So, No They Don’t Brew Beer Here SoNo Brewhouse, South Norwalk Multiple Visits SoNo Brewhouse closed in 2014. I have a love-hate relationship with the SoNo Brewhouse. First I’ll divulge what I hate: I hate the fact that it bills itself a “brewhouse” but doesn’t actually brew any beer. This is especially … [Read more...]
The Griswold Inn
The Oldest Tavern? Oldest Inn? First Three-Story Building in Connecticut? Griswold Inn Essex Essex is such a beautiful town. Really and truly. There’s really not much wrong with Essex. When they write books about “New England charm,” Essex is always at the top of those lists. If I were forced to open a Bed & … [Read more...]
Hot Dogs at (New) Guida’s
Worth a Hike to Get Here 484 Meriden Rd., Middlefield I went to lunch at Guida’s (now officially called New Guida’s) towards the tail-end of an all-day weekday CTMQ day. I was pretty worn out but also pretty darn hungry. I was actually excited for my 10-inch hot dog. Guida’s is one of the rare Roadfood … [Read more...]
Cheeseburger at Shady Glen
I Feel Shady Eating Cow Shady Glen, Manchester As CTMQ readers may know, I don't eat dead cows (or pigs or goats for that matter). However, for the hugely important purposes of the site, I've cast aside my aversion to the meat industry (really, I don't care about the cows themselves so much) in an effort to sample … [Read more...]
Ice Cream at Shady Glen
Made in the Shady Shady Glen, Manchester August 2009 Shady Glen makes a few appearances on CTMQ. One for their Unique and delicious fried cheese plate, one for their burgers being one of Roadfood's best burgers, and this one - for its ice cream being on that same Roadfood list. I'm sure I'll … [Read more...]
Polish Food at Polish National Home (Closed)
ZachwycajÄ…cy! Polish National Home, Hartford June 2009 The building was sold to a church in December 2022 and no longer exists at the PNH. In researching this write-up I came across the same theme over and over. So I'll follow tradition and dispense with the mild cliché right off the bat - The Polish National … [Read more...]
Fried Cheese at Shady Glen
It's Cheese. And it's Fried. 'Nuff Said. Shady Glen, Manchester July 16, 2009 This page is going into the "unique food as far as I know it" file... which is very important. That way, I'll feel better about the fact that my son and I ate several pieces of cheese - make that FRIED cheese - for the good of the … [Read more...]
Hot Dogs at Capitol Lunch
Delicious with a "Capitol" D Capitol Lunch, New Britain Michael Stern, the food critic who wrote the book that has compelled me to eat certain "must eat" things around the state, sure loves hot dogs. Cripes, of the 60 or so things to eat in Connecticut alone, SIXTEEN of them are gosh darn hot dogs! He … [Read more...]
Best, Unique, & Historic Restaurants, Bars, & Foods
Food, Glorious Food! CT's Best, Unique, & Historic Restaurants & Food It’s completely ridiculous how much time and effort I’ve put into creating this page. I won't burden you with my woes, but suffice it to say that this has been 15 years in the making. There's a lot here, and restaurants are always opening and … [Read more...]
Pizza at Frank Pepe’s
How Long Would You Wait? The Original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven December 2007 Note: Pepe's is part of the Roadfood 500 Thing to Eat Before it's Too Late and is ranked as THE "National Best" pizza. This page was written well before the book came out. It was also written before Pepe’s expanded, as … [Read more...]