Manchester, Conn. 1950s-style diner is revered for its creative take on cheeseburgers
(TV Diner) - Right on the edge of Manchester and Bolton Connecticut, sits the original Shady Glen dairy store. A revered destination for locals and travelers alike, they are known for excellent ice cream, soups but predominantly for their now famously creative take on the cheeseburger.
This simple '50s style diner is retro in every way, from the simple menu posted on the wall, the casual booth seating and the waitress's uniforms. The menu items are simple, including omelettes, sandwiches and Shady Glen's own ice cream.
We started with the minestrone soup. It was delicious beyond our expectations, filled with tender veggies in a tasty broth.
The onion rings were crisp and thick, perfect both for sharing and for plunging into some tangy ketchup.
On to the cheeseburger- the talk of the town. The burger itself is a standard sized patty, but the cheese makes all the difference. Shady Glen is known for their method of letting the edges of the cheese burn slightly on the grill, giving them a crisp finish, which curl up around the burger. The effect is fantastic. The textures and taste of this burger have people flocking from miles around. All we can say is, YUM.
The grilled ham and cheese platter was next. The sandwich was standard and a bit on the thin side, but the coleslaw was amazing. Cool and crisp with a tangy yet not sweet flavor.. We loved this, along with a generous portion of fries.
The banana split was decadent. Three scoops of their rich, indulgent ice cream and ripe bananas, this one was well above others.
The strawberry milk shake was oh so thick and berry-licous. We got the feeling that the ice cream here is a no-fail situation.
Local
We finished with a root beer and vanilla ice cream float. A '50s classic like ankle socks and convertibles, it was refreshing and indulgent.
Service was friendly and courteous at Shady Glen. We loved the simplicity of the pencil-behind-the-ear efficiency of our waitress.
We found the value to be very good for the large portions and the cool ambiance of the place. Appetizers are around $2 to $3, platters around $10 and desserts from $2 to $6.
Overall we rated Shady Glen a gold plate for a very good dining experience. Located at 840 East Middle Turnpike in Manchester, Conn., there is plenty of parking in the attached lot.
They can be reached at 860-649-4245. For a blast from the past, some local history and some awesome food, check out Shady Glen!
