Classic Diners and True Taverns in Connecticut These lists below are both difficult to maintain - and difficult to "complete." Diners and taverns are slowly disappearing for various reasons. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic decimated both types of establishments around the country. I can't define what a … [Read more...]
Lakeside Diner
Lake With a Side of Home Fries Lakeside Diner, Stamford April 2022 Lakeside Diner appears on the Roadfood Eat Before You Die List for its donuts. Recency bias is a very real thing that we all suffer from. Try as I might to fight it, it's impossible to completely disengage from its clutches. If you're not … [Read more...]
Towne Tavern
Townee Bar Towne Tavern, Torrington February 2022 I'm bummed out. When I first put together my list of "true taverns" of Connecticut, there were maybe a dozen lone survivors. The tavern license was unique and wonderfully limiting. It allowed establishments to only serve lower alcohol beer and wine. No liquor, not … [Read more...]
Twin Colony Diner
Brave New World Twin Colony Diner, Torrington February 2022 Something just occurred to me. A lot of diners have the word "Colony" in their names. And I may just be obtuse, but I don't know why. There was White Colony Diner in Waterbury. The Blue Colony is going strong in Newtown. Colony Diner is slinging hash in … [Read more...]
White’s Diner
White's Diner Bridgeport January 2020 I'm pretty bummed out that White's Diner doesn't have a website. In fact, I just spent an eternity trying find something about this joint's history. After those three minutes, I found this: White's is a Bridgeport institution, in existence since 1935. I want to guess … [Read more...]
Makris Diner
Makris Diner Wethersfield December 2019 As I pulled into the parking lot along the busy Berlin Turnpike, Calvin said, “didn’t we just go here?” Chuckling, I replied, “Sorta. But that was a different diner on the same road that serves the same food.” Calvin knows by now that I bring him to repetitive … [Read more...]
Olympia Diner
Olympia Diner Newington October 2019 When I first put together my list of "Classic Diners" on this website, the list consisted only of actual classic diners. For some reason, I've expanded that original idea to include a bunch of decidedly non-classic dinners in the years since. It sort of bothers me, but I've … [Read more...]
Triple-A Diner
Where’s the Fonz? (AAAAaaaaaaa) AAA Diner, East Hartford May 2019 Yeah, I know. This diner sort of stretches the definition of “Classic Diner.” Except that there really is no definition of what makes a diner “classic.” The authors of Classic Diners of Connecticut are clear to say that a diner is “classic” if you … [Read more...]
Book Review: Classic Diners of Connecticut
Diners, Dives, and Drive-By's Classic Diners of Connecticut Garrison Leykam, 2013 Let's face it, diner culture is dying. Some have probably engraved the headstone already. It is for that reason that I decided to list and visit Connecticut's "classic" diners several years ago. My list has grown and shrunk over the … [Read more...]
Dutch Tavern
I’m in Dutch Now Dutch Tavern, New London May 2018 Finally. I’ve finally begun my journey to take a seat and have a beer at all of Connecticut’s few remaining true, classic taverns. What’s that? There are a billion bars all over the state? What differentiates these 8 or 9 particular places? Glad you … [Read more...]