As you get settled in your vacation rental while holidaying in South County, you might start thinking about the best establishments to stop for lunch. After all, if you’ll be spending most of your day out and about, finding a local eatery to enjoy makes a lot of sense.
Those wandering downtown Wakefield and searching for a quick lunch are in luck because the community has an abundance of small, local restaurants and sandwich shops. Each venue has a different atmosphere and menu, but all make incredible food that will leave you satisfied.
Here’s a look at five of the best sandwich shops you’ll come across while exploring downtown Wakefield, Rhode Island.
1) Belmont Market
Although Belmont Market is a grocery store, its deli has perhaps the best sandwiches in all of Wakefield. The retailer takes its prepared food incredibly seriously to the point of hiring chefs to work inside the store.
The daily sandwich menu at Belmont Market features ingredients from well-known producers like Boar’s Head, OvenGold, Virginia Baked Ham, and Everroast, while the bread is baked fresh at Pain D’Avignon in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Sandwich options at the deli include ham, BLT, grilled cheese, turkey, chicken, eggplant cutlet, and roast beef, or you can choose a Greek, chicken, or veggie wrap. You’ll be blown away by the quality of these sandwiches, making Belmont Market a great place to stop for lunch while picking up groceries to stock your vacation rental.
2) Cowabunga
Robinson Street in the heart of downtown Wakefield is home to Cowabunga, a family business bringing the mom-and-pop sandwich shop concept to South County. Cowabunga opened its doors in 2011 and has become a local fixture because of its bold menu featuring sandwiches, wraps, salads, and smoothies.
You’ll be blown away by the selection at Cowabunga, as they have both grilled and cold sandwiches with ingredients like turkey, chicken, bacon, avocado, tuna, and cheese. You can also give their Bunga-style wraps, which incorporate chips inside the wrap, a try or opt for special menu items like their lobster roll or pulled pork sandwich.
Cowabunga is a next-level sandwich shop, so make sure you stop by during your vacation in South County, Rhode Island.
3) Bagelz of Wakefield
Every bagel sold at Bagelz of Wakefield is handmade on-site using a boil and bake technique, which is why these bagels are famous all over the state. They carry multiple bagel flavors, including poppy, onion, plain, egg, salt, sesame, whole wheat, everything, cinnamon raisin, and garlic, and you can grab them by the dozen or as a quick meal to go.
The shop’s bagel sandwiches are also a big hit, as you can opt for breakfast sandwiches with egg, ham, and cheese or choose from their lunch menu. Every bagel sandwich on the lunch menu comes with your choice of bagel, and sandwich types include turkey, smoked ham, roast beef, tuna salad, grilled chicken, BLT, and garden veggie.
The bagel sandwiches at Bagelz of Wakefield as a massive hit, making the restaurant an excellent spot to stop for a quick breakfast or lunch on your South County vacation.
4) Island Deli
The Island Deli is a small, locally-owned shop on Old Tower Road that’s always a hit with locals and visitors because of its laidback atmosphere and excellent sandwiches. There aren’t any bells and whistles at the Island Deli, just freshly-made deli sandwiches, wraps, picnic sides, homemade soups, and fresh salads waiting for you.
Breakfast is also served at the Island Deli, as they have various breakfast sandwiches available, in addition to coffee from Seaworthy Coffee Roasters and smoothies. You can grab dessert to enjoy at your vacation rental later on, but remember that their monkey bread and homemade lime cake sell out early in the day.
5) D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches
D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is a chain with locations all over New England, including South County restaurants in Wakefield, North Kingstown, and Westerly. As its name suggests, D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches focuses on grilled options, including its popular steak & cheese and cheeseburger sandwiches, but they also have rice bowls, wraps, deli-style sandwiches, soups, and salads.
There’s lobster on the menu at D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, too, as they carry a lobster roll, a lobster BLT, a lobster sub, and a lobster salad. Or, if you visit the restaurant with family and friends, you can order their 29-inch lobster sandwich to share called the Lobster Great Divide.
Exploring Wakefield
No matter where your South County vacation rental is located, visiting Wakefield makes a lot of sense because the Main Street area is the region’s busiest shopping and dining hub. You’ll find nearly any type of food imaginable in this part of town, including some outstanding sandwich shops that will make you want to return day after day.