There’s nothing easy about opening a deli in a spot that had been the home to a local favorite. No matter what you do, you’ll be compared to what came before you. It’s an already competitive market and you are battling a ghost. There’s only two things you can do to succeed: First, serve great food. Second, give it time.
In May 2023, The Roasted Clove Deli & Catering opened at 1151 Aquidneck Ave. in Middletown in the spot that had been home to Sig’s Place since 2010. Sig’s had been an Aquidneck Island fixture with a Newport history dating back to the 1930s. When the owners called it quits , it was time for Felecia Landers to take over the property and start a whole new business. Her new deli would feature a clever sandwich menu, hearty salad offerings, a deli case full of grab-and-go offerings and a catering menu to win over every group. It was comfort food, made with love, and served with smiles. It would be a place people would gather and enjoy. But would it be as good as Sig’s?
Now that The Roasted Clove has 16 months under its belt (and counting), we can answer that question definitively: Yes! In fact, they have been making their own mark on legit good eats on the Island, and people are taking notice. Head there for lunch and join the line of people anxiously waiting to dive into one of the made-to-order sandwiches. There’s a good vibe inside. The staff makes you feel welcomed and you can tell they take pride in what they prepare. The customers are happy too, and seem genuinely excited for all the great food. When you are feasting on one of their over-stuffed sandwiches or custom salads, you can’t help but agree with the giant neon sign that adorns the deli’s wall that says,“Today was a good day.” With a sandwich from The Roasted Clove, it truly was.
Not only did The Roasted Clove have to deal with the ghost of Sig’s Place in their first year of business, they also had to endure the months of construction that kept Aquidneck Avenue torn up. Those are pretty big obstacles to overcome, yet the folks at The Roasted Clove took it in stride. Part of their success is found in the personality of fun and encouragement that they embrace to help deal with adversity. You see it in their curbside signs they create to give passing motorists a smile. There’s a sign now alerting us that “Sweatah Weathah” is here and also one that reminds us, in the midst of election season, that “Wu-Tang is for life.” They may take their food seriously, but they’re going to have fun with the rest of it. That’s the vibe you feel here.
The menu is an eater’s delight. With over 20 specialty sandwiches and a whole BYOS (Build Your Own Sando) section, the ski's the limit. Try a Surfer’s End made with grilled chicken, mozzarella, basil aioli, arugula, tomato, bacon and avocado served on a wrap. Or indulge with the Homage to Fromage sandwich made with whipped goat cheese, American, julienned salami, roasted garlic aioli all served on a pressed bulkie roll. Are you in the mood for a salad? Go for the Chop Chop made with romaine lettuce, confit tomato, red onion, crumbled Bleu cheese, bacon, chickpeas, and sunflower seeds. Top it with Curry Chicken Salad too! There’s a daily offering of homemade soups available and a delightful array of chips and beverages to choose from as well. Looking for something to Grab and Go? Spend a few minutes peeking at their display cases for some tasty choices. The BLT Pasta Salad tastes as good as it sounds as does the Italian Grinder Pasta Salad made with cavatappi pasta tossed with diced ham, salami, sweet capicola, provolone, red onion, banana peppers and tomatoes. They feature Nana’s meatballs made with beef, veal and pork and they are ready for pickup. Or maybe grab a meat or chourico pie or two for a tasty and savory snack.
They are not just for lunch either. They have a breakfast menu that will satisfy all those early morning cravings, from fresh brewed coffee to homemade quiches and breakfast sandwiches. A variety of fresh muffins are ready for you or pick up some overnight oats for a hearty, satisfying start to your day. If you have a meeting or party you need food for, their catering menu is perfect. Sandwich platters filled with all your favorites, giant salads for groups, baked mac and cheese trays and more. For a sweet treat to give a little sugar boost to your event or meeting attendees, be sure to pick up a Big Boy Cookie Box stuffed with twenty oversized cookies. When it comes to catering, they have just what you want to meet your company’s catering needs and to leave a great impression.
It’s great to see a new business doing well. It speaks to the quality of the food they are serving and the attention to customer needs they achieve. The Roasted Clove has already made a splash on the food scene on Aquidneck Island and we look forward to many more years of their tasty success. We still have happy memories of Sig’s, but it’s time to move forward and celebrate the tasty triumph of The Roasted Clove.
Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality-related. His column appears on newportri.com and in The Daily News. Cheers !
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Roasted Clove Deli replaced an island favorite. Now they've made their own mark.
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