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    Shady Glen

    3.8 (536 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Shady Glen Photos

    SHADY GLEN ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Shady Glen

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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!

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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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    10 months ago

    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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    Creamy Rolls - Monkey'n Around

    Creamy Rolls

    4.7(10 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    Best Ice Cream Shop in the area, still needs work…read more This place has popped up on my radar as a roll place to give a try. So after a dinner we came to this place to give them a try. The place is pretty sparse on decoration, opting for paint splatters around the entire location. Which is fine, it's an ice cream shop so it needs to be fun. There was a staff of about 3-4 people manning the front, so plenty of people to help us along. Menu was on the wall facing away from the front desk area, which is weird. But I took a look, ordered a cookie monster, and waited for the rolls. Another little bit of weirdness. the anti-griddles were by the register, but hidden behind the toppings. You really couldn't watch the person go to town to make your roll. Part of the fun is being able to watch your ordering person go through and make the ice cream right in front of you. A missed opportunity with all the toppings and stuff blocking the view. Lastly, and this is the weirdest decision out of all of them, they used a generic soft serve base for the roll. If it wasn't soft serve base, they used some pre-sugared heavy whipping cream. It probably made the workers job easier to make the rolls, but it kind of lead to this overly sugary ice cream with a clumpy, waxy mouthfeel. As a man who likes his sweets, it was almost too much sugar to deal with. The price is okay, about average for this style of ice cream. The lack of "show", the sugary thick base, and the small cups that don't get filled all the way with rolled ice cream makes this feel not as great of a purchase. These problems are all solvable fairly easily. Add a menu to behind the register, get more areas to stash the candies and mix-ins. Open the windows to the griddle and invite patrons to watch their ice cream come to life, and switch out the soft serve base for either some straight up whole milk or a milk and cream mix. This may up the complexity of making said rolled ice cream, but it'll be better received and will be a fresher product than shelf-stable mixes. If you haven't tried a roll before, or you really want ice cream, this place is worth a try. There are better ice cream places if you travel, and I have had pretty good rolls at other locations. It works for where it is

    Does anyone ever look at the stores down Main St in Manchester? You really need to look close…read morebecause tucked away serving fun rolled ice cream is Creamy Rolls! Walk inside this hole in the wall, take in the colorful design and fun atmosphere, and toil over which flavors you want to indulge in. I got the Monkey'n Around (banana and Nutella with walnuts) and in about 5 minutes, I got my ice cream roll fix. Everything costs about $9, and each cup has 4 rolls on it. I will say that in comparison to other places I've been, the serving size here is smaller, but the price is higher. I'll be back because my kids enjoyed the experience, though I may skip to save me a tenner.

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    Creamy Rolls - Chocolate Peanut Butter

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    Parkside Pizza & Ice Cream - Roast beef grinder - build your own - there are many options. (This one with lettuce and condiments only.)

    Parkside Pizza & Ice Cream

    4.5(24 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    We go here on a regular basis and at this point we have tried almost all of the items on the menu…read more We haven't had a bad thing yet. Their specialty pizzas are great and even a plain cheese pizza is great. The burgers and wraps are good. Love the salads too, especially with the grilled chicken added. Love the chicken wings, they are meaty and good portions for the money. Calzones are stuffed with all the good stuff. Staff is awesome and recognizes their regulars and welcomes them warmly. Lunch and dinner are both good and consistent. Highly recommend. Nice and clean place to dine in as well.

    Close to lunch time, on the road. I looked up restaurants in the area and this one was along our…read moreroute. Excellent. This is a very rural area and I would not have expected to find a restaurant along this stretch of road. The building is a square, non-descript, single story set away from the street with parking along two sides. A few picnic tables sit near the parking area on a grassy area. The inside is neat, updated, includes several booths exactly as you would expect in your neighborhood pizza place. Besides pizza, this shop offers sandwiches, lasagna, bottled or canned soft drinks, ice cream dessert items, cookies, and cake for example. The gentleman behind the counter was very nice. We grabbed our drinks from the cooler, paid and chose a booth. Some local art hangs on the wall, but it doesn't say if it's for sale or from a local club for example. Just 'Local Art.' Most of the booths were occupied when we arrived, and several phone orders were placed during our visit, so clearly this spot is popular. Some folks came in for a soda and slice of pie, others called in large orders. A blackboard wall lists available ice cream flavors and prices on cones, bowls, shakes, and more. Laminated menus are on the counter near the cash register and their web site. The website also offers an 'allergy' menu. The food didn't come flying out of the kitchen, but we didn't wait an unreasonable amount of time either. Some of the tables already seated when we arrived were also waiting for food and it looked like this was a two person operation. The food was brought to the table when ready (aka: they didn't call our name or a number) which I appreciate. Napkins, salt and pepper are on the table. Plastic utensils, red pepper flakes and other items you may need are on a table near the counter for you to grab if wanted. Everyone bussed their own table, so we followed suit. The sandwiches were well made, stuffed with lots of meat and plenty of add ins. Their 'build you own' grinder menu has a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. The pizzas looked and smelled good. I wasn't in a pizza mood, but I wish I had bought a slice to try, although the sandwich was so big I barely finished it. No room for pizza. Also wish I'd bought a slice of that rainbow cake, but we were on the road without a cooler, so no cake for me. Sigh. This is a really nice little restaurant in the 'middle of nowhere.' It's clearly popular with locals and I understand why. Good service, good food, clean establishment. They do a fine job. A very nice local pizza place.

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    Parkside Pizza & Ice Cream - Ice Cream/Desserts

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    Parkside Pizza & Ice Cream - Buffalo wings (hot)

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    Parkside Pizza & Ice Cream - Set back from the street on a secluded stretch of road. (From inside my vehicle on a rainy day:)

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    Set back from the street on a secluded stretch of road. (From inside my vehicle on a rainy day:)

    Shady Glen - burgers - Updated May 2026

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