Experience: Thirsty Beaver in North Kingstown Dishes Fun Fries and Flowing Taps

For classic American bites, a hand-selected list of craft beers, and a feel-good family atmosphere, it doesn’t get much better than Thirsty Beaver Hometown Pub & Grub, a local mainstay with not one but four locations. My boyfriend and I stopped by their newest restaurant in North Kingstown – easy to spot along Frenchtown Road by its wood-frame aesthetic – on a Wednesday evening.

Inside, the spacious dining area features garage door walls that can open up when the weather is warm, but during winter, it’s the place to flock to catch your favorite sports team in action, with 10 TV screens lining the walls, broadcasting a few different games. As the name would suggest, the pub’s other draw is the expansive bar. The owners of Thirsty Beaver pride themselves on their wide selection of beers – with 32 brews on draft – wines, and a dozen cocktails that rotate twice a year.

My boyfriend opted for a draft beer, and I ordered the Angriest Orchard Cocktail, a spin on a margarita but with a cinnamon rim, cinnamon simple syrup, and apple cider sour mix that keeps the cozy fall vibes going strong into winter.

Before ordering entrees, we couldn’t skip on an appetizer – the punny names echoing the sports bar theme on the “Beaver Snacks” menu grabbed our attention, and we ordered a round of Fry Me to the Moon with Bases Loaded, a bed of fries covered in cheddar jack cheese, bacon, scallions, and sour cream. The plate came to our table steaming hot with delicious crunchy long-cut fries.

For patrons having trouble deciding what to order, I would suggest taking a look at the Staff Favorites and Hall of Fame icons indicating some of their tried-and-true staples. This led my boyfriend to a menu MVP, the aptly named Dam Good Rueben. The sandwich was filled with a generous serving of house-braised corned beef, thousand island dressing, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on toasted rye bread. Though reluctant to give up even a bite of this tasty sandwich, he indulged me – and I was wowed by the perfect balance of melty cheese and tender corned beef.

For my main course, the Frenchtown Twist – a playful nod to the NK location’s street address – was a crispy chicken sandwich topped with buffalo honey mustard, cheddar jack cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Served on a warm, soft brioche bun, this huge sandwich brought the perfect amount of crunch to every bite, with just a touch of heat from the honey mustard. Both meals came with a side of fries and tater tots, a mouth-watering pairing for our sandwiches.

We were too full to enjoy dessert, but that didn’t stop me from ordering something to bring home. The Churrific – fried churros – were covered in cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce, paired with vanilla ice cream. The tantalizing dessert was still both warm and cold – and soon disappeared – the moment we got home. For approachable, fun fare, and rotating menu specials to keep things interesting, the Thirsty Beaver is an easy year-round favorite (with plenty of gluten-free options, too), whether you’re a sports fan, French fry enthusiast, or both!

Thirsty Beaver

80 Frenchtown Road, North Kingstown
(additional locations: Cranston, Smithfield, and Westerly)

ThirstyBeaverPub.com  •  471-7136