A swell blog called Small Bites (“spices and stories from local eateries in the smallest state”) alerted us to the Stanleyburger, a crisp-edged patty customarily grilled with onions and served with pickle chips. While bigger than slider-sized, Stanleyburgers are small enough that we highly recommend a double or two, preferably with cheese, maybe also with mushrooms, bacon, and tomato.
French fries are crisp and flavorful, available plain, topped with cheese or chili or Quebec-style, here meaning smothered with mozzarella shreds and dark gravy, a version of poutine.
Stanley’s offers milk shakes, including the Rhode Island preference, coffee shakes, as well as the official state drink, coffee milk; and it has a beer and wine license, too. For dessert, the local favorite is Grape-Nuts pudding.
When it opened in the Blackstone Valley during the Great Depression, Stanley’s was all about inexpensive burgers. It still is, but today’s menu also includes fried seafood, an assortment of sandwiches, and even a summer-Fridays-only lobster salad roll.
Sunday | CLOSED |
Monday | 11am - 8pm |
Tuesday | 11am - 8pm |
Wednesday | 11am - 8pm |
Thursday | 11am - 8pm |
Friday | 11am - 9pm |
Saturday | 11am - 9pm |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Lyndell’s Bakery
Somerville, MassachusettsLyndell’s of Somerville, Massachusetts is one of America’s oldest bakeries, known for dense buttercream frosting and soft sponge cakes.
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Kitchen Little
Stonington, ConnecticutOmelets are stupendous at this shoreline restaurant, but don’t slight lunch: fine burgers, world-class fried clams, and Southern New England Style clam chowder.
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Mike’s Kitchen
Cranston, Rhode IslandInconspicuously located in a VFW hall, Mike’s Kitchen is a great seafood restaurant with a Rhode Island / Italian accent.
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Evelyn’s Drive-In
Tiverton, Rhode IslandEvelyn’s is a Rhode Island drive-in with a full Yankee shoreline menu of fried clams, clam cakes, and chowder, plus the local oddity, a chow mein sandwich.
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Nick’s Famous Roast Beef
Beverly, MassachusettsA well-stacked pile of soft pink roast beef inside a giant rectangular roll studded with onion has made Nick’s a north-of-Boston legend.
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Harry’s Place
Colchester, ConnecticutHamburgers at Harry’s are overwhelmingly juicy. Hot dogs are plump and tasty, too, especially satisfying when bedded with a serving of spicy chili sauce.