1. Rein’S Deli
City: Vernon, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 875-1344
Address: 435 Hartford Tpke.
Description: Bringing the flavors of one place to another is always a chancy business, but some have done it so well that they compete with or surpass the original. In 1972 Bob Rein wanted to bring authentic New York Jewish deli food to New England, and everyone agrees he has succeeded. Using the best corned beef and pastrami, they re-created the classic sandwiches of New York, and then branched out, making unbelievable dishes of franks and beans, sour cream and banana, and breakfasts that bring people out from Hartford and Storrs every day to eat. The Reubens and Rachaels are stuffed and dripping with flavor. The lox is amazing, the tongue and eggs is amazing, and the sheet cakes are better than Mom’s. Though steeped in tradition, Rein’s is also experimental, with interesting dishes like the mac and cheese island surrounded by chili, or the piña colada bread pudding. It is called a deli, but is more of a restaurant with a take-out option. If you’re on I-84 and you’re hungry, don’t stop at McDonalds. Go to Rein’s.
2. Little Mark’S Big Bbq
City: Vernon, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 872-1410
Address: 226 Talcottville Rd.
Description: Home of the best Southern barbecue done by a bunch of Yankees is how Little Mark’s bills itself, and they might be right. Since 1990 they have been making all their sauces, dressings, and marinades from the ground up, and they don’t boil the ribs like some places, taking 6 hours or more to smoke the ribs properly. They take twice that time to smoke the pork and brisket. You can also get real Southern specialties like gator tails, burnt ends, and fried okra. For dessert, the peanut butter pie or the apple bread pudding are sadly vanishing delights that Little Mark’s has brought back into the limelight. With skilled craftspeople like the little team at this big barbecue, soon Connecticut might be a new center of this grand tradition.
3. Elmo’S Dockside Restaurant And Pub
City: Vernon, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 646-3474
Address: 48 Hartford Tpke.
Description: Real seaside dining away from the seashore? That’s what Elmo’s Dockside promises, and that’s what you’ll get, with all the seafood platters you love in a family-friendly restaurant in operation for over 40 years. They pay attention to the clams on the half shell and raw oysters, and you can expect them to always be fresh. The lobster bisque is full of lobster chunks, a welcome change from watery lobster-flavored salt broths. The fried oysters, that Connecticut classic, is done perfectly. The pub is open straight through the day, so if you get hungry at a strange hour, Elmo’s can accommodate you.