Pizza is one of Connecticut's favorite pass times! Who can resist the delicious gooeyness of melted cheese and rich tomato sauce with any topping you desire? It is the most perfect of New England food. This is why The Challenger Pizza Challenge at Randy's Wooster Pizza Shop in Manchester makes so much sense. You will definitely need to have the stomach to live up to this challenge.
For over 20 years, Randy's Wooster Street Pizza Shop has been serving up some of the most delicious New Haven-style pizza in a family-friendly atmosphere.
It's famous for being the home of the Man v. Food Challenger Stuffed Pizza. The pizza is 22 inches and stuffed with every topping, weighing in at 10 pounds.
The challenge? With the help of one friend, finish the pizza within the hour. If you beat the challenge, you will get the $35 pizza for free, your name on the challenger wall, a hat, a $50 gift card, and lifetime bragging rights.
Not only known for their pizzas, which include every kind from cheeseburger pizza to buffalo wing pizza, you can also try out plump and savory buffalo wings and delicious sandwiches.
Even the salad is big enough for everyone in the family to sample. Make it a meal for one or add it as a side for your family. This is a Cobb salad you won't want to pass up.
The family fun paradise has an arcade that will take you back to your childhood, not just because of the fun decor, as the old school arcade games are a fun step back in time and great fun for your whole family.
Take a few moments to watch the original Man v. Food Travel Channel Stuffed Pizza Challenge.
Are you up for the challenge? Bring a friend and your own cheering squad and see if your stomach can complete The Challenger Pizza Challenge. On the lighter side, be sure to order your own delicious pizza for your crowd online or call (860) 649-1166.
Picture this: it's summer in Connecticut, and you have a craving for seafood. So you hop in the car and head to Noank to satisfy the aforementioned craving. You head to Abbott's Lobster in the Rough, order a massive lobster roll, and take your food to a picnic table to dine, where you'll bask in the warm summer sun and gaze out at the Mystic River. Ah, you think, it doesn't get much better than this.
advertisement
And truly - it doesn't get much better than this.
When the craving for delicious seafood strikes, there's no better place to go than Abbott's Lobster in the Rough. This tiny-but-mighty eatery is nestled along the mouth of the Mystic River in Noank, Connecticut, and it has delighted diners with delicious fresh seafood for over 70 years.
Established in 1947, Abbott's Lobster in the Rough is a hidden gem known primarily to locals for its very distinct brand of Connecticut-style lobster roll, served on a warm, buttered bun stuffed to the gills with succulent, melt-in-your-mouth morsels of lobster meat. (Maine lobster rolls, by contrast, are served cold with lots of mayo.) For those outside of Connecticut, this local lobster shack is relatively unknown; however, it's the kind of place that certainly belongs on any seafood lover's radar -- and coverage in recent years has certainly helped this lobster shack shine.
You'll find Abbott's at 117 Pearl Street in Noank, right on the mouth of the Mystic River (one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Connecticut). The atmosphere is casual and inviting -- no need to dress up here -- with a decidedly "sea shack" vibe. Despite the fact that lobster is often viewed as a luxury entrée, the lobster rolls at Abbott's are affordable and generously apportioned, and the lobster suppers are served with coleslaw, potato chips, and drawn butter... don't forget the napkins!
Of course, Abbott's boasts an amazing menu full of other fresh catches: clams and oysters on the half shell, mussels, shrimp, crab, and the restaurant's legendary "New England Seafood Feast" make for a menu sure to tempt and tantalize any seafood lover's taste buds. The aforementioned feast is a "best buy" at Abbott's and features the restaurant's Clam Chowder, Shrimp in the Rough, a bowl of Steamers and Mussels, Steamed Lobster, plus potato chips, coleslaw, and drawn butter. This is the kind of mouthwatering meal memories are made of!
Dine inside the cozy storefront or enjoy a meal right next to the water. No matter where you sit, you're in for a treat -- nothing beats the spectacular view surrounding you.
Make the effort to visit Abbott's Lobster in the Rough in Noank, Connecticut, before they close their doors for the season; for 2024, that date is October 14. Please note that reservations for the general public are neither needed nor accepted; dining is strictly "first come first served" and the restaurant is open rain or shine. To learn more about their seasonal hours and menu, visit the official website for Abbott's Lobster in the Rough.
Have you ever eaten at this scrumptious lobster shack in Connecticut? What's your favorite dish on the menu? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And be sure to show your support for this small business in Connecticut by following Abbott's Lobster on Facebook.
Of course, there are many amazing businesses doing great things in the Nutmeg State. Do you have another business you would like to see profiled on Only In Your State? Please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In Connecticut on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know about events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems throughout the state.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
I find few things more satisfying than dining out at an upscale restaurant. Most of us can't afford to indulge in such luxuries on a daily basis, but that's what makes it so special. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just feel like treating yourself, enjoying the opulence and exquisite dishes at Connecticut's best fine dining restaurants is a wonderful experience to treasure every once in a while. If you're visiting the lovely city of New Haven, there's certainly no shortage of places to dine: it is the home of Connecticut-style apizza, after all! But if you're looking for something a little more upscale, you won't want to miss a visit to olea, one of the state's top restaurants. Here, you'll find a menu full of Mediterranean and Spanish delights that are absolutely delectable. Check it out:
Before you even walk in the door, you'll be struck by how incredibly pretty this place is. The simple, but elegant, exterior belies the explosive flavor of the food inside.
The menu is full of innovative Spanish cuisine, made with both locally-sourced ingredients and some components that are imported from the Mediterranean region.
The chef's tasting menu is available on weekdays and features six prix-fixe courses specially selected by Chef Manuel Romero. If you prefer to "choose your own adventure," there's also a traditional dinner menu where you can select your own dishes.
And boy, oh boy, are these dishes beautiful! They're almost too pretty to eat. This place is known for its immaculate presentation. While the menu changes seasonally to reflect ingredient availability, the one thing that stays constant is you can expect a good-looking and good-tasting plate of food.
The drink menu is similarly full of creative options, and whether you're looking for a pre-dinner cocktail or want to pair a wine with your meal, there's something for everyone at olea.
Have you ever enjoyed a meal at this delicious fine dining restaurant in New Haven? Learn more or check out a current menu from the olea website or olea Facebook page. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made via the website.
Looking for the perfect place to stay in New Haven? Check out The Historic Mansion, conveniently located right in the heart of the city.
