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| Evelyn's Drive-In, Tiverton (photo by Eric) |
Cape Cod and Maine tend to get most of the accolades when it comes to the best New England seafood shacks. Let's not forget, however, about the small state of Rhode Island that comes up big with countless outstanding roadside seafood spots. Here are three examples:
Seafood lovers will certainly not feel underwater when visiting
Evelyn's Drive-in in Tiverton. This plain-looking seafood shack features an amazing Rhode Island clam chowder (with a thinner broth), mouthwatering clam cakes, the unusual lobster chow mein, huge fried seafood platters, lobster rolls and grilled salmon, to name a few. The atmosphere feels like a coffee shop by the water -- nothing fancy and with quick, to-the-point diner-like service. Located on scenic Nanaquacket Pond, Evelyn's also features a very pleasant outdoor patio dining area where the pond has more of a coastal feel than inland. Evelyn's is so good that the Food Network's Guy Fieri featured this tiny seafood shack on his
Diners, Drive-ins and Dives television show! Evelyn’s Drive-In is located at 2335 Main Rd. (Rte. 77). Tel. (401) 624-3100
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| George's of Galilee in Galilee (photo by Eric) |
What better place to feast on seafood than in a live fishing village where seafood is delivered to restaurants right off the boat? That's the scenario in Gaililee, a Narragansett neighborhood. Here, larger seafood shacks like
George's of Gaililee Waterfront Seafood Restaurant and
Champlin's constantly bring in the crowds that love a great shore dinner and amazing views of Block Island Sound (particularly nice at sunset). George's is a little bit more built up and has a restaurant feel, while Champlin's has an undeniable seafood shack atmosphere with you order at the window, can sit at long dining tables and buy from the seafood market on the first floor -- and fish that come in right off the commercial fishing trawlers, and off-shore and in-shore lobster boats. George's and Champlin's both have second story outdoor deck and indoor dining with water views while serving some of the best locally caught lobster around as well as New England dining staples like steamers, chowder, whole belly clams, and fried seafood platters. George's extends a bit beyond Champlin's offering more broiled and grilled seafood dinners, an extensive wine list and sushi, but they can't fool us: this is still a classic NewEngland seafood shack! Ice cream lovers should take note, too, that both restaurants have ice cream stands -- always nice after a seafood dinner! George's and Champlins are located right across from each other, the former at 250 Sand Hill Cove Rd. (Tel: (401-783 2306), and the latter at 256 Great Island Rd. (Tel. (401-783-3152).
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| Champlin's Seafood in Galilee (photo by Eric) |
Do you have a favorite Rhode Island seafood shack. Please comment below!
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