What RI restaurants have been on 'Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives'? See the list
Since beginning "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" in 2006 as a one-off and then later as a television series in 2007, Fieri has been to so many restaurants through the more than 40 seasons of Triple D, it's hard to keep count.
So hard to keep count in fact that figures differ online from almost 1,500 to over 1,600, but what is certain is that he has been to all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C.
Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar
About: Fieri first visited Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar in Season 8, Episode 3, "Stacked, Stuffed and Loaded," and, according to the Food Network, he "marveled at the menu featuring more than 30 burgers, including the roasted tempeh Poco Loco Vegan Burger or the Mahi Mahi Taco Burger."
Crazy Burger Café and Juice Bar has been a popular destination at 144 Boon St., Narragansett, since 1995.
Crazy Burger, a longtime local favorite, and got some national attention when it made Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service, which some said made for cringe comedy.
Evelyn's Drive In
About: Evelyn's Drive-In has made a name since 1969 as a popular seaside tourist destination in the summer months. Known for its classic dishes: lobster rolls, New England and Rhode Island-style chowders, clam cakes, crab cakes, Evelyn's lobster chow mein rocked Fieri's world. "As wrong as it is, it's right," he joked on the show.
Dining with a view: Evelyn’s Drive-In is set on picturesque Nannaquaket Pond in Tiverton.
Aunt Carrie's
On the episode, Fieri said he'd been coming to Aunt Carrie's, a Rhode Island "legend," when he visits his in-laws, and on the show, he learns from owner Elsie Foy how to make clam cakes (in what he described as a "cement mixer"). Aunt Carrie's has been serving clam cakes and more for over 100 years. In fact, it's a James Beard Foundation America's Classics winner for offering a taste of its place.
Aunt Carrie's has something most clam shacks do not: a dining room.
Louis Family Restaurant
About: According to Fieri, Louis Family Restaurant gets "16 tickets to Flavortown" for its BBQ Chicken & Cheese Ravioli, which is made from scratch with 16 ingredients. You'll get big portions of really delicious food, from the meatloaf dinner or lasagna to the grilled pumpkin muffins.
Louis Family Restaurant is an iconic breakfast and lunch spot on Brook Street, serving students of Brown University, and the neighborhood.
Edgewood Cafe (CLOSED)
Where: 1864 Broad St. in Cranston, Rhode Island
About: Fieri visited Edgewood Cafe in his "Pubs & Grubs" episode. Located in the historic Edgewood section of Cranston, the BYOB spot is owned and operated by Chef John Walsh, a Johnson & Wales alum. Fieri particularly enjoyed the littlenecks over pasta.
Update: Unfortunately, Edgewood Cafe announced their closure in October of 2024. There is now a new restaurant at the same address called Ming's Asian Street Food. Edgewood Cafe's Facebook page wished Ming's well.
Anthony's Seafood
About: Anthony's Seafood was featured on Season 15, Episode 8, "Burgers, Noodles and Quahogs." As the title suggests, he got to try a stuffed quahog, but he also loved the more unique Kung Pao Calamari.
Anthony's Seafood in Middletown serves up nearly a half-pound of hand-picked meat with a little peppered mayonnaise and chopped celery. A leaf of lettuce placed between the bun and the lobster helps prevent sogginess.
Italian Corner
About: This Italian market and deli was featured on the "Handcrafted" episode. Owner Massimo Dell'Olio showed Fieri how he makes the Brasato Sandwich, which was likened to an Italian roast beef sandwich. Fieri lamented the fact that his late father-in-law, who liked to travel around Rhode Island with Fieri trying out different Italian delis, could not be there to try it. Fieri also got to see how Dell'Olio makes tortellini.
Update: Italian Corner posted in 2023 that it was ending its Saturday night sitdown dinner service to focus on the deli and catering business.
You can pick up all you need to whip up a delicious dinner like this at The Italian Corner in East Providence.
Angelo's Civita Farnese
About: Angelo’s Civita Farnese Restaurant, was featured in the "East Coast Comfort" episode, in which Fieri enjoyed the braciola – thinly sliced beef rolled and wrapped around spices – and the meatballs and fries smothered in marinara sauce. Angelo's features large booths and Italian classics – a "people pleasing menu," according to Providence Journal food editor Gail Ciampa, who counts Angelo's among Rhode Island's best Italian restaurants.
Angelo's Civita Farnese serves up calamari in its family business on Federal Hill in Providence.
Mediterraneo Caffe (CLOSED)
Where: 134 Atwells Ave. in Providence, Rhode Island
About: Fieri left Angelo's and headed across the street to Mediterraneo Caffe, where he tried spaghetti a la vongole, little neck and baby neck clams sauteed in white wine and served with white sauce, and another Italian classic, chicken piccata. Fun fact: Even Steven Spielberg has visited this Federal Hill restaurant. Former Mayor Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci Jr. had a regular table at the Atwells Avenue restaurant.
Fieri visited Mediterraneo on Atwells Avenue in 2012, but the restaurant closed in 2015.
Liberty Elm Diner (CLOSED)
Where: 777 Elmwood Ave. in Providence, Rhode Island
About: Fieri visited this now-shuttered diner in Season 8, Episode 8, "Comfort Classics," and enjoyed some Ocean State classics, johnnycakes and coffee milk.
Providence Journal staff contributed to the reporting of this story.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What RI restaurants have been on 'Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives'? See the list
