Epic Food & Where to Eat It
Thursday, August 11, 2011
In honor of the airing of Adam Richman's "Man vs Food Nation" last night, we combed the state to find some more of the biggest and best super-sized dishes Little Rhody has to offer. We came back with full bellies and 5 great ways to super-size in the Ocean State.
Top of Newport, Newport
The Hotel Viking's trendy rooftop bar is the last place you might expect to find the state's biggest hotdog. But here it is -- all 18 inches and one pound of it--three times the size of a regular wiener. Executive Chef Kevin Thiele found these delightfully large and tasty all-beef gourmet dogs in Boston. They grill them simply and serve them on a super-sized torpedo roll with fixings on the side. You won't need much, though, as these big fellas are a juicy, flavorful close cousin to a sausage. It will likely take at least two of you to finish it--while some folks can handle it by themselves, the Viking's food and beverage director, Federico Luzzi, says most people share. "And the first thing they do when its brought to the table is hold it up to their heads and have a picture taken," he says. 1 Bellevue Ave, 847-3300, www.hotelviking.com
Pier Pizza, Wakefield
Not only does Pier serve some of the tastiest pizza in South County, it also serves the biggest. The Big Rhody is made with fresh dough (made in-house every day) and stretched to a whopping 28-inches in diameter. This $30 pie (it could cost more depending on the toppings you choose) is covered with whatever your heart desires and cut into 16 slices or 36 squares (Pier says it feeds up to 15, but pizza this tasty goes fast). Eight
kinds of sauce, seven varieties of cheese, and endless meats and veggies lead to a ba-jillion (we did the math) possible combinations. We usually go for something classic like mozzarella and pepperoni, or pesto, chicken and onions. The 600-plus degree brick oven here makes the crust crispy and chewy and keeps it thin, in true Brooklyn pizza style. 328 Main St, 788-8181, www.pierpizza.comGET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
Ten Prime Steak and Sushi, Providence
Craving a steak? You certainly must be if you order the 40-ounce Porterhouse at Ten. This steak is a combination of two popular cuts -- a New York Strip and a tenderloin, connected by a t-bone. They will cook it to your liking (and really, for the best flavor, you should never order a steak cooked past medium) and serve it with some of their popular sides (asparagus, gorgonzola tater tots, and the like) should you really feel brave. You'll be the popular one if you finish this two-and-a-half-pound behemoth, as Ten will engrave your name on a plaque they keep by the front door of the few dozen folks who've had the caveman-like appetite to accomplish the task. 55 Pine St, 453-2333, www.tenprimesteakandsushi.com
Wes' Rib House, Providence
Ah, Wes'. We've spent many a night at this classic Providence establishment, tucked back into the mill-lined streets of Olneyville. But for as many times as we've ordered some Missouri-style baby backs or chicken or chopped barbecued pork, we've never had the cohones to even consider the bushel. Forty--count 'em, forty -- ribs arrive slathered in Wes' signature thick, sweet, smoky barbecue sauce. This Fred Flintstone-sized portion will yield two to three pounds of tender pork--enough for you and several of your hombres…or, hey, one very hungry dude. Don’t forget the cole slaw, beans and that oh-so-moist cornbread to go alongside. What do you get as a reward for consuming all this tastiness? A trophy? Nah, just the satisfaction of knowing you took on Providence’s iconic rib house…and won. 38 Dike St, 421-9090, www.wesribhouse.com
Newport Creamery, multiple locations
We had to close with dessert, and we wanted a true, old-school Rhode Island experience.
And what better way to celebrate Rhode Island than with Newport Creamery’s Holy Cow Sundae. It’s bordering on irresponsible to put TEN scoops of ice cream on a sundae but we won’t tell! Add to that, 4 toppings (like M&M’s, hot fudge, whipped cream and jimmies) banana wheels and walnuts and you have a dessert of epic proportions. The great thing about Newport Creamery is that the flavors of your youth are here in all their glory…maple walnut, strawberry, chocolate chip. We love the crazy, cutting-edge flavors of today, but sometimes eating ice cream is about feeling like a kid for a little while and the flavors at the creamery take us back to sitting at the counter with our Grandparents. Although this certainly isn’t your Grandmas sundae! www.newportcreamery.com
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