Fall River Food Specialties
The city is about more than just Portuguese food.
A Chinese chow mein sandwich is a Fall River favorite. Photography courtesy of Katherine Keenan/Yankee Publishing inc.
Oriental Chow Mein Company
Fall River’s trademark crispy noodles — also known as Hoo-Mee Chow Mein — are served with fresh bean sprouts, celery and gravy with chicken or beef. Eat them in a bowl or as part of a Fall River chow mein sandwich. After many Chinese immigrants settled in Fall River, the original chow mein recipe was developed to appease the palates of the rest of Fall River’s large immigrant population, which included people from Ireland, Quebec and England. Buy some bulk noodles and gravy mix at the store and fix it up at home. 42 Eighth St., Fall River, Mass., 508-675-7711
Patti’s Pierogies
This restaurant began in 2009 with Ron and Patti Geary at the helm. Patti’s love for traditional Polish potato, onion and cheese-stuffed pierogies gravitated to the unconventional varieties, too. How about a mac and cheesogi, a loadedogi (stuffed baked potato with bacon, cheese and sour cream) and a chourogi (chourico, potato and cheese)? The family-friendly restaurant also serves food platters, including pierogis, kielbasa and golabkis (stuffed cabbage). You can even get sweet potato and marshmallow and blueberry pierogies for dessert. 1019 South Main St., Fall River, Mass., 508-679-4001, pattispierogis.com
Hartley’s Original Pork Pies
Hartley’s has been established in Fall River since 1900, serving its English-style pork pies developed by Thomas Hartley. They do one thing, and they do it right, using antique English equipment and a recipe that was never written down. Varieties include traditional meat and pork, as well as chourico and chicken. 1729 South Main St., Fall River, Mass., 508-676-8605
Nick’s Hot Dogs
Established in 1920, Nick’s came before Olneyville New York System in Providence. They serve Coney Island hot dogs using a secret sauce created by the first-generation owners. Sit in one of the antique school chairs and enjoy a Coney Island hot dog topped with minced-beef meat sauce and freshly chopped onions. 543 South Main St., Fall River, Mass., 508-677-3890; 2069 South Main St., Fall River, Mass., 508-617-4154, nickshotdogs.com
