A BRIEF HISTORY
OF LITTLE RHODY
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES; OLNEYVILLE NEW YORK SYSTEM; IGGY’ S DOUGHBOYS & CHOWDER HOUSE; DISCOVER NEWPORT; GO PROVIDENCE; ILLUSTRATION GRAPHICS: GETTY IMAGES.
BUCKET LIST BITES These are just a sampling of the state’ s must-try delicacies.
Allie’ s Donuts Specialty doughnuts have been all the rage for a few years now, but local favorite Allie’ s has been ahead of the game with handmade doughy goodness since 1968. You’ ll probably come face-to-face( or glaze to mouth) with one of its extravagant doughnut cakes at an office party or kid’ s birthday. facebook. com / alliesdonutsofficial
Awful Awful Don’ t let the name fool you: this ultra-thick concoction of whole milk, flavored syrup and“ frozen ice milk” is awfully amazing. It can be found exclusively at Newport Creamery— an iconic New England tradition in its own right. newportcreamery. com
Calamari Locals’ appreciation( read: obsession) for calamari prompted the state to designate the dish as Rhode Island’ s official state appetizer in 2014. Don’ t miss Rhode Island-style calamari( of the wild-caught variety, courtesy of the Town Dock in Narragansett): fried squid served with hot cherry peppers and garlic. towndock. com
Clam Cakes and Chowder This classic combination is practically a rite of passage for any wannabe Rhode Islander. Clam cakes are small balls of fried dough filled with bits of clams that taste best when dunked in New England clam chowder( if you really want to fit in, request a bowl of“ chowdah” at places like Blount Clam Shack in Warren). blountretail. com
Coffee Milk Autocrat coffee syrup is to Rhode Island what maple syrup is to Vermont; we can’ t get enough of the stuff, especially in our milk!( P. S. It’ s even our official state drink.)
Del’ s Sure, you’ ve probably had frozen lemonade before, but not like this. Sweet yet tart, cold and refreshing, Del’ s is the lifeblood of beachgoers in the summer months. It’ s also cited as one of the things Rhode Island transplants miss most when they move out of state( besides family, we’ re sure). dels. com
Grilled Pizza Al Forno in Providence made grilled pizza a“ thing” in the U. S. when a cook confused a woodfired brick oven with a grill back in 1980. Best mistake ever! alforno. com
Hot Wieners Savory hot wieners can only be made and consumed one way in Rhode Island: All the way( meaning topped with a blend of yellow mustard, onions, celery salt and meat sauce). And make no mistake; the wiener may be a cousin of the hot dog, but you’ ll be laughed out of Olneyville NY System if you ask for ketchup. olneyvillenewyorksystem. com
Iggy’ s Doughboys To the rest of the country, they’ re known simply as“ fried dough,” but here we call them doughboys. Why? Who knows! All that matters is that you sprinkle them with plenty of powdered sugar for best results. Grab a’ boy of your own during a fair, at a beach kiosk or, of course, at Iggy’ s Doughboys & Chowder House in Warwick or Narragansett. iggysri. com
Pizza Strips aka Party Pizza One of the more controversial RI-based foods amongst the tastes of natives, party pizza is made up of thick ciabatta strips smothered in tomato sauce … and that’ s it. There’ s no cheese involved, and they’ re served cold. But despite the polarity, they’ ve become a staple at most get-togethers. Pick up a box at D. Palmieri’ s Bakery in Johnston or Colvitto’ s Pizza & Bakery in Narragansett. dpalmieris bakery. com; colvittospizza. com
Stuffies One might think stuffies earned their name because of their tendency to make people stuff their faces. Or maybe it stems from the preparation involved: Chopping up a quahog( aka a giant clam) and stuffing the shell with oregano, olive oil, garlic and onion-laced breadcrumbs. Come summertime, order one( or five) at Quito’ s in Bristol. quitosrestaurant. com
Zeppole A large and proud Italian population inhabits the state, so it’ s no wonder zeppole( a traditional Italian pastry bursting with sweet ricotta cannoli filling) seem to fly off the shelves at spots like Cranston’ s DeLuise Bakery come St. Joseph’ s Day. deluisebakery cranston. wordpress. com
1772 In the country’ s first act of major armed rebellion against England, Rhode Islanders board and burn the HMS Gaspee, a British revenue schooner, in Narragansett Bay.
1776 Rhode Island renounces all allegiance to King George III on May 4, two months before signing the Declaration of Independence.
1778 The General Assembly authorizes the 1 st Rhode Island Regiment, the first U. S. regiment of Black and Native American soldiers who were guaranteed freedom after serving.
1778 The Battle of Rhode Island takes place on Aquidneck Island.
1785 Bristol’ s annual Fourth of July Parade kicks off. Today, it remains the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the U. S.
1790 Rhode Island is the last of the thirteen Colonies to sign the Constitution.
1793 Samuel Slater builds the country’ s first water-powered textile mill in Pawtucket, marking the beginning of the American Industrial Revolution.
1805 Pelham Street in Newport is the first gas-lit street in America.
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY’ S NEWCOMERS’ GUIDE l 2025 11