NEWPORT, R.I. -- On a recent trip to Rhode Island for a news story, the CBN News crew also a side agenda to find the best food in the Ocean State.

The CBN News crew was on a mission to experience the local dishes, described to us by the tourism department as the "clam shack trinity."

In southern Rhode Island, you will not only find beautiful beaches, but seafood in combinations unique to the smallest state in the union.

Komes Rozes is the owner of Flo's Clam Shack in Newport. He also proved to be the resident guide to the clam shack trinity, which consists of clam cakes, clear chower and stuffies.

While the CBN News crew dined on the local delicacies, Rozes explained what is real deal when it comes to ordering seafood, starting with the clam cakes.

"Basically what they are, a recipe of flour with minced quahogs, which is a hard-shell clam, fresh clam juice, and they're deep fried," he explained. "You can see by here, anytime you have a clam cake that's irregular in shape and has black specks you know there's clams in them. Anytime you get a clam cake and they are like a golf ball, you know they're not real."

Rozes told CBN News that when in Rhode Island, you must eat Rhode Island chowder, which is clear. Please, he said, do not succumb to any cream chowder you might find elsewhere.

The last member of the trinity is the humble stuffie. A "co-hog" filled with peppers, onions and various seasonings.

If you want to experience Rhode Island dining all of the way -- any native or even a wanna-be Islander can direct you to the nearest Del's truck. They are filled with frozen lemonades in all sizes and is the perfect way to cap off that perfect Rhode Island meal.

*Originally Published July 13, 2009