Believe it or not, it is still possible to enjoy a full, delicious meal and stay within your budget. More often than not, monetary concerns determine the restaurants people choose for their meals. Some people think that the best cuisine is unavailable to those on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are numerous restaurants in the Hartford area where you can enjoy top-notch cuisine without paying top dollar.
Plan B (860) 231-1199 138 Park Rd West Hartford, CT Hours: Sun-Thurs11am-10pm, Bar open until 1am; Fri-Sun 11am-11pm, Bar open until 2am
Plan B is sure to be on the top of everybody’s list of favorite restaurants soon. Burgers are what Plan B does best, and they have created some tasty, inventive burgers you won’t soon forget. Their original burger is outstanding, but for something a little more exciting, you should try the East Coast Burger, topped with roasted tomato, fried onions, horseradish cream and—wait for it—lobster. With all of the tantalizing creations on the menu it is hard to choose just one thing; a solution is the Burger Flight, offering a selection of palm-size beef, chicken, and salmon burgers. The restaurant contains an attractive, open, curved bar with an exposed wooden beam liquor rack in the front. It is a popular place to go for drinks—the bar area is usually packed on the weekends—but be sure to bring an appetite: it is almost impossible to resist the menu items. How can you say no to the Beef Wellington Bites: mini nibbles of rare steak in flaky pastry atop a sea of rich blue cheese dressing?
Estimated cost pp:$10-15
Effie's Place 91 Park Rd. West Hartford 06119 860-233-9653 Hours: Mon-Sat 6:30am-9pm; Sun 7am- 7:30pm; Breakfast served daily until 3 p.m.
Effie's Place in West Hartford is truly a throwback to a better day; it is a small, family-run restaurant where neighbors drop by just to chat and customers know the owner and wait staff by name. The interior is very cozy and exudes a pleasant ambience. They offer different specials every morning, such as Strawberry and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast, Eggs Benedict, or an Omelet with lox, onion and cheddar. Effie’s offers all types of salads as well as tasty sandwiches. The owners are Greek so it’s no surprise that the Greek selections are among the best they have to offer. The beef and chicken gyros are scrumptious classics, and there are a few surprises as well, like the shrimp saganaki. The fabulous dish consists of sautéed shrimp, tomatoes, peppers, onions, black olives and garlic in a tomato base over pasta. You’ll soon understand why everybody knows everybody at Effie’s: after one visit, it’s hard not to become a regular.
Estimated cost pp:$7-13
Corner Pug 1046 New Britain Ave. West Hartford, CT 860 231 0241
Hours:M-Thurs 11:30am-1am; F-Sat11:30am-2am; Sun 11am-11pm
The Corner Pug has the feel of a classic English pub, with dark wood, candleholders sheathed in green glass and various knickknacks perched on the wall moldings. Couples snuggle into mahogany and leather booths for romantic dates and friends meet at the bar, which offers 12 beers on tap, including a fine selection of English ales. The Corner Pug serves a late-night menu until a half-hour before closing time, which is later than most Hartford-area restaurants. Corner Pug’s menu is a cross between a pub and a steak house menu, with some comfort food thrown in—skewered shrimp, St. Louis ribs, French onion soup with gruyere, shepherd's pie, pot pies. Simple favorites like the Mac ‘N Cheese are incredible. It is very comfortable place to eat or stop in for a drink and the bill won’t empty your wallet.
Estimated cost pp:$8-15
Puerto Vallarta 2385 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06111 Tel: 860-667-8080 Hours: Sun-Thurs11am-10pm, F-Sat11am-11pm
When you enter Puerto Vallarta, you get the feeling of being transported across the border. With a painted exterior, sombrero lights over the tables, festive music and the finest Mexican food in town, Puerto Vallarta ensures a true Mexican experience. Whether you are alone or with a lively group for dinner and drinks, you will enjoy the exceptional food and service—all at a reasonable price. The friendly staff always greets you with a bountiful basket of warm corn tortilla chips, and of course their delicious salsa. The fajitas are unforgettable, with only the freshest, most tender chicken breast and steak. To compliment your meal, try one of the famous Margaritas, frozen or on the rocks. Enjoy them in moderation, though; the Margaritas are as strong as they are refreshing and delicious!
Estimated cost pp:$12-20
Doogie’s 2525 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06109 860-666-6200 Hours: 12pm-8pm
Firmly situated in a retro atmosphere, with 50’s music on the radio, a loud yellow interior, old-fashioned diner tables and chairs, and pop culture memorabilia on the walls—Doogie’s is a popular little place on the Berlin Turnpike calling itself the Home of the 2ft-long Hot Dog. On closer inspection, these dogs are closer to 3feet! The extra-long sausage has a naturally spicy flavor that doesn’t get lost even under the vast array of toppings. For a little extra kick to your dog, try the homemade hot relish. Besides the monstrous wieners, Doogie’s surprisingly offers some of the best food in town. The real star on the menu is the Philly Cheese Steak. Served with grilled onions, mushrooms, peppers, and even bacon upon request, Doogie’s lives up to its claim of producing “The Best Philly Outside of Philly.” You’ll also find terrific fish and chips, clam strips, New England-style clam chowder, lobster rolls, and hamburgers. If you’re feeling brave, attempt to conquer the Murder Burger: two five-ounce patties with bacon, cheese, grilled onions, and sautéed mushrooms.
As the name suggests, this ever-popular restaurant in Hartford truly gives you the feeling of being in a Texas ranch. The interior is all wood, the wait-staff wears cowboy hats and boots, and the cooking is BBQ straight from the South. The ribs literally fall off the bone and the hand-cut steaks are mouth-watering. They offer some great chicken and seafood dishes as well. They also offer terrific Margaritas and mixed drinks, and beer lovers won’t be disappointed: their vast selection of beers is served in chilled mugs. Free peanuts grace each table and the feel and sound of peanut shells crunching under your feet becomes comforting after a while. Texas Roadhouse is a place the whole family can enjoy great food, in a fun-filled, lively atmosphere at an affordable price. Considering the portions, they could probably charge double.
Estimated cost pp:$10-20
Tinker’s Seafood 2074 Park St. Hartford, CT (860)231-9545 Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat 11am-9pm Tinker’s is a charming little restaurant and fish market with the highest quality seafood in Hartford at the most affordable prices. They have unbelievable portions. Hidden away behind O’Porto’s restaurant on Park Rd., Tinker’s is a great find for the seafood lover. It has a decent-sized dining area with a maritime theme: paintings of boats and sailors grace the wall and a large fish tank occupies the center of the room. There is also a separate room for take-out or picking something up from their market. They offer every type of seafood imaginable. The crab cakes are phenomenal and the stuffed clams and shrimp are not only delicious but huge. The fried catfish is easily the best outside of New Orleans. Seafood lovers are sure to leave Tinker’s full and happy, with money to spare.
Estimated cost pp:$8-15
First and Last Tavern 939 Maple Ave, Hartford, CT 06114-2730 860-956-6000 Hours: Mon 11:30am-9pm, Tue-Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun 4pm-9pm
First & Last Tavern, a landmark in the South End of Hartford, is known for some of the best pizza in the state. It features an old-fashioned wooden bar that's usually packed most nights and two dining areas that are similarly busy. Covering the restaurant’s walls are old pictures of Hartford and famous faces that have dined in the establishment, testimony to the long history of great food and service. The thin-crust pizza is baked in a patented brick oven. The freshest toppings and ingredients—like the Tavern’s own famous tomato sauce—make the pizza a perennial favorite in the area. The menu also offers salads and grinders as well as an assortment of delicious Italian dishes like Meat or Vegetable Lasagna, Pasta Primavera and Cioppino.
Ficara’s recipe for success is simple: great Italian food at a great price. In the section called Little Italy on Hartford’s Franklin Ave., there is no shortage of good Italian restaurants. Ficara’s sets itself apart by offering consistently good food in incredible portions at a price that beats the competition time and time again. Standouts from the menu include Zuppa Di Pesce, Lasagna, and Chicken Parmesan. Despite the low prices—the low prices actually drop even more during the week—the restaurant remains upscale in service and setting. The staff is always friendly and the restaurant has a warmly-lit, subdued, pleasant ambience. Ficara’s makes great food and service look easy.
Estimated cost pp:$10-20
Hen House Bar-B-Q 192 Main St., Southington (860) 276-0798 Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-9pm
At the Hen House, you decide exactly how many of their delicious ribs you want: patrons order ribs by the piece. The prices are very reasonable; that is, if you can stop eating. The meaty ribs are cooked slowly in a rotisserie oven and basted with a simple but superb hickory-smoked sauce. As you could probably guess, most of Hen House’s menu items are fried, but you probably wouldn’t come here for the nutritional value anyway. The fried chicken is excellent and everything is fresh, nothing is frozen or processed. If you have any room left, and you really don’t care about calories, try their deliciously deadly fried Oreos. The unbelevably good—yet bad—dessert will solidify Hen House’s position as the best fried foodest,taurant in town.
The Top List of Best Buy Restaurants - Hartford, CT