Ernie's

Ernie's, considered by many a downtown Roanoke landmark, was first opened by Ernest Authur in the 1940's, at which time it was known as "The Boiler Room." Bill Kopcial, the current owner of Ernie's for the past seven years, considers his restaurant a survivor. Known for its reputation as a place with friendly management, a warm atmosphere, and low prices, Ernie's is very much like a neighborhood bar, but without the alcohol. Regulars to the restaurant often gather for good food and conversation. Bill, himself, is a retired firefighter of 22 years as well as a sports bar owner to WR Brews. He can often be found at Ernie's not only working, but enjoying the food and lively conversation himself.

Ernie's, which is located at 210-B Market Street in downtown Roanoke, is open Monday through Saturday for both breakfast and lunch from 6am - 2pm. Sundays, they are open for breakfast only from 8am - 1pm. Their telephone number is (540) 342 - 7100.

History of Ernie's

From the Menu:

Ernie's opened its doors in 1986. Formerly known as B.R. Guest, a delicatessen style establishment preceded by the Dixie Lunch serving the markets more colorful characters. Ernie's began it's market tradition of grill cooking under the spatula of Ernest Arthur, who came to the market in September of 1949 to run the Boiler Room, at 128 Campbell Avenue, offering a menu with wide appeal to all.

Arthur sold the landmark restaurant (now closed) along with its notable "Men Only" sign (women were served there anyway) in 1984 and retired after 35 years. Arthur's retirement lasted for a year and nine months before he opened Ernie's, bringing with him, the romance and juices of grilling made famous at the Boiler Room where he invented the Boiler Room Special, still proudly served here at Ernie's with many of his other tasty Boiler Room creations.

Arthur sold Ernie's and has retired from the restaurant business. Ernie's is now owned and operated by retired Roanoke City fire fighter Bill Kopcial, proud to preserve Arthur's Boiler Room traditions, making it one of Roanoke's favorite eateries. 

Breakfast Menu

Hours - Mon - Fri 6:00 - 11:00am · Sat 6:00 - 10:30am · Sun 8:00am - 1:00pm

2 Eggs, Toast & Jelly......$2.75

2 Eggs, Potato Cake or Home Fries with Toast & Jelly......$3.75 

2 Eggs, Sausage or Ham or Bacon with Toast & Jelly......$3.75

2 Eggs, Sausage or Ham or Bacon, Potato Cake or Home Fries with Toast & Jelly......$4.50

3 Eggs, Sausage or Ham or Bacon, Potato Cake or Home Fries with Toast & Jelly......$5.00

Western Omelet with Toast & Jelly......$3.75

3 Hot Cakes with Ham or Bacon or Sausage......$4.75

3 Pieces French Toast, Sausage or Ham or Bacon......$4.50

Sausage Gravy (Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat)......1 Order $2.25 - 2 Orders $3.00

Chipped Beef Gravy (Tues-Thurs-Fri)......1 Order $2.25 - 2 Orders $3.00

Breakfast Sandwiches

Egg, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo......$2.50

Egg, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo......$2.75

Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo......$3.00

Sausage with Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo......$2.50

Sausage, Ham or Bacon with Egg, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo...... $4.00

Biscuit......$1.00

Egg Biscuit......$1.75

Sausage, Ham or Bacon Biscuit......$1.75

Sausage, Ham or Bacon with Egg Biscuit......$2.00

Choice of bread ... Whole Wheat - White - Rye or Bagel

Choose your own Combination 

1 Egg......$1.00

Sausage, Ham or Bacon......$1.50

Country Ham......$2.00

1 Hot Cake......$1.50

HomeFries......Full Order $2.50 - Half Order $1.50

Potato Cake......Full Order $2.50 - Half Order $1.50

Order of Toast (Whole Wheat, White or Rye)......$1.00

Bagel with Jelly......$1.50

Bagel with Cream Cheese......$1.75 

Lunch Menu

Hours - Mon - Sat 11:00am - 2:00pm

The following are served with chips & pickle

Plain Hot Dog......$1.25

Hot Dog with Chili, Mustard, Onions......$1.50

Hamburger......$2.75

Cheeseburger (American or Swiss)......$3.00

Double Cheeseburger (American or Swiss)......$3.75

      Kaiser Roll......$.50 extra

      Bacon......$1.25 extra

      Mushrooms......$1.25 extra

Choose from the following toppings for all burgers: Lettuce, Tomato, Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup, Fried or Raw Onions

Extras

Chili Beans with Crackers......$2.50

Pinto Beans with Crackers......$2.25

Pinto Beans with Cornbread......$2.50

Homemade Soup with Crackers (In Season)......$2.50

Home Fries......Full Order $2.50 - Half Order $1.50

Potato Cake......Full Order $2.50 - Half Order $1.50

Order of Slaw......$1.25

Diet Specials

Stuffed Tomato with Tuna, Egg, or Chicken Salad......$3.75

One Scoop Tuna, Egg, or Chicken Salad......$3.75

     Served on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomatoes and pickles

One scoop of Tuna and Chicken Salad......$5.00 

     Served on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomatoes and pickles

Ernie's Famous Taco Salad......$4.75 

Sandwiches

Cook's Special - Turkey, Bacon, Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayonnaise on a Kaiser Roll......$5.00

Boiler Room Special - Ham, Swiss Cheese, Salami, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayonnaise, Cole Slaw, Sweet Peppers & Onions on a Kaiser Roll......$5.00

The Roanoke Times - A "Liberal" amount of Bologna served on the Extreme Left Side of the Plate, with a fair & balanced amount of chips on the right. Served with American or Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mayonnaise, & Fried or Raw Onions on Toast......$3.75

     With Egg......$4.25

The Downtowner - Cheeseburger with Egg, Mustard, Fried Onions, & Dill Pickles......$3.50

 Ernie's Girl Special - Grilled Chicken Breast - Delicious Grilled Chicken Breast with LTM on a Kaiser Roll......$4.00

     With American or Swiss Cheese......$4.25

Steak and Cheese - With American or Swiss Cheese......$5.50

     LTM, Mushrooms & Fried Onions on a Kaiser.....$5.50

BBQ Sandwich - With Slaw on a Kaiser......$4.50

BBQ Plate - Served with Slaw & Home Fries......$5.50 

Ranch Special - Chicken Breast, Swiss, Bacon, Ham, Ranch Dressing, Served on a Kaiser Roll......$5.50

The Club - Turkey, Ham, Bacon, American Cheese & LTM, Served on three Slices of Toast......$4.75

The Channel 10 - Double Bacon Cheeseburger with Lettuce, Tomato & Mayonnaise......$5.00

Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato......$3.00

Grilled Cheese - American or Swiss......$2.50

Ham or Turkey with Lettuce, Tomato & Mayo......$3.75

Tuna or Chicken Salad with Lettuce & Tomato......$3.75

Egg Salad with Lettuce & Tomato......$3.00

Peanut Butter & Jelly......$2.00 

Breads available - Whole Wheat, White, or Rye

Beverages

Coffee (Regular or Decaf) - One refill unless with food purchase......$1.25

Hot Tea......$1.25

Iced Tea (Unsweetened)......$1.25

Milk......Small $1.25 - Large $1.50

Orange Juice......Small $1.25 - Large $1.50

Tomato Juice......$1.25

Pink Lemonade......$1.50

Pepsi, Diet Pepsi......$1.50 

Mt. Dew......$1.50

Dr. Pepper......$1.50

16 oz. To-Go Coffee......$1.25

Grapefruit Juice......$1.25