One of my most enjoyable regional reads online is the “definitive Rhode Island road trip” website Quahog.org. You’d be amazed that such a small state (thats not really an island) has so many unusual places, distinctive cuisines (we won’t get into the chowder wars)- and heck even had 2 beverages that have duked it out for title of official state drink (Coffee milk won out over Del’s Frozen Lemonade, FYI.)
But speaking of Quahog.org and frozen lemonade – When I contacted Quahog.org’s curator Christopher Martin to see if he was interested in suggesting a Retro Roadmap worthy place in RI, he replied with a wonderful writeup of New England Frozen Lemonade- which I had never heard of. Take it away, Christopher!
New England Frozen Lemonade
Frozen lemonade is as much a part of summer in Rhode Island as sunscreen,
beach passes and Newport gridlock. All over the state frozen lemonade stands,
trucks and carts are nearly as ubiquitous as Dunkin’ Donuts. Still, you might be
forgiven for thinking that one particular company has cornered the market.
But no, there is another.
It doesn’t get as much press as its competitor, but New England Frozen
Lemonade is a real contender. After all, a business that’s been around since
1960 isn’t some kind of fly-by-night operation. It was founded by Anthony
Lombardi and is run today by his sons, John and Bobby.
Headquarters is still the same wedge-shaped two-story building on Douglas Avenue in Providence. Two satellite locations (in Cranston and Warwick) and a
fleet of sixteen trucks and six pushcarts help spread the lemon love around.
They even have a concession at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts.
New England Frozen Lemonade’s lemon is noticeably sweeter than that of its
rival, and, perhaps in order to offset that sweetness, a bit of lemon peel is
always added to each cup. Watermelon and cherry round out the list of regularly
available flavors, but occasionally blueberry, lemon-lime or orange will make an
appearance.
What fans of New England Frozen Lemonade lack in numbers, they make up for in
loyalty. “I’ve always said they have the best lemonade,” says JJ on Yahoo.com.
Deborah Gallagher on Facebook opines “They make the best lemonade… better than
the other guys!”
Planning a party or some other kind of get-together? You can rent a truck or
a cart for special occasions, or you could even just bring by a cooler and
they’ll fill it with the flavor of your choice.
Since about 2006 New England Frozen Lemonade has co-sponsored (with Shields
Post 43 of the American Legion) an American Legion senior (age nineteen and
under) baseball team in Warwick. They also sponsor a girl’s softball team in
Apponaug. You can bet you stand a good chance of coming across one of New
England Frozen Lemonade’s familiar yellow and white trucks or carts at games
where these teams are playing.
New England Frozen Lemonade is open from mid-April to around the end of
September or beginning of October, Monday through Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday to
Sunday, 10am-9pm.
New England Frozen Lemonade and Refreshments
“All natural!”
280 Douglas Ave, Providence RI
(401) 274-3255
nelemonade@yahoo.com
View RI – Rhode Island Retro RoadMAP in a larger map
About Mod Betty
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My Dear Retro Roadmap Readers –
In an effort to reduce comment spam by bots on my site, I’ve closed the comments on this post.
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