Our Favorite Write-Ins from the 2023 Best of Rhode Island Readers’ Poll

As many of you are already aware due to the influx of party invitations popping up all over local socials, we recently finished tallying the results of our 2023 Best of Rhode Island Readers’ Poll. Now, because the poll is write-in based, it can be a long and arduous process (see: more than 132k entries) of making sure no votes get discounted on account of a typo or misspelling (or acronym, or nickname…), yet it also can be an amusing one. In fact, we had such a good time going through the list last year that we decided we couldn’t keep all of the oddities to ourselves. This year’s poll was just as fruitful, so we knew we had to share our favorites once again.

But first, a disclaimer: we are not making fun of anyone for their spelling abilities or typing skills — I’m truly not in the position to judge — but just merely pointing out things that made us chuckle throughout the many hours of tallying.

(If you put McDonalds down for Al Fresco dining, though, I am totally judging you on that one.)

Also, if you clicked on this link hoping to find the full list of winners, I’m sorry to break it you that we’re still a month away from revealing the results — but you can be among the first to see them all at our Best of Rhode Island Party at the Providence Performing Arts Center on July 20! Get your tickets here.

Okay, let’s get to it.

First up, the Misspellings

For Matunuck: Motonuk, Matunik, Matunuk, Motunuk, Matunak, Matunick, Matunuk, Matunck, Matuneck, Motonock, Matunic, Matunck, Matunack, Matunnick, Matunek, Matunk, Mattunuc, Matunack, Matunak, Matunnick, Mutnak, Matuvk, etc.

After the twentieth spelling I came across, I was beginning to gaslight myself into thinking I was the one who had it wrong.

For Iannuccilli: Ianucili, Ianniccilli, Iannuchilli, Iannuci, Ianucillis, Innachilli, etc.

For Allie’s: Aly’s, Alies, Alleys, Ali’s, Allieys

For Proclamation Ale Company*: Procclemation, Proclimation, Proclomation, Proclaimation, Proxlimation

*Also, I just need to point out that somehow everyone can spell ‘Narragansett’ just fine? Make it make sense?

For Monahan’s: Monacans, Monaghans, Monohans, Monaghans, Monehans, Monnahans, Monohans, Moynahans

Is this the next Matunuck?

For Gene Valicenti: Please see last year’s roundup for examples — sorry, Gene, but your fans did not do any better this time around.

For Scituate: Situchit

Petition to change the name.

For George’s of Galilee: George’s of Galleley

Take this one up with the Bible, idk.

For Chelos: Choloes

I’m just picturing someone attempting to say ‘Chelo’s’ with a mouth full of their house pickles.

For Tallulah’s Taqueria: Tallulah’s taco-rea

When in doubt, sound it out.

 

The “Gone But Never Forgotten”

Under Statewide Restaurant: “Old Canteen forever and always” and “Huck’s :(”

Under Vegetarian Restaurant: “The Grange (rip)”

Under Irish Bar: “Murray’s”

You’re telling me my people used to have a pub in Pawtucket and I’m finding out nearly a decade after it closed?

Under Concert Venue: “Lupo’s” and “The Dunk”

Ah Rhode Islanders, never change. 

 

The Mistaken Identities

Honestly, y’all are so lucky I speak typo.  

Under Statewide Restaurant: “Crew’s Neat” and “Backyard Foot Company”

Under Statewide Bagel Shop: “Such a Vagel”

 Those pesky nerves. 

Under Statewide Doughnut Shop: “Prov Bagel”

Hey, at least they got the right shape.

Under Statewide Winery: “Carol Sacckonnette”

So close, yet so far.

Under Morning Anchorwoman: “Tara Reid” and “Christina Ricci”

I think I know what happened here and yet I still have so many questions.

Under Female Meteorologist: “Kathy Bates”

Wow, every time, huh? (See: last year).

Under Statewide Irish Bar: “Wild Colonizer”

Did we hit the Guinness a little too hard?

Under Statewide Oyster Bar: “Antinuclear Oyster Bar”

This may quite possibly my favorite autocorrect of all time?

Also Under Statewide Oyster Bar: “Mutinied Oyster House”

I stand corrected.

Under Statewide Outdoor Dining: “Iguana on Oakland Beach”

Never mind, this is the one. 

 

The Lost

Under Statewide Bar: “Hare and Hound CT”

We’ll let Connecticut Mag know.

Under Statewide Clam Shack: “Dick’s (Swansea)”

@bostonmagazine come get your guy. 

Under Statewide Indian Restaurant: “Sophia’s Tuscan” and “El Tapatio”

Undeniably great eateries! Also undeniably from the wrong continents.

 

The Shorthands

Under Statewide Restaurant: “TITS, East Greenwich”

You people with your acronyms, I swear.

Under Statewide Irish Bar: “iyac.”

Someone please help, I got nothing on this one. 

Under Statewide Pizza: “CHOP”

Thank goodness for category context ’cause my South County-raised self would have never known this is a nod to Cumberland House of Pizza and not the ChopHouse. 

Under Statewide Oyster Bar: “The MOB”

Again, context is everything!

 

The Nationalists

Under Statewide Bagel Shop: “Panera”

Under Statewide Cheap Eats: “Wendy’s”

Under Statewide Doughnuts: “Dunkin'”

Under Statewide Cocktails: “Applebee’s”

Under Statewide Burgers: “McDonalds” and “Johnny Rockets”

Under Regional Kids’ Store: “Walmart” and “Target”

Under Statewide Home Decor: “Michael’s,” “Lowe’s” and “Home Depot”

Just know I’m giving all the side eye.  

Under Morning Show: “Today Show lol,” “Price is Right,” and “Drew Barrymore”

1.This person absolutely knew what they were doing, 2. Is this show even on in the early a.m.? and 3. I’m almost more inclined to forgive this one after learning Drew kinda, sorta has an RI connection.

 

The People Who Think We are Mind Readers

Under Bar to People Watch: “The hotel”

Okay, I see where you’re going with this, Lisa, but I’mma need you to be a little more specific.

Under Statewide Oyster Bar: “Oyster bar”

Ah yes you’ve really painted a picture here. 

Under Rhody Maker: “Michelle with the tiny bowls”

This was just too cute —  Google leads me to believe this was referring to Michelle Phaneuf, so shout out to her!

 

The Literal

Under Statewide Dessert: “Coconut cream pie”

Under Statewide Mocktail List: “Blubbleer [sic]”

Under Statewide Comfort Food: “Clam Cakes”

You’re not wrong, my friends. Well, maybe the bubbler one. 

 

The ???

As in, I don’t know what was happening here. 

Under Statewide Restaurant: “Bubbler”

The weirdest part is that it was written in twice. 

Under Statewide Restaurant: “rimonthly.com/vote/gallery?group=449196”

Yes, they copy and pasted that exact link. Again, all I can say is ??????

Under Statewide Wine List: “Providence Firefighters”

I mean, thank you for your service, but also are you guys holding out on us?

Under Statewide Brewery: “Amy Page DeBlasio”

Again, Amy, have anything to tell us?

Under Women’s Fashion Boutique: “…”

It’s okay, take your time.

Under Regional Ice Cream: “,]’”

It’s like they’re trying to speak to me, I know it.

Under Rhody Maker: “#BESTOFRI”

So, do we give ourselves the award?

Under Statewide Restaurant/Bar Bathroom: “Governor Dan McKee”

I’m gonna borrow from my friend a few lines above and go with … 

 

The Trolls

Under Statewide Clam Shack: “[redacted]”

Y’all need Jesus.

Under Selfie Spot: “BM Rubbish Services,” “[redacted]” and “Your Mom’s House”

 I guess we did set ourselves up for this one. 

Under Statewide Animal Rescue: “Bajas Tex Mex Grille”

 I’m calling PETA. 

 

The Honest (and Borderline Haters)

Under Statewide Latin Restaurant: “Don’t have a favorite”

Under Statewide Vegetarian Restaurant: “Not [redacted”

Under Statewide Bakery:“We need more!”

Under Statewide Bagel Shop: “New York”

Under Statewide Wine List: “Still looking.”

Under Statewide Gluten Free Restaurant: “There aren’t any.”

Under TikTok Star: “TikTok = communism” and “There are no such thing as TikTok stars”

Under Statewide Irish Bar: “None! All corrupt!”

If any Irish mobsters are reading this, they were just kidding for that last one, haha so silly  🙂

 

And finally, a special shout out to the person who took the time to write “none” in Every. Single. Category. That’s dedication, my dude.