Restaurant Review by DON FOWLER

It is time for me to let you in on Rhode Island’s best kept secret for fresh fried seafood.

Anthony’s Seafood at 963 Aquidneck Rd. (Rt.138A) in Middletown is the place where Aquidneck Island natives go for their fresh seafood.

The inconspicuous location, on the way to the beaches and Cliff Walk, offers perfectly cooked meals and sandwiches at competitive prices, with no fringes.

On weekends, the lines spill out into the overflowing parking lot. A sign tells you that there are two lines, one for the market and one for the restaurant. For the dining area, place your order with the cashier, pay for it, take a number and find a table. If there are two or four in the party, don’t sit at the tables for six. An employee will bring your food to the table and clean up after you.

Ice cold water is available as you enter the dining room.

Anthony’s menu is limited to the seafood basics: Lobster, shrimp, calamari, whole belly clams, scallops and cod, with salmon and swordfish sandwiches also available.

They do have hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken fingers for the fussy kids and that rare adult who doesn’t eat fish.

Joyce and I don’t have to look at the menu. We know what we want.

We start off with Kung Po Calamari ($14), a generous plate of tender squid with a sweet plum chili sauce, peanuts, scallions and hot peppers. We know of no other place that has calamari prepared in that manner.

We share the Fisherman’s Platter ($39), which is listed as enough for two people, and it is.

The fried clams are the highlight. Tasty and tender, the whole belly clams are without a doubt, the best in Rhode Island.

Added to the platter are large sea scallops, calamari, shrimp, a huge piece of fried cod (or flounder) and fries, accompanied by tartar sauce, shrimp sauce and cole slaw.

Believe us, it’s as good as it gets.

Anthony’s hasn’t changed since our early days of attending the music festivals every summer in Newport.

Ocean Drive is a short distance from the restaurant. A relaxing trip from Bellevue Ave. to Fort Adams, with a stop overlooking the ocean, is a must.

Take the trip east on Route 195 to Exit 14 (MA 24S) to Exit 1 (Rt. 138S), right on Turnpike Ave Rt. 138) and left on Rt. 138. You avoid all tolls and are in for a pleasant ride. It is worth the stop-and-go traffic on the Washington Bridge.

Anthony’s phone number is 846-9620. They are open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 7 or 8 p.m. (closed Wednesday). Go around 4 p.m. to avoid the crowds.