Located in the north end of downtown Westerly Back Track Bar & Grille established in 1998 is in it’s 3rd generation of family ownership. Originally founded by Natale Gabriele (my grandfather) who was born in Acri Italy on December 25,1886. On April 13, 1906 my grandfather stepped foot on American soil through the doors of Ellis Island and found his way to a little town in Rhode Island called Westerly. As like many immigrants of that time my grandfather found opportunity and the American dream through entrepreneurship. Starting his business on the first floor of his two story home he opened a fruit and vegetable store which also included a fruit cart that he pushed through the streets of Westerly. Later in time with the legalization and licensing of alcohol my grandfather ventured into the bar business.

His first bar known as the Gabriele’s Beer Garden replaced the fruit and vegetable store. Later on, the business become a variety of different venues from a Bucket of Blood as well as a AMVETS (American Veterans Legion) for period of time. With the changing times and zoning laws Natale was faced with having to relocate his business. My grandfather then purchased property on Industrial Drive and in 1951 built the structure that still stands today. Incorporating a kitchen and catering to the working public my grandfather opened the Knotty Pine offering a bar and grille atmosphere. As time moved on so did the years for my grandfather who eventually passed and left the chore of running the business to my grandmother and seven sons.

Through the years, the Knotty Pine had it’s ups and downs from Go Go Girls dancing in psychedelic cages to pool tables and live music. Unfortunately the times got the best of the old Pines forcing a complete shut down and renovation. It reopened in 1991 as Nat’s Place; a toss between a tribute to my grandfather and the fact I carry the same name as he did.

The bar and grille lives on. In 1998 I felt it was time to give the business back its own sense of identity hence was born Back Track Bar & Grille just behind the station, just across the tracks located on the back tracks of the Westerly Train Station.

Update

1-16-2024 I mark 33 years of entrepreneurship as a Bar and Grille, it also stands as the 97th year that my family the Gabriele’s have been entrepreneurs of local business here in Westerly. In the beginning my Grandfather and Grandmother conducted business as a market located on Pierce St… This lasted for about a quarter of a Century and in time involved in the Cafe / Bar business. The tradition of ownership was passed and maintained by my Father Angelo and Mother Rosina. As a family we have enjoyed and endured the privilege and freedom of entrepreneurship serving the Westerly community for nearly 100 years.
I will say for myself the years have not been easy and we have certainly had our challenges from opening on the day we went from Desert Shield to Desert Strom, natural disasters to Government Shut downs. In all this I will say I wouldn’t change a thing. I thank God for the grace and strength he has bestowed on me along the people he has brought into my life. Some good, some bad, but all of them for a reason. Every one of them given a chance, opportunity and choices and in the end left to them to walk the path they choose.
Life is what it is along with what we make of it, we all experience ups and downs and have our own believes. I attribute my success to hard work, dedication, commitment along with never forgetting the help of my close’s friends and family here and gone, I thank you all for the years of support provided to us.
Needless to say, no matter who hard you try you can’t make everybody happy.
Looking to the future I pray that God allows me to continue to be the servant and steward he needs. I pray for his blessing and strength to offer me and this family the success and strength to continue into the next generation as I do my part moving forward. So, stop in, show your support, have a drink or a bite to eat or just say hi.
From the Gabriele family I would like to thank the community for your continuing support and patronage.
Thank you
Nat