Comments on: New England Doesn’t Get The Good Restaurant-Chain Love

By: Theresa

Theresa — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:09:07 +0000

I’m a CT resident that’s been in CA for the past 3 years. I’ve had many of the chains you mention above simply because there is a lack of “Mom & Pop” type restaurants out here. I can’t wait for my return to CT for the food alone, not to mention the NY style pizza. I will miss Chipotle because I like that I can get a burrito bowl (without the burrito wrap) and the food is quite tasty for fast food Mexican. And of course, the Mexican food in CA has got nothing on CT. But in my humble opinion, CT is where my heart and belly loyalties lie. lol

By: Leeanne Griffin

Leeanne Griffin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:45:25 +0000

You’ve got a good point, Steve, Connecticut is certainly home to some of the best food in the country. But there’s something fun and whimsical about visiting new chains when you’re traveling.

I’m with you on the Tastease donuts. When I was at the Courant, columnist Rick Green used to bring those in every once in a while. We got so excited when we saw him coming with the big white ‘pizza box.’ Not only are they delicious, they’re just adorable. Little works of art.

By: Steve_CTMQ

Steve_CTMQ — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Am I crazy for thinking we’re doing just fine without all these fast food chains here? Call me a snob, call me whatever, but all that food is garbage.

Not that I don’t indulge now and again, but really – would you life be more complete with another chain burger joint in town?

Go eat somewhere locally owned and at least partially locally sourced. You’re much the better for it.

And as far as Dunkin Donuts is concerned, go have a donut (or three) at Neil’s in Yalesville, Dotties Diner in Woodbury, Coffee ‘An in Westport or Tastease in Hartford and you’ll never go back. (Not to mention the fresh cider donuts at various cider mills and orchards in the fall.)

By: Leeanne Griffin

Leeanne Griffin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:15:55 +0000

Could have been an off-day or a bad franchise, but still, first impressions. The burgers were so greasy, in the worst way possible. We were clutching our stomachs before we even exited the restaurant. And my friend tipped over his full 32-oz soda halfway through the meal. (Unrelated, but icing on the cake.)

I do like the frozen ones you can buy at the grocery store, though. We put them in the toaster oven briefly so the bun doesn’t get soggy.

We hit Carl’s Jr. during a Southern California trip three summers ago. it’s no In-n-Out but it was very good! I preferred Fatburger though.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:03:59 +0000

“Dismal”???? Harsh, Leeanne, harsh. White Castle is a welcome addition in any community – ya must’ve just hit a weak franchise on a bad day.
Of course, Connecticut has made progress in the past few years: Most notably Johnny Rocket’s and Krispy Kreme. We’d be a lot better with the Chic-Fil-A you mentioned … and with Carl’s Jr., the West Coast chain that’s way, way better than McDonald’s.

By: Sandy Csizmar

Sandy Csizmar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:44:16 +0000

That’s true Jeanne. Sonic was awesome in part because we got to take a fun road trip. I wonder if we’ll be in such a hurry to go there once we’re passing it twice each day going to and from work? We thought we’d be at Cheesecake Factory once a week when they opened, and we’ve only eaten there once. Same with P.F. Chang’s. Removing the adventure ruins some of the fun.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:31:31 +0000

Chick fil A is delish! Peabody is clearly an entrepreneur of fast food in New England … I think Five Guys has been my favorite discovery down here .. it was definitely interesting to see fast food chains in FL that I had never even heard of before …. i.e. Zaxby’s!

By: Jeanne Leblanc

Jeanne Leblanc — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:36:47 +0000

On one hand, I’d love to have an In-n-Out and a Chik-fil-a nearby. On the other hand, the fact that I have to travel for them makes them fun and exotic. It might also keep a few pounds off me … though I usually find something to substitute.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:48:13 +0000

When I moved to Charleston I moved away from Chipotle and I miss that place! Qdoba is about as close as it gets but it is not as good at Chipotle! But for fast food Chik-fil-a is by far my favorite! Espcially when you say “Thank you” and they always have to say “My Pleasure!”

By: Flannery

Flannery — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:39:04 +0000

Well, I would have said Sonic, but we just got the one in Peabody. I do miss Arby’s. The rest of them (In-n-Out, Fatburger, etc), I have heard delicious things about but have yet to try.

If I left this area again, I would be mourning the loss of Kelly’s, for sure.

As for donuts, I would wither and die if I moved somewhere without Dunkin Donuts so I can’t comment much there.