Connecticut BURGERS , & BEEF hot dogs, etc !!

quote:

Originally posted by The Travelin Man

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641


Yes, cause I was told I MUST try Pepe's and/or Sally's!

Careful....there's a good chance you won't like the charred crust.

Oh yeah, that's right, I remember hearing something about their charred crust. Thanks for the warning, Travelin' Man...
(most everyone seems to love charred crust but me)

I was well along in years before I ever had apizza without a charred crust. I tried to send that first one back because I thought it was "raw."

re:

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641
Thanks for the warning, Travelin' Man...
(most everyone seems to love charred crust but me)

Colony has some charring as well, maybe not as pronounced, but still

from the RF review

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew
Well, she eats burgers in L.A. and wings in Florida
So why not Ribs in Connecticut??

'course, many of the rest of us acknowledge that there are plenty of fine burgers to be had in LA :-)

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew
Well, she eats burgers in L.A. and wings in Florida
So why not Ribs in Connecticut??

'course, many of the rest of us acknowledge that there are plenty of fine burgers to be had in LA :-)

But even better ones in other parts of the country, such as NYC, Dallas, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Boston, Washington DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Milwaukee, I could go on. If I were to designate a Large City as the burger capitol right now, it would undeniably be NYC.

Burgers in LA are comparable to Pizza in Seattle- A multitude of innovative toppings to cover up a poor underlying product.

Bar None- the best ones I ever had were on my last trip to Omaha. Blows anything you could get in LA away- Besides its interesting when some of the National League stadiums host other teams and offer the other teams respective regional cuisine, for the dodgers the fare of choice is almost always sushi or more specifically california rolls.

I will be back in LA next spring,and hope to spend an entire week there and in San diego, so I'll have enough opportunities to visit a few of places including the highly acclaimed In and Out- which 20 years ago I found very dissapoining compared to my local NYC diner burgers. Everyone knows I'm always fair with my reviews, and I'm going to be brutally honest- If they're good or great I'll conceed accordingly, of course if they're bad- WATCH OUT-On that trip, we're going to take bad reviews to a whole new level- you'll see what I mean, of course if they're good- you won't.

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

I'll have enough opportunities to visit a few of places including the highly acclaimed In and Out- which 20 years ago I found very dissapoining compared to my local NYC diner burgers. Everyone knows I'm always fair with my reviews, and I'm going to be brutally honest- If they're good or great I'll conceed accordingly, of course if they're bad- WATCH OUT-On that trip, we're going to take bad reviews to a whole new level- you'll see what I mean, of course if they're good- you won't.

I hate to derail this from Ellen's upcoming trip. We all know how disappointed she gets when we're not talking about her! But, I think you're setting this comparison up to fail. In-N-Out is not a diner-style burger, it is a fast-food burger. It is served wrapped in paper, not on a plate with silverware. Saying you were disappointed in one when expecting the other is akin to saying you were disappointed with your steak at Sizzler when it didn't measure up to Johnny's Cafein Omaha. A much more fair comparison would be to Long Island's legendary All American Drive In or maybe Dick's in Seattle (which I thought you said you liked?) or even the fast-food burger that I just saw in your ABQ segment at Blake's.

Personally, I'd much rather hear what you have to say about Hodad's, but I just think you have it in your mind already that things are one way and there is little that can happen to alter your thinking.

quote:

Originally posted by The Travelin Man
I hate to derail this from Ellen's upcoming trip. We all know how disappointed she gets when we're not talking about her! But, I think you're setting this comparison up to fail. In-N-Out is not a diner-style burger, it is a fast-food burger. It is served wrapped in paper, not on a plate with silverware. Saying you were disappointed in one when expecting the other is akin to saying you were disappointed with your steak at Sizzler when it didn't measure up to Johnny's Cafein Omaha. A much more fair comparison would be to Long Island's legendary All American Drive In or maybe Dick's in Seattle (which I thought you said you liked?) or even the fast-food burger that I just saw in your ABQ segment at Blake's.
Personally, I'd much rather hear what you have to say about Hodad's, but I just think you have it in your mind already that things are one way and there is little that can happen to alter your thinking.

You know I always keep an open mind. If I like something I'll certainly own up to it. I actually recall comparing In and out to White Castle at the time I tried it and thought White Castle was much better- I'm embarassed to say I've never been to All American

I hope to make it to Hodads when I'm in San Diego- burgers are fairly expendable $$ wise- I can take a few bites and move on to the next. I wouldn't want to spend the entire trip on a burger run- There's so much more I want to eat when I'm down there- Smoothies, Teriyaki, Sushi, Fish Tacos etc- I probably would want to check out one of those novelty fro-yo places too.

My point is I'm sure there are good burgers in LA, but no more or less than any other part of the country including right here in Lil Rhody...I think its all relative

I posted yesterday about this place

[url]www.wesribhouse.com[/url]

There are one million Rhode Islanders who are "convinced" that this is the best bbq anywhere. My haircutter told me so, my coworkers tell me so, my friends tell me so. Maybe theyre' right...

My point is that it's very likely (and I would put $ on this) TJ can find a burger in his own back yard in Cincinnati thats just as good or perhaps better than he could likely find in LA.

Here's another place that as you can see has gotten rave reviews.

[url]local.yahoo.com/details?id=10315320&csz=West+Warwick%2C+RI+02893&tab=webreviews[/url]

Mr Taco- right here in West Warwick RI

My coworkers and friend think I was completely insane to travel "all the way to Albuquerque and Denver when I could get "GOOD" Mexican Food "right here"

By the way, all the clamshacks you see posted on roadfood here in RI
are mostly frequented by tourists...

I remember Bruce Bilmes was referring to "the food of the people" when he was referring to the roast beef stands on the north shore of Boston. Perhaps the real "food of the people" here in RI is actually BBQ and Mexican???

and now....back to Ellen's trip :-)

(aside after-the-fact to SK aka TTM - sorry, my intent was just intended as a friendly gesture to get Ellen's topic back on track, not as a jab at either of you or an assertion of any imagined authority)

Thank God we have you here to keep us all on track.

I know I'll sleep better tonight.

Ellen,

I'm in New Haven for the summer and plan to hit Sally's on Saturday evening for an early dinner with friends (and to take pictures to update the site). If you really don't like charred pizza of any sort, then your trip might be wasted on New Haven pies. You can order them light, but honestly they aren't as good as the well-done ones. Anyway, I'll hold a place for you in line at Sally's -- email me through the site if you're interested!

Happy eating! Chris

quote:

Originally posted by ayersian

Ellen,

I'm in New Haven for the summer and plan to hit Sally's on Saturday evening. Anyway, I'll hold a place for you in line at Sally's -- email me through the site if you're interested

Hi Chris,
That is SO thoughtful of you to make that Sally's gesture to me..
Actually, it looks like I won't be arriving now till early Sun. afternoon, for 2 nights.
Doggydaddy wants to do the Colony Pizza with me in Stamford, plus
burgers, hot dogs, etc.. (so at least I'll have a partner to share that charred crust with, so even if I'm not enjoying it so much, it will be good to see Mark enjoying it..)

Hey, TJ JACKSON,
Thanks for adding that pizza pic to my thread!!
Actually that charred crust does'nt look that bad, cause it looks juicy! So I'll try and be a little more open minded.
It just seemed that the charred pizza in the NYC places looked more like TAR to be, and not crusty/juicy.

So at the very least, I'll be doing the Colony Pizza in Stamford, and maybe more!

Thanks for all the good insight, everyone! Glad to see this thread ended up really taking off!
And, TRAVELIN' MAN, I don't even mind that it got derailed a little bit! I enjoyed reading your burger "side debate" with WJ, as well.

<<Actually, it looks like I won't be arriving now till early Sun. afternoon, for 2 nights>>

Just a heads up that you now have to be sure the places you will be visitng on Monday are open that day. It's the main reason I always try to do Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun for these sorts of trips. Sunday is sometimes a problem too (especially in PA. it seems) but from my research on CT it looks like most places are open on Sundays, but I didn't even look into Mondays.

quote:

Originally posted by ken8038

<<Actually, it looks like I won't be arriving now till early Sun. afternoon, for 2 nights>>

Just a heads up that you now have to be sure the places you will be visitng on Monday are open that day. It's the main reason I always try to do Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun for these sorts of trips. Sunday is sometimes a problem too

Yes, I do run into that "closed" on either Sundays or Mondays issue.
But, my days off from poker happen to be, you GUESSED it, Sundays and Mondays! (and I love having those days off!) Occasionally I'll try and get off early on Saturday, so I can make it a 3 day weekend. In this upcoming CT case, I took Tuesday off, too.

ellen4641


Hi all Roadfooders,
I'm probably going to do a long weekend in Connecticut this coming Saturday the 19th. Would love to hear your OWN current opinions on places, besides just doing my usual Internet navigating...
(if there are any great CT food review Websites I should know about, please tell me, though)

Would love an updated list of your favorite burger joints, and places with all beef hot dogs. (I know Hummel brand is big in CT , but I'm not a pork dog gal)
I love charbroiled , but a good old fashioned burger can be good, as well. I plan to hit that burger & shake place in Greenwich that Michael Stern just reviewed.

Norwalk, Stamford, (hot oil pizza pie with Doggiedaddy!) New Haven, Bethel (Dr. Mikes for ice cream and hot fudge!)
Plus any other towns nearby, who knows what this trip will bring?!?
I'm very spontaneous!!

Also would love some good recs. for car rentals in Norwalk or New Haven , OR? Places that offer rentals on Sat. and/or Sun..
I may take the train from NYC.

Any good charred crusty BEEF RIBS, by any slight chance?
Or am I getting a little too carried away?

Ellen, if I may, the place Stern reviewed is BSF in Byram, a village at the extreme West end of Greenwich.  Only transportation to it is a car, but it is definitely worth the trip.  It is closed on Sundays.

You might look in on Smokey Joe's, about the only true smoke pit I know of in this part of the state.  My 21-year-old rib-ound son loves the babybacks, but I think they also have beef.  Smoked sausage and pulled pork also excell (my faves) and the sides of ranch beans, collards, sweet potatoes and so forth are first-rate.  It's right off Exit 9 of I-95.  Colony is another good suggestion, although I've never been there.  Pat's Hubba Hubba would be a good alternative if you can't get to BSF on Saturday and need a hamburger fix on Sunday.  Exit 9, too, head south to Seaside Avenue and turn right.  About 50 or 60 yards.

Colony and Smokey Joe's are the only places you can get a beer, wine or mixed drink.

From a newbee, CTBrian

CT Brian ... Welcome to RF ... Ellen's trip is history, but your advice is excellent.

You are in New England ... Consider this: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?high=&m=445468

wheregreggeats.com


CT Brian ... Welcome to RF ... Ellen's trip is history, but your advice is excellent.

Welcome, newbie Brian, and hi Gregg !
I appreciate your advice , Brian...
and if you come across some more of my reports, you'll see that I already unknowingly followed your advice..!
I've been to BSF, (burgers, shakes, fries) in Byram, right next to tony Greenwich...
I did not care for it; I found it a VERY plain burger! The cooking preparation was very bland.....(flat top grill, but very lightly done, no crust or good sear)..... and FROZEN french fries , which I had to give them some demrerits for............................... ...JMO, of course;   please do not get offended...
the young 30 something owner was very nice, and aimed to please....
(I just did not agree with his feelings that he emphasiszed to me, when he said "My momma told me if I don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all"....
(he was very concerned about negative reviews)  ....glad everyone does'nt feel like he does, or else all the food critics/restaurant reviewers would be out of work !
Thank goodness for sites like Roadfood, Yelp, Chowhound, etc...! 
different opinions and taste buds are what makes the world go round..
 
And I've also tried SMOKEY JOE'S in Stamford, and I really liked it!!
They DID have BEEF RIBS there, and I DID have them ! 
very good, and I liked the easy cafeteria type service....
picturesque location, next to a stream...
 
And I had the pleasure of having COLONY pizza with a fellow Roadfood.com pal last summer...it was good...
we got a "hot oil pizza" !


 

You can buy frankies hot dogs 6 inch and foot long in 1lb packages at ShopRite Rte6 in Bristol,which is across the street from frankies.

Ellen, I'll be curious about your take on BSF in Greenwich; we had a tough time finding it, but we really enjoyed our burgers - I love them on grilled bread!

Sally's for pizza.. Plan B for burgers.. I'm there!

Sally's for pizza.. Plan B for burgers.. I'm there!

Ellen, how r u? 
Ted's Steamed Cheeseburgers, in Meriden is a must!!!!! If u never had steam burgers, u should try. They are hot, even with the cheese on them. There is another one in Hew Heaven. It has an old small gas grill that cooks hamburger sideways, since the late 1800's It is on a one way street in New Haven. Sorry, can't remember the name of place. Both places were on PBS's Top 10 Hamburger in the Country.
  Boy, I sure miss Bethel, Ct.     my home for 9 years. Now stuck in Vincennes, In......lol.

That's Louis Lunch. It's on Crown Street.

I had my first steamed cheeseburger at Ted's yesterday.  One of the tastiest and juiciest burgers I ever had.  Well worth the detour off i84.
 
And how about dem homefries?  

  Thanks Michael,
   I could not remember for the life of me. Also, I didn't know if it was still open. It's been a while.

joerogo


I had my first steamed cheeseburger at Ted's yesterday.  One of the tastiest and juiciest burgers I ever had.  Well worth the detour off i84.

And how about dem homefries?  

 
Ted's is one of my favorites Joe. Who says you have no taste???

charlieb


  Thanks Michael,
  I could not remember for the life of me. Also, I didn't know if it was still open. It's been a while.

Oh, it's still open.

Heck, I'm just following your trip reports.  There was a two month gap between reports once and I almost starved to death
 
Serious, it was your trip report that broke me out of my rut.  Not that the rut I was in was bad....Tony.  Frank Pepe's, Blue Colony, Oxford Diner, Nardelli's......