With locations in Warwick and Narragansett, Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House is one of Rhode Island’s most well-loved seafood spots. It all began when the restaurant’s founder, Gaetano Gravino, started picking up shifts at a doughboy shack located on Oakland Beach. When the chance came to buy the shack in 1989, Gravino quickly jumped at the opportunity, and thus, Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House was born.
After several years of running Iggy’s, Gravino eventually passed away leaving his son, David, to carry on the legacy. Having made a promise to his father to preserve the family business prior to his passing, David made it his mission to keep the original spirit of the shack alive no matter what. Just as his father was driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, David was constantly seeking new ways to grow the business. David believed that Iggy’s could be more than just a shack. He had a greater vision in mind for the Iggy’s brand.
In 1999, a dining room was added to the Warwick doughboy shack, and in 2000, the Narragansett location opened its doors. Flash forward to 2008, and the original shack in Warwick was renovated from the ground up. Its new aesthetic had a classic New England feel, honoring its Rhode Island roots while complimenting the delicious seafood sold at Iggy’s quite well. Several years later in 2015, Iggy’s expanded once again with the construction of The Boardwalk Restaurant in Warwick, a completely new establishment in Narragansett, and an ice cream shop, Iggy’s Creamery.
Although Iggy’s has come a long way since its days as a small doughboy shack, the essence of the original Iggy’s is very much alive and thriving. Just as in 1989, the red chowder maintains its spot on the menu and is still a favorite among guests. Over the years, Iggy’s has received considerable praise for its flavorful food, earning spots on lists like USA Today’s “Best Clams in Rhode Island” and msn.com’s “America’s Best Seafood Shacks.” Despite the business’s wild success thus far, Iggy’s remains a work in progress and will continue to grow and transform for years to come.
Come try our chowder out for yourself! Both our Warwick and Narragansett locations are open for the season. Visit https://www.iggysri.com/ for more information.
