21-02-2025
DOJ attorney arguing Trump funding freeze had dinner in Providence. Here's our suggestions
One lighthearted exchange in the midst of Friday's federal court hearing regarding the president's funding freeze got us thinking.
When welcoming Department of Justice attorney Daniel Schwei, who was representing the government's interest in the case, to begin his arguments, Judge John J. McConnell asked him if he visited any local restaurants, no doubt invoking Providence's reputation as a foodie city.
Schwei replied that he ate a burger at Providence G Pub, located at 61 Orange St. a short walk from the courthouse. "We have better," McConnell quipped.
Providence G Pub is a fun place, with a gastro-pub-style menu, arcade games, shuffleboard, billiards and 17 wide-screen TVs.
But Providence has a lot to offer. Arguments wrapped up at about 3:15 p.m. but perhaps Mr. Schwei will be back to give one of these restaurants a try, maybe even to celebrate, as he noted in response to McConnell's comment.
In January, Eater's guide of Where to Eat 2025 features just 18 cities across the world − and Providence was one.
"Despite Providence's miniscule footprint, you'll find it tough to cover all the city's great meals," Eater wrote in the story published Jan. 7. The article cited upstarts to try including "the juicy burger from There, There; the signature bowl of chewy, tingly noodles from Subat Dilmurat's Uyghur restaurant Jahunger; and the pizza from Robert Andreozzi's much-talked-about Pizza Marvin."
It also named chef Eric Brown's cafe Frank & Laurie's, opened with wife Sarah Watts, "serving generous slices of custardy quiche and charred pancakes dripping with maple syrup."
"You'll also find happy customers at 45-year-old rustic Italian restaurant Al Forno (the birthplace of grilled pizza), fancy-night-out stalwart Persimmon, and Mexican favorite Dolores," she wrote.
And if Mr. Schwei just wanted to stick with a burger, here are some of Rhode Island's best.
LoveFood named the "Crunch Burger" at the Harry's Bar and Burger in Providence as the best cheeseburger in the Ocean State. LoveFood, a website that provides restaurant recommendations as well as recipes, found and ranked the best cheeseburgers in all 50 states of the country from all kinds of places, from fine-dining restaurants to mom-and-pop burger shops.
"To make a Crunch Burger, take a Harry's Classic Cheese – a potato roll packed with a freshly ground beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, pickles, and special sauce – and add fried onion strings," LoveFood said.
When the Providence Journal asked readers in an unscientific poll for their favorite burger spot, Chomp, with locations in Warren and Providence (and one to come in Newport), came out on top.
Unpretentious but incredibly delicious, Chomp Kitchen and Drinks has been a go-to spot for burgers since they opened their first location in Warren in 2013. Burgers are one of their specialties, and as you can tell from the reader support, there's a good reason. If you want to keep it simple, order their house burger, but if you're feeling more adventurous, consider something like their New Bulgogi Beef topped with shaved bulgogi ribeye, party sauce, spicy sweet chili Doritos and soy scallion chimichurri.
Providence Journal food and dining editor Gail Ciampa offers up the previously mentioned There, There as one of her favorite meals in 2024.
"In a small, unassuming space at 471 West Fountain St., you may well have the best burger in Rhode Island. There, There is Brandon Teachout's first restaurant, with delicious burgers and coffee milk. Sounds like a winning combo, doesn't it?" Gail wrote at the end of the year.
She recommended the Dream Burger, which is served up with double patties (smashed style), crisp shredded lettuce and a nice little sauce on a soft, heavily seeded roll that doesn't fall apart. "It is a delicious blend of comfort that is crazy delicious."
To make it a meal, Gail suggests combining it with coffee milk and steak fries.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence restaurants: Where the DOJ's Daniel Schwei should have eaten
