When you're looking for fast food restaurants in Connecticut, your mind probably goes to major chains like McDonald's or Burger King. But we've actually got a great fast food restaurant that's local to the Nutmeg State! Duchess has been around for over 50 years and it's a unique spot that's only available in 14 locations in Fairfield and New Haven counties. With dozens of items on the menu and everything made fresh, this is a wonderful spot to grab some great food while supporting a local business.
Duchess was opened in 1956 by a pair of brother-in-laws who bought a hamburger and hot dog restaurant in Milford and were looking to rebrand the little shack.
This place definitely looks more upscale than you'd expect from a fast food restaurant, but not so elegant that it's off-putting.
While most traditional fast food places have food shipped in frozen and then cooked, everything at Duchess is made fresh, without being frozen or processed.
The reasoning behind this is that since many of the ingredients are obtained locally, an entirely new supply chain would have to be developed with each new state that was expanded into.
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Duchess has an extremely varied menu with breakfast, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and plenty more.
Autumn's crisp days mean the return of so much goodness. From slipping on a hoodie or a sweater for a leaf-peeping hike as the already-fallen leaves crinkle with every footstep to decorating our yards for the spooky season, we have so much to look forward to. For those of us with a sweet tooth, fall is also the sweetest season as we indulge in fresh apple cider, caramel apples, and homemade apple cider donuts. We have plenty of farms and bakeries to get our sweets fix, but if it’s some of the best apple cider donuts in Connecticut you’re craving, make a beeline for this cider mill in Mystic.
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We all have our favorite fall traditions that add that extra bit of magic to the season, and, for many, an annual trip to B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic is a must. Whether starting a new tradition or continuing a treasured one, you’ll have plenty of time this fall to make your way to the country’s last steam-powered cider mill, open daily through September and October. If you visit on the weekend, expect crowds.
While that means standing in line for one of those famous apple cider donuts, the first bite will remind you the time waiting was well worth it. Donuts are sold by the dozen. But if reviews from happy guests are any indication, you might want to buy a dozen for the ride home and another dozen for the days ahead. Pair your donut with one of autumn's tastiest drinks. B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill pours cups of cold cider, hot mulled cider, and cider slushies. Stock up on the sweet cider, too, which is available by the quart, half-gallon, and gallon.
But the deliciousness doesn’t stop with the apple cider donuts and the apple cider. Stop by the bakery for other scrumptious seasonal treats, including apple dumplings, sliced caramel apples, elephant ears, and baked apple pie. The cider mill also makes and sells a variety of wines and hard ciders. Keep the autumn theme going by trying such favorites as Apple Wine and Spider Cider.
If you time your visit just right, you might even have the unique opportunity to watch the cider mill’s press in action. The press generally runs on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and noon, and if there’s a need, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time.
Do you agree that B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill makes the best apple cider donuts in Connecticut? Let us know in the comments! Did you know Mystic is considered one of the best small-town getaways in the U.S.? After treating yourself to some of the best apple cider donuts in Connecticut, check into a local Vrbo, and explore some more.
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.
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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.
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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.
