Rhode Island’s Best Late-Night Food Spots
Thursday, September 05, 2013
For a state as small as ours, we have a large and impressive collection of universities and colleges. Every fall they fill with new--and returning--students who burn the midnight oil in pursuit of their higher education. These poor kids need late night sustenance! We set out to find--or revisit--some of Rhode Island's favorite late night spots for belly-filling food and a little Old-School Rhode Island education.
New York System, Providence
It is a little odd that one of our classic Rhode Island foods is called "New York" System, right? Well, everyone from visiting celebrity chefs to locals alike have opined about their odd deliciousness. The hot wiener, with a warm, steamed bun wrapped around around a pork and veal dog, is our late night favorite. They're topped with chopped onions, yellow mustard, celery salt and--of course--the meat sauce. The sauce is stuff of legends, and the recipe for it more closely guarded than CIA reports! It's spicy and rich and provides the perfect moisture to the snap of the dog. Please heed our warning however...do not leave the remains in your car overnight! The detailing bills will kill the rest of your budget. 20 Plainfield St. 621-9500, www.olneyvillenewyorksystem.com
Wes' Rib House, Providence
It's Saturday night at around 3:15 and you've got a hankering for some BBQ? We've got you covered 'till 4. Welcome to Wes' Rib House. Even on Sunday, they're open 'till 2 am serving some pretty good BBQ. It's classic Missouri style with a sweet and tomato-ey sauce highlighting the smoky flavor. They've been cranking BBQ out of this pit for almost 30 years now and they've got it down. Try the smoked pig platter which features meat from the whole hog slow roasted until it's nice and tender. After a night of checking out some of the city's nightlife, this really hits the spot. It's almost as if the food improves the later it gets. 38 Dike St. 421-9090, www.wesribhouse.com
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Ocean Mist, Matunuck
After you've checked into your new digs for the year. After you've met the neighbors. After you've gotten the lay of the land. You need to eat and, of course, and now it's late. Where in South Kingston can you head for freshly made, really tasty food when the hour gets late? For more years than we care to admit, the Ocean Mist has been that place. When we were in dire straights cash-wise the Mist's "special" nights helped keep us fed. Sunday night is Burger Night with $3 burgers and fries. Monday is Taco Night with baskets of tacos--pretty damn good ones--going for $3.50. Wednesday night is Wing Night, featuring $3 baskets of wings in your choice of 12 sauces. Makes for a pretty affordable and tasty weekly food budget!. 895 Matunuck Beach Rd. 782-3740, www.oceanmist.net
Pour Judgement, Newport
Broadway, in Newport has been going through a culinary renaissance. A changing of several spots into new or different destinations for food and drink is definitely welcomed. Also welcomed? The lack of change at 32 Broadway, because that's home to one of our favorite bars in all of Rhode Island: Pour Judgement. It is the perfect combo of beer bar and food spot. The first night we ever ventured in, they had gnocchi with truffle oil and Parmesan and lobster nori alongside burgers on the menu. Everything was delicious... but do check out the burgers. Fresh--never frozen--burgers are served with hand-cut fries that pass our "fry test". They offer a regular "Beer and Burger" special featuring one of the distinctive craft beers they serve. 32 Broadway, 619-2115, www.pourjudgement.com
The Seaplane Diner, Providence
We Rhode Islanders take great pride in our diners. Down by the waterfront, in Providence, there is one heck of a diner. The first diner was created here in 1872 to feed the employees of the Providence Journal. Since then we have had a myriad of options when it comes to the diner. One of our favorites is located near J+W's Harborside campus and serves classic diner food: hot, big and it sticks to your ribs The Seaplane's late-night menu is perfect for a group of friends. They offer breakfast and dinner classics together. You want meatloaf and she wants french toast? No worries. They have you covered...with gravy or syrup. 307 Allen's Ave. 941-9547
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