Roadside Restaurants Through Central Connecticut

There are many excellent hot dog stands in Connecticut, but none has quite the roadside allure of Blackie's, which has been around since 1928. The menu is limited, but the relish is spectacular and the white birch soda on tap is a perfect complement.

Located right on Boston Post Road (U.S. Route 1), the Clam Castle has long been the go-to seafood shack in this neck of the woods. Clam strips, scallops, lobster bisque, seafood rolls and more.

If you love the taste of burgers and dogs flame-broiled over charcoal, this is the place for you. In business on Route 10 for nearly 60 years, Glenwood also offers good lobster rolls, grilled cheese and signature onion rings.

Guida's has been manning its spot at the intersection of Rtes. 66 and 147 since 1946, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, including great hot dogs (try the meat chili-and-cheese topping) and prime milkshakes.

Dine inside or out at Johnny Ad's, right on Boston Post Road, where the specialty for more than 50 years has been seafood. Go for the whole belly clams, lobster rolls, scallops or soft shell crabs.

There's no place quite like The Place, where you dine outdoors on tree stumps while a wood fire roasts your clams, smoky lobsters, sweet corn and many other treats.

Located not far off I-84, Saint's serves breakfast (try the Saint's Sampler or Hash Mountain) and lunch, and it has been especially known since 1967 for its hot dogs and meat sauce.

They're always on a roll at Stowe's - lobster roll, shrimp roll, scallop roll, squid roll and fried clam roll. You'll like the across-from-the-beach ambiance and that you can take fresh fish or lobsters home to cook yourself.