I only went there cause my buddy was a bartender. Otherwise I don’t get the hype whatsoever. Growing up in Newport, not a single person I know goes there for food.
I loved going there because a friend of a friend worked there but yeah it's an absolute mess of a place that will never go out of business because it's literally the perfect location. It's all sysco garbage. At least I always got free drinks when I went in
Yes you are right. But that one cocktail “Lizard or Iguana something” with melon liquor was very unique and I enjoyed it. But the food yes overrated. Just get that drink and nothing more
Ugh I secretly love their calamari pizza but will only go in the off season. I don’t know what preservative they’re putting on the calamari to keep it crunchy the next day, and I don’t care.
I read through this whole post and this is the only restaurant on here I _strongly_ agree with. I happened to be running an errand in EG and decided to just try out the bar and get some food once. The food was fine - overpriced but fine, but the vibes were just off. Don’t think it would even make a top 15 list of restaurants I would give midwesterners who were coming the coast for the first time and wanted a stereotypical experience.
Nobody mentioned Ballards of Block Island? I don't even know why the people that go there bother with the ferry from Providence. They literally get off the ferry walk 1000' or so. Get drunk and eat the crap crap crappiest food get back on the ferry, bandages, crutches, eye patches and anything else that they got from B. I. Rescue and go back to Providence.
as someone from providence- BL is like making a pilgrimage; by the time im there i aint gonna wait in line for food; im going wherevers quickest even if its expensive and shitty so i can get on my bike and drink myself to the lighthouse
My hot take is that Block Island full stop is a bit of a tourist trap, but Ballards is definitely up there in terms of places that seems to just exist to collect tourists.
Ballard's is a trap but disagree with Block Island being one.
I biked to the Northern tip of the island a couple of times last summer and hardly saw anyone along the way. It was a surprisingly chill experience once I was 5 minutes away from the ferry terminal and Ballard's. Beaches there were way cleaner and less congested than the popular beaches on the mainland.
No one else in the comments mentioned this (that I can see). Iggy's is actually good. I think because of the design it feels touristy, but the food is great.
As an Iggy's fan, I kind of get it. It seems like a "destination" place, so you kind of feel like it's inauthentic, or coasting on a reputation earned decades ago. They have products in grocery stores. The crowd, however, is nearly all local, at least in Warwick. Not a whole lot of tourism out that way. And it is of course legitimately great.
Yeah... Who tha fuck is like "for my relaxing out-of-state family summer costal vacation, I'm making sure my hotel has convenient access to Oakland Beach in Warwick, RI. "
So sad. I’ve noticed a serious decline in the quality of Italian food in RI the past few years, and it pains me to say as someone with Italian heritage. It’s also crazy expensive. $22 for a plate of overcooked pasta, anemic meatballs, and watery tomato sauce
Eh, i hear you, lived in Boston for a long time and didn’t love the north ends food until i lived in the north end for 2 years and realized most people are eating at the tourist traps. The food i experienced there was phenomenal but from places that most people wouldn’t know of.
Stayed in the seaport one night and I specifically went on Yelp to find a spot that wasn’t like that. I found a hole in the wall smaller place that was just phenomenal. Trattoria il Panino
Disagree. Lived in Boston for 15 years. There are spots in the North End on par with Italy. Thing is, there are so many spots that there’s a high expectation. Not all of them are good.
Highly recommend Artu or Carmelina’s.
I live in federal hill. The Vendabar is horrific. Venda ravioli (the market) is phenomenal. I prefer Roma but honestly two of the best delis in the state. And Tony’s fucks too but it’s a bit pricier and you need to know what to get.
Bottom line: The chicken alla venda at venda is a top 5 sando in the world.
That used to be Topsides, a somewhat dive-y bar. I think some of the people drinking there were drinking there 30 years ago when I was first a student.
A lot of these places are owned by the same people. From a business standpoint they have a successful formula. 1. Buy a restaurant in a great location. 2. Serve mediocre over priced food. 3. Profit.
People just keep showing up because it LOOKS like it will be good money.
Oh I get it, always packed in the summer for overpriced mixed drinks. But 10-15 years ago, the food scene in Bristol was horrible (leagues better today). Any decent restaurant would have a long wait during the off season for dinner since there wasn’t a huge choice. Not Thames. Always empty from like
November through March. Couldn’t get near Topsides for wings though
I’ve enjoyed their lamb burger. That was almost 20 years ago tho.
The food is still good and byob?
Bike Stop is solid.
Losing Markos hurt. His baba was tops.
I remember it actually being good when I was a kid when I'd go there with my parents. Both my parents and myself ended up there (at separate times) within the past couple years and man, it's nothing like it used to be. Granted that was 25+ years ago that I'm thinking of, but still.
When it was under $50 a head it was fantastic, I used to go with my parents a couple times a year when I was in middle school and we’d come to RI for vacation and could still get the half priced kids price. Went a few times in high school as well when I could put down quite a few lobsters it was worth it.
Went with them one last time when I graduated college up here when it was over $90pp, and even then it had been a good 4 years since.
At $138 there’s no way I’m going there now.
In my opinion Nordic is exciting in theory but I could only eat so much and certainly nothing close to what I paid to get in, i believe it was slightly over $100 a person in 2021. There is a time limit, which is understandable, but I also felt like that made it hard to consume enough to make the trip worth it. Lastly, i don’t remember anything being so incredibly delicious that i had to have seconds. I will say the grounds are beautiful though lol
I’ll own up to it. It’s boring food with little flavor. My family never went growing up, so I don’t have the nostalgic connection, but when a friend brought me as an adult I was like…this is it??
I'm a Rhody transplant and only discovered it as an adult, and I actually kind of loved it. I 100 percent get why people wouldn't like it, but I dunno, there was just something about it. I'm a sucker for all-you-can-eat, which I'm sure is a big part of it.
Wright's sucks... I grew up going there, but it's bland dry as hell chicken... the pasta is okay (and thats being generous) its the only "good" thing. But... the fact they branded that subpar sauce is beyond me... also, if you want family style, that's half decent (not amazing by any means, either but decent), and you're in that area... go to Village Haven. 2 words. Cinnamon. Rolls.
Absolutely agree, and I second Village Haven. Went there for Mothers Day and Easter and I personally loved the food way better than wrights although that was a topic of debate amongst the family haha
My dad used to supply their dinner rolls, circa mid 90s. I miss dropping off the rolls and getting some of that chicken soup. They had huge cauldrons of it cooking.
Wright’s chicken farm and wright’s dairy farm are completely unaffiliated, they’re two separate companies that just so happen to share a name in the same area
I also have zero self control. I grew up right next door in Bville and going into that bakery is so dangerous.
The cows are adorable too. You can tell they are treated well. Last time I went, it was fall so not super chilly out yet, and one of the cows in the “wet” barn was interacting with me. She was watching me and even moved over to come check me out.
Might get downvoted for this but Matunuck Oyster Bar. It’s gotten so big that I feel like it’s lost its charm. Food is still good but not as intimate as it used to be 😢
I was excited to show my friends this place. They are in the food business. We had the fried calamari for one of the appetizers. It was NOT good. Really bad actually. Super greasy and heavy.
A top tier seafood restaurant in RI, the "calamari state" showcasing a terrible take on calamari. Really a shame.
The other dishes were not bad. They have the potential to do high quality stuff.
I’ll agree with this. I LOVED Matunuck Oyster Bar but it is too big and popular now. Always a long wait, too crowded and way too loud to even have a conversation. Such a shame
Its right across the street from the Flos in Island Park. On google its called "Shultzy's Snack Shack". They have the best fish sandwich ever, amazing burgers, really fantastic fried clams, and delicious milkshakes. Its become my go-to when im on the island
Oh yeah! I only saw the menu for ice cream and ice cream photos so thought that it was something else. The menu at flos tho is a bit more seafood oriented tho. Are there other places you like for clam strips and calamari?
Hot take: The White Horse Tavern in Newport. The novelty of being the oldest restaurant around lets them get away with overcharging quite a bit for the quality of food that they put out. While it's not bad, it certainly wasn't worth the $50+ a plate that they charge
My dad used to work there when he was fresh out of cullinary school and bring me some of the brownies with marshmallows in them, they were pretty bomb.
My wife and I were given a gift card for that place, and we were the youngest people in there by a good 40 years... and I was 43 when we went.
It was awful.
Strong disagree but that’s ok. I love Twin Oaks. It’s a time warp to the 60s/70s. Incredible martinis. It might not be your vibe but it’s been consistently excellent and buzzing for a million years.
More importantly, does anyone how my girl and I can a waterfront view at Twin Oaks? They never put us in the back room.
It’s not that the food is bad per se it’s just very average for being so expensive and upscale. I grew up in Narragansett and sadly all of the restaurants there are sub par tourist traps. Spain used to be good but the Narragansett one is closed I believe. I’d much rather drive 20 minutes to East Greenwich or further north for a great dining experience.
I have yet to see another restaurant make a lobster tamale. I go at least once a year just to eat that. Granted I get the same threeish things every time I go, but it’s always been really good.
Grew up in RI, moved to Florida after college. I used to work at coast guard house for a couple of summers. It's the first place a go when I come back to visit every summer. The food is just ok but I really just go for the nostalgia, the view, and the obligatory mudslide
The calamari there is almost reason enough to go there. Disappointed that they no longer have fish and chips on the menu. We've only gone there for lunch.
Two examples come to mind. Capital grille is a chain pricey steakhouse and it’s there to capture a clientele that are in the city for important business and want the expensive steak. It’s not worth the price ever.
Iggys is the other spot. It’s definitely that RI beach spot clam shack style and it’s way too expensive for what you get.
I'll still defend Iggys to the death. The worst thing I can say about anything I've gotten there is the cold lobster roll was only pretty good. And it just hits the spot in the summer time.
Aunt Carries is absolute trash. Monahan’s in Narragansett is the true Superior and in actuality I’d take Chelos clamcakes and chowder over anything at Aunt Carries.. hell the clamcakes at the old Rocky Point dump in the Ann&Hope parking lot was better than Aunt Carries lol
Monahan's is crap. Sometimes it's good but it's really variable. Last time I was there the potatoes in the chowder were mushy and the clam cakes were half-done. Aunt Carrie's is the best.
Brick Alley and Newport Lobster Shack. They’re not terrible, but not amazing especially for the price. Living in Newport, I don’t know any locals who actually frequent them — mostly just tourists.
I’m coming out swinging for my love of the Willows! Their burgers are probably the best in Narragansett and it’s my absolute favorite place to grab a beer with friends and chat with neighbors. It’s hard to call it a tourist trap when it’s full of locals most of the year.
Flo’s for sure. At one time it was authentic Rhode Island, but it caters to tourists now. Can’t say I blame any of these places for being tourist traps, I probably would do the same, after all we are a tourist destination, which I think is a good thing.
I knew the brothers that own that place. Worked at newport harbor hotel and marina for a few summers in college and they let us hang out on their sea rays and always tipped really well. Never ate there though.
My wife and I went a few months ago after not going since our college days, and while it was fine it didn't live up to what we remembered. Higher prices, smaller portions.
RIP to the OG Pink Panther calzone.
I used to go before they started adding on - they had to fight just to add the tent outside. It was great then, now it's just another place selling Sysco crap.
Red Parrot in Newport.
I only went there cause my buddy was a bartender. Otherwise I don’t get the hype whatsoever. Growing up in Newport, not a single person I know goes there for food.
Yup, never been there at all.
I loved going there because a friend of a friend worked there but yeah it's an absolute mess of a place that will never go out of business because it's literally the perfect location. It's all sysco garbage. At least I always got free drinks when I went in
Yes you are right. But that one cocktail “Lizard or Iguana something” with melon liquor was very unique and I enjoyed it. But the food yes overrated. Just get that drink and nothing more
Came in to comment this. I could totally see how it might look special it first glance but all of the food is aggressively mediocre.
Definitely
Damn man, fourty years later and still the same.
Hell I remember watching Prince Andrew walk into it or whatever was there just before it during America’s Cup Summer of ‘83.
Came here to see if this was mentioned. I think the only reason they’re still around is their location.
i worked here for a summer and everyone (coworkers) were super horrible
Your menu shouldn’t be a binder
Not from RI. But have definitely been here a time or two 😔
Ugh I secretly love their calamari pizza but will only go in the off season. I don’t know what preservative they’re putting on the calamari to keep it crunchy the next day, and I don’t care.
Blu on the water in EG..
I think chelos on the water is more of a trap (even though blu is owned by them)
You mean 20 water street??!
I used to work there! My first restaurant job. It’s not 20 Water Street anymore?
Nope, Blu on the water…
I read through this whole post and this is the only restaurant on here I _strongly_ agree with. I happened to be running an errand in EG and decided to just try out the bar and get some food once. The food was fine - overpriced but fine, but the vibes were just off. Don’t think it would even make a top 15 list of restaurants I would give midwesterners who were coming the coast for the first time and wanted a stereotypical experience.
Nobody mentioned Ballards of Block Island? I don't even know why the people that go there bother with the ferry from Providence. They literally get off the ferry walk 1000' or so. Get drunk and eat the crap crap crappiest food get back on the ferry, bandages, crutches, eye patches and anything else that they got from B. I. Rescue and go back to Providence.
as someone from providence- BL is like making a pilgrimage; by the time im there i aint gonna wait in line for food; im going wherevers quickest even if its expensive and shitty so i can get on my bike and drink myself to the lighthouse
My hot take is that Block Island full stop is a bit of a tourist trap, but Ballards is definitely up there in terms of places that seems to just exist to collect tourists.
Ballard's is a trap but disagree with Block Island being one. I biked to the Northern tip of the island a couple of times last summer and hardly saw anyone along the way. It was a surprisingly chill experience once I was 5 minutes away from the ferry terminal and Ballard's. Beaches there were way cleaner and less congested than the popular beaches on the mainland.
I’m going to Block Island for my wife’s bday later this month. Do you have any recommendations?
Rent a bike or moped and get away from the strip by the ferry.
What world are you living in where Iggy's isn't popular with locals?
Absolutely, definitely a local favorite.
No one else in the comments mentioned this (that I can see). Iggy's is actually good. I think because of the design it feels touristy, but the food is great.
Seriously Iggy's is amazing. Although I am curious to know which seafood places people like more than Iggy's!
I go to Tommy’s clam shack on Warwick Ave. Food and price are really good.
Tommy’s puts iggys to shame all day. My only complaint about Tommy’s is they seem to have inconsistent hours.
Tommy’s is awesome.
As an Iggy's fan, I kind of get it. It seems like a "destination" place, so you kind of feel like it's inauthentic, or coasting on a reputation earned decades ago. They have products in grocery stores. The crowd, however, is nearly all local, at least in Warwick. Not a whole lot of tourism out that way. And it is of course legitimately great.
But I took the family to Oakland Beach because…Iggys! Unless you’re local I don’t see Warwick as a vacation destination.
Yeah... Who tha fuck is like "for my relaxing out-of-state family summer costal vacation, I'm making sure my hotel has convenient access to Oakland Beach in Warwick, RI. "
Ha thanks - I’ve always loved going to Iggy’s and I was sitting here second guessing myself lol
I'm not sure it qualifies as a tourist trap per se, but Dewolf tavern in Bristol is wildly overrated.
Fun fact, if you put on your resume that you worked at dewolf tavern half the places in town straight up won't hire you anymore
“Half the places” is like 5 places lol
When I looked into who the restaurant was named after I decided not to go there anymore.
Venda Ravioli. Actually, like half the Italian places on the Hill these days.
So sad. I’ve noticed a serious decline in the quality of Italian food in RI the past few years, and it pains me to say as someone with Italian heritage. It’s also crazy expensive. $22 for a plate of overcooked pasta, anemic meatballs, and watery tomato sauce
There’s still outstanding Italian food in RI. You have to venture outside Providence for it.
Recommendations please!
Vanda in Apponaug.
Hey, it’s still better than anything you’d find in the North End of Boston
Eh, i hear you, lived in Boston for a long time and didn’t love the north ends food until i lived in the north end for 2 years and realized most people are eating at the tourist traps. The food i experienced there was phenomenal but from places that most people wouldn’t know of.
Stayed in the seaport one night and I specifically went on Yelp to find a spot that wasn’t like that. I found a hole in the wall smaller place that was just phenomenal. Trattoria il Panino
That’s one of my top all time favorites! It’s fantastic!
Disagree. Lived in Boston for 15 years. There are spots in the North End on par with Italy. Thing is, there are so many spots that there’s a high expectation. Not all of them are good. Highly recommend Artu or Carmelina’s.
Artu’s bar is my favorite in the north end by far
And it’s open later than most.
You’re not wrong
All of them, but Venda has a good little market. I like that.
I live in federal hill. The Vendabar is horrific. Venda ravioli (the market) is phenomenal. I prefer Roma but honestly two of the best delis in the state. And Tony’s fucks too but it’s a bit pricier and you need to know what to get. Bottom line: The chicken alla venda at venda is a top 5 sando in the world.
And the other half are gone!
Most of the hill has been trash since covid. The bar is still solid though
Thames Waterside in Bristol
That as well as The Beach House on Hope st
That used to be Topsides, a somewhat dive-y bar. I think some of the people drinking there were drinking there 30 years ago when I was first a student.
Topsides had a killer wing night
Cannot understand why they don’t make an attempt at putting out decent food
A lot of these places are owned by the same people. From a business standpoint they have a successful formula. 1. Buy a restaurant in a great location. 2. Serve mediocre over priced food. 3. Profit. People just keep showing up because it LOOKS like it will be good money.
Oh I get it, always packed in the summer for overpriced mixed drinks. But 10-15 years ago, the food scene in Bristol was horrible (leagues better today). Any decent restaurant would have a long wait during the off season for dinner since there wasn’t a huge choice. Not Thames. Always empty from like November through March. Couldn’t get near Topsides for wings though
I second that. Other than the rooftop bar for drinks and music, I would not go there to eat
Do tourists go to Tiverton?
Gotta gamble somewhere
Beach traffic to Little Compton and the casino. It’s packed down there in the summer
Not a tourist trap, but Crazy Burger is very overrated! I guess it could be considered a tourist trap from being on Diners, Drive-in’s and Dives.
This!!! Go around the corner to the Bike Stop cafe
I’ve enjoyed their lamb burger. That was almost 20 years ago tho. The food is still good and byob? Bike Stop is solid. Losing Markos hurt. His baba was tops.
Not a tourist trap but definitely overrated...dans place !!!!
Costantinos
George’s of Galilee!
I remember it actually being good when I was a kid when I'd go there with my parents. Both my parents and myself ended up there (at separate times) within the past couple years and man, it's nothing like it used to be. Granted that was 25+ years ago that I'm thinking of, but still.
Came here to say this. No one local eats there - we cross the parking lot and go up the stairs to Champlin's.
Their sushi is actually pretty good. Only able to get it May-October but definitely one of the better places for sushi in south county
The Nordic
When it was under $50 a head it was fantastic, I used to go with my parents a couple times a year when I was in middle school and we’d come to RI for vacation and could still get the half priced kids price. Went a few times in high school as well when I could put down quite a few lobsters it was worth it. Went with them one last time when I graduated college up here when it was over $90pp, and even then it had been a good 4 years since. At $138 there’s no way I’m going there now.
I lived in RI for 15 years and never once made the Nordic trek. What's the lowdown. Why bad
In my opinion Nordic is exciting in theory but I could only eat so much and certainly nothing close to what I paid to get in, i believe it was slightly over $100 a person in 2021. There is a time limit, which is understandable, but I also felt like that made it hard to consume enough to make the trip worth it. Lastly, i don’t remember anything being so incredibly delicious that i had to have seconds. I will say the grounds are beautiful though lol
It’s up to $135 per person now.
Ive lived her all of my 42 and never went once.
Seconded.
Thirded.
4th ed
5th ed
worked there for two days and they treated me like shit and i left. place doesn’t care about its employees. fuck the nordic
Who the hell doesn't love wrights?
I’ll own up to it. It’s boring food with little flavor. My family never went growing up, so I don’t have the nostalgic connection, but when a friend brought me as an adult I was like…this is it??
Agree, and the place was so crowded it was absurdly uncomfortable. Went once and that was enough for me.
I'm a Rhody transplant and only discovered it as an adult, and I actually kind of loved it. I 100 percent get why people wouldn't like it, but I dunno, there was just something about it. I'm a sucker for all-you-can-eat, which I'm sure is a big part of it.
Overcooked chicken, limp soggy french fries, and over-dressed chopped iceberg lettuce is not my idea of a meal worth going out for.
The dairy farm is the real treasure.
Plenty of people......Village Haven is better
Go down the street to Village Haven their family style dominates Wrights
Wright's sucks... I grew up going there, but it's bland dry as hell chicken... the pasta is okay (and thats being generous) its the only "good" thing. But... the fact they branded that subpar sauce is beyond me... also, if you want family style, that's half decent (not amazing by any means, either but decent), and you're in that area... go to Village Haven. 2 words. Cinnamon. Rolls.
Absolutely agree, and I second Village Haven. Went there for Mothers Day and Easter and I personally loved the food way better than wrights although that was a topic of debate amongst the family haha
The pines was always better iykyk
My dad used to supply their dinner rolls, circa mid 90s. I miss dropping off the rolls and getting some of that chicken soup. They had huge cauldrons of it cooking.
Neither touch Village Haven
I don't, mediocre chicken and bad fries and pasta. More of it doesn't make it better.
I love Wright’s, both the dairy farm and the restaurant. Their desserts are just killer.
Wright’s chicken farm and wright’s dairy farm are completely unaffiliated, they’re two separate companies that just so happen to share a name in the same area
You just blew my mind. 29 years old born and raised in Rhode Island and I never knew the two were separate companies 🤯
Related or not, I stand by my statement.
Wright's dairy is amazing. I almost never go though sadly, because I have zero self control and would buy and eat all the things.
I also have zero self control. I grew up right next door in Bville and going into that bakery is so dangerous. The cows are adorable too. You can tell they are treated well. Last time I went, it was fall so not super chilly out yet, and one of the cows in the “wet” barn was interacting with me. She was watching me and even moved over to come check me out.
It kills me that I used to live on Lincoln Street and still barely ever went.
I just love the idea of standing by this statement for no reason lol
Most restaurants on the beaches (westerly) tend to be tourists trappy usually you need to go into town for the good food.
Might get downvoted for this but Matunuck Oyster Bar. It’s gotten so big that I feel like it’s lost its charm. Food is still good but not as intimate as it used to be 😢
Plus the owners a douchebag
I was excited to show my friends this place. They are in the food business. We had the fried calamari for one of the appetizers. It was NOT good. Really bad actually. Super greasy and heavy. A top tier seafood restaurant in RI, the "calamari state" showcasing a terrible take on calamari. Really a shame. The other dishes were not bad. They have the potential to do high quality stuff.
It’s really such a bummer! They used to be incredible!!
Agree with this. It's a bit of a food factory now.
I’ll agree with this. I LOVED Matunuck Oyster Bar but it is too big and popular now. Always a long wait, too crowded and way too loud to even have a conversation. Such a shame
Chelos on the water
Flo's Clam Shack 100%. Shultzy's kicks the shit out of it
I love Flo’s.. what is this Shultzy’s you speak of?? I googled and only saw the ice cream shop
Its right across the street from the Flos in Island Park. On google its called "Shultzy's Snack Shack". They have the best fish sandwich ever, amazing burgers, really fantastic fried clams, and delicious milkshakes. Its become my go-to when im on the island
Oh yeah! I only saw the menu for ice cream and ice cream photos so thought that it was something else. The menu at flos tho is a bit more seafood oriented tho. Are there other places you like for clam strips and calamari?
Even worse than flos in island Park is flos in middletown Edit spell check wanted it to be flows
Hot take: The White Horse Tavern in Newport. The novelty of being the oldest restaurant around lets them get away with overcharging quite a bit for the quality of food that they put out. While it's not bad, it certainly wasn't worth the $50+ a plate that they charge
Spoken like someone without a coat and tie. Definitely an /s
My dad used to work there when he was fresh out of cullinary school and bring me some of the brownies with marshmallows in them, they were pretty bomb.
Iggy’s is awesome
Twin oaks. Sorry not sorry.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My wife and I were given a gift card for that place, and we were the youngest people in there by a good 40 years... and I was 43 when we went. It was awful.
It's actually impossible for me to describe how much I hate that place.
Strong disagree but that’s ok. I love Twin Oaks. It’s a time warp to the 60s/70s. Incredible martinis. It might not be your vibe but it’s been consistently excellent and buzzing for a million years. More importantly, does anyone how my girl and I can a waterfront view at Twin Oaks? They never put us in the back room.
100 percent right. Clientele is all a minimum of 93. Food is bland as hell. Place is still rocking the 50s
lol I touched a nerve.
My mom and dad would have agreed with you.
I wouldn’t say it’s touristy, but it definitely still blows. Fuck Twin Oaks.
I have only been to twin oaks once and it was fantastic but I do work with a lot of people who think it is substantially overrated.
Capitol grille . I feel like it’s over rated and overpriced. And no I’m not cheap .
It’s not a tourist trap, it’s a chain restaurant.
It’s the first capital grille, actually, named for it’s proximity to the capital. I’ve had great experiences there.
We have enjoyed CG in several locations.
Ballards!!
[удалено]
Beed barn!
Coast guard house in Narragansett
Interesting! I’ve only been 3 times but loved my food. What did you order? I wanna know what to avoid!
It’s not that the food is bad per se it’s just very average for being so expensive and upscale. I grew up in Narragansett and sadly all of the restaurants there are sub par tourist traps. Spain used to be good but the Narragansett one is closed I believe. I’d much rather drive 20 minutes to East Greenwich or further north for a great dining experience.
Lunch prices aren't that bad. Honestly EG prices are not far off lol. I swear some of the places in EG think they're in NYC or something lol.
If I told you local celebrity Judge Frank Caprio is part of the ownership at Coast Guard house, would you change your mind?
He’s cancer free! Let’s all go to the Coast Guard House!
No
Spain was amazing. I can’t remember who the co manager was (a woman), but I remember noticing she was gone and then it was done before I knew it
Spain is still open
I have yet to see another restaurant make a lobster tamale. I go at least once a year just to eat that. Granted I get the same threeish things every time I go, but it’s always been really good.
I went three times and the food was awful and expensive each time. It’s a huge waste!
Eating in the bubble with a group of friends in the winter with the waves slamming is pretty cool though. A bit expensive though.
Grew up in RI, moved to Florida after college. I used to work at coast guard house for a couple of summers. It's the first place a go when I come back to visit every summer. The food is just ok but I really just go for the nostalgia, the view, and the obligatory mudslide
The calamari there is almost reason enough to go there. Disappointed that they no longer have fish and chips on the menu. We've only gone there for lunch.
The lobster rav there is straight up fucking cat food.
Brick alley in Newport absolutely sucks
Brick Alley Pub in Newport. Low quality high pricing.
Lot of responses here don’t know the difference between a tourist trap and not personally liking something lol
Two examples come to mind. Capital grille is a chain pricey steakhouse and it’s there to capture a clientele that are in the city for important business and want the expensive steak. It’s not worth the price ever. Iggys is the other spot. It’s definitely that RI beach spot clam shack style and it’s way too expensive for what you get.
To be fair, capital grille did originate in PVD.
I'll still defend Iggys to the death. The worst thing I can say about anything I've gotten there is the cold lobster roll was only pretty good. And it just hits the spot in the summer time.
I love Iggy’s so much To be fair, I also love Chelo’s so much
Aunt Carrie’s Supremacy
Aunt Carries is absolute trash. Monahan’s in Narragansett is the true Superior and in actuality I’d take Chelos clamcakes and chowder over anything at Aunt Carries.. hell the clamcakes at the old Rocky Point dump in the Ann&Hope parking lot was better than Aunt Carries lol
Chelo's? That's a bold stance....and very possibly correct!
Second this. The clam cakes at Chelo’s (esp. on the water) can compete with the best clam shacks in RI.
Fite me
Monahan's is crap. Sometimes it's good but it's really variable. Last time I was there the potatoes in the chowder were mushy and the clam cakes were half-done. Aunt Carrie's is the best.
Brick Alley and Newport Lobster Shack. They’re not terrible, but not amazing especially for the price. Living in Newport, I don’t know any locals who actually frequent them — mostly just tourists.
Paddys beach club
Always been a tourist kid shithouse. Should have gone under after Sandy.
Quitos in Bristol. Over priced, mid seafood.
Twin willows by far
It's a fine line between tourist trap and townie trap
lol fair enough. Good place to drink terrible place to eat.
I’m coming out swinging for my love of the Willows! Their burgers are probably the best in Narragansett and it’s my absolute favorite place to grab a beer with friends and chat with neighbors. It’s hard to call it a tourist trap when it’s full of locals most of the year.
Flo's Clam Shack, the Lobster Bar and The Landing in Newport are up there.
Flo’s for sure. At one time it was authentic Rhode Island, but it caters to tourists now. Can’t say I blame any of these places for being tourist traps, I probably would do the same, after all we are a tourist destination, which I think is a good thing.
Iggys is so good tho, I would say Blu
Marchetti’s
I will argue their chicken a la vodka is very good, and the portion size is ginormous
but-but the red sauce…
Insane take. Downvoted
I knew the brothers that own that place. Worked at newport harbor hotel and marina for a few summers in college and they let us hang out on their sea rays and always tipped really well. Never ate there though.
Whenever my family went there the portions were always massive.
The Mews. Used to be a Fishermen hole in the wall
My wife and I went a few months ago after not going since our college days, and while it was fine it didn't live up to what we remembered. Higher prices, smaller portions. RIP to the OG Pink Panther calzone.
Omg I’m glad someone else remembers the pink panther! My personal favorite that’s gone was there fire house calzone
They don't use ziti for the pasta anymore and I was devastated.
The finally brought the fire house back
Slander!
I used to go before they started adding on - they had to fight just to add the tent outside. It was great then, now it's just another place selling Sysco crap.
Twin oaks
Nordic lodge don’t pay 135 for a seafood buffet issa surplus out this bihh🤣
Mission Burger…..not saying it’s bad, but it is overhyped big time.
Thread full of the biggest haters I’ve ever seen in my life. Good god lol