Being in a pizza community group means I'm always craving pizza…read more Living on the north end of Providence, I have my fair share of choices. But there was one spot nearby I hadn't been to since November and it was high time I went back. That place is Zesty bites. They're located on that last stretch of Smith St before you cross over in North Providence. I always manage to find street parking in the front but there's more around the corner as well. Imad was in there cranking out a HUGE catering order! There were covered pans everywhere, ready and waiting for the client to come and pick up. But that didn't stop Imad from taking a moment to shake my hand and ask how I was doing lately. I didn't want to take up much of his time as his Friday night was just kicking off but he is genuinely a warm and friendly person, you can't help but smile when he smiles. I took home a Pesty Chicken, house pesto with turkey bacon, onions and chicken, plus a hefty slice of his gorgeous baklava. After my 5 minute drive home I got to it immediately. The pesto is herbaceous, salty from the Parmesan. The turkey bacon is not what you find Butterball making but rather, this was of a much higher quality and was an actual piece of sliced meat instead of a formed amalgamation of ground turkey. All of those ingredients sang while being supported by the incredible crust. I don't quite know how to describe it. It's light, fluffy, but crispy. Crunching into the crust scratched a part of my brain I didn't know needed it until I bit into this little slice of heaven! The baklava looked as good as it tasted. Sweet, spiced, and it had this deep flavor I can't quite put my finger on but it's probably top 3 best I've ever had. If you haven't visited Imad and his shop up over on Smith Hill, then you are missing out on a unique and delicious experience. 10/10, great pizza. Great food all around, no matter what you get you'll love it!

Last year during the RI FOOD FIGHTS Lord of the Pies event, we stumbled into Zesty Bites and found…read moresomething special that stuck with all of us. Imad runs this small spot in Providence where incredible Lebanese food and pizza coexist. His pizza has that perfect char on the crust, brilliantly simple sauce, and genuine hospitality that feels completely natural, not performed. So when this year's competition rolled around, I came back. Twenty-four places into this month's pizza marathon, we needed to know if Zesty Bites was a one-time thing or if Imad's really doing what I thought he was doing. Turns out, he is. Of course he is. The crust still delivers. Crunchy exterior, chewy interior. Imad's dough artistry hasn't changed. His sauce is fresh and flavorful, built from simple, super fresh ingredients that deliver big taste. No tricks. High quality cheese and pepperoni blend together for a pie that just delivers a little bit of magic to your mouth. Same five tables. Same warm welcome. Imad's still treating customers like they are family who just walked in, not like he's checking boxes. After twenty-four stops this month, you start noticing which places coast and which ones stay consistent. Zesty Bites is consistent. No drop-off. No shortcuts. Just the same great pizza Imad was making a year ago. That's a lot harder than it sounds.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet!…read more I used to live right up the street so I went here all the time- my favorite thing being the chicken shawarma that came with delicious fries, pickles, and garlic sauce. I also love the fattoush salad- so flavorful! All of the meats (kaza maza mix), rice, hummus, mutabal, etc. were absolutely fantastic...this place was perfect for a feast. The interior is nice and cozy but I always got takeout- pro tip: order ahead and give ample time for your order. Parking is limited as well, but service was always friendly- highly recommend if you are in the area...or even if you are not!

C'mon, Kaza Maza Take an hour or so TODAY & provide more…read moreDETAILED DESCRIPTIONS of each menu item! I can't find ingredients or flavor profiles ANYWHERE - not even on your website! You can, and MUST DO BETTER!

Please note that this is NOT a fast food restaurant as advertised. This is actually a small mom &…read morepop shop with a few basic items used to cook Middle Eastern foods, serving a few prepared items, such as kibbeh, tabouleh, spinach pies, flat bread topped with zaatar, and milk pudding dessert. I was hoping to find a complete renovation from the previous business it replaced but, alas, the only thing that changed is the name and a few added items in their prepared food section. The new owners have recently immigrated to the US, so the woman who assisted me had challenges communicating with me in English. Luckily, she had a translator on her phone that translated the list of food on my text message into Arabic writing . I think these people are VERY BRAVE for starting over in a far away land. In the grocery section I bought a jar of pickled turnips for the chicken pita wraps I make at home. (Trader Joe's now sells toum, or garlic sauce, traditionally used as a condiment in Lebanon similar to garlicky mayonnaise. You can use meat from rotisserie chicken available at most local grocery stores). They also have fresh lebneh, or strained yogurt. From the prepared foods section, I highly recommend their kibbeh (if you like lamb; my hubby thought it was good) and their slow cooked chicken with Syrian rice pilaf, which is an authentic Syrian regional home cooked meal. This was delicious and the portion was perfect for the price. I also liked their milk pudding cups, though I wish the portion was larger. If you decide to try the cheese or spinach pies, you might need to baked it in the oven a while longer as they were undercooked. My four stars is for the slow-cooked chicken with rice pilaf and the milk pudding, which I will come back for. Hopefully, we will see some renovations in the future since it still looks shabby as it did before this business took over

I placed a large order, paid through the website and arrived at the store and they were closed for…read morebusiness on that day! Although the sign in the front window stated they were open for business so

While we had some initial sticker shock, Anna's proved well worth the price…read more My husband and I were impressed with the quality of pizza. We got the meatball and potato pizzas and thought both were delicious. They tasted very fresh and the quantity of toppings didn't weigh the pizza down, it just provided flavor. We ordered take out on a Friday night and got the pizza in about 25 min. This is a great addition to the neighborhood and we anticipate being back!

I went to Anna's tonight after my friend Katie Martin told me there was going to be two of my…read morefavorite foods: pizza and oysters. I had only heard good things about Anna's from other pizza lovers in the state so I took the opportunity to go and try it for myself. Anna's sits on the corner of Doyle and Camp in the east side of Providence. I remember only 15 years ago I could hear gunshots from Camp when I dated a guy who lived near the observatory. Nowadays, the only shots were the sample shots of wine we got to try from Westport Rivers Vineyard as I waited for my pizza to cook. While I loved the smaller, classic menu, I was there for one thing - the Rockefeller. The oysters are blended with kale and cream to create the sauce and they finish with with fine provolone cheese, bits of kale and parma crunch. My cashier was super friendly and before long my order was on it's way into the oven. The guys making the pies were kind enough to let me photograph them as well! As I waited, I checked out the place, it was bustling for a Thursday at 5 and although there was plenty of seating along the windows, I'm not sure about dine in tables. To be fair, it was a special event so it may have a different set up on other days. Super clean lines and a retro vibe that I liked overall. This pizza was heavenly. The oyster flavor was there, but it wasn't overwhelming. It paired well with the cream, and the kale in the sauce bubbled up like pesto. Savory, salty with big umami tastes that a RI oyster brings to the table. The crust was golden and soft, chewy without breaking your jaw. The kale garnish baked up crunchy in the high heat of the oven in contrast to the softness of the crust. Did it taste like an oyster rockefeller? Kinda but not really. However, was it a delicious pie? 100% yes. 10/10 would order again. I loved trying oysters this way, I think it was a brilliant concept even if the execution didn't pay out exactly as hoped. After the pizza my night got even better when Katie served me her Oysters Puglia - stracciatella cheese (the soft inside of burrata), trout roe and osetra caviar, a splash of sparkling wine from Westport Rivers and freshly cracked black pepper. Words cannot describe how good these were. You get the full taste of the oyster and combined with the other components, sang a symphony so fantastic I had to close my eyes to savor every moment. I only had two, but I wish I had a dozen. I feel blessed she is my friend because that means I can convince her to make these for me in the future While Katie was only there for tonight, Anna's is there year round. I'm glad I capitalized on the opportunity to go, it's about 10 minutes from my place, so you can guarantee I'll be back again soon!

Had dinner at this restaurant today and it was EXCELLENT! Both the grilled and fried calamari…read moreappetizers were fresh and very tasty. And the dinner entree with beef kabobs and salad was also ve fresh and delicious. Verfryfriendly and accommodating owners! WEL DONE OPÁ. 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!!

Outstanding service, great food and an authentic ambiance. Food is equally good for takeout but we…read moreprefer eating at the restaurant for the environment- so friendly!

From start to finish--WONDERFUL. The moment you walk in, the…read moredécor and ambiance set the tone--warm, inviting, and elevated without feeling overdone. It's the kind of space that feels both upscale and comfortable, perfect for settling in and enjoying the full experience. Now, the food... executed beautifully across the board. The lamb chops were tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The oxtail was everything it should be--fall-off-the-bone, rich, and deeply satisfying. The garlic mash was smooth and well-seasoned, pairing effortlessly with both proteins. The glazed carrots and asparagus added balance--fresh, vibrant, and cooked just right. Dessert did not disappoint. The banana foster cheesecake and toffee snicker cheesecake were decadent, indulgent, and absolutely worth it. And the drink--"Snake Bite"--was smooth, refreshing, and the perfect complement to the meal. What truly tied everything together was the staff--simply awesome. Attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming, they elevated the entire dining experience.

This place is popping!!!…read more Staff is very friendly and helpful. Had an issue with my drink they took care of it right away and even apologized for it. And it was more my fault than theirs!!! Place is large but packed. Tables are close together but to be fair. People are standing a lot and dancing and vibing! Food is darn good, amazing flavors and great portions! If you are looking for quote and cozy, this is not the place. Lots of great energy from the staff and crowd!!! Had a lot of fun and really enjoyed it. Would definitely hit this place up again!!!

I recently had another great meal at Tolia (Track 15). The Turmeric Chicken Kebab was delicious…read more The meat was tender and well marinated. The rice was fluffy and it had a nice herb seasoning on it. For the price (and also as compared to other choices at Track 15), this is one of the better deals when you see how much you get for what you pay for. Turkish food in downtown Providence.

If you like flavor and good food, this is the place for you! Every time I come to track 15, I HAVE…read moreto stop at tolia for something on their menu! The hummus is by far the best I've had in the area. All their food is well seasoned and bursting with flavor. The owners are such nice people and are truly excited to share food with others.

Summary: Solid food, lots of lettuce. We were looking for…read moreshopping so we walked to the end and back and decided on Livi's Pockets for lunch. The menu had a lot of selections which were wraps. My wife got the chicken wrap, I selected the gyros wrap. The chicken wrap (a special) had 4 pieces of avocado with chicken, and a lot of lettuce. My gyro wrap was coated with tzatziki sauce inside the wrap, with a lot of lettuce and gyro meat not off a skewer (yes, there is a difference). I also bought a chocolate chip cookie, which was massive. Still, it was tasty. The soft drinks were a bit expensive at $7 for a 20 ounce Dr. Pepper - you can get two for one at most gas stations and come out with more change. The staff was nice. Service was fast. In terms of ambiance, it was a typical fast food place with tables and seating.

Casual lunch spot tucked away in the arcade. Good number of different Mediterranean options. Got…read morethe works wrap and the chicken kebab wrap. I was surprised by the use of peppers though the chicken kebab wrap was quite good. Overall it was a good experience. Service was quick.

UPDATED: They charged me an extra $4 for picking sweet potato fries as the side despite the menu…read moreclearly saying "choice of side." Nowhere does it say that a certain choice will incur a higher charge... feeling a little scammed here! Here is the five star review I left BEFORE getting the check but I have to say it left a bad taste in my mouth hence the 3 stars: A great spot for some great BBQ! I say this as someone from the South-- I do think they did an excellent job with their BBQ and their name makes me laugh because it feels almost like a disclaimer. I got the pulled pork plate and it was delicious-- the cornbread had maple syrup on it and it was so yummy! I got sweet potato fries as my side and they were so good (maybe some of the best I've had?) I saw someone else had mac n cheese and it looked good so I ordered mac n cheese as well-- also delicious!! My boyfriend got the brisket which was great and enough to take home for a second meal. The plates are a great bang for your buck, not to mention delicious!! The vibe is like dark/casual/BBQ-- relaxed and spacious seating. Service was good too. There's parking outside that can probably fit 6-7 or so cars-- we got lucky and snagged a spot. There's some street parking around too though.

After half a dozen visits over the years, I'm not that big of a fan…read more Smells great but everything is always dry. I love sauces and gravy, and this has decent flavor - but always too dry.