A history of iconic Narragansett restaurant, Aunt Carrie’s

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. — Narragansett restaurant Aunt Carrie’s has a long history in Rhode Island.

Carrie Cooper and her husband, Ulysses, lived in Connecticut, but their hearts belonged to Narragansett. They’d pack up their six kids into their trusty Model-T and make the drive down, squeezing into every inch of space for a family adventure. The days were filled with fishing, swimming, and camping on the beach. It was the kind of simplicity you couldn’t find anywhere else, though Ulysses often remarked how there was nowhere in Point Judith to grab a cold drink.

It was an offhand comment, but it sparked something. Soon, the family was selling cold lemonade to the local fishermen and campers. Carrie, having grown up on a farm, was no stranger to making the most of what she had. The kids would bring clams to her, and she’d turn them into a hearty chowder. Her corn fritters, a family favorite, soon evolved into her signature clamcakes. The smell of them would drift through the air, teasing the other campers and fishermen nearby. Every time she made a batch, someone would wander over to ask what she was cooking, and of course, the more people tasted them, the more she had to make. Ulysses had an idea: Why not sell the clamcakes and chowder alongside the lemonade?

They set up a small stand, not far from where the Point Judith Lighthouse stands today. Ulysses bought the property, and in 1920, the original restaurant was built. The counter and front dining room are still there, though over the years, the building has grown, just as the family’s story did.

So, how did it come to be called Aunt Carrie’s? Well, in addition to their six children, the beach was always full of nieces and nephews. There was always someone calling out, “Aunt Carrie!” – and before long, that name became synonymous with the restaurant.

Carrie’s family became the heart and soul of the place. The white-haired lady you may think of as Aunt Carrie wasn’t actually Carrie herself, but her daughter, Gertrude. Gertrude married William Foy, who worked at the restaurant while his family camped there in the summers. When Ulysses passed away in 1953 and Carrie retired, Gertrude and William took over the restaurant. They expanded the kitchen to what it is today, continuing the legacy that Carrie had started. Sadly, Aunt Carrie passed away in 1964.

The next generation took the reins in 1984. Bill, Gertrude and William’s son, and his wife, Elsie, stepped in, with the help of Gertrude and William. William passed away in 1991, and Gertrude followed in 1997. Many of you may remember William, the bald gentleman who worked tirelessly in the middle of the kitchen. Then, in 1994, Bill passed away too. Now, Elsie runs the restaurant, with the help of their two daughters – the fourth generation of Aunt Carrie’s family – and a dedicated staff.

If you ever take the time to look around, you’ll see old pictures hanging on the walls, reminders of the faces and moments that have shaped this place. Maybe you’ll even spot someone you know. And if you happen to be here early in the morning, you’ll find the bakers in the kitchen, peeling apples for pies or making the homemade raisin bread that’s been a staple here for years.

Aunt Carrie’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a piece of history, a warm memory of simpler days spent by the sea, and a legacy that’s still being passed down, one delicious bite at a time.

Photo Credit: Aunt Carrie’s