10 “Must-Try” Rhode Island Foods [and where to find them]

Can you name a go to to Philadelphia full with out making an attempt a cheese steak or a gentle pretzel? Can you go to Maryland and never eat crab desserts? What about New Orleans? If you go to New Orleans with out having beignets at Cafe du Monde, you might be lacking an important piece of the expertise. Trying native or regional meals is an enormous a part of touring.

Since making an attempt native meals is such an important a part of a journey expertise, I like to focus on the “must try” meals from cities or areas the place we journey. What higher place to begin than Rhode Island meals — from the quirky and distinctive, the road meals and the home-cooked. This is actually not an entire record of Rhode Island meals, however these are just a few highlights that you just simply can’t miss.

When I moved to the Ocean State over 20 years in the past, these Rhode Island meals had been new to me and a few of them took just a little getting used to and others I cherished from the beginning. Now I can’t think about consuming something however Rhode Island-style calamari and consuming stuffies, clamcakes, and doughboys in the summertime, washed down with a Del’s Lemonade. These are just some of my picks for should attempt Rhode Island meals.

10 Must Try Rhode Island Foods

If you might be questioning what to eat in Rhode Island, begin with these scrumptious Ocean State favorites.

1. Calamari

Unlike different elements of the nation, Rhode Island calamari may be very flippantly battered, then fried or sautéed and served with a mixture of garlic butter and scorching cherry peppers; and it’s scrumptious.

In reality, RI-style calamari is the official state appetizer. I hardly ever have a foul plate of calamari so you actually can’t go flawed at any of the tremendous eating places round Rhode Island; however if you would like a stand out serving, attempt ordering it at Pane e Vino in Providence.

If you’re keen on seafood, head right down to Matunuck Oyster Bar for each the calamari and the locally-farmed oysters — my favourite within the state!

2. Del’s Lemonade

Based on Italian lemon ices, Del’s provides frozen lemonade (like a lemon slushy) and is ubiquitous in Rhode Island through the summer time from everlasting stands to roadside carts at widespread sights. Del’s is now obtainable in quite a lot of flavors together with mango/peach and watermelon.

3. Lobster Ravioli

While many eating places serve it, most of them supply lobster ravioli from the masters – Venda Ravioli.

Located in Depasquale Square in Providence’s Federal Hill district, Venda Ravioli is a connoisseur Italian market, full with a sidewalk cafe. If you’ll be able to’t get a desk there, attempt their sister restaurant Constantino’s simply throughout the sq..

You may even purchase frozen variations in lots of native markets, akin to Dave’s Market.

4. Clam desserts

A clamcake is a egg-sized combination of fried dough with small items of clams inside. I consider it like a fritter however clearly some disagree!

Clam desserts are a kind of meals that folks swear by one vendor’s versus one other; however if you wish to attempt two nice examples, head right down to Narragansett to attempt Iggy’s and Aunt Carrie’s.

However, I’ve just lately been transformed to assume the most effective clam desserts in Rhode Island are at Dune Brothers Seafood meals truck in Providence. Their secret? Cooking them in beef fats. It provides this further layer of taste that units them aside.

5. Doughboys

While you might be down at Iggy’s, you must also decide up some doughboys. Every area appears to have its personal model of fried dough (funnel desserts, NJ-style zeppolis…), and doughboys are Rhode Island’s.

Doughboys are flat, sometimes-plate sized items of fried dough. Others are smaller and also you get them by the half-dozen. Served scorching out of the fryer, you may get them plain or with sugar.

6. Pizza strips (aka Party Pizza)

When I first moved to Rhode Island, I didn’t perceive these cheeseless pizza strips that turned up at each social gathering. I typically heard, “I’ll bring party pizza!” This oddity has since grown on me and now I’m typically the one bringing the social gathering pizza.

Pizza strips are strips of focaccia-like dough topped with a thick tomato sauce. They are served at room temperature and can be found at most native bakeries and markets.

7. Zeppole

When I used to be speaking about doughboys, I discussed NJ-style zeppolis, that are small balls of fried dough (unusually sufficient, in regards to the measurement of a clamcake).

These are bought by the dozen or half-dozen, and topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. It was a favourite deal with of mine when visiting the boardwalk on the Jersey shore.

So after I moved to RI, I heard about this vacation known as St. Joseph’s Day, which was celebrated by consuming zeppole. I used to be excited till I went to the bakery and located that the zeppole bought in RI are literally a creampuff-like pastry crammed with a custard-type cream or different choice, and topped with cream and normally a cherry.

Yummy, simply not what I used to be anticipating. Unfortunately, zeppole are largely discovered round St. Joseph’s Day in March so if you’re visiting at one other time, you may miss out.

But if you’re fortunate sufficient to be on the town on the proper time, I’d advocate stopping by LaSalle Bakery in Providence (additionally decide up one in all their wonderful pink velvet cupcakes if you are there.)

8. Coffee Cabinets and Coffee Milk

In RI, a cupboard isn’t just a spot to retailer issues, it’s espresso beverage made from espresso ice cream, espresso syrup and milk. I’m unsure if it’s the official state drink, however it needs to be. You don’t see them too typically anymore, however it’s one thing the long-time Rhode Island residents nonetheless learn about and they’re nonetheless served at Newport Creamery.

However, espresso milk is one thing you continue to see round, or a minimum of you should buy espresso syrup out there. Coffee milk is made by including a sweetened espresso focus known as espresso syrup to exploit, the identical approach you make chocolate milk.

 9. Stuffies (aka Stuffed Quahogs)

Stuffies are one other well-known Rhode Island meals that I by no means heard of earlier than I moved right here however now order or serve typically. Stuffies are a type of a stuffed clam that’s unique to Rhode Island.

They are full of a breading that features chopped quahogs (the RI state mollusc), herbs, and bits of peppers and chourico sausage.

Stuffies are one other factor that you may get nearly wherever and my favorites are literally from my native Dave’s Market; however for those who would relatively eat them out, attempt Finn’s Harbourside in East Greenwich.

10. New York System Hot Weiners

I needed to put this one final as a result of after 11 years in RI, I nonetheless don’t perceive why locals tout a meals that was named after one other state. I additionally lived in NY and I don’t get the connection. My guess is it goes again to Coney Island model scorching canine though I’ve seen comparable choices on the Upstate Eats Trail in New York on the way in which to Buffalo.

But, that stated, these scorching canine are a traditional RI meals so if you wish to attempt it, head over to one in all Olneyville N.Y. System’s places.

The conventional wiener is made with a small, skinny frankfurter made from veal and pork, giving it a unique style from a conventional beef scorching canine. It is served in a steamed bun, and topped with celery salt, yellow mustard, chopped onions, and a seasoned meat sauce.

Bonuses

Rhode Island is a foodie state and Providence is a foodie metropolis. So whereas I can record the entire finest meals in Rhode Island, there are just a few honorable mentions that I merely can’t miss.

• Donut Cake. Yup, that could be a should attempt meals that I’ve solely seen in RI and you’ll solely get them at Allie’s Donuts in North Kingstown, however you higher order upfront.
• Gregg’s Chocolate Cake. Yes, you may get chocolate cake wherever. But are you able to get this thick, wealthy, moist, further chocolatey cake like you’ll be able to at Gregg’s restaurant.
• Johnnycakes. These cornmeal pancakes are discovered round, however not as prevalent anymore.
• RI-style clam chowder. Unlike New England clam chowder, RI has a transparent broth.
• Dynamites. Hamburger meat with peppers, onions and tomato sauce – kind of like a sloppy joe.

Want to study extra? Just learn the feedback…my fellow Rhode Islanders have passionately chimed in with their favorites and added just a few I neglected.

Wondering Where to Eat in Rhode Island?

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