Rhode Island
This Local Restaurant in Rhode Island Is So Good, You Can Plan an Entire Day Around It
One of my favorite things to do on any trip, no matter the destination, is to stop at every point of interest along the way. It doesn’t matter if it’s a kitschy roadside attraction, a natural wonder, or a diner – I will stop. Growing up in northern Rhode Island, I’ve been to just about every corner of my tiny home state and, yet, always seemed to discover something new-to-me on every outing. While most Ocean State road trips are short (it is the smallest state in the country, after all!), there’s still so much to discover, including one off-the-beaten-path diner in Foster. Let’s discover one of the best road trip stops in Rhode Island you probably never heard of – Shady Acres Diner and Apocalypse Cafe.
Why This Stop Is Worth the Detour
If you’re looking for a classic American diner experience right here in the Ocean State, look no further than Shady Acres Diner and Apocalypse Cafe. Located on Danielson Pike, a scenic, rural stretch of Route 6, less than two miles from the Connecticut border, you probably never knew this place existed unless you were driving through Foster on your way to or from Connecticut. But road trippers who have stopped here rave about the menu, friendly service, and the eclectic decor.
Let’s first talk about the menu. While there are some “typical diner” menu items, such as omelets, French toast, and eggs Benedict for breakfast, and chicken tenders, BLT club sandwiches, and burgers for lunch and dinner, there are some elevated and creative takes on diner cuisine. For example, in addition to a standard selection of diner favorites, there’s a Monte Cristo breakfast sandwich of egg, ham, and Swiss cheese between two pieces of French toast, as well as several breakfast bowls with scrambled eggs, home fries, and a variety of toppings.
For creative lunch and dinner options, how about the Big Kahuna Tuna sandwich made with ahi tuna, greens, and chipotle mayo? Regular customers rave about it! There’s also a falafel plate, perfect for sharing, and a fried pickle burger topped with queso and house-made fried pickles. But one of the most talked-about menu items at Shady Acres Diner is the polenta fries. Growing up in the Ocean State, I had my fair share of polenta dishes, but I never had polenta fries – looks like I’ll need to make a stop here to try this standout appetizer.
Shady Acres is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Plan your road trip to this Rhode Island diner accordingly!
Nearby Road Trip Attractions
Foster may be a small, rural Rhode Island town, but there are a few notable sites you may want to discover while here. First of all, did you know that Foster is home to Rhode Island’s highest point? Located off Route 101 close to the Connecticut border, Jerimoth Hill sits at an elevation of 812 feet and is open from dawn until dusk daily if you’re curious to see it yourself. A short 0.3-mile trail leads to the point, which is surrounded by trees.
If you love visiting historic sites, take some time to visit the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge. Built in the mid-1990s, yet evoking the charm of a historic 19th-century covered bridge, it’s the only covered bridge in Rhode Island.
Open seasonally on weekends starting in May, Nickle Creek Vineyard is a small, family-owned vineyard and winery with a tasting room. Reservations are not required to visit, and guests are welcome to stroll the grounds and bring a picnic to enjoy while sipping Nickle Creek wines. (Please note that those under 21 are not allowed on the property.)
Best Road Trip Stops in Rhode Island
Shady Acres Diner may be off the beaten path, but it’s absolutely worth it for its hearty dishes that will satisfy any hungry road tripper. Have you taken a detour or gone out of your way to have a meal at this family-friendly diner, one of the most unexpected places in Rhode Island? For a menu and location information, visit the Shady Acres Diner website, and check out the Facebook page for dinner specials.
What are some unexpected places in Rhode Island you would suggest road trippers visit? Please tell us why they are worth a stop when you fill out our nomination form. You can discover more exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations in Rhode Island when you use Only In Your State’s Travel Planner.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island 18-year-old arrested in beach stabbing as hundreds of teens packed area
A Rhode Island teenager who was out on bail for a gun charge was charged Friday in connection with the stabbing of three people as hundreds of teens crowded the beach
Willy Medina, 18, was identified as a suspect in the stabbing that broke out at Narragansett Town Beach just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Narragansett Police Department.
Medina is accused of slashing three beachgoers as the rowdy crowd went into a frenzy, according to video obtained by WJAR.
The three victims were hospitalized with minor stab wounds.
The Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Medina in his hometown of Pawtucket and charged him on one count of felony assault, Chief Kyle Rekas said.
Medina was arraigned Friday in the 4th District Court and held on a bail violator. He was also ordered to have no contact with minors, WPRI reported.
Officials did not release a motive in the stabbing, as the investigation is ongoing.
Medina was out on bail at the time for a shooting in Pawtucket back in April.
Police allege Medina and another 18-year-old were part of a larger crowd when a disturbance broke out and a gunshot was fired off, striking a parked car, according to WJAR.
Medina was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, firing in a compact area, vandalism and disorderly conduct.
In the aftermath of Tuesday’s stabbings, Narragansett Police arrested two men in the public beach’s parking lot on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.
Hours before the stabbing, 20 miles away in Middletown, RI, approximately 1,200 teens overran Second Beach on the Sachuest Bay, the Middletown police said.
Several people between the ages of 17 and 19 were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer.
Ronan Pinkham, an 18-year-old from Massachusetts, was arrested after he allegedly struck a Newport police officer with his car in the parking lot as he attempted to flee.
Pinkman admitted to driving under the influence before he was arrested and charged with felony assault and DUI.
Illegal teen takeovers have plagued popular shopping centers and beaches in several states in the weeks leading up to Memorial Day Weekend.
Several hundred teens and young adults illegally took over a popular boardwalk in Long Branch, New Jersey, on Tuesday, leading to several arrests of out-of-towners.
Police in Delaware arrested four Delaware State University students for leading a booze-fueled takeover of Rehoboth Beach that prompted a heavy police presence in the popular Atlantic town.
Xander Nicholl, 19, Angelin Clauvil, 21, Eric Barnett, 21, and 22-year-old Keyon Scott are all facing charges relating to facilitating a riot, as well as conspiracy in the second degree.
Rhode Island
Remains identified as World War II pilot from Rhode Island
The Defense of POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced on Friday that a U.S. Army Air Force pilot from Rhode Island killed in World War II was located.
The agency said 2nd Lt. Robert J. Barrat, 20, of Woonsocket, was accounted for on April 30.
According to the organization, Barrat piloted a B-17G “Flying Fortress” bomber in 1945.
On Feb. 9,1945, witnesses reported seeing his aircraft collide with another aircraft during a bombing mission to Lutzkendorf, Germany.
The aircraft was then seen hitting the ground, killing eight of the 9 crew members onboard.
After the end of World War II, the American Graves Registrations Command began working to recover missing American personnel in Europe.
In 1947, members recovered eight sets of remains from marked burials in the Eisenberg Civilian Cemetery.
The remains were transferred to the Central Processing Point at Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium for analysis.
Members identified two sets of remains. The remaining six were identified as the collective remains of Barrat and five of his crew members.
The remains were then buried at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
In Oct. 1991, a German citizen reported finding the crash site and recovered debris from the aircraft, including two inscribed rings.
The debris was turned over to the U.S. Army Memorial Affairs Activity Europe in Landstuhl, Germany and then to the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii.
In 2024, the remains were re-examined for further analysis.
Scientists said they used anthropological analysis and mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify Barrat’s remains.
According to the University of Rhode Island, he attended Rhode Island State College (RISC) in Sept. 1941 with the class of 1945.
Barrat left college during his second year and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in Nov. 1942.
He was posthumously cited for Gallantry in Action and Bravery and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Barrat will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 27.
Rhode Island
17-year-old sent to hospital after pedestrian crash in Woonsocket
WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — The Woonsocket Police Department said a 17-year-old was sent to the hospital after a pedestrian crash on Park Avenue.
The department said the juvenile’s injuries were non-life-threatening.
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The vehicle involved in the crash fled the scene but was later located and brought to the department for processing, and an individual was being detained.
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