Ocean State Food Truck Park

First, one must understand what Twin Oaks (TO is, and is not. It is essentially an institution that has thrived (more or less for nearly a century. Its menu today is not significantly different from its menu in the 1960s (although the prices have sure changed! . So it is not a modern restaurant that substantially changes its menu and focus to attract lovers of Italian nouveau cuisine or the like. TO still has the famous Pewter Plate Special that my father would order during visits in the 1960s (my sister and I would split his dessert, which was, and continues to include spumoni. That should be a tell of what TO means. Their food is fairly consistent. But note that they have a certain fondness for such old fashioned accompaniments for grilled dishes that they are usually served with pickled apple rings, and/or pickled beets, and a leaf of romaine lettuce. Their steaks and chops are still excellent, and despite rising prices, are still fairly affordable, with very generous portions. Their lamb chops seem to weigh in at about 8 ounces each, so one single order of their lamb chops (served with the ubiquitous apple ring, along with old fashioned mint jelly probably weighs in at more than a pound. My usual meal at TO will generally start with a cocktail, which are generous and often include a sidecar. Their whisky sours are made from scratch, including with egg whites for froth. And their cocktail shrimp are both amazing and enormous. I am guessing U-6 to U-14. Lobster salad is close to a pound of lobster salad (expect prices that reflect such quantities! and are best shared, or doggie bagged for multiple meals. Again, the salad on which the mountain of lobster salad rests is far from fancy: expect lettuce, some cukes and pickled beets with tomatoes. The servers today look amazingly similar to the servers 55 years ago. Men, in formal attire, who remember your order without writing it down. They will remember the names of most regulars (again, an old fashioned thing! . Most diners at TO should not expect the most sublime and ingenious sauces. Their red sauce is okay, but doesn 't match what you would find at a new and authentic modern Italian restaurant. But it works, as it is merely what is expected. The stuffed shrimp are a perennial staple. Some will debate that the baked stuffed shrimp aren 't as good as in 1973. Many might find such debates as kind of pointless. They are good and buttery, no matter the context. The veal parmesan includes one (or sometimes two or more enormous slabs of veal, fried to true crispness. It is covered with the ubiquitous red sauce, and the usual slices of melted mozzarella. Together with the pasta accompaniment, it is so big I usually take home half of the portion. Note that with many entrees, one can split them with a guest, or even order half portions. Its ambiance is not unlike a 1970s style Italian family restaurant. It has views of the reservoir, but is often filled with loud (and recognizable regulars. This may seem imposing to some, but it provides the comfort of familiarity to those who seek a trip back in time. In short, what one will usually find at TO is very good, quality food, in enormous servings, and at reasonable prices. The food (other than the shrimp cocktail, which may be the best there is! will not be the most extraordinary or creative versions of what you order. The steaks in general are excellent quality choice angus, but not the prime (although sometimes they do have prime steaks as specials or wagyu you will find at fancier places. So TO may (or may not be what everyone wants for a destination. But it doesn 't really matter to them, as they found a recipe for success many, many years ago, and except for some minor adaptations, they have stuck with that formula. And it usually succeeds. But anyone who tries Twin Oaks should know what to expect. You won 't find truffled risotto nor white asparagus nor branzini grilled with wild mushrooms and exotic herbs--but you will find very good filling food, with occasional glitches, but as it has thrived for all these years, even after a glitch, one may just choose to return anyway, as its quality (including shortcomings or limitations is sufficiently consistent that the experience might be an aberration. And for the Italian American guests, the calamari appetizer may not be as amazing as the $30 plate you might find elsewhere, but it is still excellent and generous at half that price. And yes, TO had fried calamari way back when, even when it was strange for some, and not yet cool.

An ABSOLUTE institution! The view of the lake, the tucked in position in the neighborhood, the all male staff, the efficiency that this restaurant works on is like clockwork! My shrimp cocktail were as expected...large fresh! My Chicken Marsala was also tremendous...tender tasty. The sides need a lil update as while I 'm 100% open to mashed (potatoes) in any opportunity for a veg...beets, spinach, Cole slaw other option are not great! This IS a RI institution! If you 've never been here, experience it once....once you do, come back truly equate both experiences. It took me 4x to get it

Great hand cut steaks. A full steak dinner for $23 with 2 sides. Half portions of Parm that fill the plate. Great friendly staff throughout. A wide variety of items on the menu. The soup is outstanding Will return many times to try the rest of the menu

Went for my aunts 95 th birthday day and had an amazing dinner! There was 11 of us . The service was great they were fast friendly and make it so fun for her 95 th ! I had Pam seared scallops and they were the best I ever had had yet: it's always a great dependable family vibe !

If you grew up around or in a traditional Sicilian or Italian family this place is for you. If you did not, proceed accordingly. Everything down to the point blank, honest service screams 80's Italian authenticity. Decor included. For me, it's a trip down memory lane in all the best ways. I stick to the basics when I'm in a place like this, rigatoni and gravy with a meatball. If you don't nail that, it cancels out all of the old school nostalgia. Luckily, they knocked it out of the park. I like to sit at the bar and play some Keno to really get into full Sicilian character. Every time I am in town, this is a must. Thanks for taking me back .