Rhode Island Monthly January 2020 | Page 52

WHO’S GOT THE BEST CLAM SHACK? You can get your clam cakes and chowder fix at dozens of places, but which of these two classics takes the cake? EAST BAY’S BLOUNT CLAM SHACK VS. WEST BAY’S IGGY’S DOUGHBOYS AND CHOWDER HOUSE Blount Clam Shack Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House Advantage How many locations? Two seasonal; Warren and Riverside. Iggy’s; the craving lingers after summer fades. Two year-round; Oakland Beach and Narragansett. Just want clam cakes The lengthy line moves How long’s the wait? and chowder? Use the quickly. express trailer. Soup for you? Serves white and red Famous for red chowder, they clam chowder. also serve white and clear. What’s for dessert? Crickets... The multi-zillion-calorie doughboy sundae. Blount for its expedited system. Blount; primarily a soup company and the region’s largest clam chowder maker. Iggy’s: Bring on the doughboy hangover. W I N N E R : I G G Y ’ S , W E S T B AY. IT’S EARNED ITS CLAM TO FAME . —J.C. WHO’S HAS THE WORST TRAFFIC ? Traffic is a beast everywhere (hello Route 10), but when it comes to Route 95 through the West Bay versus Route 195 from East Providence to Seekonk, both stretches are awful. Endless construction, exits that seem to randomly close then reopen, cars weaving in and out. Bottom line, comparing average daily traffic on these two highways is pretty much like driving in it: fraught with frustration. EAST BAY: AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC ON I-195 180,000 160,000 100,000 80,000 So. Water St. Electronic Rt. 114 message sign Massachusetts line WEST BAY: AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC ON I-95 170,000 140,000 90,000 70,000 Jefferson Blvd. Park Ave. Elmwood Ave. West Warwick W I N N E R (IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT): E A S T B AY. BY A HAIR. SELF-DRIVING CARS CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH. —S.F. 50    RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2020