Submitted by movingtori t3_10m72jt in providence
Babid922 t1_j61e3in wrote
I’ve lived here for 2 years after being in Cambridge, MA. It feels small after living in bigger cities my whole life. The food culture is good for how small it is but it isn’t as good as in bigger cities. Like people say how much better food culture here is better compared to Boston but I disagree. Saying that shows to me they haven’t really lived in Boston and it’s environs or know the abundance of international/ethnic food that flourished in Boston that you can’t find here or is simply so-so in PVD. It’s a transient city, feels like a lot of yuppies and grad students that come here and have no plans to stay. Pricier than you’d think it is. RI is really cute during the summer and I think has everything you need as does PVD in terms of being a small/medium sized city. It’s very segregated and I feel like much less diverse than other cities on the East Coast.
kbd77 t1_j61gdbc wrote
I lived in Boston for 10 years, there are plenty of great restaurants there but I find the general quality here much better.
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j61ze5v wrote
Providence food scene blows Boston out of the water. Not even close.
Unless you love your specific fucking sushi pop style restaurant in the new bland soulless commercial hellscape that is your new loft living building more than the other exact same thing down the street.
Boston used to be cool. Had a chance with the seaport and Cambridge developments. Ruined both.
kbd77 t1_j63bkdw wrote
And your last line is exactly why we left and came back home. Why the fuck would I pay $2500 in rent during a pandemic to have the privilege to pay $25 for a lousy burger at some mid “modern American” restaurant (seriously every other restaurant is this pretentious upscale gastropub bullshit). The two things I miss that I can’t get here are good bagels and Nepalese dumplings (momo).
Toast119 t1_j63f4ho wrote
This is such an insane perspective tbh. Almost no one outside of Providence residents will say this.
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j63pgps wrote
Because populist opinion is always correct?
Unbiased foodies would say Providence gives Boston a run for its money.
Toast119 t1_j63x12k wrote
>Unbiased foodies would say Providence gives Boston a run for its money.
No, they won't lol.
These types of claims are ridiculous to me. Where do you come up with this? Who says this besides people on this subreddit? I've lived here almost 3 years and barely hear Providence natives make these claims.
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j63xjj0 wrote
Sad I have to explain this but apparently I do.
Cities like Providence fly under the radar of most people. How can you get an unbiased opinion of a city or it’s food scene if most people haven’t experienced it? Therefore “a lot of people don’t think that” doesn’t mean jack shit.
But the ones who know, know. And that includes a ton of food writers, celebrity chefs, and critics.
Toast119 t1_j63yya1 wrote
>But the ones who know, know. And that includes a ton of food writers, celebrity chefs, and critics.
I mean I'm asking who actually says this and all you respond with is "it just is and people do." I've never seen anyone say the Providence food scene is on par with the Boston food scene except on this subreddit lol.
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j6455gw wrote
Not sure how to tell you this but “I’ve never seen” isn’t the flex you seem to think it is…
Toast119 t1_j64aj24 wrote
You have an opportunity to link something to back your claims. Otherwise you're just kinda speaking with unbacked authority.
Edit: bro replied then either blocked me or deleted the account? Interesting
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j64b2y0 wrote
Just google Providence food scene, plenty of articles from the globe, NYT, eater, Forbes etc. Travel and Leisure readers voted it the #1 food city in the country 5 or so years ago. I don’t think that’s true, but obviously it has a foodie reputation outside of the state.
lals80 t1_j633db1 wrote
Ok now this is just getting ridiculous….
kbd77 t1_j63bmm4 wrote
I agree, Boston people need to get off their high horses
_LoanRanger_ t1_j62015u wrote
Jesus Christ where are you talking about? The food is horrible. Frozen food section has better options. I’ve had better pizza in Tulsa. Seriously. Have you been across any borders?
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j621jyg wrote
Completely telling on yourself if you think Providence doesn’t have great pizza. Just admitting you know nothing or have truly horrible taste.
_LoanRanger_ t1_j621yu7 wrote
Coming from someone who’s never stepped a foot out of the state.
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j6221ps wrote
I see you’re as unserious as your opinions. Cool have fun with that.
_LoanRanger_ t1_j622dq2 wrote
I’ve had better pizza in Arizona.
Check for yourself. Is providence on the list?
https://news.yahoo.com/50-best-pizzerias-america-ranked-200000183.html
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j622q5c wrote
You cannot be seriously linking a Yahoo article to me.
Look I’m not going to pretend providence gets the recognition it deserves by unserious people linking unserious publications.
My anecdotes are that every single person I’ve brought to Providence, and Al Forno in particular, whether from NYC or Chicago or New Haven, have left reconsidering their most deeply held pizza beliefs about what is and isn’t great pizzas.
If you can’t relate, you haven’t been. Simple as.
And that’s ignoring the other 10 places in RI that give every other 10 places in a different state a run for their money.
_LoanRanger_ t1_j623olk wrote
Got to be a parody account. Someone with ass salad username critiquing on culinary aspects of any city. What a joke. Good laugh though. Thanks
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j623tpd wrote
If someone said “hey this very unserious person with unserious opinions is going to very unseriously attack you ad hominem because they are that unserious” I would have said “oh shit yeah that checks out”
sc00p401 t1_j63fjfk wrote
Not everyone in the city can afford Al Forno every weekend chief. And I am from New Haven.
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j63q0wt wrote
Every weekend lol, you mean once? Once is plenty enough to know you’ve been missing something your whole life. As I said, every out of towner I’ve brought there rethinks their assumptions about what makes good pizza. They still love their NY thin or apizza or deep dish or whatever, but grilled pizza wedges itself at the top with the best of them.
sc00p401 t1_j63f9ey wrote
...or maybe he's tried quite a few of the "good" pizza joints in the city and realized they're actually awful or just passable, like I have?
bpear t1_j630hse wrote
What are you talking about? I've been to 30 different cities and 4 countries. The food scene here is really good. Some amazing restaurants and food producers reside here. Johnson and Wales is a very highly regarded culinary school with many of their chefs staying and influencing the restaurants.
Below are some amazing Providence restaurants: Oberlin, Aguardente, Massimo, Slow Rhode, Chilangos, Los Andes, Slow Rhode, Nick's on Broadway, Broadway Bistro, Gracies, Aleppo Sweets, Jahunger, Bayberry, La Pinata, Rouge Island
We cultivate plenty of awesome local grocery items here too. Check out the new hope and main market.
Have you been to pizza Marvin, nice slice or Annas Vesuviano?
Even the food pop ups are next level here. Hanju kitchen, masa taqueria, trap box, etc
Sounds like you haven't explored Providence enough
sc00p401 t1_j63f070 wrote
The food here in general is great, but I'll agree on the pizza. There are very few places that are above average - Sicilia, Vivaldi's, Providence Coal Fired, and of course the Frank Pepe's location in Warwick are the ones that come to mind. Then again I moved up here from the New Haven area, so my standards are high.
kbd77 t1_j63h3kb wrote
For whatever reason, I just can’t get into Pepe’s. As a native, do you think the other classic NH places (Sally’s, Modern etc) are better? I’ve been to the original Pepe’s twice and came out thinking I had just eaten a burnt saltine cracker with cheese. Just curious if it’s not my cup of tea or if Pepe’s is overrated compared to the others.
PM_ME_ASS_SALAD t1_j670v5l wrote
So you haven’t had Fellini’s, Nice Slice or Al Forno? Pasquale’s in North Kingston? Figured as much after your comments. Not trying to be a dick, just… You really don’t have a worthwhile opinion if you haven’t at least had grilled pizza at Al Forno.
hobomom t1_j61epo4 wrote
After living in the NYC area most of my life I think the food here is good for a smaller city, but doesn't really impress me. I know I'm very spoiled.
_LoanRanger_ t1_j6207rl wrote
For anyone that’s eaten anywhere else it’s obvious the food is horrible
Toast119 t1_j63fh40 wrote
I wouldn't say horrible. The food in Providence is great for how small the city is. But it's also just that.. small. Any moderately sized city is going to beat it just due to pull alone.
[deleted] t1_j61g5tr wrote
Boston? As in the Massachusetts capital where a great night out is eating at the Pru food court? And the segregated transit system?
Babid922 t1_j61h4w3 wrote
Do you realize that only tourists and people in Southie eat at the Pru? I’m talking about the abundance of fresh and delicious Latinx food from East Boston to Somerville. GOOD Korean food in Union Sq and Allston. Thai food that is delicious and can be Nothern or Southern Thai depending on your preference. Good Spanish food. The difference is huge. Also, you think RIPTA’s structures aren’t also enmeshed with segregation? The lack of critical thinking about Rhode Island’s issues is so odd to me. 70% of RIPTA stops don’t even have awnings for people because towns like Warren and Bristol don’t care about people taking public transport. Learn introspection.
Objective_Hall9316 t1_j61i81a wrote
Cambridge can’t compete with PVD on pizza.
FrutaFertil t1_j6380vb wrote
Area Four is on the level, wood fired pizza and hipster appeal. Providence has a lotttttt of pizza but honestly not many that I crave…
[deleted] t1_j61hicz wrote
Plenty of good Latino and Thai food in Providence as well. I have not had good Korean here, but the same goes for Boston as well.
Most Boston food is “meh” at best and only impressive if you’ve never had the real article. Most food critics recognize that Boston doesn’t really have much of a culinary scene. Even places like Miami and Atlanta crush it in that regard.
And I’ve had plenty of “good nights at the Pru” with actual Bostonians. Legal Seafoods, oooooh. Or if you really want to get fancy, Eataly! 🤣
I won’t even mention all the locals lamenting the closure of Top of the Hub. Yikes!
Dopey-NipNips t1_j62yhsu wrote
You been to sura in Johnston?
[deleted] t1_j63qmy1 wrote
I have not. Will have to try it (my Korean palate is picky after years in Seoul.) For the referral, I say samida!
rolotech t1_j63o1yv wrote
Do you have good Thai food recommendations in Providence? Because what I have tried so far is not it. I'm surprised about Korean food tho, Providence has so many good places. But maybe it is my taste since I prefer the mild Korean food which I know is not the norm
[deleted] t1_j63ozs8 wrote
Apsara and Apsara Palace are both pretty good choices.
I’ve never had good Korean anywhere east of the Mississippi, but I lived in Seoul for a couple years back before the Great Recession, so am picky. Gotta go to LA or SF for the good stuff.
FrutaFertil t1_j625lnk wrote
OMG the Korean restaurants in Allston are the TITS
[deleted] t1_j63qg3h wrote
I’ll see your Warren and Bristol, and raise you a Red Line that artificially creates and maintains two “branches” based on race.
And let’s not pretend that Wellesley, Weston or Scituate are bastions of racial equality, while we are cherry-picking affluent suburbs.
shitpresidente t1_j666w4u wrote
Bleh no!!!! Boston/Cambridge is cool, but providence is soooo much better. Geez. Where have you been that you think this 😂
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