Locavore Comes to Lunch with Ocean State Sandwich Company

The Handwerger family has been in the business of feeding people since father Alan first opened the Left Bank in Providence in the mid '70s and then persuaded the salad girl Lorrie to marry him (she's also a Johnson & Wales grad).

After owning restaurants in Massachusetts, Florida and Vermont, the Handwergers are back home in Rhode Island, and they've opened a daytime eatery with son Eric in Johnston, called Ocean State Sandwich Company.

Eric affirms the family's goal to provide healthy sandwiches, soups and salads (plus a few items that are pure food fun), drawing on ingredients from nearby farms and food producers, such as Buono's Italian Bakery, Richard Alan Specialty Coffees, Stamp Farm (eggs) and Daniele charcuterie. The made-with-care sandwiches come in almost two dozen choices, including the Ocean State ultimate grinder, a vegetarian hummus and veggie wrap and Apple Valley turkey – house-roasted turkey with cheddar, sun-dried tomato mayo and apple slices from local orchards. The seasonal pumpkin-apple bisque and the fresh corn salad are also winners. And Eric is intent on providing vegan and gluten-free options.