Top 10 "Grab-able" Burgers In Fairfield & New Haven Counties

Restaurant Burgers Best of CT Comfort Food Lunch Delicious Dives Homepage

Lou Gorfain

For the past few years, CTBites’ annual Top Ten Burgers has crowned the best premium hamburgers in Southwest Connecticut.   Featuring the usual suspects, the rankings didn't vary much each summer.  (In fact, our 2018 roundup would have welcomed only one new candidate, the robust Tavern Burger just introduced at GreyBarns.) By focusing on those elite burgers, had our list become elitist?  

This year we decided to widen the lens to include both Fairfield and New Haven Counties and shift the focus to the casual, every-day burgers that we usually crave: a really succulent beef patty adorned with our favorite fixings at a reasonable price. Convenience ups the appeal.

Ironically, two candidates from last year’s gilded list qualified by value and ambience as casual, neighborhood hamburgers.  Four of the entries are indigenous to the state, including one that is steamed not fired.  Surprisingly, half of the patties are not even served in conventional, soft buns.

We paid close attention to bread/beef ratios. A limp bun immediately disqualified any contender. 

Most prices hover around 10 dollars, one as cheap as 5.25, but none more costly than 15.

Herewith, the best of our local, “grab-able” burgers.

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Friday Froth: Roadtrip To New England Brewing Company

Features Beer CT Beer Beer Garden Brewery Woodbridge

James Gribbon

We're taking Friday Froth on the road this week, and making the trip to New England Brewing Company in Woodbridge. You can practically hit NEBCo from the Merritt Parkway if you had a t-shirt cannon or severely misjudged your speed upon taking exit 59. You should do this (not overcooking the exit, I mean - and standing on the highway firing large projectiles is probably some sort of Nanny State "offense," come to think of it), but you should nonetheless take the drive because the beer at the end is, as anyone living in the state for more than three weeks can attest, quite good. 

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Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of July 29- August 4

Features News Events Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Bar Sugo will host a Mixology Class on Saturday August 4 at 12:30pm. Join veteran Mixologist Seth Hiravy as he guides you through the art of stirring, shaking, and straining your way to being a cocktail guru.  The class is 1 1/2 hours long and includes snacks and, of course, cocktails.  Limited availability, call or email to book your spot.

Pieology Pizzeria, located at the Stamford Town Center, recently introduced Gardein Vegan Meats and Daiya Vegan Cheese as toppings.  They are showcasing these new options at their Vegan Happy Hour on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 5-7pm.

Mill Street Bar & Table presents a Back 40 Farm Harvest Dinner on Wednesday August 1.  Back 40 Farmers Alexis and Enya will team up with Chef Ian to use farm fresh ingredients.  The first seating takes place at 5:30pm and includes 3 courses for $65 and a second takes place at 8pm and includes 4 courses for $85.  To reserve, emai hospitality@millstreetct.com. 

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An Interview w/ Vinnie Penn, Author of "Route One Food Run"

Interview Features Podcast Author CT Authors

Ken Tuccio

Vinnie Penn has been a Connecticut media staple for decades, but he's never been someone who you'd necessarily think about when it comes to the Connecticut food scene. Well, that's changing now. Vinnie's got a brand new book out called Route One Food Run where he travels up and down Route One to try the best places you can grab some grub. Ken Tuccio talks to Vinnie about how the book came to be, his love for the world of food and what he's learned during this process. Listen here.

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Chef Geoff Lazlo: At The James Beard House & Beyond

Features Chef Chef Talk

Lou Gorfain

After 18 years of 80 hour weeks in the kitchen, Chef Geoff Lazlo needed a break. It’s what kids call “a gap year,” a sabbatical before taking on the next challenge in their lives. For Lazlo that time off would offer a chance to relax with his family, reassess his options, and realize his dreams. 

Let’s start there, with the first of his fantasies.

Though he had worked with the likes of Alice Waters at Chez Panisse, Michael Anthony at Gramercy Tavern, Dan Barber at Stone Barns, and Bill Taibe at The Whelk, as well as running his own award-winning restaurant, the acclaimed Mill Street Bar and Table in Greenwich, Lazlo had always dreamed of cooking an elaborate feast at the James Beard House in New York City. 

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The Hummus & Pita Co. Opening in CT Featuring The "Hummus Shake"

Restaurant Openings Mediterranean Dessert Smoothies Lunch Brookfield

CTbites Team

This August, The Hummus & Pita Co. will bring its healthy, fast-casual Mediterranean cuisine to Connecticut in a comfortable and inviting environment, at its newest location in Brookfield, Connecticut. This opening marks the first Hummus & Pita Co. restaurant to open outside of New York City.

What we love about The Hummus & Pita Co. is that all menu items are made-from-scratch on the premises, including freshly baked pita and laffa breads, and traditional-style meats cooked in a taboon oven.

But what REALLY sets them apart from your local Mediterranean haunt, are the signature hummus desserts offering such as the Dessert Hummus and the recently launched Hummus Shake. Yep, you heard me.

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Avenida Venezuelan & La Calle Arepas Bar: Local Tattoo Artist Opens Two Areparias in Norwalk

Restaurant Venezuelan Norwalk Lunch Kid Friendly Homepage

Andrew Dominick

If I told you a tattoo artist opened two restaurants in the same city, you might think I was trying to set up a joke. It’s no joke, and it’s not even that farfetched if you talk to Javier Eastman, who just opened Avenida Venezuelan Food and Le Calle Arepas Bar in Norwalk. 

So, how does a tattoo artist with almost 25,000 Instagram followers get into the food service industry?

At Avenida, you can expect an array of empanadas, 16 different stuffed arepas, pastelitos (small savory turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or both), traditional Venezuelan breakfast plates, and a few larger dishes like Pabellón Criollo, Venezuela’s national dish, comprised of shredded beef, rice & beans, fried sweet plantains, egg, avocado, and cheese. Additionally, there are patacón sandwiches (beef, chicken, or pork between deep-fried plantain slices), burgers, and Venezuelan-style hot dogs topped with shredded carrots, cabbage, ham, salsa, cheese, and crushed potato sticks.  

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Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of July 22 - 29th

Features News Events

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

On Monday July 23, Bistro on Main in Manchester presents a 5-Course to honor the late Anthony Bourdain, a well-renowned chef, author, and travel expert in the food industry.

The Guilford Mooring has launched a Monday Lobster Bake, offering customers a 1 ¼ pound lobster, red potatoes, Littleneck clams, mussels, peel-and-eat shrimp, and an ear of corn – all enjoyed from the restaurant’s waterfront location.

Join Millwright’s in Simsbury for their 6th Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday July 25. The special 8 course tasting menu costs $95 per person, plus and tax and tip. As an anniversary special, you can also get a $10 gift card for every $50 gift card purchased.

ARTISAN Restaurant, Tavern and Garden in West Hartford will reveal its private label of Rosé wine at an inaugural garden party on Thursday, July 26 from 5-7pm. Guests can enjoy Artisan Rosé wine, a craft cocktail, a 2-hour buffet, and a DJ for $25 per person.

Millstone Farm’s Summer Soiree Dinners with Chef Geoff Lazlo continue of July 26. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6pm followed by dinner, both of which use fresh ingredients from the farm. The meal is family style and BYOB.

Barcelona’s West Hartford location invites you to “A Seafood Dinner with Chef Tony” on Thursday July 26 from 6:30-9pm. The evening features a whole roasted swordfish collar, a raw bar, crispy tapas from the sea, and wine pairings. Tickets are $65.

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Food & Drink Podcast: An Interview with Letizia's Pizza in Norwalk

Interview Features Interview Podcast Pizza

Ken Tuccio

In Connecticut when you think "pizza" a few places immediately come to mind, but Ken Tuccio has always championed Letizia's Pizza in Norwalk as the best pizza in Connecticut. Well, it seems like other people are jumping on the Letizia's train, because they just beat out "the big boys" and were crowned 2018 Best of the Gold Coast for pizza. Ken sits with Danny, Dennis and Dave from Letizia's to talk about their 20 years making pies in Norwalk, the struggles they faced as a business and what it means to finally be recognized as the best. Listen in here. 

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34+ Places for Lobster Rolls in CT: 2018 Edition

Restaurant Best of CT Seafood Lobster Summer Delicious Dives Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Summer is here and nothing embodies summer in New England like the lobster roll!  Whether you prefer yours hot or cold, with or without butter, classic or with a twist, Connecticut restaurants and seafood shacks are featuring them on their menus.  Here is a list of 34+ places where you can get some lobstahhhh!!

  1. Lobstercraft, Fairfield: LobsterCraft opened its retail doors a few months ago in Fairfield. Parked next to the shop is their truck, and a tented, casual seating area, reminiscent of those great roadside eateries along the coast of Maine.

  2. Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale, Westbrook: Lenny and Joe's serves buttered lobster in a grilled split top hotdog bun and with one side of your choosing, like onion rings.

  3. Knot Norms, Norwalk: n addition to the classic lobster roll, Knot Norms in Norwalk has rolls of all varieties! Join them for a Fried Chicken Roll, Roasted Oysters and a Crab Salad Roll, and more.

  4. Liv’s Shack, Old Saybrook: Liv’s Shack, located directly on the waterfront at the mouth of the Connecticut River, celebrates Summer in New England with hot buttered lobster rolls, fish tacos, hand-ground hamburgers and more.

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Weenie Lynn's Hot Dog Food Truck: Killer Dogs & Sandwiches

Restaurant Food Truck Hot Dogs Danbury Comfort Food American Take Out To-Go Kid Friendly Catering Homepage

Stephanie Webster

After seven years in business, it feels like it's about time to celebrate one of the old school CT food trucks, Weenie Lynn's. Weenie's is a family-owned & operated hot dog and specialty sandwich truck that has been serving the local food scene since spring of 2011. The truck is based in Danbury CT, but they are more than happy to bring their delicious dogs (and five kids) all over the tri state area...and they do.  Weenie's serve two sizes of 100% All-Beef Hot Dogs (over 20 toppings & condiments), as well as Bratwurst, Kielbasa, and fresh-cut (never frozen) french fries, They also feature an ever growing menu of delicious sandwiches, many of them riffs off the classic grilled cheese.  

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Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro Closes Its Doors: New Biz On The Way!

Features Openings New Haven

Stephanie Webster

Caseus Fromagerie & Bistro will have its last service on Saturday July 21st 2018. After 10+ years of an amazing run, I’ve made the decision to close Caseus to pursue other projects and most importantly devote more time to raising my three young children and of course seeing my wife every now and then. Over the last decade, Caseus has served New Haven with passion, love, and true thoughtfulness. For me, personally, I am ready to see something new take its place and thrive. The foundation of what Caseus has been and always will be the community, our community, that we serve, the people who work to make us so exceptional and the deep respect for the ingredients we use. A new business, which will be unveiled in the next few weeks, will be a collaboration between two long-time Caseus employees, Chefs Alex and Craig and myself, and will maintain those same foundations with a commitment to be the best possible business for our exceptional city.

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Nibble: CT Food Events For Week of July 15-22

Events News Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

The Fig Cooking School in Milford will help kids learn how to cook over summer break!  From Monday, July 16– Friday July 20, kids ages 9-17 can attend a “Summer Breeze” summer break workshop.  The week focuses on flavorful menus with seasonal ingredients and exploring the natural world to find the best elements.   

Hardcore Sweet Cupcakes Cupcake Camp Session 2 takes place from July 16-19 in Oakville.  Each Session runs Monday-Thursday from 9am-12pm and culminates in Cupcake War where campers compete and local celebrities come to judge.   

Caseus Fromagerie Bistro in New Haven is “Celebrating American Made Cheeses” on Tuesday July 17.  Join them from 6-7:30pm for a tasting of domestic cheeses.  It is $45 per person.   

Fairfield Cheese Company presents “American Pioneers: An Evening with Cypress Grove Creamery” on Tuesday July 17.  Cypress Grove, founded by Mary Keehn in the 1970s, was one of the first to explore the world of goat cheese. 

On Thursday July 19, “Wine & Dine” with Wine & Spirits Director Gretchen Thomas and Chef Dylan Hansen at Barcelona New Haven.

The Taste of Hartford's summer edition returns July 16 through July 29!  Restaurants throughout the city are featuring multi-course, prix-fixe menus.  Participating restaurants include Capital Grill, Porrin & Pina, Ted's Montana Grill, Trumbull Kitchen, Vivo, and more.

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Tarry Lodge Debuts "Aperitivo" Happy Hour

Features Restaurant Happy Hour Pizza Westport Italian Wine Bar

Andrew Dominick

Happy hours are one of life’s greatest pleasures. Bad day? Have a reduced-price wine, beer, or cocktail to take the edge off. Even worse day? Have more than one. Hungry? Happy hours usually offer a handful of delectable bites to be had on the cheap as an accompaniment to your glass of booze. I’m obviously a fan of the whole idea of happy hours—and I’m betting you are too—so I’m always on the lookout for new ones in the area. That’s when I came across Tarry Lodge Westport’s brand new Aperetivo Hour.

Introduced in May, Aperitivo Hour goes down Monday – Friday from 4 – 6 p.m. It features wine and cocktails for $10 each, and five snackable small plates for $5 per. 

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Heibeck’s in Wilton: American Roadside Fare Since 1931

Restaurant Wilton Take Out ice cream Burgers Hot Dogs Tacos Comfort Food American Lunch Kid Friendly homepage Homepage

Brett Levy

Escape to a different era where comfort food is locally sourced, you are served with compassion and a smile on a garden patio, and you can experience a country feel that makes our fast-paced world slow down just a bit. This cute date (BYO), family fun and good vibe spot is something special to CT that you simply shouldn’t miss.

Heibeck’s in Wilton opened in 1931 and has been family run for four generations. Back then, George Heibeck and Katherine Dhly Heibeck stayed up all night to hand churn over 100 of their original ice cream flavors to perfection, and then served the creamy goodness to their loyal customers daily. Though their ice cream is no longer produced on premises, the family prides itself upon the use of local food sources.  

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