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It all started with a promise and from there it was built on a vision. Gaetano Gravino worked part time at a doughboy shack in Oakland Beach. This part-time job, and his wife Sally’ s entrepreneurial spirit, turned into what has been a Rhode Island tradition since 1989: Iggy’ s Doughboys and Chowder House. When Gaetano and Sally had the opportunity to lease the building they took it, but they needed a name for this new business venture. It was their youngest son, Dave Gravino, who inherited the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of both of his parents. He frequently teased and called their father“ Ig” and“ Iggy” because his license plate was IG-6. Although Gaetano Sr. did not approve of being called anything but“ Dad” by his children, they all agreed it would be the perfect name for the family business.

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A Rhode Island Tradition Since 1989

All three children worked alongside their parents( pictured to the right from left to right: MaryAnn Soares, David Gravino, Sally Gravino, Gaetano Gravino Jr.) to accomplish the goal of keeping the Oakland Beach community alive and feed the hungry beach-goers. Gaetano Sr. became terminally ill at only 54 years old, and he asked his son Dave to make him a promise: that when he graduated college he would continue the family business and carry on his legacy. While he had an open and bright future ahead, Dave honored his father’ s wishes. His drive and passion originated from that promise and is why for the last thirty-six years, Dave has continued to work hard to develop what was once the small doughboy shack family business into the iconic Rhode Island institution that it is today.

All three Gravino children with their mother, Sally Gravino, celebrating the first Wine Dinner event at Iggy’ s Boardwalk.

Being a visionary and believing in your life’ s work is not all that it takes to do what Dave has achieved over the last three decades.“ The most crucial part of operating and growing a business is surrounding yourself with great people. I have been so fortunate to work beside such loyal employees who have really become family. I’ m also grateful for the opportunity to mentor the management team and build great teams that have been the core of the businesses’ success. I truly cannot thank them all enough and would not have been able to accomplish all that I have without them.” Dave also attributes his success and ability to expand the brand to all of the loyal customers who have been dining with their families for generations, as well as the local suppliers and vendors he’ s been doing business with since before his dad’ s passing.“ At the end of the day it all comes down to the people: our employees, our customers, and our local business partners that have helped me to keep the promise to my dad alive and make a positive impact on our communities in ways we never thought we’ d be able to.”

Gaetano Gravino Sr. in the early days of the clam shack cooking one of his famous“ Iggy Cheeseburgers” still on the menu.

Dave brings his children, Gianna and David Jr., to celebrate Iggy’ s 25th Anniversary. They are the start of the third generation working in the family business.