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Hard Hat Cafe

3.7 (82 reviews)
ModerateCafes, Bars
Open • 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

Order Hard Hat Cafe Takeout or Delivery

Hard Hat Cafe Photos

HARD HAT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Divey
Casual
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Hard Hat Cafe

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Lemon pepper wings.
Vivian H.

My BFF, her mom and daughter and I recently went to Hard Hat to satisfy a wing craving as wanted a different place other than the usual. We started with fried pickles which were delicious. My BFF and her mom and I shared Doob wings and lemon pepper wings. My friends daughter had honey bbq wings along with a side salad, which her grandma had too. My friend and I also split a Cobb salad. Let me tell you the Doob wings are where it is at. Perfect. Love the smokiness the grill brings to them. Our lemon pepper wings were fantastic as well. Crispy and great sauce! Service was good but mixed. We had two people waiting on us and one was great and the other just seemed annoyed.... But maybe having an off day. We will def be back for the wings!

Doob Wings
Emily G.

One of our go to happy hour spots. They renovated in the recent years and the place looks great. They have a front bar area and a back restaurant room. They also have a huge outside space in the back. Their food is truly great bar food. I would be remised if I didn't talk about the main attraction...the Doob wings. These beautiful wings are prepared traditionally and then thrown on the grill. The only tough decision I make is if I want to eat them like that or get them second sauced. Either way...you can't go wrong. They have TV's in the front bar area that are perfect for watching games or gathering with friends. Love this spot. @thesidedishers

the dining room with a flat screen tv
Martin G.

Sorry.. wasn't a fan. Came here with a small group for lunch. The wings were so incredibly salty, and the burger you could tell had been frozen and cooked straight from the freezer. It was a hockey puck. Not sure if they were having a bad day, but probably better to stick to somewhere else for food.

Buffalo chicken wrap and waffle fries
Isabel B.

First time coming here. They do Karaoke! Super fun but loud, it fits though. And they people singing were amazing! Anyways, we had a really kind server and she gave great drink recommendations. I ended up with the Bay Breeze, was very good. For food I had the chicken Buffalo wrap, and that was also really good. The waffle fries were super crispy and just super great. We had a really good time!

Winterfest
DEBORAH T.

Stopped by for a little day drinking. Enjoyed this Sam Adam's Octoberfest with a few friends. Also you have got to try the Big Mac egg rolls...extremely yummy !

Jan B.

I recommend.. totally delicious . I could eat that everyday !! I'm really speaking with a garden salad with scallops wrapped in bacon on top how delicious !! Dreaming about it the next day !!

Best wings ever, just Doob it!

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6 years ago

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7 years ago

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5 years ago

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6 years ago

Never Again. The bill came with the food. We payed while our food got cold. The staff was rude and they screwed up our order.

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6 years ago

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11 years ago

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14 years ago

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John A.

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10 years ago

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

They have constantly gone up on the wing price year after year and it has now gotten up to $2 a wing. Absolutely absurd.

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9 years ago

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11 years ago

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12 years ago

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11 years ago

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12 years ago

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9 years ago

Nice local establishment. DOOBY Wings are highly recommended. Great service and people. It's just a small place but it is mostly locals.

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12 years ago

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7 years ago

Great food great staff great beer. Don't let the outside of the place scare ya lol. Go in and you won't regret it

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17 years ago

Tiny hidden little place, with great bar food. Slow service, but friendly atmosphere. Prices fair.

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14 years ago

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The Bees Knees Bistro - Iced Beachy Bee Latte

The Bees Knees Bistro

4.3(120 reviews)
5.2 mi
•$$

Service and food is excellent ! Beautiful place!…read moreCoffee is great and different flavors

I normally try to give places the benefit of the doubt, but our experience at The Bees Knees Bistro…read morein Wallingford was honestly very disappointing and upsetting. My family and I arrived while it was raining outside with our young daughters in strollers, expecting to sit down for a meal and get out of the weather. Instead, we were told we could not come in with the strollers and essentially felt unwelcome the moment we walked through the door. As parents of babies who are still too young to sit safely in high chairs on their own, the strollers are not optional for us , they are necessary. We were not being disruptive, rude, or inconsiderate. We were simply trying to have a meal as a family. Rather than attempting to accommodate us or show any understanding, we were left feeling like having children made us an inconvenience. What made the situation even worse was the fact that it was pouring outside. Any level of kindness or flexibility would have gone a long way. Instead, we felt embarrassed, frustrated, and honestly shocked by the lack of compassion and customer service. Families with young children already face enough challenges going out in public, and experiences like this make it even harder. We ended up leaving and taking our business somewhere else that was far more welcoming and understanding toward families. It is disappointing because we were genuinely looking forward to trying this restaurant, but first impressions matter. A restaurant does not need to be "kid-centered" to still treat parents and babies with basic respect and decency. I completely understand that restaurants may have space limitations or policies, but there is a respectful and compassionate way to handle situations like this. Instead, the experience came across as cold and dismissive. There are many restaurants in the area that are happy to accommodate families, and moving forward those are the businesses I will continue to support. Unfortunately, after this experience, I will not be returning and would not recommend this restaurant to families with infants or children who still require strollers or extra accommodations. I wont be going back and giving them .you business, nor will I be recommending this place to anyone. Totally rude and discrimination towards those with babies. I did not feel cherished like their website says every guest is. Its sad because this will and im sure does effect their business. I will never give them my business after yesterday. No attempts at accommodating us or evening offering to let us sit outside, lazy staff, but yet there were 3 teenage girls taking names for the wait list. What a joke.

Photos
The Bees Knees Bistro - Counter

Counter

The Bees Knees Bistro - Catch a Red Eye with Pancakes & Bacon

Catch a Red Eye with Pancakes & Bacon

The Bees Knees Bistro - Cobb Salad

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Cobb Salad

Le Jardin Café - LJ French Toast

Le Jardin Café

4.0(62 reviews)
5.3 mi

Le Jardin Cafe is a Parisian-inspired garden café that opened in Wallingford, Connecticut in…read moreFebruary 2023. It was founded by Fabiola "Fabi" Giguere along with her husband Brad and sons Francisco and Jean Pierre. Fabi and Brad both have over 30 years in the business industry: Fabi worked in the commercial cleaning industry and Brad has 20 years of experience as a trained chef. The couple saw a need for French-inspired café in downtown Wallingford, so they acquired a location on North Main Street that had previously been a branch of Wells Fargo Bank. For the new business venture, the family chose the name "Le Jardin" which is French for "The Garden". Their intention is to provide the public a place meant for lingering: where coffee is savored, meals are unhurried and conversation comes naturally. The menu features egg dishes, omelettes, crepes (both sweet and savory), French toast, waffles, French-inspired dishes, tartines, salads & bowls, and a variety of different coffees, mocktails and specialty dishes. Le Jardin shares a space with ACHIQ Designs: Fabi's sister boutique which sells jewelry, clothing, and gifts. My family and I visited Le Jardin Cafe for brunch. We had heard that they had some new autumn-inspired specials and were interested in stopping by. The interior was cozy, charming, and filled with lush greenery, cascading florals, and climbing vines. After looking over the menu, I ordered the "Apple Pie Tarte Crepes" (filled with chopped warm apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, whipped cream & caramel), my wife ordered the "Bistro Breakfast Bliss" (breakfast potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, greens, tzatziki, one sunny egg), our older son ordered the "Oreo Berries 'n Cream Crepes" (filled with strawberries, Oreos, whipped cream & chocolate syrup), and our younger son ordered a "Chocolate Croissant". Everything was delicious! My crepes were full of warm, gooey apples and autumn spices and my wife loved all of the fresh, flavorful ingredients in her breakfast bowl. Our sons loved their dishes too. To wash everything down, my wife had the "Warm Caramel Apple Cider" (warm apple cider w/ caramel & vanilla extract, ground cinnamon) and I had the "Pumpkin Spice Latte" (double shot of espresso, milk, pumpkin spice, brown sugar, whipped cream & cinnamon). The latter was served iced in a real sugar pumpkin! It was as delicious as it was aesthetically pleasing: the perfect iced coffee for autumn! We had such a wonderful experience at Le Jardin and hope to return in the future!

I came here for lunch and had a fabulous omelette it was called the Parisian. My friend had the…read moreavocado toast with tomato and micro greens. I love the decor as well staff was friendly our girl I think was new . . Definitely recommend it for a place to do work or meet friends for lunch or breakfast. I wish they had a few more sandwich options. But it was very good . Indoor and outdoor seating Enjoy

Photos
Le Jardin Café - Interior

Interior

Le Jardin Café - Mornin' Burrito and Matcha Latte

Mornin' Burrito and Matcha Latte

Le Jardin Café - Interior

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Interior

The Eatery

The Eatery

4.7(289 reviews)
5.1 mi
•$$

Great spot! Ordered takeout and everyone loved their sandwiches. Wife appreciates the gluten-free…read morebread option. I opted for a fall salad which was a nice portion and delicious! Food was ready as promised and service was friendly. Cute spot. Good food. Would definitely eat here again.

It has taken me way too long to write this review, but I only recently started reviewing some of…read morethe places I've loved over the years, and The Eatery absolutely deserves one. When I lived in Wallingford for about three years, The Eatery became one of my places. I would stop in for breakfast before work, or someone from my team would make the breakfast run. At least once a month, we had to have an Eatery morning. We ordered lunch from here too, so over time this little place became part of our routine. When I eventually left Wallingford, my team actually bought me my last breakfast sandwich from The Eatery before I left. It sounds like such a small thing, but it was honestly bittersweet because they knew how much I loved this place. And years later? It's still just as good. One of the biggest reasons The Eatery has always stood out to me is the customer service. Everyone I've encountered has been sweet, polite and welcoming, but I especially have to mention Sam. Over the years, she became one of those people who made you feel like more than just another customer. She genuinely got to know her regulars. There were times I'd place my order online and it felt like she already knew I was coming. I'd walk through the door and she'd have everything ready. She has always been incredibly kind, caring and attentive, not only with me, but with the customers around her as well. That kind of customer service is something you remember. My son has been eating their food since he was around one year old, and he STILL loves it. Now whenever we're back in Connecticut for his appointments, my mom will ask, "Can we please stop at The Eatery?". Sometimes we're able to make it and sometimes we're not, but this past Friday we finally did. I ordered my favorite kind of breakfast: a bacon, egg & cheese on a pretzel roll. SO GOOD. The pretzel roll with the warm egg, bacon and melted cheese is such a perfect combination. My mom ordered her bacon, egg & cheese on ciabatta, and my son had one as well. Although apparently his wasn't enough, because he ended up stealing mine. Apparently Mom's food always tastes better. I also tried what I believe was their watermelon mint refresher/tea, which was refreshing and perfect with breakfast, while my mom had a caramel coffee that she absolutely loved. And please don't think they're only a breakfast spot. Their lunch is just as good. I used to order their salads all the time during work, and they were always incredibly fresh. In fact, my coworkers were notorious for wanting some of my salad because they knew where it came from. Everything always tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared rather than like something that had been sitting around. Another thing I love is seeing how much this place has grown. I remember what it was like when I first discovered it, and coming back years later and seeing what they've created is wonderful. They've added so much personality while somehow keeping the same warm feeling and the same wonderful people. The atmosphere is adorable. It's bright, clean, modern and welcoming, with tons of beautiful greenery, hanging plants, warm wood tones, woven light fixtures and fun pops of color. The big "Hello Wallingford!" mural is such a cute touch. There are little details everywhere, but it doesn't feel overdone, it has that relaxed neighborhood café feeling where you can grab your food and go or just enjoy being there. I also love how they change things up for the seasons and different occasions. They always seem to have something fun going on, especially around fall and the holidays, and I believe they offer catering as well. Funny enough, before I discovered The Eatery, I had driven past it so many times without realizing what I was missing. Once I finally stopped in, it became somewhere I went for years. If you live in Wallingford, you need to try this place. And honestly, even if you're coming from North Haven, New Haven or elsewhere in the area, make the drive. It's worth it. I may not live in Connecticut anymore, but whenever we're back in the area, The Eatery is still one of those places my family wants to stop. The food is delicious, the ingredients taste fresh, the atmosphere is beautiful, and most importantly the people have remained just as kind and welcoming as I remember them. Some restaurants are simply places you eat. The Eatery became part of my memories of living in Wallingford, and that's probably the best compliment I can give them. Keep telling them they need a second location in another state! Everyone deserves to try how amazing they are

Photos
The Eatery - Cashier and coffee counter

Cashier and coffee counter

The Eatery - Chipotle Roast Beef Melt(substituted with chicken)

Chipotle Roast Beef Melt(substituted with chicken)

The Eatery - Strawberry watermelon mint agua Fresca

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Strawberry watermelon mint agua Fresca

Haven Beer - deviled eggs

Haven Beer

3.8(112 reviews)
1.8 mi

Asking ourselves why we hadn't been to Haven Beer Company in Hamden sooner! I never realized how…read morebig the space/grounds were, and I'm obsessed with the rooftop. If I were a student at Quinnipiac, this would be my spot! The beer is exclusively brewed and sold on premises, so it was our first time trying it, and we really enjoyed it. Their food menu is huge, and while there's a lot of choices, we have to say they do everything well! Some elevated and international choices too that we weren't expecting, but everything we tried was fantastic, including dessert. That sampler platter is the way to go, and honestly Colten and I could've made a meal out of just that! We will absolutely be back!

I was excited to order the Belgium waffle with house made peach compote and fresh whipped cream…read more The presentation was nice and I was ready to dig in. This is where my food fell short. The peach compote was refrigerator cold but tasty, and my waffle was room temperature. The whipped cream was perfect. I figured out that the waffle was commercially made, not in-house but it should have been served hot. I was shocked that my peaches were cold. I asked if they could be microwaved but they didn't have one. I asked the waitress to pass along my suggestion and took my food to go. Once heated at home, it went down well. The syrup wasn't warm either. Good dish but not missing the correct temperature

Photos
Haven Beer - Interior

Interior

Haven Beer - "Queen Margherita" (heirloom tomatoes, basil, local Liuzzi mozzarella)

"Queen Margherita" (heirloom tomatoes, basil, local Liuzzi mozzarella)

Haven Beer - Oktoberfest

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Oktoberfest

Hard Hat Cafe - cafes - Updated November 2026

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