You can get anything you crave at these 80 venues in RI's foodie valley

Gail Ciampa, Providence Journal
·2 min read

You'd be hard-pressed to find any part of Rhode Island with more kinds of restaurants, farms and cafes than the Blackstone Valley.

You can go old school with Irish pubs, Italian restaurants and steakhouses or pork pies, dynamites and fish and chips. You can travel around the world with food from more than 40 countries. You can shop at farm stands, bakeries, an English tea room and even the food hall at Bally's Twin River in Lincoln. You can pick up deli sandwiches, tacos or vegan food. You can sip spirits at distilleries.

Dynamites are a local dish in Woonsocket, where they have been described as a sloppy Joe sandwich on a torpedo roll. L'il General and New York Lunch will be both feature their dynamites during the weekend launch of the new Blackstone Valley International Food Trail.
Dynamites are a local dish in Woonsocket, where they have been described as a sloppy Joe sandwich on a torpedo roll. L'il General and New York Lunch will be both feature their dynamites during the weekend launch of the new Blackstone Valley International Food Trail.

That's why the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council has created its own International Food Trail with more than 80 food and drink establishments. They can be found across the tourism district of 10 cities and towns, which include Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket.

Kick-off weekend is this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24, but the promotion and program, with passports, will continue throughout the year.

Phantom Farms in Cumberland has introduced apple cider doughnuts to the menu for fall. The farm is on the Blackstone Valley Food Trail.
Phantom Farms in Cumberland has introduced apple cider doughnuts to the menu for fall. The farm is on the Blackstone Valley Food Trail.

Some places will feature exclusive specials over the weekend.

Ten Rocks Tapas Bar in Pawtucket offers chicken, mixed seafood or vegetarian paella for two with a pitcher of sangria for $40. White Dog Distilling in Pawtucket will feature a $5 sample "Painkiller" cocktail made with its own spiced rum this weekend from Thursday through Sunday. Harmony's Assados Kitchen & Bar will feature Porco a Alentejana, a traditional Portuguese dish with marinated pork tenderloin tips, pan-seared and finished with littleneck clams, potatoes and a savory sauce.

At Oz Tacos & Tequila in Lincoln, you can try the Beef Bulgogi (left and center) and Hot Pastrami tacos or order the taco special of Bang Bang Shrimp. There will be a Wicked Happy Hour on Saturday, 5-7 p.m., with $5 apps and drinks.
At Oz Tacos & Tequila in Lincoln, you can try the Beef Bulgogi (left and center) and Hot Pastrami tacos or order the taco special of Bang Bang Shrimp. There will be a Wicked Happy Hour on Saturday, 5-7 p.m., with $5 apps and drinks.

Others are simply serving their authentic cuisines.

Val's English Tea & Pie Shop serves a variety of tea sandwiches, homemade scones and sweets with a pot of one of their teas.
Val's English Tea & Pie Shop serves a variety of tea sandwiches, homemade scones and sweets with a pot of one of their teas.

Both Li'l General and New York Lunch in Woonsocket will feature their Dynamites. The local specialty is a hearty sandwich of ground beef, chopped veggies and seasoned sauce.

In Pawtucket, Rasoi will offer Thali, a mini-buffet of their most popular dishes for one.

Rasoi in Pawtucket is featuring Thali, a mini buffet for one allowing guests to enjoy the flavors of the restaurant's most popular dishes.
Rasoi in Pawtucket is featuring Thali, a mini buffet for one allowing guests to enjoy the flavors of the restaurant's most popular dishes.

Those who dine will have a chance to win an overnight-stay prize package (valued at $250) that includes accommodations at the Courtyard by Marriott, Lincoln, a gift card to dine out and a gift bag. To be entered, post a photo to Instagram or Facebook and tag @tourblackstone.

Blackie's, which makes great pizzas, is on the new Food Trail. They have two Italian ovens to make both gluten free and flour-based pizza crusts.
Blackie's, which makes great pizzas, is on the new Food Trail. They have two Italian ovens to make both gluten free and flour-based pizza crusts.

All the 80-plus establishments participating are listed on tourblackstone.com/foodtrail.

Jaswell Farm in Smithfield is the stop for not just produce but also their gigantic gourmet apples covered in chocolate and caramel.
Jaswell Farm in Smithfield is the stop for not just produce but also their gigantic gourmet apples covered in chocolate and caramel.

You can find Blackstone Valley International Food Trail Guides and Passports at many of the participating establishments, and at local tourism information centers and kiosks. Digital versions will also be available on the website.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Blackstone Valley Food Trail offers international flavors