SOUTH AMERICAN-INSPIRED
FOR MEXICAN: Okay, fine, we’re not Texas, but our tiny state does have a
great deal more to offer than Taco Bell! Check out any one of these Provi-
dence locales: Xaco Taco for tacos (duh), Tallulah’s Taqueria for a bur-
rito bowl, El Rancho Grande for enchiladas or Dolores for tamales. Or,
Diego’s Barrio Cantina in Middletown has to-die-for “platos,” like the chili
rellenos (grilled corn, black beans, picadillo, Baja cheese, tomato sauce
and Spanish rice).
The aptly named La Arepa
specializes in arepas,
which are delicious
Venezuelan corn cakes.
FOR DOMINICAN: Right in the heart of Providence lurks some of the best
Dominican food that you’ll ever get your hands on without setting foot in
the Republic yourself. The food truck known as the Sazon Bandit, or El
Bandito Sazon, delivers a superb pork tostada sandwich with extra secret
sauce and yucca (a cross between fried dough and French fries) while
the cash-only La Gran Parada lets you load your plate with chicharron
de cerdo (crisp fried pork belly), oxtail stew, blood sausage and more.
FOR PERUVIAN / BOLIVIAN: Dive into Providence-based Los Andes’
lechon al horno, a pork shoulder dish complete with rice, veggies, plan-
tains and more (just don’t forget to ask the waiter to bring over some
extra marinade!).
FOR VENEZUELAN: You can’t dine at La Arepa in Pawtucket without
trying a mouthwatering arepa (a.k.a. traditional Venezuelan corn
cakes). Similar in construct to a burrito, each is served with your
choice of meat (like stewed shredded beef, pulled pork or grilled
chicken breast) Spanish cheese, avocado and salad.
EUROPEAN-INSPIRED
FOR GERMAN: At Chez Pascal’s Wurst Kitchen in Providence, the wurst
is certainly the best. Its selection of house-made sausages will have you
saying “wunderbar” for the rest of the day. Meanwhile, the Charlestown
Rathskeller makes a mean pork schnitzel.
FOR ITALIAN
Federal Hill
FOR GREEK: We may not have the picturesque white buildings with blue
roofs, but we do have the eats. Gather your friend group and head to
Kleos in Providence to split the Kleos Meze (a platter of spanakopita,
stuffed grape leaves, grilled sausage, keftedes, Tzatziki and hand-cut
Greek fries) or bring a date to Andreas in Providence for a traditional
grilled octopus plate. Then, finish up with Yoleni’s in Providence for an
order of authentic homemade Greek yogurt.
FOR PORTUGUESE: O Dinis Restaurant in East Providence offers
appetizers like camarao alhinho (sauteéd shrimp in a butter, garlic and
lemon sauce) and a list of primarily meat-based entrees (i.e. bife a casa
a.k.a. pan-seared steak in a beer and garlic sauce) while Sagres
Restaurant in Fall River, Massachusetts, boasts a delectable bife a Luis
(grilled sirloin steak finished with garlic, pepper and white wine) along
with some unmatched soups.
FOR FRENCH: Chez Pascal in Providence specializes in local, sea-
sonal ingredients made in the French tradition, so you can expect
everything from artisan cheese boards to roasted duck confit to French
custards. Otherwise, visit Pot au Feu in Providence for specialties like
escargots a la bourguignonne and bouillabaisse Marseilles; Le Central
in Bristol for coq au vin (organic chicken braised in red wine); or
Bouchard Restaurant in Newport for homard et St. Jacques cardinal
gratinés (re-stuffed roasted lobster and scallops with truffle, Gruyere
cheese and lobster sauce).
With so many Italians calling Rhode Island home, Italian
eateries can be found on every corner. Still, there’s a reason
why Providence’s Federal Hill, in particular, is nicknamed
“Little Italy.” Take a stroll through this iconic area and mangia
all night long at any one of these delizioso ristorantes.
MASSIMO
TRY: the spaghettoni alla carbonara.
ANGELO’S CIVITA FARNESE
TRY: the hand-cut beef braciola over egg noodle pasta.
CAMILLE’S RESTAURANT
TRY: the gnocchi alla vodka.
SIENA RESTAURANT
TRY: the Firenze signature tasting board.
ANDINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
TRY: the chicken saltimbocca.
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YOUR ULTIMATE SUMMER GUIDE 2020 25