Never in a million years did I think I would find myself sitting at Eli Cannon's in 2026 but here I am, writing this review. I was visiting Connecticut last week for wedding and staying with some friends in Middletown. I arrived on a Tuesday night with a hungry stomach so we figured Eli Cannon's was an easy spot to hit up. I went here many, many, many years ago when I still lived in Connecticut (I live in LA now) but don't remember much of the experience other then what the inside looks like and man, it still looks the exact freaking same. We arrived around 8PM and got seated right away. The staff was super attentive with providing drinks and menus and the kitchen staff had the food out super quick as well. I kept it simple and ordered a Buffalo Chicken Wrap with a side of french fries and really enjoyed it. The Buffalo Chicken Wrap tasted great and the hot sauce wasn't overpowering. The french fries here were crispy and tasted great, the perfect pairing for a late night bite (look, eating out at 8PM is late for me). Overall, Eli Cannon's is mostly a bar, but is also a pretty solid place to grab a bite to eat. The place truly is Middletown and with friends living nearby, I can definitely see myself returning in the future for some night time grub. read more

Eli Cannon's - The lighting might not be great, but the food was pretty good. - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Great weather day to sit on the patio at Eli's. Experience was hit or miss this time. Had a server we were not familiar with and his attentiveness was a little lacking - would have ordered another beer if he had checked in while we still had food. The spicy caesar salad was fire as usual - the size might be a bit smaller, but it's still great ! Ordered the back bean burger and that wasn't a good experience for a few reasons. The burger was more like a mush pancake and the bun was way too big for the burger as well as not that toasted which might have made it seem not as fresh; i will order it again to see if it was a fluke since I appreciate the effort to make it themselves as opposed to serving a frozen black bean burger . If it is always like that, it's a texture problem for me. Please put some hooks on the outside rail for purses to hang from when sitting at the mini picnic tables since there are no chair backs read more

Eli Cannon's - Spicy Caesar- SO awesome ! - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Stopped in for a quick bite and a beer on our way out of town. Beer menu is definitely what brought us there but the food was surprisingly good as well. The atmosphere is straight up bar but we still felt comfortable with our teens with us. It would have been fine with smaller children too as the restaurant seating is away from the bar area. The beer menu was fairly comprehensive. They have their own brews and have many local CT craft brews on draft. They also have some cans and bottles if that's your thing. I didn't notice any crazy rare lambics but that's not what we were looking for. We had a few hazies and few stouts and everything was delightful. Our server Anna was a seasoned pro. She knew the menu and exactly when to come by our table to check in. We had some pulled pork nachos and there was plenty to go around. The dry rub on the wings was delicious and the wings themselves were cooked right. Overall, if you find yourself in Middletown looking for a nice beer and some decent food, this is a great choice! read more

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Decent beer selection, however the outdoor area ambiance is what sells this place. The firepits & seating in the sand is such a vibe. Great for the warmer months when joined by a couple of friends. I am giving this a 3 stars because the last time me & my partner visited we did not get the same welcoming attitudes which we experienced in our previous visits. Another weird vibe I got was when I was ordering another round of beers for both my boyfriend and I -- my order was taken last despite standing/waiting at the bar before other patron's. I was the only woman standing there so I am not sure if this had something to do with it.... Definitely a college bar-type atmosphere. I will say the crispy brussels & spinach and artichoke dip were tasty and cooked very well. read more

So we haven't been here in years because of the service but we had a gift card so we wanted to take advantage of the sun and sit out on their back deck. The gift card was from under the previous ownership so we didn't even know if it would work so we figured we'd give it a shot. We sat down no problem. The hostess was very nice and to the deck we went. Our waitress was fine but gave us the same vibes as why we stopped going here in the first place. Not outwardly rude but certainly seemed like put off that she had to serve us. The food was good. We had the sticky ribs which were amazing and the wings were great too. Kids had the hot dog and Mac and cheese and they seemed pleased. Burgers are huge! So if you want a burger, arrive hungry! Excellent beer menu as expected. Lots of fox farm options which we loved. So our gift card did not end up working - because it was pretty old. But I did appreciate that they honored half of the value that was on it. They did not have to do that so kudos to management for that. It's tough because we really like the owners as humans and want to support them, but this place just needs a customer service overhaul. Like I can get by the ok food because it's an awesome place to have a beer and hang out outside. But the mediocre service kind of kills it for me. read more

Eli Cannon's - Fox farm - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Eli Cannons is always a vibe. Sitting outside on a nice day on their patio is a treat and indoors is a small and cozy bar atmosphere. They always have a great rotating tap list, but they make some good cocktails as well. Food can be a little hit or miss. Great food concepts, but execution doesn't always follow through. I've had great meals there, I've had frustrating meals, and some average meals. Service has always been good though and they do try their best to fix it. This time we just had a couple cheesesteaks. They were tasty, but I did find mine a little under seasoned. Fries were crispy and fluffy, and their tots were extra crunchy which I love! Overall a classic beer bar with a good vibe, good tap list, and decent food! read more

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Love the rooftop dining !! I met my daughter here last Friday night for a drink and light dinner. I love their menu options. My daughter had the tuna over udon noodles.She loved it. I had the fish sandwich aith fries. It was delicious melts in your mouth. I'm excited to go back and try something else. read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

This will forever be my favorite bar in Middletown because of the atmosphere, tune selection, variety of beers & friendly staff. Nashville wings are 10/10. Really great flavor and perfect amount of spice - the best wings in Middletown in my opinion. I also LOVE the spicy Caesar salad & I hope they never take it off the menu. Service is excellent, it always makes my night to see Eddie behind the bar!! read more

Amazing salad, cider, and vibes! I came for lunch with a group of friends after Middletown Pride, and this was the perfect place. I never knew Eli Cannon's had a back patio, but it's a great place to enjoy the nice weather. I got the Blood Orange Beet Salad with Crispy Chicken for my meal, and it was outstanding. I'm normally not a salad person, but the balance of flavors and textures may have changed my mind. I highly recommend this salad. For my drink, I got a strawberry cider. It was very tasty. read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Stopped by for lunch on a quiet Sunday after noon. Cool vibe with funky artwork. Great outdoor space. My salad was large! read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

(Last visited on 8/15/2021.) Hanging out with some friends over the weekend and we wanted to hit up a place that had good wings along with an awesome outdoor section, so here we are! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set right on the main strip in downtown Middletown is this gem. Once in the front door I'm given the "sports bar" slash tavern-like vibe with a hint of rustic. I like it! Out back is where all the action is though... So once out the back door and up a lil' flight of stairs is "The Beach". There are loads of seats, picnic tables and beach style chairs out here along with actual sand you can stick your feet into. There's no water, but that's okay! Sand is good enough! Lol. I think this is so cool and I've never seen any other restaurant that wasn't already on the beach have sand setup in their backyard. It's super unique and definitely helps this place stand out from others. Service: Jamie took care of us and she was awesome. She put up with my crap and dished it back out which gave the restaurant some personality. She was also quick, fun and made sure that we had everything that we needed. Food: Time for the good stuff! So I've been here twice and have had the chance to try several of their wing flavors. So during my visits I've tried Maple Bacon Bourbon (a deliciously sweet, rich, salty and savory flavor that definitely had hints of everything in its name), Two In the Pool (I honestly can't remember this sauce), Honey Sriracha (a good, not too spicy sweet sauce) and Strawberry Reaper (the hottest sauce they offer that comes sprinkled with coconut shavings was FANTASTIC). They do wings RIGHT here and I'm excited to try out even more flavors! Value: Very good pricing here. Wings are on average about $1.00 a wing. Drinks are reasonable as well but we can totally hang out here for HOURS and that'll run the bill up. Lol. In conclusion Eli Cannon's is somewhere I will return to over and over whenever I get the change. It's an amazing chill spot and just some place to get together with your friends! read more

Had a Sunday lunch at Eli Cannon's. Our table Shared the nachos and I followed with buffalo chicken tenders with fries. Food was great! I had a Double Standard IPA which was also excellent. Waitress was very friendly and attentive. Looking forward to trying their outside seating when it warms up. read more

This was a nice venue to catch up with friends at. Semi- large venue with a long bar, tables, and booths. The restaurant has a dark atmosphere, friendly staff, and good food bites. From what I saw, there's only street parking which isn't very many. We came on a Sunday night, so it wasn't too busy but busy enough for a lively atmosphere. The food wasn't bad either, we tried the wings and had some pork belly, would recommend. If I'm ever in the area I might stop on by again. read more

Eli Cannon's - Sticky Pork Bites - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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The food was okay. Nothing special. I'd still go there for maybe drinks and just a night out but not for a date night. I didn't expect great food as silly as that may sound. But nothing really special. I say this with no ill intentions. If you're drunk you probably won't even care how good the food is but it's okay. read more

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One visit to Eli Cannon's and we can definitely see why it's such a popular spot! We loved how much character this spot had and enjoyed sitting in the beer themed booth. Everywhere you look there was something interested written on the wall or a quirky antique to admire. The food was delicious, and we especially loved the nachos. They offered some great specials when we were there too! The staff was friendly and welcoming, and we want to visit again with friends soon! read more

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By far one of the best places around. Think "bar food" but 3 levels higher. They are always creating new, interesting specials. As a chef myself, hats off to them. Pound for pound, they beat every other restaurant on that strip. read more

Warm weather is here and I Absolutely Love coming here it's such a cool place to hangout. Most servers have been here forever and that tells you a lot about a place. The area out back has that cool beachy tropical vibe even though you're miles away from the beach. Stick your toes in the sand lean back and relax with an Ice Cold beer or Fruity Cocktail. They have plenty of sharable appetizers to choose from, juicy burgers, sandwiches and even salads if you're working on that bikini bod. So if the Sun is out and you're looking for a cool hangout come and check Eli's out. If it's not you should still check them out they have a cool relaxed vibe inside as well. read more

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Delicious bar food, love the overall ambiance and not too busy for a Saturday night! Service was prompt and friendly. This is my second time coming here, first time I didn't eat or drink but we sat outside during the summer and it was awesome. Second time here, sitting indoors and ordered their stout which was delicious and shepherds pie empanadas which were fantastic. read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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I visited Eli Cannon's in Middletown for National Nacho Day and to try their Top 13 nacho in the CT Yelp Nachovember Showcase. One of the cool things about the Showcase is that it features multiple places where I hung out before my son was born. It's nice to catch up with Eli Cannon's, which has an awesome old school bar vibe and very good food. I was chatting with GM Lee about my love for the cheddar ale soup that used to be on the menu, their quesadillas and the wings. I also love their burgers and fries Eli's nachos are a flavor bomb due to the thin diced, almost shaved, black olives and pickled jalapeños. It spreads the flavor so well. Everything else is there too. The melted cheese, salsa, sour cream, chopped green onions and chopped tomatoes. Huge serving for the $5 special showcase price. Go get em! And check out one of the best beer selections around while you are there. Including a little thing called Heady Topper while it lasts. I had a Jack's Abby craft lager and it was great. Five Stars for great nachos, a tremendous beer selection and terrific service in an awesome bar setting. read more

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My first Mardi Gras at Eli Cannon's and all I can say is, "Why did it take me this long?!" It's also their 29th anniversary. What a great time. So you know they have great nachos already from my past reviews, but now another thing is the fun they put into holidays as well. They are a fun holiday destination too! Christmas Eve and Mardi Gras! I will absolutely do both of those holidays at Eli's again next year. Lee is always great to talk to and the food last night was so great! Let's talk about the Catfish Po'Boy, the Magazine Street Rice and Beans, the Fat Tuesday Frito and the Mardi Gras Shrimp! All of it was so good!!! I especially loved the Catfish Po'Boy! That was my favorite! We all shared and it was so fun and festive! Beads, Sunglasses and Light Up bracelets were everywhere and it was decorated in purple, green and gold! This is the fun stuff that makes memories. I am so happy that I went for Mardi Gras yesterday! Next year, let me know if you are going! I will meet you there. Oh---and there was even a free crawfish boil outside. So cool! read more

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Came here with a group of my friends after spending the day at pride.. they offer reservations through an app called tock and it is on their website as well.. it was a last minute plan and I had 11 people with me .. I originally booked 4 but was only able to modify my reservation to 6 which was ll that was available for outside seating so I had to do 2 different reservations for outside and inside .. luckily when we got there .. they were able to accommodate my group inside to sit altogether .. .. The decor and atmosphere is unique .. it just screams dive bar which is pretty cool .. I feel like all the items were priced very affordably ..compared to the rest of the strip of restaurants.. which is why I picked this place .. dinner for 2 with 2 drinks only came out to 52$ .. I was shocked .. and in a good way.. My drink was a white sangria.., it was a bit on the sweeter side and didn't really taste that much alcohol.. so that's where I took the one star away for this rating/ review. For dinner I had the dogtown with French fries.. Consisted of 2 foot long chili cheese dogs which were quite delightful I must say .. chili and cheese complimented the hot dog very well .. the chili was flavorful and not overpowering .. the New England style buns were griddled in butter which you had a nice savory butter crunch with your juicy hot dog.. definitely hit the spot after drinking all afternoon. read more

Eli Cannon's - White Sangria - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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If you happen to find yourself on Main St. in Middletown, make sure stop by Eli Cannon's for a very unique dining experience! The atmosphere is retro/hipster, with vintage movie/music posters lining the walls, as well as other vintage items like toys and memorabilia. There are several old-school barber's chairs near the entrance where you can sit. The dining area is mostly booth-style seating, and there's also a large outdoor seating area in back. The outdoor area includes a patio area with picnic tables, and also a "beach" area with sand (super cool!). This is a great spot to hang out and relax, especially on a warm spring/summer night. As far as the food, I've never had a bad meal. I recently went and ordered the garlic parmesan chicken wings (excellent) and the Pulled Pork Mac Bowl for my main meal (AMAZING!). The mac and cheese was not too cheesy, and had chunks of pulled pork and bacon bits mixed in. I had a house margarita to drink which was also very good. Lastly, the service was excellent. For how busy it was, I couldn't believe how quickly my food came out. Would definitely recommend for a night out! read more

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The food never misses. The inside and outside ambiance is amazing, but I definitely recommend sitting outside if it's nice out. The service was spectacular, it was a Friday night and I have never gotten food as quick as I did here, probably look less than 15 minutes. Our waiter was great too!!! Overall love this place, love taking people who live out of town here. read more

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Really good sandwich last night at Eli's! We haven't been there in years but we came for fundraiser friday to benefit Elbowbumpkid Inc, a small nonprofit in Haddam. The chicken sandwich was a ton of flavors all mixed together, I think next time I'd get it without the ranch but it was really really good. My kid enjoyed the gluten free burger, wish they had a chips alternative since the fryer isn't safe but I ate some of the side salad that came with the burger. It was OK, definitely not a highlight. I'd come back and will for that chicken sandwich again though! I also want to try the blackened chicken wrap, my friend ordered it and it looked really fantastic! read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Eli Cannon's used to be our go-to spot, but lately, it's been missing the mark. When my wife and I went there last Friday we left disappointed. I always have gone to Eli's for the top of the line food and excellent tap list, but unfortunately that was not the case this time around. The once juicy burgers came out dry, and the fried chicken dish was extremely fatty. To add insult to injury, the three different NE IPAs we ordered left much to be desired - none of them were particularly good. I had never experienced this before but one even had a stout after taste. However, I must give credit where it's due. The wait staff truly saved this review. Despite the disappointments in the kitchen and the tap list, the attentive and friendly service helped salvage what could have been a completely dismal experience. In conclusion, Eli Cannon's still holds a place in our hearts for nostalgia's sake, but it's no longer the standout establishment it once was. read more

Went to Eli Cannons tonight to enjoy a late night happy hour. Website and email we received says happy hour behind at 9. As we sit down, waitress let's us know it's a mistake and happy hour actually begins at 10. We asked if they would honor their mistake. She said per manager, they will not. It was literally 9:30 & on website, yet would not honor their written word force party of 2. Horrible customer service. I'll never go back. What would it have cost to honor their own mistake? $10? $15? It's just insane to know everything was wrong but not honor it. read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Was excited to try this quaint little place in Middletown after hearing/seeing good reviews about it. First off it was jumping in there for a Saturday night. Football on the screens good vibe and a great atmosphere. The wait staff were friendly and always checking to see if my party needed anything. Service was quick and accurate. I ordered the pulled pork nachos which was way more than one person could eat. Pork was tender and juicy paired with the salsa and jalapeños was a nice bite. Not too spicy but with enough heat to make you notice. Friends all had the fried chicken sandwich and stated it was good. Drinks were good too a little pricy but good. I had the Eli Mule and it was very good. I would definitely order it again. I will be coming back to try what they have on tap as well. read more

Eli Cannon's - Eli Mule - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Shocked I havent left a review for this Middletown staple! Been here numerous times through the years but recently visited with friends for the first time in years. Just as good as I remembered! First off, ALWAYS start off with the nachos. Today we added buffalo chicken and I think that was my favorite addition. Super cheesey, not greasy... just perfect. With a huge taplist you need to order one or several draft beers. The Mexicali wrap was awesome and a good mix of two styles. Mine was a little cold which was odd, we waited a while for our food so that was the only downside. The garlic parm fries were perfect! read more

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Was in CT for The Weeknd and my friends recommended this place. Really great environment and very good food. Will def come back read more

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I need to write this note to my future self. Stop coming here!! Do not do it! You will hate it. Either they changed ownership, or let a new chef come in and screw everything up. The wings that used to be good are terrible. Nothing is seasoned. Everything is bland. I rarely add salt to anything, but I need a salt lick at my table to eat here now. Service was better than in the past but the food was mostly terrible. The menu has shrunk exponentially. Also, who still had pumpkin cider at the end of January?? Consider this my breakup post, Eli's!! Byeeeeeeee... read more

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I've been coming here for many years. The beer selection is always great. The food is so good compared to 8+ years ago. I've tried many different menu items and haven't been disappointed yet. Always have great service. Was here Thanksgiving Eve and despite the establishment being very packed, our server was attentive, and beers that were ordered were dropped off at our table in less than 5 minutes, so it seems to me not only was there enough staff but everyone was working together to provide excellent service. The ambiance is always fun, the decor is fun to look at and it's usually not too loud. The back patio is one of my favorite things about this place. I always look forward to coming here! read more

Eli Cannon's - Potion sour beer - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Went for late night HH because I got an email saying it starts at 9. Website & IG says it starts at 9. We get there and were told email and online are wrong it starts at 10 and per server manager said they would not honor 9 pm. Needless to say we left just out of principle because that is horrible customer service and poor management. read more

Eli Cannon's - hh hours email that is bullshit - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

I'm gaga over the back patio area. I feel like I missed a lot of great opportunities to hang here. If only I had known! Four friends and I hung out after a workday. I tried lots of beers that I hadn't had before. The smaller sizes can get a bit pricey, so choose strategically. I got the pulled pork taco special (3 tacos for $18) and was pleasantly surprised by how tender and flavorful it was. The pineapple relish was a nice touch. It's sometimes tough to get someone's attention for ordering but nothing abhorrent. This spot is one where you want to take your time, anyway. read more

Eli Cannon's - Great back patio - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Eli Cannon's Tap Room is a craft beer bar that opened in Middletown, Connecticut in 1994. It was founded by husband and wife Phil and Suzanne Ouellette. When the bar first opened in 1994, craft beer and microbreweries were light years away from the main stream popularity it has accumulated in 2022. It was difficult to get decent beer anywhere, so the couple decided to open a beer garden where customers had the option to taste new and unique beers. They named the bar after their son who was only 1 year old when it opened. The outdoor beer garden area was named "Cori's Courtyard" after their daughter. When they first opened, there were only six quality beers on tap. Today they have 34 quality beers on tap and several more available in cans. In 2018, the bar was sold to husband and wife Rocco and Aubrey LaMonica. Rocco previously worked at the bar for 11 years and eventually became the general manager, while Aubrey previously worked there for four years as a bartender/server. The two met while working at the bar. I've been to Eli Cannon's several times over the years. They host a variety of craft beer events, including tap takeovers. They always have great beers on tap! The exterior and interior are really cool and covered with all sorts of random signs and ornaments. Rumor has it that the building was even a morgue during the 19th century. In addition to their stellar beer selection, Eli Cannon's also has excellent food! Their menu consists of classic pub fare such as burgers, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, fish & chips, pulled pork mac & cheese, wings, salads, and other various bar bites. If you're in Middletown and you are a fan of craft beer then a trip to Eli Cannon's is a no-brainer. read more

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Really funky cool atmosphere with a beautiful patio. Service is great. Food is WAY above typical pub fare in offerings and quality. We had salmon bowls and the watermelon salad and they were all outstanding. read more

What a fun place! The staff were friendly, the decor was unique and the music playlist was excellent. It was fun to read the graffiti all over the tables, walls, benches and ceilings. We got a flite of sour beer, and I am not a beer drinker nor do I like sour, but the boomer and kim were nice. I ordered the black bean burger, and asked if it was spicy (I don't do well with spicy more than mild) and the server told me it was not. It was delicious, however, for me, it did have a kick. Luckily, my sweet potato fries and black iced tea helped cool it down and we had an enjoyable afternoon. read more

Eli Cannon's - Some of the writing on our table. - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

LIQUID NITROGEN BEER Wow man, these beers are ICE COLD! Not in a good way. I get it, if we were chugging coors light the colder the better. But this wasn't funny. My tongue went numb. Ultimately our beers required winter coats (see pic). On the bright side, beer selection is pretty good (too bad you can't taste it). read more

Eli Cannon's - "Winter warmers" - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Well, I had lived upon a memory of going there 20 years ago after a day of golfing in Portland. The memory was of great food and atmosphere. This time,upon my return, not so much. I understand much has changed though just in the last few years and want to say the effort was there. They were only filling half the seats in a Friday night at 6:30 but I could tell that was from being short staffed. Not always the choice of the business. There were 3 of us and just want to say our appetizers were Sweet Thai chili wings. Blah, no flavor, just like a like sweet coating on soft wings, no heat and zero crisp. Our dinners came out cold. A cold burger and cold tater tots just aren't my thing. Our waiter was great, just overwhelmed and we tipped out well. I will give it another shot some day but maybe try a lunch when not so busy. read more

Eli Cannon's - American Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Very nice spot. Great food, even better employees. Don't say the bartender with tattoos doesn't smile. He does! lol read more

Open for takeout or outside dining now. This place is pretty cool . They have a nice themed patio area with loads of automobile signs and plates . Its bright and fun a good group or a date. They have a beach theme further back . With loads of beer options and drinks you will return again & again. The service needs improvement so be ready to wait for a bit in between drinks and food. I was in the mood for a beer and the waitress said the only way to see that menu is if you use your phone and hover it like a picture over the square on your table & the menu pops up on your phone . Next, I ordered the pork (meat was extra) nachos . Man ,be ready to share this appetizer with someone because it can feed 3-4 comes right in a aluminum pan . Layers of meat in between it is so filling. My friend got herself some garlic parm Brussel sprouts they were really good she said. read more

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