Saying goodbye to a Providence institution or, where the Old Canteen used to be

 Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen
120 Atwells Ave.
Providence, Rhode Island

Within a week after moving to Providence, we went to the Old Canteen. It was so well-known and respected that we'd heard of it before we got here. We've been a few times since. 

And not just us. The restaurant has hosted folks from Federal Hill and beyond for nearly 70 years, including the famous (Frank Sinatra), the infamous (Raymond Patriarca), and in between. It was a favorite of former mayor Buddy Cianci.

From their website:

"Joe Marzilli's Old Canteen was founded in 1956 by Joseph Marzilli. We are located in the heart of Providence’s “Historic Federal Hill”  where you can find the best Italian Cuisine in Rhode Island. Being in close vicinity, our restaurant is just a short walk from the Rhode Island Convention Center and just minutes for I-95 and Rt. 6. Our address is 120 Atwells Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island 02903. When you reach the beginning of Historic Federal Hill, we are the first restaurant on the left after the gateway arch over Atwells Avenue with the Pinecone. Look for the blinking sign and you won’t miss us!"

The Old Canteen is such a part of the Federal Hill landscape that its mark is literally stamped into the pavement. 

On Jan. 15, 2025, it was confirmed that the Old Canteen is closing, effective Sunday, Jan. 19. I had heard that Sal Marzilli, son of founder Joe, was looking to sell. I'd even heard rumors that Newport restaurant mogul Heritage Restaurant Group was interested in buying. In fact, my sister had planned to make the trip from New York to get one last order of meatballs before they closed. 

Hope ran high that Heritage would buy the restaurant and the name, and continue its iconic status. Not so much. The new restaurant will be the second location of a wiener joint called “Wally’s Wieners and Copper Club.”  Kinda makes you wonder why the business would call itself "heritage," and then install a wiener joint in Providence's Little Italy. Heritage has been gobbling up well-known restaurants in Newport for awhile now. 

Locals (including myself) are bemoaning the change. My sister has cancelled her train ticket. Will Heritage at least keep the famous pink decor?

Based on the photos on Wally's website, it's unlikely.

We'll miss the Old Canteen.

A bit about the building's history:

From the RIHPHC properties survey: "A 2½-story, mansard-roof house altered by the addition of modern, small-pane windows on the Atwells Avenue side; original round-arch windows remain on other parts of the building. Built as an investment property by a scion of the prominent Brown family, the house has been an Italian restaurant since 1928; it became the Old Canteen in 1935."

This counters the 1956 founding date on the Old Canteen's website, unless a previous restaurant was also called the Old Canteen.

The PPS 2003 Guide to Providence Architecture says:

"These three restaurants (along with Camille’s and Angelo’s Civita Farnese)... have been Federal Hill landmarks for almost eighty years. While Old Canteen and Camille’s have changed their names since their doors opened (although the current occupants are of more than fifty years’ duration), they represent the establishment and perpetuation of an important cultural contribution to a greater Providence area."