Edible food when driving from Boston to NYC on 84

[ocean266]

This question is not about great food but looking for suggestions on an easy stop when timing demands a meal on the way to NY.
What I want is easy on-off the highway, non-fast food but reasonably quick, and fairly healthy - which leaves out the obvious Rein's Deli.
Is there any place good in West Hartford that you can walk into for Friday night supper?
I know I could post this on Southern NE board but prefer this one.
Thanks for any, any, any ideas.

[njmarshall55]

Exit 44 from Rt 84 will take you to GoldRoc Diner. Open 24 hours. Not a NJ diner, but damn close. Friendly wait staff, too. Good food.

[brookerme]

all 2 minutes north of I-84 on the Hartford/West Hartford line easy to park:

Lena's: disorganized and messy but great soups, salads and pizza slices served cafeteria style so its pretty quick http://www.sullyspub.com/lenas.php

J's Crab Shack (formerly Tinkers) order at the register, have a seat and you have your order in 5 or 10 min. fried seafood, good chowder and bisque, can get broiled too. http://www.menuchest.com/connecticut/hartford/tinkers-seafood-restaurant-&-fish-market/27/

O'Porto more upscale Portugese specialties http://www.oportohartford.com/

[AdamD]

In elmwood, which is pretty close to the highway:
Tapas (good food, spotty service)
Fernwood (pub like place)
In west hartford center:
Bricco
Murasaki
Barcelona
Most of the decent casual sit down restaurants will be crowded on a Friday night. If you are thinking West Hartford center, where there are lot of choices, you will likely have to park in the municipal lot and walk which will take time. But you might be able to snare a spot on the street.
I know you said fairly healthy, but there are a few decent burger joints as well
Plan B
Max's Burger joint
The Counter

You could also try First and Last Tavern for a white clam pizza. They have a few locations in the area-the maple ave location in Hartford being my fav.

And hey, if you get a junk food craving you can always stop at Auggie & Rays in East Hartford for onion rings, fried clams, chili dogs and a shake. Skip the burgers though.

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Fernwood Restaurant
1113 New Britain Ave, Hartford, CT 06110

[David11238]

I like Max's Oyster Bar in West Hartford. To me, a raw bar is one of the healthier options out there. My trepidations (for West Hartford) are you're wanting a quick meal on a Friday night in a popular nightlife and education town. Plus the parking. You may be circling the block a few times. Where is your final destination in NYC, if I may ask?

[ocean266]

Actually Tarrytown on Friday night and into the city in the morning.
And salad, seafood, homemade soups are more the type of food I'm looking for than barbeque, deli meats and a side of fries. Much as I'm tempted to try BT's given the claims of better than Blue Ribbon that I've read on this board. Must be good...

[David11238]

Ah okay. I was going to suggest holding off until you arrived in NYC. But it's moot since you're not going until the next morning.

[AdamD]

The food is good at the OB, but it will be packed on a Friday night.

[David11238]

I believe I said that. Or at least inferred. I imagine most places in big towns and cities in CT will have this problem. It's also ironic that you have a better chance finding a parking spot in NYC on weekend nights than you do in most towns outside of it.

[nachovegas]

Rein's Deli, exit 65 off 84 just north of Hartford is a favorite of mine and alot of my friends who drive frequently to NY. Great sandwiches and New York deli,/jewish soul food stuff. Chopped Liver, Kishke, Latkes etc. and massive pastrami and corned beef sandwiches.They have a huge dining room and a bar too if you want to sit down.

[CapeCodGuy]

lol...the OP speciofically mentions "Not Rein's Deli".

[Luther]

This is a direct response to your title, but not the West Hartford part:

There are many pizza destinations between Boston and NYC but outside of those I would say your best option (and a very good one at that) is BT's Smokehouse in Sturbridge, just off of the 90/84 junction.

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BT's Smokehouse
392 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566

[lc02139]

I'll second BT's but if ocean won't go to Reins because it isn't healthy I'm not sure he will miss out on BT's as well. Frank Pepi has added a branch in Manchester CT, in a mall complex just off 84.
http://www.pepespizzeria.com/

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BT's Smokehouse
392 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566