Stanley's In Central Falls Rated Top Burger In RI By Food & Wine

CENTRAL FALLS, RI — If you’re looking for the best burger in Rhode Island, you can do no better than Stanley’s Famous Hamburgers in Central Falls.

That's according to Food & Wine magazine and its recent list of the best hamburgers in the United States.

Stanley’s, launched in 1932, offers “comfort food at its finest” and still makes its burgers with fresh ingredients and top-quality beef, said owner Louie Augusta.

Augusta is a former manager at Stanley's who purchased the business from Greg Raheb in 2016. He said he's worked in restaurants his whole life, has always wanted to own one, and has remained true to the founder's vision.

Reached by telephone, Augusta said he had no idea that a food critic had recently been inside his restaurant, and that he hadn't been aware of the latest honor. "It's news to me," he said of the Food & Wine designation.

Stanley’s was opened during the Great Depression by Stanley F. Kryla, a Polish immigrant who wanted to make an “honest, affordable hamburger.” The burgers caught on, and Stanley’s survived and thrived throughout the decades.

“The trick here is a method common in other parts of the country, less so in New England—onions are pressed into the meat while on the grill, allowing the two to cook together, adding a burst of extra flavor,” Food & Wine reveals.

The restaurant, with its retro vibe and counter stools, did hit hard times during the pandemic, and Rhode Islanders donated nearly $20,000 to keep its doors open.

The Stanley’s menu has broadened, and beer and wine is now available. Ice cream is on the menu. Fresh-cut fries are a big draw. Stuffed quahogs are a popular item. Through it all, the signature original burger remains.

“Stanley Kryla's commitment still lives on today,” the venue proclaims.

Stanley’s Famous Hamburgers can be found at 535 Dexter St. in Central Falls.