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Stanley's Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 8 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Stanley's Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The Quebec style fries, while not traditional poutine, are..."
(in 2 reviews)
"The grilled onions you get on every burger were fantastic."
(in 3 reviews)
"Best burger in RI."
(in 2 reviews)
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Robert E.
Central Falls, RI
1/11/2012
As with others, I noticed the aroma in the parking lot, and my mouth was watering by the time I sat down. The bacon cheeseburger with onions was awesome (I skipped the pickle). I'm really writing to endorse the dirty fries, however. An herb mix (I can only guess...zaatar?) makes the fries just wonderful. No gravy for me!
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Review from Ryan D.
1/19/2012
Going to be honest Stanley's, I probably wouldn't be going to Central Falls if it wasn't for you.
I drove by you the first time going there, but just because it is tucked in a long line of convenience stores and closed up shops (such is the nature of Central Falls). But the minute you step out of your car, holy moly do you smell those burgers.
It is a small joint, decor and size comparable to a Johnny Rockets but you feel Stanley's is a little more genuine than JR.
When we went, the restaurant was a hoppin. The problem I saw was they had one waitress working the entire place. I don't know if one was on break or what the issue was but a manager or someone should have stepped up to help her.
Their burgers unfortunately aren't the best. Comparable to White Castle in terms of patty size and quality.
The quebec fries are really the reason to head over Stanley's. That gravy with the cheese is so good. Unfortunately the batch we had I felt had been sitting under the heat lamp a little bit. Didn't taste fresh.
I love little joints like this and I really want Stanley's to be great. But alas, they are just ok. I will still go over again to hopefully get some fresh quebec fries (hopefully). But locals know there are far better burger places around Providence. -
Review from Kisha T.
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
For being the orignal place, it wasn't as excellent as I wanted it to be.
My first experience at a Stanley's was at the Richmond St. location in Providence and everything about it was much better than at this location.
It's a little tricky to find and it's not really in the best neighborhood. The cool this though is that you can smell the burgers grilling from outside and it does make the area smell rather delectable.
The thing that I loved the most from Stanley's were their Quebec-Style fries. I've had actual Poutine and this is the closest thing you can get to that other than driving a few hours north.
The fries at the Providence location were cooked to order and were hot and crisp. The ones in this place were old, soggy and stale and no amount of gravy and cheese can mask that. I will say that the chili they use for the chili cheese fries is one of the best..but again, the "foundation" was not up to the same level as its toppings.
The burgers were ok. I remember them being much better. I'm not sure if I'd go back there anytime soon since there are so many other places in Providence that have much better burgers. If they improve their fries, I'll head here more often even if it is just for the Quebec fries. -
Review from miss y.
Providence, RI
1/7/2012
I give a 3...burgers are meh..nothing to write home about, wendy's burgers are better and the same price or cheaper.the fries are refried.gross, soggy, old and nasty.....only a fool would say old fries that have been redipped in oil taste good.yes.a fool.
however, they earn 3 stars for having delicious hotdogs...oh, yummy....i was sad when they closed to providence location...hotdogs are delicious here.get some.
the burgers are itty bitty, which i like, because i don't like a mouthful of meat, and i enjoy onions..so that is why everyone says they are "sooooo goooooood" but it really isn't all that spectacular.i just think the obsession with these burgers is that you don't have to request the onions, if you are an onion lover.which, most people are not. -
Review from Patrick H.
East Providence, RI
10/20/2011
Is it healthier to eat Stanley's instead of McDonalds? I've convinced myself that it is, so don't tell me if I'm wrong. If there's something wrong with bacon-blasted cheese fries, I don't want to be right.
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Review from Pat M.
Warwick, RI
11/20/2011
The burger was delicious but difficult to find on the bun!!! The tiniest burger I ever seen! Get a double and it would be worth 5 stars. It was almost a joke at the size of the little patty!!!! Very nice place, clean and loved the retro look and diner feel!
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Review from Juli L.
Warwick, RI
Upon stepping out of the car, the smell of grilled onions permeates the air and in a Pavlov-like reflex my mouth begins to water and I'm instantly taken back to when I was 6. I can't be 100% sure, but I do believe the first burger I ever ate as a child was a Stanley burger.
Even though Stanley's decor went through a major facelift a few years back, absolutely nothing has changed about the burger. They are just as delicious as they were over 20 years ago. The burgers are thin, double burgers are smashed into one, and all are topped with a mound of perfectly grilled onions and pickles (unless otherwise specified). A lot of reviews call these burgers, sliders. I'm not quite sure why? Sure, they're not some behemoth gut busting burger -- but I wouldn't call them siders either. The Quebec style fries, while not traditional poutine, are delicious in their own regard. What's not to like about crispy fries covered in cheese and gravy? Stanley's does have a menu with plenty of other items, but I couldn't tell you whats on it. I just couldn't imagine getting anything other than what's described above. It really is that good.
Great burgers, outstanding service and affordability keeps me coming back year after year. -
Review from Stephanie P.
Central Falls, RI
7/2/2011
I can walk to Stanley's fron my house- this can be a dangerous thing when I want a burger!
Stanley's has a good selection of menu items, although I have never had anything other than the Quebec fries and the bacon cheeseburger. Those are my staples and boy are they good ones.
Usually I go with my husband and Nancy waits on us. She is friendly and attentive and gets our food out fast. The fries are always soggier than I remember but nevertheless make the order every time. Recently I started drinking a chocolate shake with my burger and fries and DAMN! It's quite possibly the best shake I have ever tasted! Hand-made for sure! -
Review from Robert M.
10/23/2010 10 Check-ins Here
After traveling across the US (Chicago to Washington State) with my brother a few months back following his book on the best burger joints, I was surprised to find Stanley's in my back yard. I am new to Rhode Island, so forgive me. I had herd of Stanley's, but just in passing. Then of all things, i saw a book with Christmas tree ornaments with one for Stanley's and decided to as more questions and look them up on-line. Thank you Yelp.
So the family made a lunch date, Aside from the roads being under construction with lots of detours and having to park a couple of locks away, it was not that difficult to find.
So, to the food. I had the double cheese burger with bacon. If you are going to have a heart attach, have a good one i say. Anyway, this has to be one of the top 4 burgers I have had. It was not a thick burger, it was thin, but still juicy. The grilled onions you get on every burger were fantastic. the pickle, also on every burger added just enough contrast.
One thing i discovered about eating burgers across the US is that the bun plays a huge roll in the flavor. Their buns are fresh and grilled slightly so that they are super soft and do not take away from the burger. They are a perfect delivery system.
The place itself is perfect and classic. The staff was extremely friendly. I also had a chocolate shake that was great and made with real ice cream. The fries were really good as well.
I am a big fan and will return, -
Review from Brad H.
Round Rock, TX
Good Food and Good Friends. Burger place in RI. it was yummy.
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Review from Soda Pop C.
Boston, MA
2/5/2011
Stanley's is awesome.
They've been making burgers the same way since they opened and they're so tasty!
They're thinner than most other places but are made with chopped, fried onions and served with pickles. They have great fries (try the disco fries with brown gravy and cheese) and shakes.
The interior is bright, inviting and colorful. A great local spot!
...and they have a parking lot too. -
Review from Amanda M.
Tiverton, RI
Anyone who complains that Stanley Burgers are "sliders" didn't get a Double Bacon Cheeseburger! Try to eat more than one of those, just try it!
One of those paired with some of their deliciously crispy French fries makes a fine meal. Shakes are also good but I'm a sucker for their fresh-squeezed lemonade.
The place itself is super clean and the staff is just fine. All that's really important to me though is if they can grill a mean onion, and yup they can.Listed in: Fat Fridays
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Review from Mike C.
Pawtucket, RI
11/12/2011
stanely burgers end of freakin story.
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Review from Gus L.
Providence, RI
4/14/2008
Delicious.
The owner seems like kind of a jerk from what I've heard.
The prices are decent the food is good and if you have Lou as a server, you've got the best. I love Stanley Burger.
Addendum: Since it's hard for some people to let bygones be bygones. I mention the owner's cantankerousness out of the sheer fact that it affects the diner's experience. He doesn't come to your table and flip it over, but he never smiles, throws the stink eye out at his employees and customers and for an owner of such a small place, he isn't very friendly and can even be seen on a busy Friday taking up 4 tables to treat his family to a meal.
PERSONALLY a.k.a. in my OWN opinion this doesn't help the dining experience. I still give them 5 stars because when Lou waits on me when I decide to dine, I have an excellent experience both food and service wise. I suppose we all should put a disclaimer by all our reviews just to remind the general miserable public that they are just personal opinions. If they don't like a location they too can post a personal, from their point of view review. -
Review from Dave L.
9/21/2009
Some of the reviewers don't get just what it is about Stanley's that makes it so great. These burgers are classic "sliders", they are not the behemoth 1/2 pounders that have become the usual type of burger you find these days.
Stanleyburgers are best ordered in pairs, or even threes. The signature component of a Stanleyburger is the heaps of white onions that are very thinly sliced and piled atop the burger meat. Then the grill man smashes the onion and meat into a patty and cooks it till the blending of onion and meat transcends mere burger ordinariness. What you get is more than the sum of its parts - a cheesy, gooey burger with real beef flavor and real fat dripping into the squishy bun.
These are among my favorite burgers anywhere. Stanley's has been doing this for over 75 years. They know burgers! -
Review from Maureen H.
Exeter, NH
2/11/2008
In about 1960-61 my father used to go out with the guys on a Friday night and stop into Stanley's (that stayed open til 2am) and buy a sack of hamburgers with just onions on them. He'd stuff them in the fridge and we girls would have them for breakfast in the a.m.
I stopped in over the weekend and it's in the same spot on Dexter Street but has been remodeled with a retro feel. They're still making hamburgers with onions for less than $2.00. I planned on bringing a sack of them home, but we only made it half way before we just couldn't take the aroma anymore. -
Review from Jen S.
3/8/2008
Stanley's hasn't changed their signature onion-soaked burgers since it opened in '32. Their home-cut fries are also greasily outstanding. You can get them Quebec-style (with gravy).
They recently added veggie burgers to the menu as well, so nobody misses out. -
Review from Michael A.
Greer, SC
11/14/2008
Having had Stanley's before in Providence, I was pretty eager to have it again. The C.F. Stanley's is closer, so I went for a quick bite with friends.
Stanley's is a really retro-looking place and that adds to it's charm. Silver counters and red stools make the place feel old yet new. Sure, plenty of other burger joints have done it (Red Robin, Johnny Rockets), but it's still nice.
One thing that I like about Stanley's are their prices. $1.35 for a small burger loaded with onions and pickles. But this burger is small. Adding cheese and other condiments seems like a luxury, seeing as how it costs almost 50 cents more. They sometimes overkill with the onions.
But while their burgers aren't amazing, their Quebec Style fries are incredible. Gravy soaked home-cut fries covered in cheese are almost enough to fill you up. One order of this with a burger and your set.
If you're looking for a nice hole-in-the-wall, this place is for you. -
Review from Kim P.
Dedham, MA
4/16/2010
Yummy and will go back. Cute atmosphere - good service - 70s music playing in the background. They must be doing something right as it was crowded and they were doing a lot of to-go orders when we were there.
I had the BLT with onion rings - excellent - not too greasy. Hubby likes their hamburgers and fries. The strawberry shortcake is very good. -
Review from Frank L.
7/17/2010 1 photo
Now thats a burger! This is your typical greasy spoon, smashed burger. Best burger in RI. Get it with grilled onions.
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Review from Godot E.
Providence, RI
6/7/2008
It's a raditional diner and an outstandingly clean restaurant. The food is mediocre though... the burgers are anorexic yet dripping oil. PS (to Gus L.) you go to a restaurant to eat the food not to date or befriend the owner! I don't know the owner so who cares if he is a pleasant person or a jerk when the burgers suck anyway!
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Review from BRIAN D.
Westerly, RI
7/25/2008
Any burger with this many onions is hard to fault. That said, the burgers are teetering on White Castle "slider" size wise. The fries are good and having them with gravy just makes things better. Enjoyably unhealthy. I love finding places that still cook for taste and not for the veggie health nut crowd. If you come to Stanley's for a veggie burger you should get run over by a bacon truck on your way out.
