Lunch near I-84/CT-8

[tangleroc]

I'm driving up to Berkshire County from NYC in a few days. Looking for a great lunch along the way. What's your favorite lunch spot near either I-84 or CT-8? Quick replies appreciated.

[junescook]

If you like Mid-Eastern food, we find the best at Noujaim's, 281 Winsted Rd, Torrington. It is a few blocks west of CT-8 off exit 45. It is a bright, clean deli-like place where everything is very fresh, and the portions are generous. We always meet friends there for dinner when we head up to the area for concerts and last year we drove up there to have them do the kabob and meze platters for a party we were having, even though where we live (in southern Litchfield Cnty, much closer to Waterbury) there are several other mideastern places. They cannot compare. s you can see by the menu, they have regular as well as the Lebanese food. This is a small, bright place with perhaps four tables run by a gracious and accomodating family. You will always get more than you paid for.

http://www.noujaimsfood.com/

ps: we live within minutes of the junction of 8 and 84. If you have other preferences, let me know. H

[Pipenta]

I just popped into Noujaims for the first time this afternoon. I'd been wanting to go to Sheik's for the eggplant fries (OMG the eggplant fries YOU MUST TRY THEM), but they are on vacation until the 17th. And I was going to be heading up that way today, so I needed to console myself over my eggplant fry deficiency. I'd read this thread and noticed the post/s about Noujaims, so I got off at exit 44 and went in search of them.

I liked the place and the people were very gracious and helpful. They were out of zatar pita chips, so the owner made some while I waited. I pigged out on them on the way home. Really tasty! One of the ingredients of zatar is sumac, which gives a lemony kick to the chips so you can't stop eating them. No, let me be honest. I can't stop eating them. Your might be made of sterner stuff.

I got a bunch of take out goodies for later. I'll report back as I make my way through the spinach pies (the bready triangular ones mmmmm) and the spinach & feta pies and the "dirty bread" seasoned with loads of zatar and the hommus and the baba gannouj and the stuffed grape leaves.

I also sampled some brownie while I was there and they were also very good. Anyone lucky enough to be close to this place should make a point of hitting this place when they are HUNGRY.

So, yeah, thank you for the suggestion.

[gleng1]

How sad! I'd never heard of Sheik's before but took this Chowhound tip and went to their Facebook page. It states, "As you know, tomorrow is our last day of business," dated in January. Ugh!

[javaandjazz]

http://www.frankieshotdogs.com/

[javaandjazz]

There is always Frankie's on Reidville Rd for hotdogs and burgers and also the place next door to them they just opened serving good italian good and not expensive at all. easy on/off I-84.

[meatzaaa]

I guess there is a subliminal (hotdog), message here I am not picking up on?!

How about Crave, in Ansonia? Eclectic Spanish: http://www.crave102.com/

Also in Waterbury is Brass City Bistro with easy access from I-84: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/570077 That or La Tavola.. about the same distance from 8.

Also Uncle Willie's BBQ-Waterbury. Easy off and on from 8. This is supposed to be the best of the Uncle Willie's. I have eaten at the West Haven spot and it is good stuff-far above average for the NE.
558 Chase Ave
Waterbury, CT 06704
[phone]

Up 8, in Torrington: Las Delicias Latina
Recommended by several CH'ers as "Authentic Mexican": pozole, tamales, al pastore, menudo and more.
433 Main Street
Torrington, CT 06790
[phone]

Sorry, I don't know of good apizza anywhere close!

[coldduck]

The Waterbury Uncle Willie's has shut down, soon to be replaced by a diner. It's in such a terrible location (half hidden by a retaining wall), I don't understand why anyone would go in there. Doogie's was in the same spot and went under, too.

[meatzaaa]

That's sad. I had it on good authority that it had been the best of all 3 (?).
At least, here in new Haven (actually West Haven), we have a nice, almost new Uncle Willie's. I ate there and it is good. I give it three stars because it is small and basic (with sides that are average, but the Q usually deserves four stars. Cornbread is too sweet for an Oakie.

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Uncle Willie's Bbq
403 Saw Mill Rd, West Haven, CT 06516-4014

[danieljdwyer]

Great apizza near Route 8 = Roseland in Derby. Also, great red sauce food in general.

[meatzaaa]

Not open for lunch. We just ate at Roseland for the first time. Apizza is good, but very expensive. Large shrimp=$40! Pretty much the style of apizza for the big three in New Haven.
I will do a review in new thread.

[danieljdwyer]

That $40 pizza caught me by surprise the first time. If you consider the quality, weight, and size of the shrimp, it's a good value, but not what I was expecting when I phoned in my order.
It's too bad they aren't open for lunch. And too bad they don't have a website stating their hours.

[stuck in Hartford County]

I go by this interchange e/o weekend w/the kids, so we've only hit kid-friendly spots (not usually the ones I would go alone). That said, the Brass City Bistro is hands down my favorite. We once ate at a pretty good Jamaican place called Mikeys or something like that. There's a Maggie McFly's 30 seconds off exit 17 (or 16?) just before the Rt. 8 exit (18) you will be taking. The food is OK, but not great. The kids love it.

[LAC06488]

Very good option for what it is ..noisy, hopping bar scene, family place...good portion sizes....some innovative choices such as Kobe beef and salmon burger sliders..Thai lettuce wraps are good....salads are consistently good...St Paddy's Day special corn beef and cabbage is enough for three to share...they offer wine by the 1/ 2 glass which is nice because that is all I ever drink anyway...veggie wrap good also ...

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Maggie McFly's Restaurant
6 Woodside Ave, Middlebury, CT 06762

[thecof]

I used to work in that area (Post University) and I love to eat! My favorite places around there are:
Aventura- An Italian deli/bakery/takeout place in town plot. Honestly it is awesome. It's not cheap, my lunch was usually 15 bucks or so but its because EVERYTHING looks awesome so you get more than you need. I spent a semester traveling around Sicily in college and let me tell you, Aventura is the real deal.
Denmoos- Southbury, this is a year round burger shack. Totally outdoors, not indoor tables but worth the cold in the winter. Some of the specials are AMAZING! (softshell crab sandwich, clam chowder, crab cakes) loved this place.
Frankies- not healthy, not classy, just delish, fried veggies, corn dogs, all junk food but always cooked perfectly and burn your mouth hot.
Leo's- This place is right in front of Post, its a Deli/diner sort of feel. The chicken cordon blue panini was really good, so was the tuna melt. Simple but well executed.

Overrated places- Maggie McFlys. I love the menu here, it has so much potential, great bartenders and servers, but the food is super hit or miss. You could go in there and eat a great mean and a week later order the same thing and it could be terrible. IE the Thai chicken pizza- you just never know!
Duchess- terrible, cross between Friendlys and McD's never good
DIIorios- Expensive, fancy tastes likes cruise ship food blech

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Maggie McFly's Restaurant
6 Woodside Ave, Middlebury, CT 06762

[foodwallguy]

Al's hot dogs in Naugatuck is the place. The hippo dog is great, and the chili cheese dog is on my food wall! Al's is right off rt 8 just before Waterbury.

[JohnnyCT]

If you are looking for more of a sit down as opposed to a fast serve type of restaurant I would suggest:

La Tavola Waterbury CT
www.latavolaristorante.com

Black Rock Thomaston CT
www.blackrocktavern.com

If you are looking for a fast serve place I would vote for a roast beef sandwich from Sheiks Sandwich Shop in Torrington or Dominican food from La Cazuela in Waterbury.

[kattyeyes]

I second La Tavola if you truly seek a great lunch (exit 18 off I-84). Many reviews here if you'd like additional info:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/575315

Directions here:
http://latavolaristorante.com/contact...

[yeahthatsme]

This isn't exactly what you were looking for but worth a bit of a ride.
Doogie's
2525 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111-4109

[Waquoit]

Coming up I-84 you want Blackies in Cheshire. Exit 26 of I-84. Hot Dog with relish. Great old time joint.

[kattyeyes]

Doogie's is nowhere near near I-84 or Route 8. tangleroc, please don't get led astray. :) If you've got a hot dog craving, you've got two other suggestions that are right along your route as you requested.