Frankie's Restaurant & Pizzeria

I haven't seen much chit chat about Frankie's Restaurant & Pizzeria on this page and I wonder now if that's because we should keep it a "hidden gem"

I stopped in quick right before the Tampa Bay game and Brianna was on the bar. She had a full house and many tables in the bar were full, so she was busy busy. A solo guest myself, she never forgot about me and made sure my Pear martini was refilled when the first one magically disappeared after kickoff The calzone I ordered was decent (let's be real- NK is a Mecca for pizza and calzones ) and next time I stop in I will be trying the one of their winter dinner specials!

Shout out to the staff at @Frankie's you've got a good little thing going there!

The perpetual effort to bring the MEATBALL back to Rhode Island is in full force, and let me just say Frankie's has/is at the forefront of the movement. Having reviewed countless meatballs in Rhode Island, I was beginning to become discouraged at the lack of attention to this Italian staple...the tastelessness the unbalanced bread to meat ratio but Frankie's has restored the meatball faith.

I ordered a singular meatball topped with ricotta per a servers (Waitress: Faith) recommendation and let me tell you I was not disappointed. Ratio of bread to meat was spot on, ricotta was fresh and melted perfectly on that ball. Sauce was fantastic with rustic hints and a great consistency that no Italian mother could deny. WE WILL BRING THE MEATBALL BACK TO RHODE ISLAND, and Frankie's is ahead of the game.

Final meatball rating: 9.7

Frankie's is located near the train station in a strip mall on Rt.102, close to where it meets up with Rts.4 and 2. It shares parking with several other businesses and there is plenty of it.

Wait to be seated at the hostess stand just inside the door, or sit at the bar to the left if space is available. Frankie's also offers sidewalk dining in the nicer weather. A chalkboard near the dining area displays specials.

The dining area is sunny with a large window wall. The bar area is a bit darker with a more subdued vibe. The owner, Louie (sp?) purchased the business from Frankie and is doing a great job from what we see.

Staff are very pleasant and knowledgable. Louie's son Denzel works behind the bar. A mild mannered, affable young man who appreciates European football. We were thrilled to see a game on their bar side TV! Ziedel is the more outgoing personality of this behind the bar duo.

The menu includes seasonal specials, calamari, salads, soup, eggplant parm, pizza, calzones, seafood, desserts. . . Italian fare. Their buffalo chicken pizza is a tasty treat. The Nonna pizza has a balsamic drizzle over the top completely changing the pizza experience. Mixed drinks are well made. They offer several beers on tap and in bottles, wines and a variety of top shelf libations.

Frankie's would make a good stop on the way home from the beach. Get out of that Rt. 4 traffic and enjoy a meal. Being next to the train station Frankie's is also a convenient spot after a long commute or day trip. Business lunch, lunch with friends, dinner with family. Whatever your reason for stopping by, Frankie's makes a nice, casual dining experience.

Frankies Italian Bistro is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality. The calamari is a must-try, perfectly crispy and light, bursting with flavor. And don't even get me started on their veal parmesan; it's tender, succulent, and paired with a divine tomato sauce that's like a taste of Italy itself. The homemade pasta is simply heavenly, adding an extra touch of authenticity to every bite. Plus, the bartender is not only friendly but incredibly attentive, making sure your dining experience is nothing short of fantastic. I also love the layout, with a large bar that's separate from the restaurant, creating a cozy ambiance with just the right level of background noise. Frankies Italian Bistro is where culinary dreams come true!

Very good food and excellent service. Local spot that is very good. Menu is good and the 2 for one specials are great. Entree sizes are huge!

Fantastic pizza, (fig, gorgonzola and prosciutto) and the drinks were excellent. Bartender was great, she was personable, knowledgeable and a perfect martini maker. Crab cakes were very good. Everyone surrounding us at the bar was having a great time with great food and drink. Definitely a go to spot

Frankie's is a lovely restaurant and their waitstaff is excellent - always willing to listen and please. Three of us enjoyed appetizers of delicious brussels sprouts and tasty arancini. Our dinners were accompanied by a choice of soup or salad; two of us delighted in the fresh, crispy house salad and the third guest really enjoyed his pasta fagioli. Entrees of eggplant parm and veal parm, both served with penne, and the chicken marsala were all pleasing. The chicken marsala, although a bit salty due to the generous portion of the accompanying marsala sauce, was served with spiced roasted potato wedges and savory, sweet butternut squash. The evening was delightful.

Decided to stop here after a day in Newport at the beach on our way home for dinner. First timers. Was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere. Was bigger and nicer atmosphere then the typical pizza place! We chose to sit at the bar where Z quickly greeted us. He was very polite and super friendly. Got us started with menu and worked on our drinks. I got the Swordfish piccata and my husband had Chicken parm Alfredo. Both dishes came out in a reasonable time and tasted great! I did want to mention Z observed that I wasn't crazy with my drink and remade it even though I declined his offer initially to do so. Very good bartender, social, observant but not over bearing.
Of course, we finished off with the Heath bar truffle which was decent size, tasty and good presentation. Friendly staff, clean place and overall excellent atmosphere with reasonable prices.

Not good. While edible, there was nothing good to say about it. Maybe other items on the menu are good, but the pizza was awful.

Frankie's Restaurant is the very best. It has everything wonderful to offer. From great dinners to terrific pizza, you can't go wrong. If you love Chicken Francise, this is the place to order it. Make sure to say hi to the owner Agnes. She is very friendly and makes you feel at home.

Ronnie N.,