[JayCT]

The Connecticut Post, and I assume their sister newspapers, are holding a survey/contest to determine the state’s most iconic restaurant. They’ve established 16 brackets with some of the state’s most well known places. I have been to 12 of these and agree they are iconic but I have to question some places on the list and why others I think are important are missing.

I think that Abbot’s in Noank and Lenny & Joe’s in Westbrook should be on this. The Olympic Diner on the Berlin Turnpike and Carbone’s in Hartford deserve a nod as well. Another I think should be in there is Vito’s in Wethersfield. Then there is the Copperbeach Inn in Ivoryton and the historic Griswold Inn in Essex. And the Mayflower Inn in Washington is unbelievable. Not on the list are Fairfield County venerable places like Bobby Valentines and The Spinning Wheel Inn. Any others? Jay

https://www.ctinsider.com/projects/2...xteen-bracket/

[kidyankee764]

Cool list. I can’t say I’m too familiar with some outside of southern Connecticut. Thrilled that joints like Roselands and Dew Drop made the list. To this day, I try and sure to visit both when I’m back home.

[BostonBornMassMade]

Frank Pepe’s

[SteveM85]

The White Horse in New Milford
Barcelona in Fairfield and Norwalk. New Haven too numerous to list.
Bobby V's is terrible, doesn't even register a blip for FCounty.

[The_Quiet_One]

Of the places on their list, I'd say Mystic Pizza has the best national name recognition because of the movie, though Frank Pepe's deserves to win since it's more unique to CT. I think it would be appropriate for a New Haven style pizza restaurant to win.

I agree, though, that this list is incomplete. Griswold Inn definitely should have been on there. It's the most historic in CT. It's famous. CT's colonial past should be represented on the list.

Olympia Diner is also a major omission. If a Hartford area paper did this, it would definitely be on there.

Others that could have been added:
-Capitol Lunch in New Britain
-Ted's in Meridan
-Nardelli's (there should be at least one grinder shop. I suppose we can pick Subway since it started in Bridgeport)

[hvexpatinct]

I like their definition of iconic - long-established and/or ground breaking (as is the case with Good News - Carole Peck was one of the first women to graduate from the CIA and is a legend in her own right, her restaurant has been open for decades)

I can see an argument for including places like Ted’s as well as Carbone’s.

That said, I suspect Pepe’s will come out on top.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

The White Horse in New Milford
Barcelona in Fairfield and Norwalk. New Haven too numerous to list.
Bobby V's is terrible, doesn't even register a blip for FCounty.

Agree re Bobby Vs. No thanks.

Never understood the hype with Barcelona. It’s a national chain at this point with food that’s good, but not at all worthy of “iconic” status.

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Agree re Bobby Vs. No thanks.

Never understood the hype with Barcelona. It’s a national chain at this point with food that’s good, but not at all worthy of “iconic” status.

Love Barcelona. A FCounty staple. I could go every week. Easily a Top 3-5 in County.

[MrGompers]

They forgot Franklin giant grinder in Hartford. Been open since at least 1980. Much more famous than pastrami on wry.

[Stylo]

I don't necessarily think Frank Pepe is the best New Haven style pizza we have, but it's the most iconic. I think it's an obvious choice and tends to get the most consistent attention nationwide.