The Nordic
| The Nordic | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within Rhode Island  The Nordic (the United States) | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1963 |
| Owner(s) | Steven Persson Nancy Log Lisa Brown |
| Food type | Seafood |
| Street address | 178 Nordic Trl, Charlestown, RI 02813 |
| Coordinates | 41°25′34″N 71°37′43″W / 41.4262°N 71.6286°W |
| Website | thenordic |
The Nordic, formerly known as the Nordic Lodge, is a seafood restaurant in Charlestown, Rhode Island. An all-you-can-eat restaurant, it is one of the most expensive buffets in the United States at $140 per person. Located on the lakeside of Pasquiet Pond, it has been continuously owned and operated by the Persson family since its founding in 1963.[1]
History
[edit]The restaurant has been in operation since 1963. Karl O. Persson, a Swedish carpenter, and his wife Irma, from Denmark, moved to Brooklyn, New York in the late 1920s due to the Great Depression in Sweden. They had a son, Richard (Dick), who, when he was ten, moved back to Sweden with his parents for ten years to adapt to Swedish culture. After moving back, Dick married Gudny (Goody), a Norwegian immigrant to the U.S. In 1963, after having two children, the couple decided to move to a more rural area and purchased a vacation area in Charlestown. They were able to continue making a living by serving three meals a day from their lodge, but, due to the remoteness of the area, it was only accessible by visitors in the warmer months. However, it later was able to be open year-round, and it wasn't until 1970 when the restaurant obtained a license to sell liquor.[2]
The restaurant became a buffet in 1980[3] The restaurant closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but reopened in June with servers at the buffet area.[4] after a local all-you-can-eat restaurant in North Kingstown, Custy's, burnt down and the Perssons decided to take advantage of the vacancy.[2][5] The restaurant changed its name and rebranded from the Nordic Lodge to The Nordic in February 2023.[6]
Menu
[edit]The buffet serves lobster, scallop, snow crab, shrimp, hard clams, scampi, prawn cocktail, clam chowder, bisque, lobster macaroni and cheese, lobster fritters, oysters, clams, sole, salmon, prime rib, filet mignon, chicken wings, pork ribs, beef tenderloin, chicken tenders, and candied bacon. Appetizers and desserts, such as cannoli, Bismarcks, and lemon bars, are also served.[7]
Over 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) of lobster, the fan favorite,[8] and 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) of shrimp are served each weekend. It is locally sourced from fisherman in Point Judith.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Phantom Gourmet: The Nordic Lodge In Charlestown, RI". CBS News. June 18, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Bloomquist, Dr. Lorraine Colson. "Immigrant stories: The Nordic Lodge". Nordstjernan. Archived from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Kandarian, Paul E. (June 6, 2015). "It would take true Nordic strength to resist this buffet". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Botelho, Jessica A. (September 2, 2020). "Buffet-style restaurants in RI adjust to pandemic effects". WJAR. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Drummond, Cynthia (November 30, 2017). "Nordic Lodge named one of world's best buffets". The Westerly Sun. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Baltrush, Dave (February 14, 2023). "Could Someone Bring the Nordic Lodge Buffet to Connecticut?". i95 ROCK. Archived from the original on March 17, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ "Official website". Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ Naylor, Donita (June 18, 2014). "Rare orange lobster is quite a catch for Nordic Lodge in R.I." The Providence Journal. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ Mercury, Joe Dilworth l (September 19, 2012). "Everything. It's what's for dinner". The Newport Daily News. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2025.