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    Shady Glen

    3.8 (539 reviews)
    Closed • 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Shady Glen Photos

    SHADY GLEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Good for kids

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    Slaw from the platter
    Jason P.

    Every once in a while, I don't connect with a place that many people love. Shady Glen was one of those spots. But I'm always open to the idea that maybe I didn't get it right, and I eventually return. I recently visited the original Shady Glen, and I'm now a fan. This was my first visit to the original location, and perhaps that makes a difference. My other two or so visits were to the now closed other Manchester location. The atmosphere is a 50's style ice cream restaurant that also serves food. There are some tables. Some counter seats. Workers in old timey outfits. Definitely an old school vibe that they pull off. Service was friendly. I visited with two goals. Try a hot dog. And eat an Original Bernice Winged Cheeseburger. Probably the most famous burger in CT. SG uses CT's Grote & Weigel hot dogs. They split and grill them. They served mine sort of sandwich style on a long bun with a toothpick in the middle. Definitely an original presentation. They have no specialty dogs beyond the crispy cheese they also serve on the burgers. They do give you quality packets of relish, mustard and ketchup and a small container of chopped onions. I added all these ingredients. And it was a tasty dog. The Original Bernice Winged Cheeseburger arrived, looking like a monarch, sitting on a throne of crinkle cut French Fries. The crispy cheese design, with all those angles extending from the bun, is an engineering marvel. There is melty cheese too. The burger looked about like a quarter pound. Tasted good. I added lettuce and tomato. Both fresh. A one of a kind burger that has thrilled people for Decades. The fries were fine. The Cole Slaw, however, was top tier. There was more than just thin chopped cabbage. Kale maybe. Some other stuff. The dressing was tasty, and the slaw wasn't overly dressed. Shady Glen is a CT classic. Indeed, an American Classic according to James Beard. Who can argue with that? 4.25 Stars

    Cod filet sandwich with crispy cheese
    Elizabeth G.

    I usually get a ham and crispy cheese sandwich however was feeling ballsy and got the fish sando. It was like a giant fish stick and the tartar sauce was a nice addition. I wouldn't get it again just because I'm a die hard Shady Glen ham and cheese fan. But it wasn't a bad experience. It was a Sunday night and not very busy so we were able to walk in and get seated. The service was also great like always!

    Cheeseburger platter
    Julie L.

    Ahh their famous cheeseburgers do not disappoint. The melted cheese that hangs over the burger and is crispy is the BEST! Delicious coleslaw and just so so fries. But that strawberry shake will live long in my memory. Friendly staff and an atmosphere that takes you back to the 50s. The restrooms are even labeled "mother" and "dad." A must stop if you are in the area. Don't skip dessert!

    Inside of the restaurant
    Dee C.

    The service from the waitress was welcoming and kind. The cheeseburger was $8,40 and French fries were 5.50 and with a Vanilla Coke $18. That is way to high for basic lunch food. I won't be back. The menu is diversified but over priced. They had platters for $18. I can imagine a family being able to afford to eat out there. The ice cream is good but again $5.50 for a scoop of ice cream- that's ridiculous. And lastly they only accept cash. So if you have no cash, you can't eat there. There is nothing listed stating that. They should post a sign at the door. I think their old style diner atmosphere has worn out their welcome.

    Rich B.

    Visiting Shady Glen, circa 1948, is like visiting the past. Kind of a quasi-diner where waitstaff wear paper hats and the menu is posted in several locations on walls. Many pamphlets, etc. recommend going to SG for the vibe, experience, and food. I agree w the first two; not so much w the latter. Recently visited w a friend. We each had their famous cheeseburger (melted cheese sprouts "wings"), and split an order of fries. I had H2O, my friend a small iced tea. CBs ok, and a bit pricey. Nothing special except the melted cheese. Fries were, in my opinion, from a freezer bag. Overall, everyone should experience SG at least once, especially if you bring kids. Ice cream flavors are also on the wall. They do make an excellent shake, and sell "true" half gallons of their own brand (albeit a bit pricey). 5 stars for the schick, 3 for the food. Overall, 4 stars.

    Chocolate chip cookie dough hot fudge sundae with whipped cream
    Alyssa F.

    Stopped in for a quick hot fudge sundae and it was so so good! They had many flavors and toppings. First time coming here, cute little diner where the waiters and waitresses wore the old diner uniforms. Cash only but there is an ATM on site. Can't wait to come back to try their food.

    Cheeseburger platter comes with crinkle fries and coleslaw, cheesefurter, root beer
    Tom C.

    Shady Glen is a fun stop when you feel like slowing down and remembering the childhood joy of a meal out and ice cream with the family. Old fashioned counters and stools wrap around more than a dozen booths. When they're busy they request only parties of two or more use a booth, but there's plenty of counter seating if you're dining solo. Plastic lettered wall menus spread around the restaurant list the available fare, alternating between the lunch/dinner menu and the ice cream menu. Just remember they're cash only, but there is an ATM on site to the left of the dining area if you forget. When you walk in there is a large freezer display with buckets of ice cream in their many flavors. My personal favorites are black cherry chip, pistachio, and black raspberry. Perfect for a grab and go on the way out. On this trip I ordered the cheeseburger platter which came with the famous cheese-skirted burger, fries and coleslaw. I added a cheesefurter and rootbeer to drink. I thought I remembered previously ordering cream soda but the 50's attired college kid who served me seemed baffled so I went with root beer instead. The burger comes with four slices of cheese that drapes over the burger and becomes fried on the flattop, the edges browned and crisp. Personally I like to fold the 'skirt' back onto the burger to give it a little texture... because unless you pay a little extra for veggies like lettuce tomato and onion, comes plain with just the cheese. Covid did away with the cute condiment trays they used to set out, now ketchup, mustard and relish come in difficult to open disposable plastic packets. The burger itself is pretty plain, not a lot of seasoning, but it's filling and a solid choice. Crinkle fries are my favorite so I was happy to see them, though they also have great onion rings. The coleslaw is good but I wouldn't call it the best I've had. It's not as sweet as a KFC slaw and it's not as vinegary as a typical bbq joint slaw, it's a nice mix of the two. The frankfurter was split and griddled, with the same cheese draped over it. It was good, but as a dog goes it isn't something I would crave and drive miles to come get. The ice cream at Shady Glen is however something I'd drive a while for... creamy, sweet and has a wholesome homemade texture you can't find in a supermarket blast frozen box. In addition their flavors are great and they have a surprising variety. If you haven't been before and you're in the area it's truly something to experience. For locals and folks who enjoy the nostalgia of car hops, soda fountains and 50's diners, it's a place to keep those memories alive.

    Kris H.

    You can't beat the yummy burger with the unique, crunchy cheese! You can also upgrade to a platter, my husband did that and got onion rings and coleslaw as his sides. I stole some on my kid's French fries and they were crinkle cut, crisp on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside. We had to wait a few minutes for seating, but it was worth it and we knew to expect it. It wasn't too loud when we were there, and we were able to get in and out fairly quickly to make it to see the Christmas lights a couple of towns away. I miss the relish trays of the past (pre-COVID), but still love a trip to Shady Glen when I need a great burger.

    Yum
    Aaron S.

    8:30 "just so you know, the grill is closed, ice cream only" But you close at 9:00 You don't want my business.

    View from the picnic tables at Shady Glen.
    Jenni M.

    The time has come. I've known about the GREATEST OF ALL CHEESEBURGERS for decades and now I'm sharing it with you. The fact that the GOACH is served at a veritable time capsule of an establishment is a delightful by-product. The secret of the unparalleled cheeseburger are the crispy wings of cheese which envelop the burger and stick out the edge of the bulkie roll. The GOACH comes with no special sauce or salad ingredients. This is an unadulterated cheeseburger. This cheeseburger expert can't say enough about the wonders of said cheeseburger. Service is unparalleled, but I don't want to go into too much detail and spoil the surprise for those who haven't yet been there. Just know that if you haven't been treated to the Shady Glen way you are missing out. There's nothing fancy at this old fashioned "dairy bar" but it's clean and bright. No doubt many folks just go for the AMAZING ice cream (pumpkin chocolate chip a seasonal fav). You can eat outside at picnic tables too. There is oodles of parking in a lovely location. Whenever I get to Connecticut from the west coast I always go to Shady Glen.

    Jeff G.

    I love nostalgic places like this, the atmosphere was awesome. The seating setup is fun with cool angles so everyone can be a served by a server behind the counter. The cheeseburger was ok, sort of felt like a gimmick. The cheese was good but the burger itself wasn't great and the bun was too bready. Fries good and onion rings above average. We had a strawberry shake and it was great. Also had a fresh coke. I wish the coke was sweeter probably not worth the $2.95 except for the fact that I am a sucker and loved watching them make it.

    Actually cooked medium rare, which is an amazing feet for a thin burger.

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    I certainly don't know what John G. was talking about but their coleslaw is anything but bland. It's amazing. The best I've ever had!

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    Page 1 of 14

    Ask the Community - Shady Glen

    I thought there was a second Shady Glen location somewhere west of Hartford, but I can't seem to track it down. Did it close or move?

    There was a location at 360 Middle Turnpike W, Manchester, CT 06040 that's now closed. Not aware of any additional locations past or present...but it's possible!

    There is a construction project on Route 83 across from the BIG Y plaza. I know several friends and relatives in the Stafford, Somers, Ellington, and Vernon/Rockville areas. Many of us heard Shady Glenn is going in there. Is that true?

    Do we have any clarity on this?

    View All 3 Questions

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    Artisanal Burger Company - Colossal Pretzel

    Artisanal Burger Company

    3.9(809 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    •$$

    We were looking for a place to eat after a morning of softball games. Artisanal Burger Company…read morecaught my eye. I was curious about what constitutes "artisanal". Ambience: they have a spacious contemporary dining room and a separate bar section complete with TV screens all over the place. Food: we ordered: Calamari - the portion size was average, but the squid pieces were small in size. 4/5 Pastrami Reuben - this was a bit too salty and oily. 2/5 Dry Age Burger - this was really good. The funkiness of the dry age flavor came through. The burger was moist and hit the spot. 5/5 Onion Rings - 4 jumbo fried rings of oniony goodness. 5/5 Service: super friendly and nice.

    Stopped in for lunch and we're seated immediately. Combination of booths and tables for seating…read more Chairs are comfortable but they are low for a tall person (table comes about lower chest height). Server showed up quickly and took our drink orders. Menu is extensive and should provide plenty of options for everyone. (Pictures of menu included here) We ordered the 5 ounce burger with cheese and fries and the Texas hold em burger with bacon minus tomato and lettuce and fries and the French onion soup. There was a short wait till the soup came out. Nicely covered with melted cheese on top. The soup was good but didn't have the depth of beef flavor and spice texture that I was looking for. There plenty of onions, croutons, and cheese and overall it was okay. The burgers were well cooked and flavorful. They offered two sizes of their standard burgers, 5 or 8 ounces. The smaller size was just right for the person I was with. The cheese seemed to melt into the burger so it wasn't really visible. The hold em burger was large and had onion straws and three slices of very crispy bacon on top. There was a dollop of the bbq/house dressing and plenty of onions straws. The straws were nicely fried but not crispy by the time they reached the table but added a good dimension to the burger. It was good to leave the tomato and lettuce off as the height of the burger made it tough to bite into. The fries were disappointing. They had the right color for being fried and crispy but they were limp and soft. They are clearly are fresh cut from large potatoes but really need to be fried longer to get that crispy crunch you'd expect. Told the server that and was told to ask for the fries extra crispy. Overall not a bad first trip. We'll go back and try some other things on the menu and see what extra crispy fries are like.

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    Artisanal Burger Company
    Artisanal Burger Company - Truffle Fries. On side Truffle oil and olive oil.

    Truffle Fries. On side Truffle oil and olive oil.

    Artisanal Burger Company

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    The Main Course - Turkey sandwich, sweet potato waffle fries, salmon burger

    The Main Course

    3.9(46 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    Good burger, nice enough front end, slow service…read more I've been meaning to give this place a try. Mainly because it's close by and I've been intrigued by it. Always would swing by around the time it would be closed, so today I made a special trek to give this place a try. The place was quiet, a few people dining in. Took about a good 5 minutes to be seated, a single waitress manning the entire front of house. I didn't look at the menu beforehand, so I didn't know what to expect. As it turns out, it's a burger joint. Well, more accurately a bar with bar bites that just so happen to be burgers and wraps. I opted to go for their burger flight, but was informed they were out of chicken. so I swapped out the chicken for another burger patty. Also got some sweet potato waffle fries, because why not? Food took about 20 minutes to get, which is a long time to wait for appetizers. but the food came out eventually and I got my pictures and dug in. The negatives first - The waffle fries were cold on delivery. They were made in advance and lost all their heat by the time the burgers finished up. Flavor-wise, not bad. the honey mustard dipping sauce was appreciated. Need a little bit more spicy zip though, was a tad too sweet. I wasn't a fan of the cheese choice, was a little too waxy for my taste, could've not been warmed up enough, hard to tell. also the bottoms of the buns were lightly toasted but the tops were not and they were also cold to the touch. However, the rest of the meal was actually very good. The burgers were seasoned and hand ground beef. they had a lot of maple bacon pieces on them and the pretzel bun was soft and spongy with a little crisp on the inside. the pulled pork slider was pretty good as well. the combo of tender, sauce drenched pork with cool, creamy, and sweet slaw lead to a very solid bite. And that to me is the crux of the matter. They do good food but they cut corners. some corners are fine to cut, and they know how to prioritize what matters most in a dish. The slow service was a bummer, and if they executed just a little better then this would be a nice place to go to watch a game and get some bites. There were other gripes as well. Their happy hour menu doesn't match their main menu, and you can order those items even if it isn't happy hour at a more expensive price. Nowhere is that mentioned, and some of those items would be awesome to have normally. I mean, fresh cut and fried chips with buffalo chicken dip? Yes please! They do fresh chips, they can easily put together a nacho platter. They offer chicken tacos, but they could offer beef tacos. The burger flight should have fries, with the option to upgrade them to other sides or flavors. Fries are cheap, and I don't know many people that would turn down a well done disco fry if given the option. Granted, there's not many real "casual bar" areas in that stretch of town. But there is a brewery across the way, and I suspect that they are actually owned by the same cooks. so it's effectively competing against yourself, and that's not a great idea. For those looking for solid bar bites, this place will do well enough. They can be a tad slow, but the food is pretty good. It's a small casual bar to relax at, and the food's pretty decent

    This place is a great one to go to. Food is very delicious, they made it with love and care, the…read morelady who served us was super nice, and the atmosphere was very calming. Plus, the 80s music on the speakers was a nice touch. What would make this review 5 stars is if more people tried it.

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    The Main Course - Menu

    Menu

    The Main Course - Menu

    Menu

    The Main Course - Blueberry lemonade

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    Blueberry lemonade

    The Hollow - Sundae

    The Hollow

    3.8(37 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    I'm back! The restaurant is located at 305 South Main St. in Manchester, CT. I like the happy hours…read moreat golf clubs. This one is 3-6 Sunday-Thursday. The music is nice too! They all seem to add a bit of class. For my first drink, I'm am having a Cosmopolitan. A Cosmopolitan (or Cosmo) is a popular pink cocktail made with vodka, triple sec (or Cointreau), cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice, typically shaken and served in a martini glass. It's known for its tart, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor profile, often garnished with an orange twist. While served in a martini glass, it's not a true martini as it lacks vermouth. The drink has nice presentation, chilled, garnished and well-balanced. For my first food item, I'm having a Chef's Salad. A chef salad is a hearty American main-course salad with a base of lettuce topped with various ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, one or more meats (such as ham, turkey, or chicken), cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers, often with croutons and a vinaigrette or ranch dressing. I am having vinaigrette for my dressing. Oh yeah! Nice restating! This is good! I see romaine lettuce, olives, eggs, turkey, ham, canned green and red peppers, pepperoni, cheese, picked onions, cucumbers, etc. It's a big portion size for $7! For my next food item, I'm having the (1/2 lb) Mussels. Mussels are a popular, sustainable, and nutritious seafood known for their briny flavor, often served steamed in broth with wine, garlic, and herbs, and paired with crusty bread. They are filter feeders, rich in protein, omega-3s, and vitamin B12, and are farmed responsibly, making them an environmentally friendly choice that improves water quality. These are good you. They are hot. I like the grilled, buttered bread. Make sure to squeeze the lemon on top. This is the "red" inversion (white is an option). These are good! I love this broth! For my next food item, I'm having the Bogner's Chili Cheese Dog. Bogner Quality Meats in Manchester, CT, offers a selection of premium, house-made hot dogs and franks, featuring all-beef skinless, natural casing, and kielbasa dogs. Known for high-quality meats since 1942, they also offer bulk 5 lb packages, perfect for grilling, along with a full service butcher counter. I only get to eat this kind twice a year! This is all beef and locally made. What's better than this?! This is great!!! Love that pickle and those thick kettle chips! For my second drink, I'm having a margarita. A Margarita is a classic cocktail made with tequila, orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec), and lime juice, often served in a salt-rimmed glass with a lime wedge garnish. It can be served shaken and "on the rocks" (with ice), blended with ice, or straight up, and variations include different tequilas (like reposado) or sweeteners like agave syrup. No margarita glass or sake/sugar rim but it is nicely garnished and tastes good. The floating orange is odd. Still, it's quite good! For my next food item, I'm having the Geno's Meatballs. Gino D'Acampo's traditional meatball recipe features a mix of minced pork and beef, soaked bread, egg, pecorino cheese, and parsley, typically simmered in a simple tomato sauce. For best results, brown the meatballs in olive oil, then simmer slowly for at least 30 minutes to two hours for a rich flavor. I like the cheese strips on top. Lots of sauce! These taste great! For my last drink, I'm having a Vodka Mule. A Moscow Mule is a refreshing, vodka-based cocktail made with lime juice and spicy ginger beer, traditionally served in a copper mug which keeps it extra cold. To make one, combine vodka, fresh lime juice, and ice in a mug, then top with chilled ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel. It's a simple, no-shaker-needed drink that's popular for its balance of spicy, sweet, and tart flavors. I like the copper mug! It's chilled, nicely garnished and well balanced. For my last item, I've been dying to try the Special- a bork of Legume Soup. Lentil soup is a hearty, nutritious soup made with lentils as the main ingredient, often featuring a base of sautéed onions, carrots, and garlic, simmered in broth with spices like cumin and turmeric, and finished with fresh herbs and lemon juice. It's a staple in many cultures, known for being filling, economical, and rich in protein and fiber, with variations using different lentils (red, green, brown) and additions like kale, potatoes, or pasta. I like the cute, little crock pot. These are good crackers. It's nice and hot. It came out fast too! For my last item, I'm having the Southwest Chicken Eggrolls. I've never tired these here!Southwest egg rolls are crispy, deep-fried appetizers typically filled with shredded chicken, black beans, corn, red bell peppers, spinach, and Monterey Jack cheese. Let's see what comes out! There are fantastic! They're hot and delicious! What a great meal here!

    We order take out from them and we're highly disappointed. Ordered "the cut " and it was by far the…read moreworst fried chicken sandwich I've had . Has garlic Mayo but the garlic is so overpowering you can't taste anything else but garlic and grease . The fried chicken was SO greasy it made the hoagie bread soggy and was SO thin ! It was fried so hard it made the chicken inedible.Very Wilted lettuce and tomatoes .The chicken was also so thin and fried sI also ordered it with fries and the fries were just thrown in a brown paper lunch bag instead of any packaging . The grease from the fries soaked the bag. For $20 each meal - I will not revisit .

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    The Hollow
    The Hollow - Brit burger with fries.

    Brit burger with fries.

    The Hollow - $4 happy hour chardonnay

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    $4 happy hour chardonnay

    Shady Glen - burgers - Updated October 2026

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