Block Island's Only Year-Long Food Truck

Winters on Block Island mean snow, relentless winds, and for its 900 residents, few options for food outside the house. Two years ago, Cindy Kelly recognized this need, drew from her lifetime of creativity as a successful and much sought-after artist, and opened the Pots and Kettles food truck. Knowing pre-made, preservative rich foods would not do, she designed a menu of staples and specials made almost entirely herself. She offers soups, breads, fish or sweet potato and black bean tacos and gluten-free banana coconut oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for dessert. She even makes carrot cake muffins, true to Uncle Harvey’s recipe, from scratch and that includes the lemony cream cheese icing with a home-brewed ginger drink to seal the deal.

Since moving to the island on Labor Day of 1988, Cindy has painted people and landscapes in oils and watercolors for collectors and galleries. Her work with tile, in private residences and mosaics for furniture and framing, has earned her a reputation as an amazing mixed media artist. Now the food truck is where she applies her never-ending passion; as Cindy likes to say, “Pots and Kettles specializes in honestly good grub made from scratch.” Her recipes, sensitive to vegetarian and gluten-free customers, have built a loyal clientele who are willing to stand outside in the elements to order bratwurst simmered in Guinness with tamarind barbecue sauce, Aunt Lena’s saucy meatball sandwich or a brown rice, apricot and fig salad. 

Through the long winters, Cindy Kelly parks near Bridgegate Square, fires up the grill and leans into the cold air with heavy bowls of Oooey Gooey Mac & Cheese or Vietnamese beef and ginger soup for freezing cold islanders. Anyone planning a winter visit can find hours and a menu on Facebook.