About a year ago, Rockland native and chef Kerrie Horgan, and former teacher Coleen Dahlem opened their intimate and rustic cafe next to the Blauvelt trailhead of the Joseph B. Clarke Rail Trail. The decor gives a nod to the train lines that once rumbled through the area and homey merchandise such as old timey chewing gum, locally made candles and penny candy are reminiscent of a quaint general store.

But, of course, it’s the food that keeps the place comfortably busy most afternoons. There are hefty sandwiches, generous salad bowls, burgers, flatbread creations and all manner of egg dishes. One standout, the Mount Reuben ($14) is indeed a small mountain of tender corn beef on toasted sourdough with sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and crowned with Thousand Island dressing. Easily enough for two people, it’s worth the high calorie count now and again. One of the daily specials, the Fried Fish Sandwich, arrived steaming hot on a toasted brioche bun with melted American cheese and slathered in tartar sauce. A messy delight, this is no flabby microwaved Filet– O–Fish from McDonald’s. Both sandwiches arrived with massive piles of crunchy Jersey Shore Fries and/or Tater Tots. Go with the fries. There are vegetarian and vegan options such as Avocado Toast ($13) and a black bean burger called the California Vegan ($13), but it's fair to say that chef Horgan doesn't do light or minimalist. This isn't sophisticated food, but that's not a bad thing when you've, say, raked the entire lawn, or walked the length of the Rail Trail, or when you're just really friggin' hungry and want to sink your chops into something of substance. Beverages are served in charming Mason jars (wish they were glass instead of plastic, but, oh well) and family-sized takeout dinners are available on order.

Value for your money is reason enough to frequent the Rail Trail Cafe & Mercantile, but service-with-a-smile, reliably good comfort food and an inviting, clean place to hang out are good reasons to text a friend for a meet up.

Rail Trail Cafe & Mercantile
543 Western Highway (behind the Blauvelt free Library)
Blauvelt, NY
(845) 613-7639, www.therailtrailcafe.com