Newport Food Scene: It's easy to miss Aquidneck Meat & Provisions, but worth stopping in
When you live on an island, you're limited in how many roads you can take.
Sure, if you have the time, you can drive all the side roads and explore as much as you want. But if you actually have to get anywhere, you're compelled to travel the same roads each time. And when our daily routines keep us on the same roadways, we tend to lose sight of what we’re driving past.
The scenery fades into the background and all those stores and shops we are motoring by become indistinct. Here’s a gentle reminder to keep your eyes open on your commute — you could be driving by some treasures.
Take, for instance, Aquidneck Meat & Provisions. I drive past that building all the time on my routine treks down Aquidneck Avenue and, because I’m lost in other thoughts, I don’t stop in. I need to stop doing that. Every time I pass them by, I’m only depriving myself of a potential great meal.
If you are looking for a place to get great steaks to prepare at home, stop into Aquidneck Meat. From ribeyes and tenderloins to Porterhouse steaks and beef shanks, they have it all. Their display cases are full and neatly organized and, as you walk down the aisle, you can soak in all the tasty options.
You see their bacon-wrapped filets and you start to visualize what they’ll look like sizzling on your home grill. You see their flank steaks and you start creating the perfect marinade in your head. You see their handcrafted burger patties and you're inspired to change your menu for the tailgate party.
But Aquidneck Meat & Provisions isn't just meat. They have plenty of fresh poultry, too — all trimmed and ready for whatever you are preparing at home. They have whole chickens for roasting along with expertly trimmed breasts, thighs and wings.
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Plus, they offer her fowl, too, like duck and turkey. Feeling adventurous? Ask them for some quail or squab. If you're more of a pork fan, they offer thick-slab bacon and fresh-made sausages as well as pork chops, roasts and tenderloins.
Whatever you are planning for dinner, you can get it here.
Don’t feel like cooking? Aquidneck Meat & Provisions has a great selection of prepared items ready to take home and heat up. Your dinner guests will be none the wiser, while you take all the credit. You can’t go wrong with the Lasagna while the Mac & Cheese can be the star of any menu.
And you can't forget the charcuterie! From incredible cheeses, meats and sausages to specialty crackers, imported olives and more. It’s the only place you need to shop before entertaining.
Are you looking for lunch? The sandwich menu at Aquidneck Meat is perfect for lunch on the go, or for when you're packing a lunch for the beach or boat. The classic Italian sub with fresh cut meats is always a winner, but you can rely on their chicken cutlet sandwiches, too. The tuna and chicken salads are standouts as well.
They make their sandwiches fresh to order on grilled Pain D’Avignon sourdough bread — that’s a recipe for some good eating. Don’t forget to grab an ice cold beverage from their drink cooler, and pick up some Tate's Bake Shop Cookies to appease that after-lunch sweet tooth.
While it’s not a huge space, Aquidneck Meat & Provisions is well stocked and curated. If you can pull your eyes away from all the tasty morsels inside the glass butcher cases, peek around at all the various sundries and delights that fill the shelves.
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There’s a small collection of fresh-from-the-farm produce. There are fresh breads and crackers, unusual jams and spreads and more — each an inspiration for your next great at home meal. If you keep looking, you’ll find some unusual imported sweets.
And don’t miss out peeking inside their freezer for additional specialty items. They have a little bit of everything. I don’t think I’ve ever left the store without picking up at least one other item that caught my attention (and it was worth it).
The best reason to stop in are the people behind the cases. Friendly and knowledgeable, they are there to answer all your questions. There’s something satisfying about buying a good steak from someone who is just as excited to see you enjoy it as you are.
The staff is quick to help and happy to answer your questions. You pick out what you want and they wrap it up in butcher paper for you like it’s their present to you. It’s nice to buy meat that’s not wrapped in plastic wrap on a styrofoam tray. The personal touches at Aquidneck Meat & Provisions make the difference.
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We sometimes fall into routines where we just go through the motions. We zip by so many interesting places on our way to be somewhere we forget to stop and look around. Making a quick unplanned stop on your daily journey can help you find (or rediscover) some great treasures. Aquidneck Meat & Provisions is one of those treasures.
A great dinner after a great shopping experience makes you feel glad you made the stop. So put your daily commute to good use. Make the stop — you just may turn into something delicious. Just use your blinker.
Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality related. His column appears on newportri.com and Thursdays in The Daily News. Cheers!
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Aquidneck Meat & Provisions, Middletown RI, more than a butcher
