Anthony's Seafood — Restaurant in Middletown

There are many seafood options in and around the Newport/Middletown area. But as with most tourist-driven towns, it can be difficult to decide which are actually good and which are tourist traps.

We were staying in the Middletown area and had NOT had our seafood fix yet. We knew many popularly reviewed places were back toward the Wharf and did not care to drive in that direction only to drive back (probably hitting traffic both ways). I was glad I googled the area and was able to find Anthony’s. It was only about 5 minutes or so from our hotel and they closed at 8 pm on a Friday. I arrived there at about 7 PM ish to grab some take out to bring back to the hotel.

The parking lot seemed on the fuller side, but there were still spaces available. I would imagine Friday night would be one of their busier nights. There are some tables and seating outdoor in front of the space. You enter into the seafood market, which was already closed at that time. The market was big and seemed to have (from their price lists and signs) lot of options. You then wait in line (of there is one at the time) for your turn to order. Once you reach the counter, you order whatever you want. They have a variety of seafood items: shrimp, fish, scallops, clam strips, lobster rolls..etc...as well as a variety of beverage (alcoholic and non). Once you order, they will give you a number. You then take that number and sit where you want. You can stay there and eat at an empty table, or take it to go. There are some benches where you can sit and wait for your food but also a few tables around including a separate room, off to the side, with tables and seating. After about 10-15 minutes or so, my food was ready. They currently have a small table off to the side with plastic utensils, straws and napkins.

The family was pleasantly surprised when I brought the food back to the hotel...everything was super fresh and tasted great. Perfectly fried, not overdone and well seasoned. I want to mention that all staff there were very efficient. They were hustling to get things done, all while being friendly and patient with customers, which can sometimes be hard to balance. The prices also seemed to be very reasonable compared to other seafood places in the area. I would love to return when the market is opened to get a few things to take home to cook. I highly recommend Anthony for any seafood lover...don't be fooled by the other surrounding tourist traps! Anthony's is...

This day of the Mexican Griswold's family vacation took us to Newport Beach which was very nice (NOTE careful with the beach the water has a lot of red seaweed as you enter the water) YET forgot how beautiful and deadly the sun can be with its breeze. As a family, when in Rome, seafood time so we selected this place. First, its located on a traveled road so careful as you turn into the parking area. This parking lot is shared with a fit club so enjoy them working out as you walk to the entrance. Here starts the tricky stuff. This main entrance lets you select the fish market to left as you enter, a to go line and eat in line. The menus are on the counter and you select your food like if it was Long John Silvers. The cashier made the experience a vexing one with her demeanor and body language. Once we placed the order, the lobster wobbled to the small sitting area where you can observe the traffic of both order in or take out lines. The I ordered the clam chowder which was very tasty and fresh. As an appetizer, we had Kung Pao Calamari which was good yet thrown together and not mixed to ensure the flavor covered all the calamari. Honey had fish and chips which was average and the little lobsters had pizza grilled cheese which is what it is for them. Finally, I had the Baked Nantucket which was very flavorful. The different seafood mixed with its sauce was so fresh and woke up my sunburned mouth. The portion was very small but its taste was huge. Yes its a good place if you can accept the bad parking site, the grumpy cashier and size of eating area. Total price $65 (NOTE It's been a JOY in New Engalnd area past the state...

Forewarning: the following is not so much a review as it is a nostalgic reverie of a former Middletown RI resident. I really like the fact that Anthony's is located in Middletown. The location doesn't have the cache of blue-blooded Newport. Cliff Walk, Ocean Drive, Thames Street, the mansions and their ostentation...it was a nightmare during the summer time. Middletown is a more working class town, more approachable. The same can be said about Anthony's. Sure, they'll handle the overflow of tourists from Newport during the summer time. They've even decorated the space with used buoys and nautical gear but they haven't hired a pedigreed chef to make it all fancy. At heart, it is still a seafood shop and restaurant. The prepared offerings are an evolution of timeless regional classics. By regional classics, I mean Rhode Island recipes. Take their Rhode Island clam chowder as an example. It's a clear, seasoned seafood broth with chunks of clam meat and diced potatoes - straightforward, honest. The "classic calamari" also has a RI twist - fried slices of cherry peppers are interspersed with the crispy fried squid. The usual seafood dishes are offered and you can order them any style you like as long as it's baked, boiled, raw, or fried. There are more options, even a seafood hamburger, made with beef raised by the seashore...I'm kidding. Anyway, Anthony's caters to both tourists and locals...