Cheap Eats around Ridgefield CT

[RatherBeFishing]

I'm looking for good "cheap eats" within a reasonable distance of Ridgefield Ct. So far I've been to the Marcus Dairy Diner in Danbury, The Ancient Mariner in Ridgefield and Toozy Pasta in Wilton and thought all of them were good for what they are. What else is good and cheap in the area? I'm into all kinds of foods.

-----
Ancient Mariner Restaurant
451 Main St, Ridgefield, CT 06877

Marcus Dairy Restaurant
5 Sugar Hollow Rd, Danbury, CT 06810

[zanny39]

Try Sesame Seed in Danbury about 3 minutes from the mall. They have great salad, hummus, tabouli all of which are inexpensive. The entrees are reasonable , my favorite entree is Sesame Mahi.
Also, Rosie Tomorrows is about 3 minutes from the Danbury Mall, but in the other direction. They have a great burger for under 10 bucks.

-----
Sesame Seed Restaurant
68 W Wooster St, Danbury, CT 06810

[candicekat]

I totally agree with Ancient Mariner. Casual dining, also good for families. The best ribs, burgers, sweet potato fries, etc. Somewhat of a 70's decor, but a comfortable dining experience and courteous wait staff. There is an extensive menu to choose from.

-----
Ancient Mariner Restaurant
451 Main St, Ridgefield, CT 06877

[stuck in Hartford County]

They used to have a Wednesday nite clambake- I kinda miss it! The kids would bring a million quarters for the video games and jukebox, and the adults could linger... I don't miss all the cigarette smoke that used to hover over everything, though.

[RatherBeFishing]

I just loaned a close friend a lot of money, so I'll really have to tighten the belt this weekend. We are suppose to check out the car show and have dinner at Marcus Dairy tonight - it can't get much cheaper then that!

-----
Marcus Dairy Restaurant
5 Sugar Hollow Rd, Danbury, CT 06810

[HunterJay]

Keep checking on the local radio station websites for the 1/2 price gift certificates. i95, 98Q, webe108, & 967thecoast all do them. We got $50 gift certificates for $25 for Garys Rib House (New Milford), Redding Roadhouse, JB Barbeque (Brewster), Fairfields Restaurant (at the Ethan Allen) and (the best so far) a $50 gift certificate for $12.50 for Toozy Pasta / Wilton Pizza - got 2 of those. Just something to keep in mind.

-----
Wilton Pizza
202 Town Grn, Wilton, CT 06897

Redding Roadhouse
406 Redding Rd, Redding, CT 06896

[TrishUntrapped]

Those are very good deals indeed HJ.

Also, since this is the Ridgefield thread, a quick shout out to the guy who owns the Subway franchise in Ridgefield on Bailey Avenue. Now Subway is what it is, like it or lump it, but the guy (in the Yankees cap) is one of the best managers I've seen.

He treats the customers beautifully. Offers larger sodas than ordered...tosses out pizza and such if it is too well done (burnt) without being asked... in a word he is all about customer service, and he is funny and pleasant to boot.

As much as I eschew Subway, I have to admit I will go in on occasion knowing I will be treated well there.

[junescook]

Don't forget that you can right now get a $25 certificate to Gary's Rib House for $2 on Restaurant.com, and a $50 certificate for $4. The current promo code (for 80% off) is SUMMER. There are a few others in the area that have certificates there. We use them often.

-----
Rib House
16 Main St, East Haven, CT 06512

[saturngrrl]

This appears to have expired; now there's a 50% off code good thru July 6: FREEDOM. So a $25 certificate is $5. Still a pretty good deal, but not as good as $2!!! Oh well, they'll do it again, I'm sure. :-)

[junescook]

The Cookhouse is on there too, but theirs are a little more expensive and sell out early. I know I usually pay $6 for their $25 certificates and they require a $50 purchase. We'll go for lunch and then bring home a combo for dinner which is plenty for the two of us.

[RatherBeFishing]

We found a great Vietnamese place, where we had lunch, in Danbury at 56 Padanaram Road called Pho Vietnam. We both had sodas, split the dumpling appetizer (it was excellent) , she had a big bowl of beef pho and I had tofu soup and a vegetable wrap and the check was only $24. It's nothing fancy, but the food was great and the people working there were very gracious. We will probably go there again this weekend.

[hungrykids]

Yes, Pho Vietnam is great, and has been written about on Chowhound before (maybe before the reorganization of the site, so it could be archived). Cheap and delicious - it's one of our favorites.

[chipmonger]

We love the Pho in all varieties in cooler weather, and the Bun (cold rice noodle dish) in Summer. We almost always get the fried Vietnamese spring roll appetizer as well as shrimp roll wrapped in cool rice paper at Pho Vietnam. Always tasty!

[HunterJay]

If you're still looking, the website for 96.7 the coast fm has $50 gift certificates to Tuzzy Patza, Wilton Pizza, & Piccollo Pizza (good at all 3) for $12.50 (on the 50% restaurant deal of the day page).

-----
Wilton Pizza
202 Town Grn, Wilton, CT 06897

[RatherBeFishing]

We stopped by Auntie G's to grab a quick knish. The guys were really nice there - they gave us samples of the pulled pork (which my date said was really good) and a cold chickpea salad. We will have to go back. What a crime that zoning laws won’t allow them to put some tables in.

We went back to the Earlybird Cafe and unfortunately the waitress’s incompetence and attitude ruined the experience. It’s too bad because the previous experience was good…one burned twice shy.

We also tried Sycamore and thought it was a neat place. The nostalgia can't be beat! My only complaint is that the booth seats are a bit hard on your butt, but we'll definitely go back.

We tried the Windmill Diner in Danbury and everything was good.

-----
Windmill Diner Restaurant
14 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, CT 06811

[junescook]

I don't know if this is way over your "cheap" limit, but when we head over to do our shopping at TJ's, our favorite place to have lunch is Chuck's Steak House, where you can get an entree plus a great salad bar (with real sourdough bread yet) for $8 to $12.

http://www.chucksdanbury.com/lunch.htm

-----
Chuck's Steak House
20 Segar St, Danbury, CT 06810

[RatherBeFishing]

Thank you for the suggestions. So far, since I originally started this thread, we have tried Dimitri's and a place that we drive past all the time called Earlybird Cafe at 88 Danbury Road which I had eaten breakfast before. I thought Dimitri's was OK, but was really bowled over by Earlybird Cafe. Apparently Earlybird Cafe just started serving dinner - they use to only be open for breakfast and lunch. The food was outstanding with huge portions of good food for a moderate price.

I also thought I’d mention that we had lunch at Uno Chicago Grill in the Danbury Fair Mall this past Saturday and really got hosed – the bill was over $40 for two of us…never again unless I’m only getting potato skins or just pizza.

A couple of other places I thought we might try are Sycamore Drive-In in Bethel (mostly as a novelty - I love retro/50’s nostalgia) and The Windmill Diner in Danbury since I have a friend who likes to go there.

I’m pleasantly surprised that there are so many good and inexpensive places close to Ridgefield.

-----
Windmill Diner Restaurant
14 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, CT 06811

[hungrykids]

Sycamore is lots of fun. Be sure you have a milkshake AND try their homemade root beer.

IMO Elmer's Diner in Danbury is a HUGE step about Windmill...

-----
Elmer's Diner
22 Padanaram Rd, Danbury, CT 06811

[DMW]

I second the root beer at Sycamore. You usually get refills for free - have only been charged for refills by one server and I've been many, many times. I recommend the Dagwood burger - yum!

[stuck in Hartford County]

I wasn't a fan of either Dimitris or Earlybird, but we did like the Country Diner (on Rt. 7) for that sort of food. Nothing was really "cheap" in this area, though.

Sycamore is fun, especially w/kids. We need to re-visit soon!

[stuck in Hartford County]

Is the hot dog cart guy still out on Main Street across from the park? The cheese fondue dog is incredible, and I'll never admit how far I went to get the recipe (FAR, OK?!). Buy a dog and a soda, and sit in the park!

Then try to wheedle the blue cheese dressing recipe out of the Ancient Mariner chef. Good luck w/that. If you succeed, please post it!

-----
Ancient Mariner Restaurant
451 Main St, Ridgefield, CT 06877

[TrishUntrapped]

Yep, Chez Lenard is still out there selling his dogs. Haven't gone yet this year.

[DMW]

I tried the Burrito Shack at T's (think this is the name) on Rt 7 just south of Dexter's over the weekend. Loved my burrrito and I thought it was a good value. Just a note that I think it is primarily a lunch place; don't think that they are open much past 6pm on weekdays.

[TrishUntrapped]

T's Burrito Shack on Route 7 is one of the best cheap little unknown spots in the area. Also like the dogs at Dexter's. Tried the brisket at Auntie G's and it tasted like roast beef in barbecue sauce. Dreadful. Steve's in Ridgefield, near CVS, has decent enough bagels and soups.

[DMW]

Sorry you didn't like the brisket at Auntie G's. I haven't had the brisket but thought the pastrami was very good, though a little fatty for my personal preference. I usually only get pastrami in NYC or LA because it is so hard to find good pastrami, but this was definitely worth it.

[TrishUntrapped]

I'll try it sometime...give them another chance.

[jfood]

jfood recommends the pulled pork as well.

[hungrykids]

yes to all of the above suggestions and comments...

plus Dimitri's Diner, still the best value meal in town (and although the food has - maybe - slipped a bit from it's hey day, I would argue that it's still the best diner around)

-----
Dimitri's Diner
16 Prospect St, Ridgefield, CT 06877

[DMW]

Pancho's Tacos in Danbury, across from the courthouse -- cheap and delicious!!!

[jfood]

Add Auntie G's atthe corner of route 35 and route 7...outstanding although may not meet your "cheap." Heading down route 7 is Dexter's Doghouse, very good hot dog, although a chili dog is $3.50.

[HunterJay]

Danbury has JK's Texas Hot Wieners (a family favorite - cheap and good).
The Lumberyard Pub in Georgetown has $0.25 wing nights (I think in Monday but I may be wrong). Pretty good wings - any other day it's not cheap.

-----
Lumberyard Pub
2 Main St, Redding, CT 06896

[chipmonger]

Try "Word of Mouth" in Vista, NY on Rte 123. It is in the Oakridge Common shopping center. It is a bagel/deli shop combined with a pizza/pasta place.