Your Guide to Authentic Regional Eats
Sign In | Register for Free!
Restaurants Recipes Forums Eating Tours Merchandise FAQ Maps Insider

Champlin's Seafood Deck

256 Great Island Rd., Narragansett, RI - (401) 783-3152
Posted By Michael Stern on 9/16/2007 11:26:00 PM
On the channel at the entrance to Galilee Harbor, where the ferry leaves for Block Island and where Rhode Island's largest fishing fleet is berthed, Champlin's is a place for in-the-rough seafood lovers. It is a casual eatery where everything is served on disposable plates and where customers carry their own food from the kitchen window to bare-topped tables, many of which are perched on a deck overlooking the boats.

The menu is classic Yankee shoreline: a few burgers and sandwiches, whole lobsters, steamers, raw clams, and a long roster of fried things. While the fried clams are good, we were far more impressed by the fried flounder, a broad filet of sweet, moist meat encased in an elegant crust. The flounder is available by the piece or as half of a fish and chips plate. While the French fries on that plate are fine, we highly recommend substituting boiled red potatoes, which are cream-textured with an earthy spud flavor.

While I like Champlin's plenty, one big disappointment is the kitchen's apparent aversion to garlic. There seems to be none in the snail salad, that Rhode Island specialty that is customarily radiant with a garlic halo, nor in the linguine with white clam sauce which, while quite respectable, was ultimately bland.

10 out of 10 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Rate this place

Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

An only-in-Rhode Island specialty: snail salad. This one is cool, the slices of snail are sweet and tender, and the chopped vegetables add a bright variety of flavor, but we miss the garlic punch that usually characterizes this hors d'oeuvre.
"An only-in-Rhode Island specialty: snail salad. This one is cool, the slices of snail are sweet and tender, and the chopped vegetables add a bright variety of flavor, but we miss the garlic punch that usually characterizes this hors d'oeuvre."
Michael Stern





A single piece of fried flounder. The meat has an ultra-fresh flavor and the crust is fine and fragile. An elegant hunk of fish!
"A single piece of fried flounder. The meat has an ultra-fresh flavor and the crust is fine and fragile. An elegant hunk of fish!"
Michael Stern


I was stunned by the powerful hopsy taste of these thick-battered onion rings where, miraculously, the onion stays within its batter rather than slithering out at first bite.
"I was stunned by the powerful hopsy taste of these thick-battered onion rings where, miraculously, the onion stays within its batter rather than slithering out at first bite."
Michael Stern


Champlin's outdoor dining area offers a view of the fishing fleet as well as the omnipresent seagulls.
"Champlin's outdoor dining area offers a view of the fishing fleet as well as the omnipresent seagulls."
Michael Stern


Good fried clams: nutty-rich, their bellies creamy-sweet, their crust fragile and savory.
"Good fried clams: nutty-rich, their bellies creamy-sweet, their crust fragile and savory."
Michael Stern


Here is where you place your order and pay, then pick it up when your number is called.
"Here is where you place your order and pay, then pick it up when your number is called."
Michael Stern



What is Roadfood?  |   Submit Content  |   Privacy Policy  |   Contact Roadfood.com   Copyright 2011 - Roadfood.com