Rick's Roadhouse: BBQ, Beer, & Bull Riding

Located at 370 Richmond Street in Providence RI, Rick's is easily accessible from down City or the new I-way. The building pays homage to dinning on Route 66 and sports two full and two half sized garage doors that can be thrown open weather permitting. With the doors open there is nothing between you and whatever sporting event you choose to watch on one of three visible televisions, your friends playing pool, or even the ones who arrived late and took up residence at the bar because your table was full. In back of the bar a large dining room glows with light from the open grill area.

In a blatant attempt to make you salivate a smoked menu arrives loaded with recognizable comfort food in satisfying quantities at affordable prices. Over 40 items on the menu cost under $10. It's not hard to see why it's a favorite stop for college students in the area.

Indulgently slow smoked meats spend up to 16 hours in the heat and are cut to order. You know it's got to be good when your table gets its own napkin dispenser and the condiment tray holds two versions of BBQ sauce. If you like it spicier than a shaker full of dry spice is also present. Smoked Chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket are just what you'd expect to get in any number of diners along route 66 and now you can get them just off of 95. Accompanied by the traditional sides of baked beans, peppery coleslaw, and cornbread with honey butter guests are likely to hunker down and stay a while.

Beverage manager Teddy Newcomer is a "Best In Rhode Island" award winner so it's no surprise the drink menu is stunning. "Diesel Fuel" comes by the glass or the pitcher and your choice might speak volumes about your constitution. The signature Snake Bite Margarita boasts jalapeno infused tequila, triple sec, and citrus juice. If you prefer your poison on the tamer side you can go with the award winning, house made, red or white wine, Spanish Inquisition Sangria.

If a good night is to catching a game and tossing back a beer or two you can take a seat at the bar or in main dining room. With no less than six televisions there isn't a bad seat in the house. The bar area sports two pool tables, two video games and a pinball machine. Think this sounds a bit tame for your idea of a roadhouse? Rick's has you covered it is now the home of Rhode Island's only mechanical bull and you can try your hand at taming the beast. No cover charge, prizes for the longest ride and live music courtesy of The Regulars makes Rick's an easy choice for food and fun on a budget. In fact with the menu and drink selections available once you get here choosing this as a venue might be the easiest decision you make all night.

After a meal with family or a night out with friends cap off your experience at the roadhouse is with a sweet treat; dessert means four all American items: a hot fudge brownie Sunday, "The Best Chocolate Cake Ever", warm apple cobbler, and the unique to Rick's "Camp Fire S'mores for Two or More" that you toast at the table.

Too busy to spend an evening? Have company coming? Just call ahead and pick up one of Rick's Party Packs to go. The "Pig Out" feeds 4-6 and the "Slop The Hawgs" will handle a passel of up to 12.