Thai Awesome
The name pretty much says it all! The no-frills dining room is fairly plain, but the food is anything but. If you're craving authentic, freshly-prepared food Thai cuisine, make your way to this small eatery in Hamden. Start with the fresh shrimp and veggie summer rolls or the Thai dumplings. Traditional soups include the hot and sour shrimp soup and a milder chicken soup with coconut milk, galangal and lime juice. You'll find the expected noodle and fried rice entrees on the menu, but the real show stoppers are the rich, complex, red, green, yellow and Massaman curries, with a choice of chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, squid, scallops, or tofu and vegetables.
Thai Awesome
1505 Dixwell Avenue
Hamden, CT 06514
(203) 288-9888
Mickey's Restaurant & Bar
This upscale trattoria, with a sleek martini bar, is arguably the best restaurant in town. Chef Mickey Josephs works culinary magic, combining fresh ingredients with creative, Mediterranean flair. The presentation is always a work of art, the dishes culinary masterpieces. Don't miss the "Firecracker" Point Judith calamari, with tomatoes, kalamata olives, capers, onions and hot cherry peppers. The crab and salmon cakes are also popular starters. Signature entrees include the linguine with lobster, shrimp and clams, and the melt-in-your-mouth barbecue braised pork osso bucco.
Mickey's Restaurant & Bar
2323 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
(203) 288-4700
mickeysgroup.com
Glenwood Drive-in
This lovable dive is one of Connecticut's favorite hangouts; the family-owned business has been around for more than 50 years. Locals love Glenwood hot dogs, which have been voted the best in the state by Connecticut Magazine readers. Get your dogs with cheese, chili or both, but be sure to include a side of homemade onion rings with your order. The lobster rolls are decent, too, with a hefty serving of meat and light on the mayo. If you're still hungry after that dog and basket of rings, head next door to Kelly's Kone Konnection for a bowl of homemade ice cream topped with hot fudge.
Glenwood Drive-in
2538 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
(203) 281-0604
glenwooddrivein.com
Article Written By Pamela Wright
Pamela Wright is a freelance writer, author of more than two dozen guidebooks, and hundreds of articles. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including "National Geographic Traveler," "Family Circle," "Family Fun," "Backpacker," "Hemispheres," "Cooking Light," "Yankee" and more. An active member of the Society of American Travel Writers, she holds a Bachelor's from Michigan State University
