I've been a resident of RI for over 40 years. I freely admit I'm NOT a native. Clam Cakes in a seafood restaurant in this state is ......Iffy. We call them
Fried Dough Balls. YES they are tasty when you're hungry..but finding a clam cake with a small fragment of a clam in it is...well lucky.
I base my opinion on THE Place in Rhode Island for Seafood...
Georges in Point Judith.
Evelyn's (Summer only) in Tiverton may be another story. They are equally famous as Georges. Never heard anything negative about them...but have never been there even though they are only 10 minutes away. Cholesterol:
Maybe Georges in the winter is different than "In Season". Winter is the only season we have gone there.
RI Clam Cakes:
Fried Dough Balls. Just sayin.
NB