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8 Classic Drive-Ins

One of the best parts about being on the road in Connecticut is stopping at a drive-in for a quick but tasty meal. The state has many such spots, but here are 8 of the most tried and true.

 

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1| Sea Swirl, Mystic

It’s easy to spot Sea Swirl as a former Carvel ice cream shop, but the focus now is on fried seafood, especially clams, scallops and oysters. The whole-belly clams are what bring fans back again and again.

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2| Clamps, New Milford

If you're road tripping in the summer months, then not many places say “summer” the way Clamp’s does. Maybe it’s the roadside location (since 1939) on Rte. 202, or the picnic tables scattered in the shade, or the fact that it’s open only in summer, with no website and no phone.

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3| Harry’s Place, Colchester

Looking for a real juicy burger? Harry’s shapes its patties into a ball, puts them on the grill and then gradually flattens them with a spatula. The results have brought customers back every summer for decades.

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4| Glenwood Drive-In, Hamden

In business on Route 10 for nearly 60 years, Glenwood offers burgers and dogs flame-broiled over charcoal and delicious lobster rolls, grilled cheese and signature onion rings.

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5| Stowe’s Seafood, West Haven

They’re always on a roll at Stowe’s: lobster roll, shrimp roll, scallop roll, squid roll and fried clam roll. You’ll like the across-from-the-beach ambiance.

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6| Danny’s Drive-In, Stratford

A Stratford fixture since 1935, its menu is a classic – 13 different hotdogs, 11 varieties of burgers and nearly as many sandwiches, platters and sides.

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7| The Sycamore, Bethel

Known for its steak burgers and homemade root beer, as well as its carhops and 1950s ambience.

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8| Blackie’s, Cheshire

There are many excellent hot dog stands in Connecticut, but none has quite the roadside allure of Blackie’s, which has been around since 1928. The menu is limited, but the relish is spectacular.

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