Bishop's 4th Street Diner -- CLOSED

Bishop's 4th Street Diner -- CLOSED

Thin and crispy johnnycakes, plus biscuits and gravy worth crossing the bay for!

Exterior of Bishop's, 2014.
(July 26, 2014).

184 Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport
(401) 847-2069

Bishop's is an early 1950s O'Mahony diner that started its life in Swansea, Massachusetts. It was moved to Newport in 1967, and in 1989 was purchased and restored by Patricia "Tish" Warner, who ran it with her daughters for many years. Per diner expert Larry Cultrera, it was named Princeton Diner when he photographed it in 1982.

Princeton Diner, Larry Cultrera, 1982
In 1982 it was called Princeton Diner. (Larry Cultrera, June 19, 1982).

Steve and Nancy Bishop bought it in 1998 and ran it together for ten years. Than Nancy ran it by herself for ten years. Then, in October 2018, she sold it back to her ex-husband and his new wife, Vicki. We're looking forward to see what happens in 2028.

Bishop's exterior, 2006.
When we first photographed the diner in 2004, it was red. Here, in 2006, it was blue. Now it's red again. (October 21, 2006).

It's pretty clear where the "Bishop's" part of the name comes from, but the "4th Street" part? That derives from its proximity to the railroad line, which, prior to the 1880s, was a street by that name.

The menu is a fairly comprehensive collection of diner favorites, with several nods to local tastes. Chourico makes several appearances, reflecting the East Bay's Portuguese influences. You'll also find super thin and lacey Rhode Island Johnny cakes, a lobster version of eggs benedict, various fried seafood preparations, New England clam chowder, and Portuguese soup. Somewhat anatopic (look it up), but by no means unwelcome: biscuits and gravy.

Johnny cakes, 2014.
Thin, lacey Johnny cakes. (July 26, 2014).

Christopher has tried both the thin and crispy East Bay-style Johnny cakes and the bisuits and gravy, and he declares them delicious. In fact, he wishes he had a plate of them biscuits and gravy right now!

Other stand-outs: The Portuguese sweet bread toast and Portuguese-style French toast.

Bishop's interior, 2016.
Classic diner decor. (May 21, 2016).

Bishop's 4th Street Diner is open Monday to Thursday, 6am-2pm; Friday, 6am-8pm; Saturday, 6am-2pm; and Sunday, 6:30am-2pm.

Update, October 11, 2022: Bishop's was trucked away today, heading for an uncertain future. The property owner, Colbea Enterprises LLC, had sought to have the diner removed or demolished to make way for a convenience store and gas station.

Awards

  • Best Diner in Newport County, Rhode Island Monthly's Readers' Poll, 1995.
  • Best Diner in Newport County, Rhode Island Monthly's Readers' Poll, 2013.

Last Edited
2022-10-12