USA TODAY 10Best
Shayna's Place wins Best Grinder in Rhode Island award
Best Grinder in Rhode Island (2017)
What might be known as a sub, hoagie or po'boy in other parts of the country is known as a grinder in New England, particularly in Rhode Island, where Italian delis around the state serve their own variations of the classic. According to one story, the word "grinder" came from a slang term for Italian-American shipyard workers whose job it was to grind rivets off warships. Another story credits the name to the hard rolls one used that diners would have to grind their teeth into. The traditional Italian grinder comes with layers of Italian deli meats, cheese, veggies and a vinaigrette, but there are as many variations on the grinder as there are delis serving it.
10Best and Sandwich America set out to find the best grinder in the state, and to do so, 10Best editors joined forces with local Rhode Island food writers and The Food Channel to nominate 20 worthy restaurants across the state. For the past four weeks, 10Best and USA TODAY readers have been voting for their favorites, and the results are in!
The top 10 winners in the category Best Grinder in Rhode Island are as follows:
- Dee's Deli - Cranston
- Goglia Market - Bristol
- Rosemary & Thyme - Newport
- Sandwich Junction - Warwick
- Ocean State Sandwich Company - Providence
- Tomaselli's at Rosario - Providence
- Riccotti's Submarine Sandwiches - North Providence
- Italian Corner - East Providence
- Venda Ravioli - Providence
- Shayna's Place - Wickford
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 10:
Head to Dee's Deli in Cranston around lunchtime, and you might find a line of hungry diners around the block waiting to sink their teeth into an awesome grinder made from fresh ingredients and delicious bread. A favorite among regulars is a classic Italian on a hard roll with a bit of rabe on top.
Photo courtesy of Paula Silva / Rhode Island Red Food Tours
No. 9:
The massive grinders from Goglia Market in Bristol represent excellent value for money. Order the Italian grinder with "the works" to get it with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, sweet and hot peppers, oil and vinegar.
Photo courtesy of Rosemary & Thyme
No. 8:
One of the most popular sandwich options at Rosemary & Thyme in Newport is the Jambon Sandwich, a grinder made with Black Forest ham, herbed goat cheese spread, gruyere, house pickles, hard boiled egg, shaved red onion and romaine lettuce on an artisan baguette — a modern twist on an old classic.
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 7:
Diners will find more than 24 different sandwiches on the menu at Sandwich Junction in Warwick, including the Tutto Italiano with prosciutto, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato and balsamic vinaigrette, and the Freight Car Combo with salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone, tomato, onion, pickle, oil and oregano.
Photo courtesy of Ocean State Sandwich Company
No. 6:
The Ultimate Grinder is a best seller at Ocean State Sandwich Company in Providence. This huge sandwich comes with layers of Genoa salami, hot capicola, soppresatta and locally made mortadella, as well as sharp provolone, red onion, tomato, lettuce, seasoned oil and vinegar, and a house-made sun dried tomato and banana pepper relish on a Buono's Bakery sub roll.
Photo courtesy of Tomaselli's at Rosario
No. 5:
Photo courtesy of Thinkstock
No. 4:
This cash-only sandwich shop in North Providence is famous for its Deluxe Italian grinder, which comes overstuffed with Italian meat, cheese, veggies and a hot pepper relish on top-quality bread.
Photo courtesy of Italian Corner
No. 3:
Photo courtesy of Venda Ravioli
No. 2:
Venda Ravioli, one of the best gourmet Italian stores in New England, is a popular spot for a grinder while picking up some fresh pasta or ravioli to go.
Photo courtesy of Shayna's Place
No. 1:
The classic Italian grinder at Shayna's Place in Wickford is called the Vinny's Kitchen, named after Shayna's grandmother, Vincenzia Olerio. This traditional sandwich is made with salami, prosciutto and capicola layered on a ciabatta roll with Shayna's house balsamic vinaigrette, provolone, tomatoes, red onion and banana peppers.
Congratulations to these winning delis and sandwich shops!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
David Dadekian
Dadekian has been called “RI’s unofficial Food... Read More
Dadekian has been called “RI’s unofficial Food Laureate” by the Providence Phoenix, “mastermind of the food news website and event-organizing operation, Eat Drink RI, who seems to know every chef, restaurant, farm stand, and manufactured food product within state lines.” Dadekian created Eat Drink RI in 2010 and over the past four years eatdrinkri.com has grown to be the top media outlet in the region for all things local food. The company now produces and promotes several all-local food and drink events, including an annual 4-day Festival in Providence celebrating the best of the culinary world in Rhode Island.
David Dadekian
Dadekian has been called “RI’s unofficial Food Laureate” by the Providence Phoenix, “mastermind of the food news website and event-organizing operation, Eat Drink RI, who seems to know every chef, restaurant, farm stand, and manufactured food product within state lines.” Dadekian created Eat Drink RI in 2010 and over the past four years eatdrinkri.com has grown to be the top media outlet in the region for all things local food. The company now produces and promotes several all-local food and drink events, including an annual 4-day Festival in Providence celebrating the best of the culinary world in Rhode Island.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Kay Logsdon
Kay serves as Editor in Chief of The Food Channel,... Read More
Kay serves as Editor in Chief of The Food Channel, developing food-related stories, videos, recipes and more for the website and its distribution network. She speaks and consults on food trends, working with some of the biggest food brands in America. Her favorite thing to do is work with chefs across the country as they do menu development, since she gets to taste and critique the dishes.
Kay Logsdon
Kay serves as Editor in Chief of The Food Channel, developing food-related stories, videos, recipes and more for the website and its distribution network. She speaks and consults on food trends, working with some of the biggest food brands in America. Her favorite thing to do is work with chefs across the country as they do menu development, since she gets to taste and critique the dishes.
Linda Beaulieu
Linda Beaulieu is the author of several books,... Read More
Linda Beaulieu is the author of several books, including The Grapevine Guide to Rhode Island's Best Restaurants, Divine Providence: An Insider's Guide to the City's Best Restaurants and The Providence and Rhode Island Chef’s Table. Winner of the prestigious James Beard Award for magazine writing, Linda also won Best Food Writing awards from the Rhode Island Press Association. She is a graduate of Northeastern University, Boston, where she majored in journalism. She worked as a newspaper food editor, a freelance writer and a restaurant consultant before retiring to devote her time to writing cookbooks. A native Rhode Islander, Linda and her husband Brian live in Lincoln with their cocker spaniel, Beau, and they have a summer home with a much-used outdoor kitchen in Narragansett.
Linda Beaulieu
Linda Beaulieu is the author of several books, including The Grapevine Guide to Rhode Island's Best Restaurants, Divine Providence: An Insider's Guide to the City's Best Restaurants and The Providence and Rhode Island Chef’s Table. Winner of the prestigious James Beard Award for magazine writing, Linda also won Best Food Writing awards from the Rhode Island Press Association. She is a graduate of Northeastern University, Boston, where she majored in journalism. She worked as a newspaper food editor, a freelance writer and a restaurant consultant before retiring to devote her time to writing cookbooks. A native Rhode Islander, Linda and her husband Brian live in Lincoln with their cocker spaniel, Beau, and they have a summer home with a much-used outdoor kitchen in Narragansett.
Paula Silva
Paula Silva is a full-time real estate... Read More
Paula Silva is a full-time real estate professional that loves sharing all things RI, particularly its food, culture and architecture. This led her to start Rhode Island Red Food Tours.Her “Food and Culture Ambassadors” take small groups on 3-hour walking food tours in both Providence and Newport, tasting and sipping while learning about the chefs, restaurants, dishes, history and architecture of the city.
Paula Silva
Paula Silva is a full-time real estate professional that loves sharing all things RI, particularly its food, culture and architecture. This led her to start Rhode Island Red Food Tours.Her “Food and Culture Ambassadors” take small groups on 3-hour walking food tours in both Providence and Newport, tasting and sipping while learning about the chefs, restaurants, dishes, history and architecture of the city.
