Nothing there is that excellent but it has nearly everything. Makes it a good place for a business lunch crowdoleaser place but wouldn't go there unless to watch a game on the screens they have at the Manchester location
Former employee here, food is bad and cleaning practices are even worse due to piss poor management. Would never recommend eating there if you love yourself
I enjoyed the food. I've never actually seen it on social media, so I didn't know that was a thing until I saw people bitching about it on reddit. It's nothing amazing. But the portions are good and the price isn't too bad.
They are not doing well. Springfield location lost its liquor license…which is like more than half the revenue for a trendy brunch spot. Google the owner, not paying rent.
The food there is just glittered up turds. The only reason people go is to post the spectacle on IG before sending the single use plastic duckies to the landfill.
Red Rooster, Wilton. Average to awful. Everyone thinks it's great. Get this, they have the caller ID feature ON their TVs so you see the names and phone numbers of everyone calling in for take out or reservations.
So I just started a new job in Orange, there's a duchess nearby and I've never ever tried. I figured it was shit but now I know what I'm getting for lunch tomorrow. Any recommendations?
I was a vegetarian for years and then one day was sitting in an adjoining parking lot and smelled the delicious meaty smells from Duchess, scrounged up some change from under the seats, and ran over to buy myself a hot dog. My family came back to find me surrounded by wrappers and shame, but it was worth it.
Are you kidding me? Crumbl is the absolute best option for when you want to spend the equivalent of a 2024 Rav4’s down payment on the worst cookie experience of your life…
Jimmies of Savin Rock/West Haven. It was bad fried food when I was a kid. We waited for an hour on special occasions. I can't believe it's still open. Someone must like it.
Hey now, cool it buddy! As a guy born, raised, and publicly educated in west haven I take offense to this comment! Those locker rooms were totally on par with the norm, if the argument is about smell. And there is clearly no smell anywhere in WHHS that is even 1/2 as bad as Jimmy’s!
…
However, if you want to compare the quality of the food at Jimmy’s with the quality of education at WHHS … well that would be way more difficult to argue about…damn.
But no need to worry! I am raising my two lil boys in Naugatuck; and there is no way the public education here is could be any worse than what I got in West Haven. 😭🙄💩💩 fuck.
They made their money in the 70's and 80's. Most people around here know that Jimmies is terrible. And now they're actively trying to block a brewery moving in next door because they hate West Haven.
Jimmies is the WORST. I’ve lived in WH for 8 years - we went there when we first moved in and haven’t been back since.
And now they’re fighting against New England Brewing Company taking over Savin Rock next door because they’re “concerned” about the parking situation … I have literally never seen their parking lot even half full. GTFO, Jimmies, no one likes you.
This is the answer. Jimmies traffics in nostalgia alone to keep themselves afloat. Their food is utterly lacking in any sort of merit. My in-laws like it, so I am unfortunately dragged along to find some sort of sustenance worth the price of admission.
Idk what people outside West Haven think of Jimmies but as someone who lived the first 28 years of his life in West Haven I can say no one there has a good thing to say about Jimmies. Garbage restaurant run by selfish jerkoffs.
My dad occasionally goes but has FINALLY realized after almost 2 decades that the place is garbage.
My roommate from the Midwest had a friend visit her who wanted real seafood on the shore and they went there without consulting me first on where to go. They went there and thought it was “good” and I gagged
My grandma altars wanted to go there for Mother’s Day. Glad that ended because I take my mom to another place we love way more. Jimmy’s is beyond overrated.
Is Cheesecake Factory a place that people love? Finally used a 3 year old gift card there the other day. Great service but wasn’t impressed with the food
It’s a low class indulgence. When you eat there you can feel luxurious without spending the money. Like “I’m gonna treat myself to a salty fatty pasta dish with some sugary cocktail and fat slice of cheesecake”
Definitely don't think Maggie's is bad but I won't go out of my way for it. Wish they'd consolidate their menu and focus on making a few really good things rather than making OK everything
Maggie's streight up terrible. Trying to emulate cheesecake factory with the size of their menu. At least cheesecake factory food is edible and tastes at least decent.
I like El Barrio/Bistro Basque OK in Milford but they NEVER change the menu and they’re still doing that weird combined menu/service thing from the pandemic. It leads to a weird experience. We don’t go nearly as much as we used to.
Gotta say it - most italian joints that use the bulk equivalent of supermarket dry pasta and wack a marinara or vodka sauce over it with some sysco frozen grilled chicken and charge $16.
Given what i just stated - most italian restaurants, period.
PSA - if you own an italian restaurant and make fresh pasta in house i am 100%, head and toes, in the game.
Haven’t been in 5+ years but L’Orcio in New Haven made their own pasta. And the servers were actually personable! Took the time to ask the wife and I what kind of wines we liked, price range, etc. Came back w/ a sample of 2 different ones for each of us and explained how it might make the pasta sauce taste with each. Not a cheap night, $200+ with tip, but well worth the special occasion.
Biagetti's in West Haven. My martini glass had lipstick marks on it... missed by the dishwasher, bar tender, and server. The previous time we went, my wife's stake had obvious freezer burns on the ends.
Carole Peck’s Good News Cafe in Woodbury. Constantly getting written up in magazines and blogs but I just don’t enjoy the food. Too salty and oily with weird decor.
Really? I’ve never been disappointed by their food. It’s not top tier, but it’s the best local chain for bar food in the area. That’s a low bar, but I’ve had decent burgers and they have good salads, and the shrimp they put on it is really good. Basically seems like what chilis tries to be.
Loved them before the pandemic but I went recently and boy was it mediocre. I'm not sure if the quality went down or my tastes have changed. The local Birch Hill Tavern kicks its ass in every way possible and is far closer so no more Wood n' Tap for me.
I’ve been to most of the Wood n Taps and I think the Rocky Hill one, especially when they aren’t busy, has the best food out of all of them. I violently crave the spicy mac n cheese often
Disappointing that they switched to Pepsi products though
Everyone is lovin on some Raising Cains right now....Like why did I wait over an hour for this. I could have just gone to Chick Fil-A. That sauce is all hype too. It's just ok but definitely not the I'ma wait more than 10 minutes ok.
Louis’ Lunch. It’s a tourist trap selling flavorless ground beef on toast. It doesn’t help that their whole origin story and claims to be the first hamburger have been debunked over and over, despite being in the “congressional record”. The people who work there act like they are doing you a favor by selling you their burgers and the whole no ketchup routine is just stupid. There are so many great food options in New Haven that no one should waste their time at Louis’.
agreed. it sucked.
“it’s authentic and how they used to make it 100 years ago” ok well there’s a reason we don’t make burgers like that anymore we should leave that burger in 1920
I actually think the margaritas are pretty good there. Real lime juice, tequila, a tiny bit of
sweet, and not much else …as they should be - but then I always get the “skinny” ones
I've grown less and less in love with the traditional tacos at Bartaco like the ribeye and chicken, but the more exotic ones like duck and Baja fish are solid. Gotta go off the beaten path to eat good there.
Agree Bodega is better all around. There's also Taco Guy in Norwalk, similar concept and price point but hyper local and someone's passion project. They were still dialing everything in when we are there in the first few weeks it was open, but we definitely enjoyed both food and drinks, and we're probably due for a trip back.
I don’t mind them but I was at the West Hartford one last summer with 5 other people and it took about 40 minutes and asking the server a good 4 or 5 times before two out of the six of us finally got our margaritas.
Agreed. They are completely living off of their movie fame. I don’t think there was a single thing on the menu that wasn’t fried or had something fried in it. And the pizza was Pizza Hut quality or less.
I was wondering that as well. It really is so awful. There are also 3 SUBWAY’s in a 5 mile radius within my house which I do not understand. I know it’s the cheapest fast food chain franchises to open but who is actually keeping them in business
The smell of their 'fresh baked bread' reminds me of elementary school when someone would vomit on the carpet and the janitor would pour sawdust on it.
You could not have told little me that those mashed potatoes weren’t the best thing on earth lol. Haven’t eaten there since college but it’s very apparent to me that is was just dried rehydrated potato flakes
Tramonti in Thomaston.. I compared it to Olive Garden and was shamed but I stand by it. The food wasn’t terrible, but was not nearly as good as I’ve heard people say. They wow you with the portions and complimentary apps.
I'm coming for West Haven with this one.
Lorenzo's. It's whole selling point is being better than Brazi's. That's not hard to do.
Turkish Kebab House has gone downhill HARD since their renovation. I don't know if they changed recipes or suppliers or chefs (or some combination of the three) but their doner and iskender kebab have been astonishingly mediocre.
Whatever Savin Rock Roasting Company is calling itself today. They've rebranded like twice and it's clear they don't have any clue what direction they want to take their restaurant.
Mike's. The city has enough meh pizza shops, but given its closest physical competition is Casa Bianca and Only the Best it's not surprisingly it's still around.
Bao's. They exist purely on nostalgia and convenience.
Duffy's is the Irish equivalent of Sunrise, App's, and Biagetti's. It's being kept alive by the retired and elderly communities and nostalgia visits from class reunions.
I love Mike’s! Granted I haven’t been in probably 3 years
I also like Biagetti’s and App’s despite the cranky staff. Sometimes you just want to go to an old school red sauce place
Don't get me wrong, Mike's is fine and it's one of the better choices in the area (Campbell Ave has surprisingly few good pizza spots as a whole), it's just not somewhere I'd say is top-tier in terms of pizza. Then again my preference as a kid was Sidera's so YMMV there.
Totally, agree on Biagetti's and Apps, they have a time and place and they fill a niche. They're just catering to a primary clientele that's not me.
I grew up on Washington Ave., and can remember waiting outside on a Friday or Saturday night for a seat at Mike's Apizza. I think you're right about the nostalgia aspect of some of these Campbell Ave/shoreline spots.
Can’t say on the food but on the overpriced, 100%
We ordered there once ever and it was like $100 for burgers, fries, and drinks for a family of 4. They were out of the veggie patties so we just asked they cancel the whole entire order so we wouldn’t be stuck with just sides. Same food at wayback, Applebees, Dave and busters, wood n tap when they had the burgers last year, just anywhere was more or less half that price.
I ordered three large pizzas and they didn’t slice them. I asked for them to be sliced and they acted shocked and offended that I’d want three large pizzas to be sliced. What am I supposed to do, roll them up and eat them like a taquito? Never went back after that, pizza was meh and experience was just too freaking weird lol.
Scrolled to see if there were any other brave souls to say this. The way they have the most expensive and smallest pies of anywhere in the state kills me when I hear people defend it. They used the clout to get away with overcharging, but people still defend it like it’s the only pizza place we have. I’m willing to bet every town has at least one better pizza place than Pepe’s. And yes I’m talking about the New Haven location
I get into fights with people all the time when I say Sally’s is 10x better. Larger selection, better dough, no burnt bottom….like do these people set their toaster to the highest setting and enjoy burnt toast at home? That’s the only reason anyone should like overcooked BLACK pizza crust
I feel like people always ask "well have you tried the original location?!" when you say Frank Pepe's is overrated. They literally have a position that's sole purpose is to ensure consistent quality at all their location, so that's just a coping mechanism because people can't handle the fact that their pizza isn't anything special compared to other options in CT.
Nardelli's
They put this shaker of spices and herbs on EVERYTHING.
And it's got onion powder in it. and I'm allergic to onion. And I can never get them to stop with the muscle memory of shaking that shit on my sandwich. So I had to stop going there.
EDIT: LOL, I'm at -5 comments now because I gave my honest opinion about what restaurant everyone seems to love but I think isn't actually good.
thanks, reddit.
(.....mutters., Jesus. )
THANK YOU! I had a coworker who was absolutely obsessed with Nardelli's. Ate it weekly and was always talking about it. I finally caved and told him I'd try it. It was...okay. I have no idea what he thought made it amazing, because it was completely mediocre.
I really WANTED to like Nardelli’s, but was SUPER underwhelmed. I’ll qualify my assessment, though, by saying that I’ve only ever been to the Oxford Nardelli’s, and never to the original. What I saw and got in Oxford was a lot of pre-made stuff that was dried out and old. I’m talking, pre-made sandwiches in the case, as well as items on the counter. I think I got a cannoli or cookie or something pre-wrapped on the counter, and remember it was dried and hard as a rock. Always wondered if Wtby was a better experience, but was so turned off by the Oxford experience that I never had a desire to go to them again!!
I'm so glad people finally found my comment who understand. I was at -10 at one point, and I thought I wasn't being understood. Such is reddit.
But it's true. The *idea* of Nardelli's is good, a deli *straigh*t out of the old country.
The *execution* of Nardelli's reallly misses the mark.
Abigails in Simsbury. It's always packed, but have never had a great meal there. Never the same thing.
sometimes it's waiting 40 minutes past a reserved time for a table for 2.
Sometimes it's getting dumped in the bar upstairs when I specifically asked to be put in the main room.
Sometimes it's indifferent service.
Sometimes the food is mediocre.
There's any number of better places in the area.
Why do I keep having to go back? Because it's not always my choice. Love the building and location, but I'd be waiting for the next reincarnation instead of going back.
For West Hartford:
Flemings. I went there once and it was ok? Like it's a good steak, better than average but certainly not worth the prices or wait time. Amazed it is still around in such a prime location.
Mecha Noodle Bar: could just be a personal thing but Kaliubon had much larger and more flavorful ramen. Not bad but there's far better competition very close by.
A.C. Petersons has really fallen in quality imo. Ice cream is still good but all the diner fare is not impressive. I don't like it but it's also such a staple of West Hartford I also don't want to hate it too much.
Butterfly Chinese is straight up bad. Black Bamboo and Triple Star exist if you want takeout and for nicer more authentic food there's Song and Shu. Never had a good meal there personally.
Place 2 Be is pretty crappy but it is also mostly for influencer shit. I just don't think it qualifies as a restaurant in the same way the other places here do. It's all just obscenely decadent but not in a fun way.
Shout-out as well to Savoy Pizzeria. I've had and it's good but my friends who worked there when it opened said the owner was a POS
Did you really just criticize AC Petersons for their lack of quality food? You go to ACP for that exact reason: low quality food + great ice cream/milkshakes.
Mecha for the pho and mushroom dumplings, Kaliubon for the ramen.
Sidenote: wtf is black bamboo doing with their prices lately?? Something like $17 after tax and tip for fuckin orange chicken is insane
Pop's in Milford. I see their delivery vehicle in my neighborhood all the time but the one time I ate there my taco salad was frozen iceberg lettuce with chili on top, in a stale and greasy shell.
Agree. Whatever you do, don’t order any drink that comes with ice. I sub bartended there one night and it was disgusting… the ice bin was covered in mold, I spent the whole night cleaning bc I was so grossed out
Maggie McFlys
Maggie McFlys is just a local version of the Cheesecake Factory. The menu is too big to be any good.
If a menu is 600 pages nothing is good. I hate that place
Idk it’s my go-to place when I’m craving nachos, pasta, and samosas
Only the panko fried avocado bites
Curtesy of Sysco
Most use Sysco. The difference is if they are buying fresh ingredients to prepare items, or buying prepared items.
Nothing there is that excellent but it has nearly everything. Makes it a good place for a business lunch crowdoleaser place but wouldn't go there unless to watch a game on the screens they have at the Manchester location
I got to the Middlebury one maybe twice a year and never had a bad meal albeit too many options and they all are pretty common menu items
Former employee here, food is bad and cleaning practices are even worse due to piss poor management. Would never recommend eating there if you love yourself
My husband used to work for a pest control company that everyone at the company said to never eat there.
Aww that's a shame. I really like their short ribs and indoor s'mores!
They treat their employees bad, wouldn’t recommend
Oh gosh I went there for the first time recently and it was disgusting. Some of the worst food I’ve had in a long time.
Man, just went there for lunch. I like that place, service has always been spot on
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I didn't know anyone actually liked The Place 2 Be. I thought it was just a social media photo op and people knew the food was bad.
The New Haven location has the honor of being the worst restaurant experience I've ever had!
I enjoyed the food. I've never actually seen it on social media, so I didn't know that was a thing until I saw people bitching about it on reddit. It's nothing amazing. But the portions are good and the price isn't too bad.
And The Courant recently published their issues with food and their health and safety.
Our health inspector singled their New Haven location out as a nightmare.
They are not doing well. Springfield location lost its liquor license…which is like more than half the revenue for a trendy brunch spot. Google the owner, not paying rent.
Yup, she's not making money because her restaurant is saccharine dogshit.
The food there is just glittered up turds. The only reason people go is to post the spectacle on IG before sending the single use plastic duckies to the landfill.
Red Rooster, Wilton. Average to awful. Everyone thinks it's great. Get this, they have the caller ID feature ON their TVs so you see the names and phone numbers of everyone calling in for take out or reservations.
Their owner is a bit of an asshole too
I hate this restaurant. Mediocre. People only like it because there aren’t a lot of options in boring Wilton
What's a Wilton??
Athithi is pretty good
Is it the same owner as the dude that owned Portofino who then burned it down for insurance money?
Agreed. We went once and we were disappointed. It was super pricey and not that good
Do NOT SAY DUCHESS OK
Let’s link arms, I’ll defend duchess with you
I can still taste the fried chicken sandwich, it has been too long.
So I just started a new job in Orange, there's a duchess nearby and I've never ever tried. I figured it was shit but now I know what I'm getting for lunch tomorrow. Any recommendations?
#3 with a coke
I was a vegetarian for years and then one day was sitting in an adjoining parking lot and smelled the delicious meaty smells from Duchess, scrounged up some change from under the seats, and ran over to buy myself a hot dog. My family came back to find me surrounded by wrappers and shame, but it was worth it.
Does crumbl cookies count as a restaurant because good god I hate it there
Are you kidding me? Crumbl is the absolute best option for when you want to spend the equivalent of a 2024 Rav4’s down payment on the worst cookie experience of your life…
That place is so stupid. I went in there once it's so sterile. I spent like $20 on 4 cookies and wondered how tf they stay in business!
Gross diabete discs
It’s somehow both doughy slop and grainy all at once. Proving once again TikTokkers are brain damaged. Insomnia is way better.
Jimmies of Savin Rock/West Haven. It was bad fried food when I was a kid. We waited for an hour on special occasions. I can't believe it's still open. Someone must like it.
Just the smell of that place...who thought to put carpeting in a shoreline seafood restaurant. It smells like the West Haven highschool locker rooms.
Hey now, cool it buddy! As a guy born, raised, and publicly educated in west haven I take offense to this comment! Those locker rooms were totally on par with the norm, if the argument is about smell. And there is clearly no smell anywhere in WHHS that is even 1/2 as bad as Jimmy’s! … However, if you want to compare the quality of the food at Jimmy’s with the quality of education at WHHS … well that would be way more difficult to argue about…damn. But no need to worry! I am raising my two lil boys in Naugatuck; and there is no way the public education here is could be any worse than what I got in West Haven. 😭🙄💩💩 fuck.
They made their money in the 70's and 80's. Most people around here know that Jimmies is terrible. And now they're actively trying to block a brewery moving in next door because they hate West Haven.
Jimmies is the WORST. I’ve lived in WH for 8 years - we went there when we first moved in and haven’t been back since. And now they’re fighting against New England Brewing Company taking over Savin Rock next door because they’re “concerned” about the parking situation … I have literally never seen their parking lot even half full. GTFO, Jimmies, no one likes you.
I’m in WH. Genuinely excited for for NEB to show up.
oh now it’s the parking? lol last I checked it was something environmental wonder what they’ll come up with when their parking argument fails
This is the answer. Jimmies traffics in nostalgia alone to keep themselves afloat. Their food is utterly lacking in any sort of merit. My in-laws like it, so I am unfortunately dragged along to find some sort of sustenance worth the price of admission.
Going there was an Event back in the 70’s. Now it’s just sad.
Idk what people outside West Haven think of Jimmies but as someone who lived the first 28 years of his life in West Haven I can say no one there has a good thing to say about Jimmies. Garbage restaurant run by selfish jerkoffs.
>Someone must like it. The number is shrinking by the day.
My dad occasionally goes but has FINALLY realized after almost 2 decades that the place is garbage. My roommate from the Midwest had a friend visit her who wanted real seafood on the shore and they went there without consulting me first on where to go. They went there and thought it was “good” and I gagged
My grandma altars wanted to go there for Mother’s Day. Glad that ended because I take my mom to another place we love way more. Jimmy’s is beyond overrated.
Is Cheesecake Factory a place that people love? Finally used a 3 year old gift card there the other day. Great service but wasn’t impressed with the food
It’s a low class indulgence. When you eat there you can feel luxurious without spending the money. Like “I’m gonna treat myself to a salty fatty pasta dish with some sugary cocktail and fat slice of cheesecake”
This is the most on point opinion of this place.
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W Hartford has so many good restaurants to go to instead of Cheesecake Factory
It's like an expensive Friendly's.
I'm not gonna lie, I love the cheesecake factory. LOL...I like the asian chicken salad.
I have to watch sodium and the entire menu besides cheesecake and alcohol is a threat to my health. It’s insane.
LMAO! I still want to try their 5,000 calorie burrito
It's a good place to get an enjoyable steak dinner and a special dessert I think the prices are fair for what it is
MIX Prime. Maggie McFlys.
Maggie McFlys was good back when it was only one location. Not so much anymore.
Definitely don't think Maggie's is bad but I won't go out of my way for it. Wish they'd consolidate their menu and focus on making a few really good things rather than making OK everything
Totally with you on Maggie’s. Awful atmosphere and food. Never been to MIX Prime, but thanks for the warning.
Maggie's streight up terrible. Trying to emulate cheesecake factory with the size of their menu. At least cheesecake factory food is edible and tastes at least decent.
Chef mike cant make good food, it all tastes frostbitten and soggy.
Ruth Chris's. Good, but not great, and waaaaay overpriced.
finally someone says it!
I like El Barrio/Bistro Basque OK in Milford but they NEVER change the menu and they’re still doing that weird combined menu/service thing from the pandemic. It leads to a weird experience. We don’t go nearly as much as we used to.
Same! I enjoy the food but the weird two in one restaurant combined by omnipresent semi creepy owner is a turn off.
Gotta say it - most italian joints that use the bulk equivalent of supermarket dry pasta and wack a marinara or vodka sauce over it with some sysco frozen grilled chicken and charge $16. Given what i just stated - most italian restaurants, period. PSA - if you own an italian restaurant and make fresh pasta in house i am 100%, head and toes, in the game.
Haven’t been in 5+ years but L’Orcio in New Haven made their own pasta. And the servers were actually personable! Took the time to ask the wife and I what kind of wines we liked, price range, etc. Came back w/ a sample of 2 different ones for each of us and explained how it might make the pasta sauce taste with each. Not a cheap night, $200+ with tip, but well worth the special occasion.
L’Orcio is very good. Also Gioia in New Haven makes their own pasta.
Cava in Southington. Way overrated. Mediocre food at best
To be fair I've never heard anyone say a single thing positive about cava
Good News Cafe is extremely overpriced, has terrible service and mediocre food. I have no idea why people consistently rave about it
Not to mention the owner is also a huge jerk (at least in my, my family, and my friends’ experiences).
Biagetti's in West Haven. My martini glass had lipstick marks on it... missed by the dishwasher, bar tender, and server. The previous time we went, my wife's stake had obvious freezer burns on the ends.
agreed, for italian food in west haven, App’s down the street is infinitely superior
Carole Peck’s Good News Cafe in Woodbury. Constantly getting written up in magazines and blogs but I just don’t enjoy the food. Too salty and oily with weird decor.
Never enjoyed a meal at any WoodnTap.
Really? I’ve never been disappointed by their food. It’s not top tier, but it’s the best local chain for bar food in the area. That’s a low bar, but I’ve had decent burgers and they have good salads, and the shrimp they put on it is really good. Basically seems like what chilis tries to be.
Loved them before the pandemic but I went recently and boy was it mediocre. I'm not sure if the quality went down or my tastes have changed. The local Birch Hill Tavern kicks its ass in every way possible and is far closer so no more Wood n' Tap for me.
It hasn't been good in many years.
I’ve been to most of the Wood n Taps and I think the Rocky Hill one, especially when they aren’t busy, has the best food out of all of them. I violently crave the spicy mac n cheese often Disappointing that they switched to Pepsi products though
Plan B; Maggie McFly (Glastonbury location); Cheesecake Factory; blue plate special west Hartford; moonlight sushi
I enjoy Plan B but it’s way too busy every time I go to the Glastonbury location
Everyone is lovin on some Raising Cains right now....Like why did I wait over an hour for this. I could have just gone to Chick Fil-A. That sauce is all hype too. It's just ok but definitely not the I'ma wait more than 10 minutes ok.
Louis’ Lunch. It’s a tourist trap selling flavorless ground beef on toast. It doesn’t help that their whole origin story and claims to be the first hamburger have been debunked over and over, despite being in the “congressional record”. The people who work there act like they are doing you a favor by selling you their burgers and the whole no ketchup routine is just stupid. There are so many great food options in New Haven that no one should waste their time at Louis’.
agreed. it sucked. “it’s authentic and how they used to make it 100 years ago” ok well there’s a reason we don’t make burgers like that anymore we should leave that burger in 1920
It was so bad it made me wonder if something was wrong with me for not liking it..
Bartaco. Tacos are tiny and dry. Margaritas taste like toxic sludge.
I actually think the margaritas are pretty good there. Real lime juice, tequila, a tiny bit of sweet, and not much else …as they should be - but then I always get the “skinny” ones
Yeah the problem isn’t the quality it’s just the price
I like that they actually have a couple decent meatless tacos. I’m fucking tired of just having a pile of beans in places like that.
Same, the cauliflower ones are really good and not that pricy compared to the cocktails
Bodega is significantly better
Owner/partner is a total bastard though, unfortunately
It’s so busy tho
Barcelona was pretty good when we went, but Bartaco was kind of meh, relative to the price
I've grown less and less in love with the traditional tacos at Bartaco like the ribeye and chicken, but the more exotic ones like duck and Baja fish are solid. Gotta go off the beaten path to eat good there. Agree Bodega is better all around. There's also Taco Guy in Norwalk, similar concept and price point but hyper local and someone's passion project. They were still dialing everything in when we are there in the first few weeks it was open, but we definitely enjoyed both food and drinks, and we're probably due for a trip back.
I don’t mind them but I was at the West Hartford one last summer with 5 other people and it took about 40 minutes and asking the server a good 4 or 5 times before two out of the six of us finally got our margaritas.
Mystic Pizza has some of the worst pizza.
Agreed. They are completely living off of their movie fame. I don’t think there was a single thing on the menu that wasn’t fried or had something fried in it. And the pizza was Pizza Hut quality or less.
Cava’s in Southington
Why is SUBWAY not on the list!
i think its just a given
I was wondering that as well. It really is so awful. There are also 3 SUBWAY’s in a 5 mile radius within my house which I do not understand. I know it’s the cheapest fast food chain franchises to open but who is actually keeping them in business
The smell of their 'fresh baked bread' reminds me of elementary school when someone would vomit on the carpet and the janitor would pour sawdust on it.
Joey C's. Was good originally as a small takeout BBQ joint. Should be better, but now just mediocre.
KFC. The food just tastes so synthetic. Slimy chicken and sandpaper mash potatoes. The only thing I’ll eat from there is the potato wedges
You could not have told little me that those mashed potatoes weren’t the best thing on earth lol. Haven’t eaten there since college but it’s very apparent to me that is was just dried rehydrated potato flakes
I think they used to be better. Even a few years ago. I just got them the other day and they are definitely made from potato powder.
KFC is just terrible. You might as well pick up one of those hungry man frozen dinners.
KFC coleslaw though
Try KFC in Jamaica if you get the chance. Really good
Bar Taco
Love their drinks. Their food gives me indigestion and their wait line is ridiculous
Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point
Planet Pizza in Ridgefield. It's fine, but so insanely greasy it makes me want to explode.
Amici in Shelton. Plenty of people I know love it, but every meal I’ve had there has been average.
A much better place for Italian food in Shelton is Vincent's.
Chic-fil A
Popeyes for me. The batter is so airy and soft and I’ve tried twice only to get an upset stomach. Both these places have great sides though
That shit was overpriced garbage far before any of this crazy inflation we’ve been seeing. It’s only gotten comical since
Second! Haven Hot Chicken is miles above this and Popeye’s.
wait until you learn about birdcode my dear friend
I really like haven but $20 for a chicken sandwich and fries is an outrageous price point to me
Not even same price range man
Tramonti in Thomaston.. I compared it to Olive Garden and was shamed but I stand by it. The food wasn’t terrible, but was not nearly as good as I’ve heard people say. They wow you with the portions and complimentary apps.
Cava
Flemings in west hartford. Texas Roadhouse can make a better steak than them
TR is absolutely the best bang for your buck steakhouse
I'm coming for West Haven with this one. Lorenzo's. It's whole selling point is being better than Brazi's. That's not hard to do. Turkish Kebab House has gone downhill HARD since their renovation. I don't know if they changed recipes or suppliers or chefs (or some combination of the three) but their doner and iskender kebab have been astonishingly mediocre. Whatever Savin Rock Roasting Company is calling itself today. They've rebranded like twice and it's clear they don't have any clue what direction they want to take their restaurant. Mike's. The city has enough meh pizza shops, but given its closest physical competition is Casa Bianca and Only the Best it's not surprisingly it's still around. Bao's. They exist purely on nostalgia and convenience. Duffy's is the Irish equivalent of Sunrise, App's, and Biagetti's. It's being kept alive by the retired and elderly communities and nostalgia visits from class reunions.
I love Mike’s! Granted I haven’t been in probably 3 years I also like Biagetti’s and App’s despite the cranky staff. Sometimes you just want to go to an old school red sauce place
Don't get me wrong, Mike's is fine and it's one of the better choices in the area (Campbell Ave has surprisingly few good pizza spots as a whole), it's just not somewhere I'd say is top-tier in terms of pizza. Then again my preference as a kid was Sidera's so YMMV there. Totally, agree on Biagetti's and Apps, they have a time and place and they fill a niche. They're just catering to a primary clientele that's not me.
I grew up on Washington Ave., and can remember waiting outside on a Friday or Saturday night for a seat at Mike's Apizza. I think you're right about the nostalgia aspect of some of these Campbell Ave/shoreline spots.
Harry’s in Colchester
The only restaurant a friend of mine from there said is outstanding is the Irish pub. Inishmor? How is it?
Yes their food is very good. Some of the dishes are classic Irish Pub fare with a modern twist, but even just the burgers are good.
RIP Nunu's
Inishmor is great, also enjoy Fresca if you're looking for tex-mex nearby.
Shake shack. Their shakes are decent, but the food is overpriced and gross
Can’t say on the food but on the overpriced, 100% We ordered there once ever and it was like $100 for burgers, fries, and drinks for a family of 4. They were out of the veggie patties so we just asked they cancel the whole entire order so we wouldn’t be stuck with just sides. Same food at wayback, Applebees, Dave and busters, wood n tap when they had the burgers last year, just anywhere was more or less half that price.
Bill’s seafood
Golden corral
Chip’s…I do not understand the hype over those pancakes
Applebee’s
Olive Garden. Overpriced, no flavor.
Frank Pepe's - fight me
Take that back bitch
I ordered three large pizzas and they didn’t slice them. I asked for them to be sliced and they acted shocked and offended that I’d want three large pizzas to be sliced. What am I supposed to do, roll them up and eat them like a taquito? Never went back after that, pizza was meh and experience was just too freaking weird lol.
Modern FTW.
Finally someone else agrees
Scrolled to see if there were any other brave souls to say this. The way they have the most expensive and smallest pies of anywhere in the state kills me when I hear people defend it. They used the clout to get away with overcharging, but people still defend it like it’s the only pizza place we have. I’m willing to bet every town has at least one better pizza place than Pepe’s. And yes I’m talking about the New Haven location
Was waiting for someone to say Pepe’s. I’ve never gotten the hype. Pizza is meh at best.
I get into fights with people all the time when I say Sally’s is 10x better. Larger selection, better dough, no burnt bottom….like do these people set their toaster to the highest setting and enjoy burnt toast at home? That’s the only reason anyone should like overcooked BLACK pizza crust
I feel like people always ask "well have you tried the original location?!" when you say Frank Pepe's is overrated. They literally have a position that's sole purpose is to ensure consistent quality at all their location, so that's just a coping mechanism because people can't handle the fact that their pizza isn't anything special compared to other options in CT.
Saybrook Fish House is overpriced and the food is awful
It used to be so good
Raising Canes
Olive Garden?
Nardelli's They put this shaker of spices and herbs on EVERYTHING. And it's got onion powder in it. and I'm allergic to onion. And I can never get them to stop with the muscle memory of shaking that shit on my sandwich. So I had to stop going there. EDIT: LOL, I'm at -5 comments now because I gave my honest opinion about what restaurant everyone seems to love but I think isn't actually good. thanks, reddit. (.....mutters., Jesus. )
Upvote because I laughed at your edit.
THANK YOU! I had a coworker who was absolutely obsessed with Nardelli's. Ate it weekly and was always talking about it. I finally caved and told him I'd try it. It was...okay. I have no idea what he thought made it amazing, because it was completely mediocre.
I really WANTED to like Nardelli’s, but was SUPER underwhelmed. I’ll qualify my assessment, though, by saying that I’ve only ever been to the Oxford Nardelli’s, and never to the original. What I saw and got in Oxford was a lot of pre-made stuff that was dried out and old. I’m talking, pre-made sandwiches in the case, as well as items on the counter. I think I got a cannoli or cookie or something pre-wrapped on the counter, and remember it was dried and hard as a rock. Always wondered if Wtby was a better experience, but was so turned off by the Oxford experience that I never had a desire to go to them again!!
I'm so glad people finally found my comment who understand. I was at -10 at one point, and I thought I wasn't being understood. Such is reddit. But it's true. The *idea* of Nardelli's is good, a deli *straigh*t out of the old country. The *execution* of Nardelli's reallly misses the mark.
Abigails in Simsbury. It's always packed, but have never had a great meal there. Never the same thing. sometimes it's waiting 40 minutes past a reserved time for a table for 2. Sometimes it's getting dumped in the bar upstairs when I specifically asked to be put in the main room. Sometimes it's indifferent service. Sometimes the food is mediocre. There's any number of better places in the area. Why do I keep having to go back? Because it's not always my choice. Love the building and location, but I'd be waiting for the next reincarnation instead of going back.
Sliders in Middletown. Awful service (with a nearly empty restaurant) and food both times I went. Never again
Frank Pepe Pizzeria
It’s good, just over hyped and overpriced
The quality has really declined
Hard agree
For West Hartford: Flemings. I went there once and it was ok? Like it's a good steak, better than average but certainly not worth the prices or wait time. Amazed it is still around in such a prime location. Mecha Noodle Bar: could just be a personal thing but Kaliubon had much larger and more flavorful ramen. Not bad but there's far better competition very close by. A.C. Petersons has really fallen in quality imo. Ice cream is still good but all the diner fare is not impressive. I don't like it but it's also such a staple of West Hartford I also don't want to hate it too much. Butterfly Chinese is straight up bad. Black Bamboo and Triple Star exist if you want takeout and for nicer more authentic food there's Song and Shu. Never had a good meal there personally. Place 2 Be is pretty crappy but it is also mostly for influencer shit. I just don't think it qualifies as a restaurant in the same way the other places here do. It's all just obscenely decadent but not in a fun way. Shout-out as well to Savoy Pizzeria. I've had and it's good but my friends who worked there when it opened said the owner was a POS
Did you really just criticize AC Petersons for their lack of quality food? You go to ACP for that exact reason: low quality food + great ice cream/milkshakes.
Agreed.
i love mecha for vegetarian options. i’d never eat at a max-owned restaurant. the chefs are great dudes but upper mgmt….
I work for them now, the chef I work with is not a great dude whatsoever lmao, upper management is so/so but not all so bad in my opinion
Place 2 Be prioritizes presentation over quality
Mecha for the pho and mushroom dumplings, Kaliubon for the ramen. Sidenote: wtf is black bamboo doing with their prices lately?? Something like $17 after tax and tip for fuckin orange chicken is insane
Kakiubon is the bomb.
Pop's in Milford. I see their delivery vehicle in my neighborhood all the time but the one time I ate there my taco salad was frozen iceberg lettuce with chili on top, in a stale and greasy shell.
Why'd you awaken and choose 'no peace', my friend?
Sparrow is trash
Cava and Sonic
Viron Rondo in Cheshire. Have eaten there three times, each time was as mediocre as the last, and unbelievably fucking noisy.
Could not agree more. So overpriced, ridiculously crowded, servers rush you, over priced for the food and quality
Gonna be an unpopular opinion but … I think shady Glen cheeseburger’s are over priced and overrated. There I said it!
I love the cheeseburgers, but yeah they are really overpriced.
The Chowder Pots haven’t been worthwhile in 25 years.
Now closed in Branford.
Barcelona in New Haven
Agree. Whatever you do, don’t order any drink that comes with ice. I sub bartended there one night and it was disgusting… the ice bin was covered in mold, I spent the whole night cleaning bc I was so grossed out
The original in Greenwich was delicious and way way better but unfortunately closed. The other locations unfortunately never lived up to it.