When I first came to Brown, I tried Hometown Cafe and Poke Bar with my parents. I was really impressed by the freshness of the poke bowls and the interior design of the cafe, and after some research, I learned that the cafe is very active in food sustainability. I knew Hometown deserved a spotlight, so I recruited Spoon photographer Jerry Lu (Providence Mini Food Tour partner-in-crime) to pay Hometown a visit.
On a fine fall day, we set off on the 15-minute RIPTA ride down Hope Street then walked a couple minutes to the cafe. Needless to say, our experience there convinced us that Hometown is hands-down one of the best cafes in Providence. Without further ado, here are three reasons why Hometown Cafe and Poke Bar is going to be your new favorite spot.
The Atmosphere
When you first walk in, you're greeted with a trendy interior with lots of plants, neatly decorated shelves, fun chairs, and more.
Complementing the wood flooring, all of the furniture follows the tan and white color palette, with accent pieces like color-block pillows and candleholders (pumpkin-shaped for the fall!).
The service counter is neatly organized, and there's a mini drink fridge surrounded by snacks.
They even managed to make the fire alarm fit seamlessly into the aesthetic scene.
There's also a patio out back if you prefer to sit outside. Their food truck and hybrid(!) van are also parked there.
As you can see, the cafe is extremely aesthetically pleasing, and the ambiance is perfect for a relaxing meal and/or study spot.
The Food (duh!)
The Hometown Classic is one of the most popular signature bowls, with atlantic salmon, ahi tuna, cucumber, onion, and hometown hawaiian sauce, topped with imitation crab, seaweed salad, furikake, and wonton crisps. We got half brown rice, half salad for the base, and also added edamame and masago. The hometown hawaiian sauce tastes like a classic shoyu poke sauce, but with more seaweed and vinegar taste. The fish is fresh and delicious, and all of the mix-ins and toppings work fantastically together.
The South Toast is one of the four toasts the cafe offers, with ricotta spread over a slice of bread topped with small chunks of thick-cut bacon and scallions, and drizzled with honey and sea salt. The ricotta is very creamy and perfectly complements the savoriness of the bacon and richness of the honey. The freshly-ground pepper does wonders to elevate the ricotta, and the scallions, with their extra pop of flavor, provide an added textural contrast to the toast. I was really impressed by the South Toast and would definitely go back for more.
The Acai Bowl has acai, blueberries, peaches, and bananas topped with chia seeds and honey. The fruits all have a bright natural sweetness, and the acai base is very refreshing. If you're not quite in the mood for poke or toast, the acai bowl is a fantastic light option.
The Mission
Hometown Cafe and Poke Bar is a prime example of why we should support local businesses. They source locally from various vendors such as Tony's Seafood and The Nitro Cart, contributing to the sustainability of Rhode Island's food ecosystem. The space that the cafe leases is managed by a non-profit organization, meaning that the rent fully goes towards supporting the non-profit. And as I mentioned earlier, the van they drive is a hybrid vehicle, limiting carbon emissions. If you're interested, you can find out more about Hometown's sustainability practices on their website.
Final Words
Are you convinced yet? If you're still skeptical after reading all that, what are you still doing here? Go try it for yourself!