Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Tony's Colonial Food Store

    4.3 (152 reviews)
    ModerateItalian, Olive Oil, Delis
    Closed • 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Tony's Colonial Food Store Takeout or Delivery

    Tony's Colonial Food Store Photos

    Business Info

    TONY'S COLONIAL FOOD STORE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Tony's Colonial Food Store

    Recommended Reviews - Tony's Colonial Food Store

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tim C.

    Here's the thing about hidden treasures - sometimes they hide in plain sight. Tony's Colonial isn't some trendy pizzeria with a neon sign and a waitlist. It's a 72-year-old salumeria, one of those timeless Italian deli-markets where tradition isn't just a word they throw around on the menu. Most folks hunting for the best type of a style of pizza in Providence would cruise right past it, their Yelp searches missing this corner of culinary heaven entirely. Their loss. And this corner of Atwells is one of those places that matters, where time and tradition were never sacrificed on the altar of convenience. Tony's Colonial sits there with its brick face and that confident green awning, holding its position like an old boxer who still knows how to take a punch and dish it out. The surrounding neighborhood might change, but Tony's stands firm, a cornerstone in a world that's forgotten how to slow down. Step inside, and you're somewhere else entirely - somewhere better. The ceiling stops you first. Colanders in riots of color hang there like some kind of hardware store constellation, each one catching light and throwing shadows, creating this accidental masterpiece that no designer could have dreamed up. It's the kind of touch that only happens in places where function and time collide, creating their peculiar poetry. Some interior decorator would probably call it "kitschy," but they'd be missing the point entirely. The deli counter stretches into forever, a museum of meats, where they slice the prosciutto so thin it practically dissolves on the paper. Behind the glass, it's a geography lesson in Italian abundance. Olives swimming in oil and herbs, cheese that's been aging since before your kid was born, salami that brings you right back to Sunday afternoons, newspaper on the table, and vinegar peppers in oil. And your grandfather telling you for the hundredth time that they don't make it like this anymore... Turns out he was right. That prepared foods section... a Renaissance still life come to life, in colors that would make an expressionist painter weep with pride. The negotiations here are serious business: "No, no, a little more. No, a little less. Perfect. Actually..." The place moves like a tarantella - people weaving between shelves stacked with the kinds of pasta and cookies that taste like fond memories. It's a symphony of commerce and conversation that's been playing on repeat since before anyone can remember. Time does something different here. Minutes stretch and fold like somebody's nonna working dough, especially when you're hungry and the smell of that pizza is starting to drift over. Providence has changed - hell, everything's changed - but in here, you can still find something true. A place where food is memory and culture and family, all wrapped up in brown paper and tied with string. Then they call your name across the store like a Sunday dinner bell. There it is - your tomato pie on a silver serving tray (foil-lined, because some traditions can respect the health code) that's been on hand since Saturday Night Fever played at the Elmwood Twin Theater. Here, at one of the four little tables wedged between the aisles, we're about to discover what made someone stake their reputation on this pie. The crust holds the middle ground - not thin, not thick - except where it billows up around the edges into these beautifully puffed borders that beg to be torn into. There's a light crunch when you bite in, then this perfect chew. They've hit it with just enough olive oil to make it interesting without turning it greasy. It's a tasty crust and would be delicious all on its own. But the sauce - this is where things get real. It's thick, herby, and unapologetically tomato-forward, with these little chunks that remind you that actual tomatoes died for this cause. Take the best Rhode Island pizza strip you've ever had, upgrade every ingredient to imported, top-shelf quality, then imagine it as a proper pie cut into six large, rectangular slices. This isn't really a pizza strip - this is a pizza strip's Ferrari-driving, Tuscan-villa-owning cousin who summers on the Amalfi Coast. That's what we're eating here. It's like someone finally cracked the code on how to elevate street food without losing its soul. This is party pizza that got its MBA but still remembers where it came from. One enormous slice of lasagna and a half dozen meatballs sealed up in plastic containers later, I pause at the door. Emmanuelle and the Last Cannibals isn't playing on the other screen at the Elmwood Twin anymore. While DoorDash drivers circle the block and fast-casual spots down the street promise "authentic" from an iPad menu, everything here still runs on personal service and perfect timing. Outside feels a little too modern after that experience, a little too new. But that's fine - I know where to find the real thing when I need it.

    Food
    Juank P.

    Great service great food you gotta be connected to eat there, the Italian sangwich forget about it delicious, I call the get you whacked sangwich

    Street view
    Robert S.

    The best Italian supplies. You can get a bunch of fresh meats, cheeses and deli items at Tony's. If you love genuine Italian goods, you can choose from olive oil, cookies, olives, flour, pasta, etc. They also have fresh baked bread that sells quickly throughout the day, so arrive early. It's really a pleasure to walk in and feel like you are in a small store in Sicily or Tuscany. Friendly staff.

    Meat counter
    Gabrielle Z.

    Open since 1952, this is a great place to go for Italian provisions, such as olive oils and pastas; as well as freshly cut meat, grinders, and house-made cookies. The store is small and long, stacked to the brim with all you need to make a delicious Italian meal at home. The staff is super nice and the line can be long (because there's one register) but it moves at a relatively good pace.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Shashu B.
    1
    190
    514

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam F.
    0
    386
    9

    1 year ago

    This place is the real deal. Got a great sandwich and they have so many additional packaged goods. Worth checking out.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julia O.
    0
    254
    385

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julie T.
    0
    201
    45

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gill S.
    112
    1423
    142

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John T.
    0
    21
    14

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Outstanding sandwich. Super fresh bread. Sweet old lady at the checkout. A number of intriguing grocery options

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of mia k.
    0
    15
    1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom S.
    59
    9
    6

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Ambiance was great food excellent need to get their address and have some items shipped to me

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe K.
    35
    133
    301

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Brian S.
    49
    94
    60

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Tony's Colonial Food Store

    I'm looking for a coarsely ground meat for beef, pork and veal for a bolognese sauce. Do they grind meat to order?

    If you're looking for that walk down to Venda on the Square

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Tony's Colonial Food Store

    “I ended up getting an Italian grinder, since everyone who worked there insisted that I do so.”

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Italian 8,290 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    East Side Cheese & Provisions - Small yet mighty packed in store!

    East Side Cheese & Provisions

    4.9(36 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    What a gem!! I found East Side when traveling, because they have an Ana Inciardi Mini Print…read moreMachine. They responded to my Instagram messages when they were restocking, which was an awesome start. When I arrived, I was pleased to find such a sweet shop with some any wonderful things. I ended up getting some recommendations from them on what to buy for an afternoon snack, and then I posted up on the couch with my cheese and crackers while I enjoyed them. There are all sorts of cheeses and accoutrements, along with gift options, speciality groceries, etc. If you find yourself in the area, it's a great choice!!

    I love this shop & have been patronizing it since it opened 3 years ago. They have an amazing,…read morerotating selection of delicious gourmet cheeses, additional refrigerated items such as pate & sausage, a ton of packaged goods such as crackers, jams, chips & non-alcoholic beverages, and kitchen items such as cutting & charcuterie boards, dish towels & hand crafted pottery. Yes, it's a little pricey but you're getting top quality goods. There are a few dedicated parking spaces directly in front of the store as well as on- street & public parking around Wayland Square. The staff is always friendly & helpful. I've attended fun events there, such as their annual anniversary celebration & cheese bingo. Lovely place when you feel like treating yourself.

    Photos
    East Side Cheese & Provisions - Charming interior... and cheese sampling during their 3rd anniversary celebration.

    Charming interior... and cheese sampling during their 3rd anniversary celebration.

    East Side Cheese & Provisions
    East Side Cheese & Provisions

    See all

    Bella Vista

    Bella Vista

    4.4(34 reviews)
    0.1 mi•Federal Hill

    What an amazing experience my family and I had at Bella Vista! From the service and atmosphere to…read morethe individualized care, WOW. You can truly tell the owner loves what he does and genuinely cares about the quality of the food and the experience his guests have. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. Our ratings: * Oysters: 10/10 * Caesar Salad & Fresh Bread: 10/10 -- both were so fresh and the perfect start to the meal! * Meatballs: tender, juicy and flavorful. 10/10 * Lobster Ravioli: 10/10 * Chicken Francese: lemony and perfectly cooked 9/10 * Chicken Parm: 7.5/10 -- the chicken was really good, but the pasta was just okay * Dominican Churrasco: 9/10 * Calamari: 10/10 -- super fresh and the sauce had great flavor * Coconut Flan: 9/10 * Pork Chop: 9/10 -- MASSIVE and so flavorful! The mashed potatoes were okay, but the pork chop itself was excellent. * Seafood risotto: 8/10 -- good flavor, fresh seafood, good portion rice was a bit overcooked. Overall, such a great experience and definitely a place we'd come back to. The attention to detail and genuine hospitality really stood out. Highly recommend!

    Found Bella Vista on Yelp and liked the reviews and menu. Great to try a new-for-us restaurant and…read morehave a really good meal. Two of us had the Veal Parm. The veal was delicious, the pasta and sauce ok. Two others had the chicken Marsala subbing mashed for oven roasted potatoes. They both loved it. Death by chocolate dessert was not great. Our waitress had an off night but other servers seemed very attentive. Everyone was friendly. The entrees were served hot and rated at least four stars.

    Photos
    Bella Vista
    Bella Vista
    Bella Vista

    See all

    DelBonis Importing - Pellicia Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    DelBonis Importing

    4.3(3 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    •$$$

    Unique olive oil imported from small town of Itri, Italy. Extra virgin olive oil all agree is…read morefinest taste ever.

    I love olive oil. I might even be considered somewhat of a zealot by those listening to me while I…read moreextol the virtues and benefits, gustatory, health and beauty-wise, of this green-golden nectar. I try olive oils from different countries and regions to taste them and examine their differences. The variety of taste sensations can be amazing depending on the soil in which the olive trees are planted and what types of olives are used. Like anything else some are better than others and some are simply incredible. I now have a new olive oil love to add to my repertoire and that is this Pellicia Extra Virgin Olive Oil. My cousin gave me a bottle of this as a present. I've found it to be quite delicious and nuanced. Silky smooth but with a little bit of a bite at the end. I like that surprise kick. Beyond the flavor however, there is an extra little thrill for me which is that it's produced in Itri Italy, the village south of Rome where my grandparents were born and generations of relatives before them. So maybe this is a slightly biased review. But, no doubt, it is a very tasty olive oil. It's made from a single type of olive, the Itrana; all of the ones used coming from a single estate. Only so much of this olive oil is produced each season. I like when an olive oil is delicious enough to stand up all on it's own so you can use it poured into a small bowl to dip your best bread into or fresh raw veggies. The nice peppery flavor has been great on salads too as it perks them right up. Read up on the many benefits of olive oil because if you're so inclined, you'll see that it can also be put to amazingly effective use on your skin, cuticles and hair. Right in your kitchen cupboard, one of the best beauty products you could hope to find. Former lovelies, Cleopatra and Nefertiti knew all about it. Currently, there isn't a storefront where you can buy this brand. You have to either order it on-line or call the importer in Cranston, RI directly and get it right from him if you're in the RI area. (Cranston, RI, btw, is the "USA sister city to Itri Italy). If you want a bit more taste-bud adventure not otherwise found in the mega-brands that every supermarket carries, you might enjoy trying a bottle of this. I think about olive oil much like I think of wine; it's fun trying lots of different kinds. Now when are we going on that olive oil tasting tour?

    Massimo Restaurant - Braciola di Maiale

    Massimo Restaurant

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi•Federal Hill
    •$$$

    Came to RI for a 4 day trip and wanted to say this was our top favorite place to eat. Amongst our…read moregroup we had the short rib gnocchi, lemon chicken, and chicken parm. The purple rain drink was amazing. Everything was absolutely delicious. We are a family of italians from New Jersey so we can be very picky about our Italian food and this place is somewhere we would highly recommend. Waiter was also extremely friendly. Definitely will be back if we're ever in the area.

    the staff and service at massimos is truly world class - they deserve 5 stars. we came in on a very…read morebusy night during waterfire and were seated but not attended to for about 3-5 minutes, nothing crazy. the only server on the floor came to us and apologized and we said it was fine, but after the meal and before dessert he gave us complimentary house made arancello to apologize even more! totally not necessary but we appreciated the care they have for their guests. why the 3 stars? the food is quite ok, it's good, but not great. especially coming in with the hype that this is the spot for italian food in providence it was relatively underwhelming. nothing was wow worthy but nothing was bad either. very middle of the road, so i think this would be good for groups or older crowds. cocktails were good too - didn't get to nab a photo since they were pretty yummy and went fast.

    Photos
    Massimo Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    Massimo Restaurant
    Massimo Restaurant - They do have a outside window for orders

    See all

    They do have a outside window for orders

    Pane E Vino - Fettuccine Alla Bolognese

    Pane E Vino

    4.2(560 reviews)
    0.1 mi•Federal Hill
    •$$$

    you really get what you pay for here. this is a "once a year if youre lucky" kind of establishment…read more the kind you default to when its your anniversary and you really love your spouse lol. points of interest: -2 drinks got me pleasantly drunk, but not hammered. the perfect balance. -the arancini was flawless. we both marveled over how it managed to maintain its structural integrity despite being a pile of wet rice in a breaded coating. -husband completely cleared his squid ink seafood dish, leaving only soupy remains. i should have asked to take it home so i could dip a loaf of bread in it. -my pasta was crazy good. ive had so many "just ok" pasta dishes in restaurants using the same damn sysco sauce that i forgot that you can get something novel and fresh. -we both split a cheesecake at the end. perfect meal. service was awesome, as it always is. everyone is so polite and (seemingly?) unstressed to work there despite being slammed for dinner. see you next year, hopefully, pan e vino!

    We recently visited Pane e Vino in Providence Rhode Island to celebrate my fiancé's father's 85th…read morebirthday, and unfortunately, the experience was very disappointing. Our server, Dwight, seemed rushed and inattentive throughout the evening. From the start, we felt like an inconvenience rather than welcomed guests. We asked if we could move to a nearby table that was already set for eight, as our current table was cramped and located in a very tight walkway where people constantly brushed past us. We were told the table was reserved, yet from the time we arrived just before 6:00 PM until we left at 8:45 PM, no one was ever seated there. It was frustrating, especially since the cramped space made our dining experience uncomfortable. Service overall was lacking. Dwight rarely checked on us, and when we tried to get his attention for drinks or assistance, he would quickly pass by before we had the chance to ask. It often felt like we were bothering him. We were not offered water, and getting additional beverages was unnecessarily difficult. The food itself was just okay, nothing memorable. When we ordered dessert and cappuccino, the cappuccino tasted like it was made with spoiled milk, but again, no one came back to check on us, so we had no opportunity to address it. The most disappointing moment was the birthday acknowledgment. We asked for a dessert with a candle to celebrate an 85th birthday, and instead received a plate with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate, a small amount of whipped cream, and a candle. It was underwhelming and, honestly, a bit embarrassing. We would have gladly paid for a proper dessert. Jacob the busser was the only attentive one there. We have come to Pane e Vino every year for family birthdays because we've always enjoyed the atmosphere, but after this experience, we will not be returning.

    Photos
    Pane E Vino
    Pane E Vino - Rigatoni Bolognese

    Rigatoni Bolognese

    Pane E Vino - Pinot

    See all

    Pinot

    Andino's

    Andino's

    4.0(773 reviews)
    0.2 mi•Federal Hill
    •$$

    Absolutely loved Andino's! The food was amazing - so amazing that we actually ordered takeout the…read morenext day because we wanted it again! But honestly, our waiter Eric made the whole experience. What an amazing human. He was so kind, genuine and just one of those people you don't forget. He remembered it was our son's birthday and surprised him with tiramisu with our take out order- candle included!! Those little things are what make a place special. Amazing food, great atmosphere, but even better people. It's rare to come across someone who genuinely makes an experience better just by being themselves. Thank you, Eric! We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Providence!

    My wife and I reserved a table for this past Saturday…read more We got our table on time but there seemed a lot of rushing in getting us to order our starter and drinks. The bread that was brought to the table was very doughy so I asked the server to arm it up. It came back burned. I let this go and tried to it eat it, but in the end I left it and we ordered our drinks and an antipasti. The antipasti was very good, absolutely no complaints there. We ordered our main course and that is where it really went downhill. I was very disappointed with the service we got from that point forward beards and the food was just not up to par as in our previous visit. I even told the server about the veal I ordered that was tough and overcooked and he just said I'm sorry about that and left the table. He never came by to ask us if the food was OK after we first started eating. To top it off the drinks were really expensive. $15 for a glass of red cab, and then to charge you for using a card vs cash, and to suggest a 20% tip.. We are not going back and would not recommend this place again. There are plenty of other Italian restaurants on Atwell Ave to try out.

    Photos
    Andino's - Bar

    Bar

    Andino's
    Andino's - Manhattan

    See all

    Manhattan

    Tony's Colonial Food Store - italian - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...