis on generous portions, crisp home fries and desserts that get frequent shout-outs from reviewers.
Location & Contact
- Address264 Main St, Portland, CT 06480
- Websitehttps://melillicaffeandgrill.com
- Phone(860) 342-4035
- Links Get directions
What to Expect
The kitchen leans hard into comforting Italian-American staples.
Reviewers repeatedly single out the Sicilian pizza and New York–style slices, plus hefty grinders like chicken cutlet and Philly steak.
Breakfast is a standout: oversized blueberry pancakes, made-to-order eggs and crispy home fries are commonly praised.
Sides and specialties show up too — arancini, cannolis and catering hits such as penne alla vodka and chicken marsala — all described as fresh, generous and reliably well prepared.
Hashtag Breakfast Fact's
Community and Breakfast Rituals
Breakfast has long served as a community bonding experience in Connecticut. From small-town cafés to family kitchens, sharing a meal has become a cherished ritual. Families gather around their breakfast tables to discuss plans for the day, while friends meet up for weekend brunch to reconnect. These gatherings reinforce social ties and create lasting memories. The warmth of these shared moments highlights breakfast’s role not just as a meal, but as a meaningful time for connection and conversation.
Traditions
Menu Highlights
From the Community
Melilli Cafe & Grill reads like a neighborhood mainstay where pizza, grinders and breakfast share equal billing.
Regulars point to a brick-lined oven and New York–style approach to dough that yields both Sicilian squares and foldable slices.
The grinders are described as substantial, with good bread and fillings that hold up to long sandwiches.
Breakfast is a big draw: pancakes so large they become a local talking point, attentive egg cooking and home fries that reviewers call truly crispy rather than frozen.
Catering and deli-style items also earn praise for generous portions and clear attention to presentation.
One visitor summed up the kitchen’s reach: "Most restaurant owners do not care this much," noting the owner followed up personally after a delivery hiccup (Brendan).
Another regular celebrated the pizza, writing the "Sicilian pizza is out of this world" (Leo Chomen).
A Mother’s Day visit captured the breakfast strength: "Everything was perfect," a diner reported after eggs, home fries and blueberry pancakes (Cari Klick).
The front-of-house tone is repeatedly called friendly and family-oriented, with staff names mentioned and gratitude for staff who keep coffee flowing and accommodate special orders.
Whether you stop by for a quick cappuccino, a stacked grinder, or a full breakfast spread, the place aims to deliver classic flavors in memorable portions.
Why Locals Love It
Customer Reviews
Leo Chomen
"Totally by accident needing a place to grab a bite to eat. I stopped here. Super friendly service and the Sicilian pizza is out of this world. I’m a pizza snob and all of this is New York style pizza. Wish I lived closer."
Billy75540
"The food is always amazing and more than you’ll ever eat. The staff is amazing the owner is always around helpful and just an all around good guy. Great place"
Cari Klick
"We went for breakfast on Mother’s Day. They had a special Mother’s Day menu, but we ordered from the regular menu. I wasn’t ready to place my order when our server came over, but I did tell her that they could put an order of home fries on right away, so is They would be cooked well done by the time the rest of my meal was ready. She went in right away to tell the cook. I got eggs with home fries and toast and my husband got The breakfast platter with Blueberry pancakes. When our meals came, my eggs were cooked exactly exactly as I had asked, and the home fries were nice and crispy. Everything was perfect. My husband’s pancakes Were 10 to 11 inches in diameter and were loaded with blueberries. He. loved his meal and said we’re going back there again. It is now his new favorite place for breakfast. The service was excellent. She kept his coffee full and brought anything we needed."
Kevin
"I've had breakfast here before and I'll be back again. This was for me a big breakfast. The home fries are some of the best I've had. These are not those yucky frozen deep fried ones that some people serve. They give you the option of Italian bread. I deleted the black olives."
Hashtag Breakfast Fact's
The Impact of Industrialization
The industrial age marked a significant turning point for breakfast in Connecticut. As more people moved to cities for work, the demand for quick and convenient meals surged. This shift led to the rise of ready-made cereals and other processed breakfast foods, making it easier for busy families to start their day. The convenience allowed people to maintain their routines despite changing lifestyles, reflecting how breakfast has adapted to meet the needs of a fast-paced world while still remaining an essential part of daily life.
History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the pizza style at Melilli Cafe & Grill?
They serve both Sicilian slices and New York–style pizza. Reviewers mention a brick-lined oven and describe the Sicilian as especially noteworthy, while others call the slices big and foldable like classic New York pizza.
Are the pancakes really huge like people say?
Yes. Multiple guests describe the blueberry pancakes as very large—one reviewer mentioned pancakes 10 to 11 inches in diameter—so ordering a full stack is a big, filling choice.
How are the home fries cooked?
Reviewers praise the home fries as crispy and made from fresh potatoes, not frozen. Staff will even time them to be well-done if you ask so they arrive golden and crunchy.
What are the grinders like?
Grinders are large and hearty, built on dense sandwich bread. Popular picks include chicken cutlet grinders, Philly steak and classic Reubens—people note the bread holds up well to the fillings.
Is the corned beef hash homemade and how does it taste?
Yes, reviewers describe the corned beef hash as homemade and flavorful. One reviewer felt there was a lot of corned beef and would have preferred more potatoes and onions, which gives a sense that the hash is meat-forward and robust.
Do they have breakfast sandwiches and omelettes?
They offer breakfast sandwiches and omelettes made to order. Guests report eggs cooked exactly as requested and filling omelettes with ham, peppers and onions in generous portions.
Are there notable Italian sides or small plates?
Yes. Reviewers mention arancini, garlic knots and stuffed bread as standout sides, plus desserts like cannolis that are popular at catering events and regular visits.
How do the sandwiches and subs taste?
Sandwiches are described as fresh and well-balanced, with good bread and the right amount of fillings. The Philly and chicken cutlet grinders get specific praise for texture and flavor balance.
Is the coffee kid-friendly and enjoyed by adults?
Reviewers call the coffee good—dark but not bitter—and say staff keep coffee refilled, which makes it a solid companion to breakfast for both kids and grown-ups.
Is Melilli a favorite in Portland, CT, for pizza and breakfast?
Yes. Local reviewers from Portland mention Melilli as a go-to for pizza and breakfast, highlighting friendly staff, sizable portions and menu variety that suits families and long-time residents.
Celebrating Local Ingredients
Connecticut has a rich agricultural heritage that influences its breakfast choices. The state’s farms produce a wealth of fresh ingredients, from eggs and dairy to fruits and vegetables. Many breakfast traditions incorporate these local products, celebrating the flavors of the region. By emphasizing farm-to-table practices, breakfast in Connecticut not only nourishes the body but also supports local economies. This focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients fosters a deeper appreciation for the food, connecting diners to their community and the land.
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Connecticut's Premier Pizza Destinations
Current location in red, 8 nearest in blue, all others in gray
Melilli Cafe & Grill
264 Main St, Portland, CT 06480
★4.5
(467 reviews)
Breakfast and Cultural Identity
Breakfast in Connecticut reflects the state’s diverse cultural identity. As waves of immigrants settled in the region, they brought their culinary traditions, enriching the breakfast landscape. Foods from Italian, Irish, and even Latino backgrounds have found their way onto breakfast tables, creating a melting pot of flavors and practices. This cultural blend not only showcases the rich history of the area but also serves to unite people through shared meals, allowing everyone to savor a bit of history at the breakfast table.
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Breakfast Through the Ages
Breakfast has come a long way from its humble beginnings. In ancient times, it was often a simple meal, like porridge, eaten to break the night’s fast. Fast forward to the colonial era, and a mix of European customs began to influence what people ate in the morning. Even the early settlers in Connecticut would wash down their bread and cheese with cider. This blending of traditions set the stage for the diverse breakfast culture we see today, where every meal tells a story of its past.
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