City: Bridgeport, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 360 Fairfield Ave.
City: Bridgeport, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 545 Broadbridge Rd.
3. Timothy’S Ice Cream
City: Bridgeport, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 366-7496
Address: 2974 Fairfield Ave.
Description: The handmade ice cream from Timothy’s in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport is another local secret that has exploded into fame. Family run and simply decorated, the shop focuses entirely on making the best possible ice cream in a cadre of changing flavors. You can actually smell the cream as you come in the front door. The hot fudge is also homemade, and the milk shakes are to die for. They even have a Black Rock flavor: almonds, cream, and chocolate. They do “mixins” where they spread ice cream on the counter and mash toppings into it, invented before the chains started doing that. Bring cash or a check, grab a cone to go, and head down to Black Rock’s seawall (Capozzi Park) for an evening walk by the large mansions on the harbor.
4. Ralph And Rich’S
City: Bridgeport, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 366-3597
Address: 815 Main St.
Description: This Italian restaurant was practically the only higher-end restaurant in Bridgeport during the lean years of the late 20th century, and though there are many more now, Ralph and Rich’s is still near or at the top. Located between Housatonic Community College and the People’s Bank headquarters, their well-kept bar is an after-work hangout for many of Bridgeport’s white-collar workers, and features a very nice raw bar: Get a sampler of crab, oysters, and littleneck clams. The restaurant has a huge selection of salads, pastas, and classic Italian entrees. Try the Eggplant Gelsomina, a cheesy delight drenched in marinara. This is a great place to go after an afternoon at the Barnum Museum (across the street) or the ballpark (a block away just under I-95).
5. Merritt Canteen
City: Bridgeport, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 372-1416
Address: 4355 Main St.
Description: The Merritt Canteen is a “beloved Bridgeport dive” that has been serving incredibly fast food (which also tastes incredible) since 1942. Expect solid chili dogs, burgers, and seafood at fast-food prices that have not changed much for decades. Owner Jay Rodriguez has changed a few things, though, adding some modern delights like bison burgers and sweet potato fries to the menu. The Canteen was featured on the Food Network recently, although they missed a timeless classic on the menu, the little triangular deep-fried cheesecake bites with strawberry dipping sauce. They are just as good as they sound. And did I mention the service is incredibly fast?
City: Bridgeport, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 85 Ferris St.