The Traveling Wheelchair

Route 28
Middleborough, MA
Phone:  508.947.3000
http://www.lorenzos.net/

Last night, my friends and I decided to go out for a quick and lite bite to eat for dinner because our kitchen was too crowded with our Thanksgiving meal preparations. We went to Lorenzo’s, a popular Italian restaurant, located close to my home which is wheelchair accessible with a few problems. There are two handicap parking spaces on the right side of the building that are close to the main entry door. The main entry door is wide enough for my wheelchair but not automatic so you may need help with entering.

Once inside, I found that the dining room is tight and hard to maneuver my wheelchair around for there is not much space between the tables and booths. The booths, located along the walls are not accessible because my wheelchair would stick out into the aisle and block access for others. I was seated at a table that wasn’t very accessible either because my leg rests hit the leg of the table which prevented me from wheeling close enough to reach the table and enjoy my meal. Lorenzo’s has a bar/lounge room that is partially wheelchair accessible. The bar is too high for my wheelchair but the tables along the wall are a good height but very crowded and too close together.

Access to the restroom is difficult. The doors are very heavy and hard to keep open as you wheel inside. Once inside I found the restroom is large enough for my wheelchair and the large handicap stall has all the ADA required safety bars at a perfect height on the wall. The accessible sink is a good height and I could reach the soap and towel dispenser with ease.

The waitress who served me was very friendly, kind, courteous and also very prompt. Our food came quickly and we all enjoyed the delicious meal and headed back home to make our pies for Thanksgiving which came out ‘yummy’!

Lorenzo’s also has a separate ‘Take Out’ area which does not have automatic doors and the cashier/pick up counter is too high to reach for a person in a wheelchair so I never get take out here. It’s a shame because they have awesome pizza but do not deliver.

During the summer months, Lorenzo’s has a large enclosed porch area that is fully wheelchair accessible. The tables here are of a perfect height for my wheelchair and not crowed too close together so it is easy for me to wheel between the tables.

I give Lorenzo’s THREE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Two Stars they would need to install automatic entry doors; place more space between the dining room tables and place a few accessible dining tables that table legs don’t block wheelchair access. I also recommend that they install a restroom door that is lighter and easier to hold open.