Brown Reunion: Providence Eatfest, Part 1featured

Spoiler: Andreas, Antonio’s, and sweet baby Jesus…East Side Pockets!

My apologies everyone, I know the posts were a bit slow coming this past week…it’s because I’m still digesting from my trip back to lovely Bruno, my sweet alma mater, Brown University. It was a wonderful trip down memory lane, celebrating our 5-year reunion on campus, reminiscing about the days we walked the main green, partied young and invincible, and of course…ate our way down Thayer Street.

Without further ado, a post that has been a long time coming. Some of my favorite eateries reside within a few square miles of one another at this place that is dear to my heart. Sadly, with only 2 short days, I had a limited number of meals I could squeeze in, so my ode to favorites like the Modern Diner, Brickway, and Louie’s will have to wait for my next journey to Provi. In the meantime, hope you’re hungry (and thirsty!).

First stop, a Bloody Mary at Andreas as we officially got giddy for a weekend of friends and fun.

Tall asians can’t live on lemons alone. Good thing the best pizza on campus was only a hop and a skip away. Antonio’s kills it with its extensive list of creative toppings, tasty, chewy dough, and crispy bottom.

My favorite used to be a salad pizza that was topped with lots of arugula tossed in balsamic, diced tomato, and other veggies. If we’re talking late night though, the BBQ chicken pizza hits the spot – no wonder the party always ends up outside these doors after the bars turn on their go-home lights.

If you’re a seasoned veteran, you’ll know to duck out of Viva just 10 minutes prior to last call (come on, you can make up the nnzt nnzt beats and sweaty grinding later on at a dorm after-party), just in time to score a slice or two. If you’re feeling benevolent, get an extra slice of heaven for your friends being swept off the sidewalk by dear old Provi PD.

And then there is the holy grail of all Thayer Street Eats. The pocket that needs no introduction. The Sheik of Shawarma. King of Kafta. Pharoah of Falafel.

Obviously, I speak of East Side Pockets {{clouds part and angels sing, and spritely little elves tap dance away with baklava in their little elfin hands}}.

Hot sauce hummus? Lettuce tomatoes? Peppers pickles? Tabouleh? Tahina? Cucumber sauce? Feta?

For anyone who has ever heard this soothing mantra, you know what’s up. And you know why alumni, deprived of their beloved East Side Pockets for God knows how long, can’t stop smiling from ear to ear when they step into that familiar haven of deliciousness once again.

East Side Pockets is more than just a college kid’s savior when the Ratty (our endearing nickname for the school cafeteria) disappoints.

It is where memories are made.

It’s tradition, it’s love, it’s 100% Bruno.

Photo contributions courtesy of Dennis Kwan.

ADDRESSESAndreas Restaurant
268 Thayer St
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 331-7879

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Antonio’s Pizza
258 Thayer St
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 455-3600

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East Side Pocket
278 Thayer St
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 453-1100

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