Trail Food
If you are looking for a great sandwich or wrap to take with you on your hike up Sleeping Giant, there are a handful of local deli and sandwich shops within a five-minute drive of the mountain. There is even a Subway and a Pizza Shop located within a three-minute walk of the mountain. Traveling south down Whitney Ave. toward the center of Hamden you will first pass by a Dunking Donuts and Krauszers Deli. If you continue down Whitney Ave, you will find two local favorites for fresh sandwiches and subs: Whitney Donut and Sandwich and Ray and Mike's Deli and Diary.
Bars
Whitney Ave. will also be your source for the local bars. Traveling north of Sleeping Giant on Whitney Ave. will take you to a Mexican restaurant/bar called Aunt Chilada's which is conveniently located next to the Sleeping Giant Golf Course. Traveling south of the mountain you will find another Mexican style bar called Andale's. Right across the street is Whitney Bar and Grille, which is a good spot to grab chicken wings and a beer. Traveling a few more minutes south on Whitney Ave. will bring you to Side Street Grille which combines a casual bar atmosphere with great menu variety and reasonably priced drinks. Further south is where Whitney Ave. empties out into downtown Hamden. From here, check out Lenny's, a local hot spot, or Mickey's Restaurant and Bar, which offers an excellent menu and great service.
Restaurants on Whitney Ave.
If you are looking for a sit-down restaurant experience, you will find that Hamden has a variety of choices within a short drive of Sleeping Giant. Again, taking Whitney Ave. south of the mountain will lead you toward the center of Hamden and most of the restaurants. If you are looking for family oriented, try Ixtapa Grill Family Mexican Restaurant. Luce Ristorante is a great choice if you are looking for great Italian food and a stellar martini bar. Another restaurant, Sushi Maki, offers great all-you-can-eat sushi bar. Eli's on Whitney is another local favorite offering a varied menu with a sports-bar feel.
Restaurants on Dixwell Ave.
Traveling south of Sleeping Giant for a little under three miles will bring you to the intersection of Whitney Ave. and Dixwell Ave. Following Dixwell Ave. north for a mile or so will lead to a cornucopia of restaurants located in the many shopping plazas of Hamden Center. Chain restaurants such as Fridays, Chili's and Applebee's all have locations right in Hamden Center. Continuing past Hamden Center, there is a unique pizza place called Blues Brickoven Pizza on the left and a fantastic local brewery and restaurant on the right called SBC Brewery and Restaurant. If you are looking for Chinese or Greek food, you will find Szechuan Delight and Acropolis Diner a bit farther down on your right.
