Newport cuisine for the frugal

By: Alaina Gizzo
Posted In: Opinion

Newport is a tourist Mecca, among the towering Gilded Age Mansions, the beautiful seaport, and the energetic night life; it is easy for a tourist to leave Aquidneck Island with a hungry wallet. Somewhere between the narrow, clogged harbor streets, irritating one ways, off schedule trolleys and endless lines to get into mansions, a hungry tourist on the go can get easily frustrated. One less thing to worry about is being willingly pick-pocked by tourist trap restaurants that over charge travelers for mediocre taste, miniature portions, and minimal choices.

If you’re touring around the old harbor town, chances are that you want a taste of traditional New England, but not at such a hefty price. When visiting Newport, travelers would prefer to spend cash on visiting the Breakers and Marble House rather than blowing too much money on feeding the family.

Newport Creamery, located right on Bellevue Avenue, is a family friendly restaurant that easily fits into a traveler’s budget. With 13 locations throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, customers can be assured that they will receive a traditional taste of the region. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and everything in between are served within the diner set up of this restaurant. Customers can choose to sit either in booths or at a “U” shaped counter that allows the waitress to come right up to you.

The Creamery offers senior citizen discounted combos as well as “Small Tykes”- sized ice cream starting at $2.09. The 1/3 pound “Big Beef Burgers” begin at $5.99 and come with a side of your choice, including regular or seasoned fries and onion rings.

Although the Creamery serves an array of sandwiches, soups, wraps, and dinner specials (all available for take-out too), what they are most famous for are their Awful Awfuls which are served in a big white cup with red stripes and lettering that says “Awful Big and Awful Good.” According to Amber Mello, a supervisor of three years at the Creamery, these drinkable delights differ from regular milkshakes because they are made with iced milk, rather than ice cream, and customers choose which flavor shots to add. For example peanut butter and chocolate shots make a “choco-nutter” Awful Awful or coffee shots make a coffee Awful Awful. “Jimmies”, or chocolate sprinkles to those who are unfamiliar with the Rhode Island jargon, can be added to the mix too. “Everyone always said you have to try and Awful Awful,” Mello said, “Even Oprah has mentioned that you have to try one.”

Another alternative location for traditional Ocean State cuisine is Flo’s Clam Shack located on Wave Avenue, technically in Middletown (but so very close to Newport), right across from Easton’s first beach. The restaurant is relatively raw and informal-no reservations and no credit cards, but if you have a debit card with you the restaurant conveniently contains an ATM.

Flo’s features two levels, with a topside raw bar. The top level faces Easton beach and gives customers an ocean view for the price of a burger or hot dog. The décor on both levels is a cluttered mess of white, green, and red buoys with faded black writing on the sides and bright orange life jackets accented by faded fishing nets.

The restaurant represents the true spirit of Rhode Island , as many menu items are spelled phonetically according to the local accent, for example homemade “chowda” and “lobsta” rolls. Menu items include burgers, hot dogs, Greek Salad made by a Greek and Flo’s Fiery Stuffed Quahog from an “Ancient Portuguese recipe”, according to the take-out menu. Seafood platters start at $8.95 and combos, averaging about $5, include fries, coleslaw and either a draft beer or a soda.

Salve Regina University undergrad student, Anna Liang, was surprised after her first visit to Flo’s. “All I’ve got to say is that I’m never going to McDonald’s again,” Liang said, “Because I can spend $5 here and get a better meal.” Liang ordered a combo number two, which is a hamburger, fries, and coleslaw. She commented that the coleslaw had an exceptional ratio of mayo to veggies, which was one of her favorite parts of the meal.

For breakfast or lunch, a quick and cheap alternative is Gary’s Handy Lunch located on lower Thames Street. With a fifties themed diner setting and a bright neon sign hanging over the dining counter that announces the name of the restaurant. “The inside of Gary’s often reminds me of what I think a cute diner from the 50s or 60s would look like,” said Caitlin McQueen, a Salve senior.

Gary’s is another cash-only location that is worth the money. Serving up omelets and pancakes in the morning, afternoon fare consists of sandwiches and such. Meals are usually under $10 with quick service. According to McQueen, the prices are extremely affordable.

Coffee and Breakfast Options:

Who: Ma’s Donuts and More

Where:78 W Main Rd Middletown, RI 02842

Phone: (401) 841-5750

What’s special: Ma’s is open 24 hours and features a selection of pastries, including donuts, muffins, and scones. They also feature sandwich and soup items in addition to specialty coffee drinks and the regular cup of coffee. A medium iced coffee will cost you about $2.

Who: Empire Tea & Coffee

Where: 22 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840

Phone: (401) 619-1388

Website: www.fineloosetea.com

What’s special: Empire is open from 7 am to 10 pm and features free wireless internet for customers. Their specialty drinks include bubble tea, jiggly tea, the native Rhode Island coffee milk and various chai and espresso items. The walls don interesting abstract works of art and customers are able to sit comfortably on couches or at table. Board games and magazines are available for sit-in customers. A small horchata chai (chai flavored with rice and cinnamon) costs about $3.75.

Who: Dunkin Donuts

Where: 7 Memorial Blvd Newport, RI 02840

Phone: (401) 848-7612

What’s special: Sometimes travelers just want something familiar. This Dunkin Donuts location is quaint with little sitting space, but friendly staff. With 99 cent menu items every day, visitors may want to invest in what is recognizable. This store is located right off of Bellevue Ave. and is great for a quick grab-and-go cup of joe.