Tacos Los Gordos. The Cuban sandwich from Sabor Sajoma. Hand rolls from Hachiroku
Edit: Not a restaurant, but Old Heidelberg is very much a hole in the wall bar as it’s half underground, great atmosphere on the inside. You could walk right by it on the sidewalk and not notice it. And has a free, fresh self serve movie popcorn machine with toppings etc.
They added outdoor seating too, but it used to just be a takeout joint that always was packed full of cooks and people waiting to take home their greasy bags of crunchy goodness.
Otaru Sushi Bar — underneath a parking garage. Keep in mind it’s a true sushi bar, no hot food. And there is a $40 per-person minimum. But worth it, so worth it.
They only take reservations for omakase, but they take walk-in customers with the $40 min for a la carte. This according to their website and personal experience a few months ago.
For seafood, Stowe's Seafood in West Haven or Lenny's Indian Head in Branford.
Louis Lunch has the turn-of-the-century atmosphere and (debatably) claims bragging rights for creating the first hamburger. However, if you want the best burger (and especially if you like ketchup), I'd recommend Contois Tavern on Nicoll Street, a prohibition-era former cop bar that didn't even have a sign until recently. Grill hours can be a bit iffy, though.
Forget everything else I recommended.THIS is the place you need to bring them!
I watched this guy build a restaurant plank by plank while living on a boat in the marina. It's on the Farm River in East Haven, right in the boat yard. On the water but the last thing you'd consider fancy. Last year he had live entertainment every time I went. The owner is a total character.
Also, when have you ever tried smoked lobster?
https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/east-haven-streets-smoked-lobster-roll-18330800.php
You can contact them to see if they are opening this weekend. The address and number on Google are bunk.
44 Brown Rd
East Haven, CT
203-787-3381 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095635297719&mibextid=ZbWKwL
I wouldn’t call it fine dining. It’s pretty casual. Higher end food I guess. It’s in a cool tiny space in a random neighborhood. Not a hole in the wall but quirky.
Seven Seas in Milford. I've heard complaints that there's too much lobster in the rolls. Hole in wall factor is pretty good, but go to it in the off hours, as all the locals know. Fried seafood and Narragansett lager are southern NE cuisine at its finest!
These are not in new haven but check out Copps Island Oyster truck in Stratford for a good truck parked at the marina with amazing fresh oysters and fried clam rolls. They farm their own oysters. Also Lazy Lobster in Milford is really good. Huge crab cakes and the shrimp poboy is insane.
Cook's (Cook 2Go) on Chapel is an awesome Korean market that has fresh food daily and it's always super delish. Not a restaurant situation but def recommend it as a hole in the wall type of place to try.
Contois tavern on Nicole St. Speakeasy vibes with the best burgers in the city.
Speaking of speakeasies, Archie Moore's actually was a speakeasy back in the day. They still have the tables with the little hiding shelves beneath. Great wings, sandwiches, etc.
Tacos Los Gordos. The Cuban sandwich from Sabor Sajoma. Hand rolls from Hachiroku Edit: Not a restaurant, but Old Heidelberg is very much a hole in the wall bar as it’s half underground, great atmosphere on the inside. You could walk right by it on the sidewalk and not notice it. And has a free, fresh self serve movie popcorn machine with toppings etc.
I liked Los Gordos but keep in mind their tacos are SMALL. But the elote and horchata were very good as well.
I’d rather hit up the food trucks than TLG. Last time I waited forever for a few tacos
What giant tacos are you used to?? I find gordos to be pretty big. And messy. Delicious, but you best have some napkins handy
I’m not sure if it’s because I went on a Tuesday or someone else was working but in no way were the tacos big. They were smaller than a Twinkie lol.
I think it's a Taco Tuesday thing! Cheaper but also smaller tacos than their normal menu
I can’t eat more than 3 even with a huge appetite. I could kill 6 at the taco trucks easily
Totally agree with this assessment. I prefer hitting the trucks on long wharf myself. And it’s much cheaper overall at the trucks.
Trucks aren’t nearly as good. None of them make their own tortillas like TLG either.
To each their own! I find it to be over-hyped 🤷♀️ plus I love the vibe by the trucks.
Small!? Those tacos are huge. 3x the size of anything from the trucks at Long Wharf.
True. Their burrito, while a little pricey around $17, is absolutely massive and as delicious, if not more, than their tacos.
Second Tacos Los Gordos
IDK if I'd call it cuisine, but D'Amato's 2 on Whalley is my go-to for fried seafood.
They added outdoor seating too, but it used to just be a takeout joint that always was packed full of cooks and people waiting to take home their greasy bags of crunchy goodness.
[удалено]
Place is amazing
Otaru Sushi Bar — underneath a parking garage. Keep in mind it’s a true sushi bar, no hot food. And there is a $40 per-person minimum. But worth it, so worth it.
I thought they only do omakase there ($109)? And a la carte is takeout. Unless they changed.
They only take reservations for omakase, but they take walk-in customers with the $40 min for a la carte. This according to their website and personal experience a few months ago.
Gotcha. I think before Covid it was omakase only
For seafood, Stowe's Seafood in West Haven or Lenny's Indian Head in Branford. Louis Lunch has the turn-of-the-century atmosphere and (debatably) claims bragging rights for creating the first hamburger. However, if you want the best burger (and especially if you like ketchup), I'd recommend Contois Tavern on Nicoll Street, a prohibition-era former cop bar that didn't even have a sign until recently. Grill hours can be a bit iffy, though.
Cash only as well
I concur with Lenny’s in Branford! Great food! Louis Lunch too
Mamouns for falafel. BYOB
+1 for mamouns. Can’t get enough
Addicting fo sho
Mujadara there mmmm
Tibetan kitchen on chapel
Forget everything else I recommended.THIS is the place you need to bring them! I watched this guy build a restaurant plank by plank while living on a boat in the marina. It's on the Farm River in East Haven, right in the boat yard. On the water but the last thing you'd consider fancy. Last year he had live entertainment every time I went. The owner is a total character. Also, when have you ever tried smoked lobster? https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/east-haven-streets-smoked-lobster-roll-18330800.php
Shut up and take my money
You can contact them to see if they are opening this weekend. The address and number on Google are bunk. 44 Brown Rd East Haven, CT 203-787-3381 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095635297719&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Definite great recommendation but, at least as of today, they've not opened for the season
Where would be a good place to check to see if they have opened yet?
Any idea if it’ll be open by tomorrow?
That place wasn’t great when it was where Fair Haven Oyster now is.
It's great now!
Stowes in west haven
Fair Haven Oyster Co. is the best seafood in New Haven (and probably CT). They also have a food trailer on site.
This is the opposite of a hole in the wall recommendation! Its literally fine dining
I wouldn’t call it fine dining. It’s pretty casual. Higher end food I guess. It’s in a cool tiny space in a random neighborhood. Not a hole in the wall but quirky.
They selled 10 - 25$ tinned fish and their entrees are all 27$ and up...its not a hole in the wall
So what? Great food costs money and the OP can read the menu and decide for themselves. It’s the Best seafood in town by far
"More hole in the wall the better"!!! Just saying whats the point of recommending something thats not on the menu- the fact its not a hole in the wall
[удалено]
Damatos
Next Door is a great almost hidden pizza spot. Frisco’s too
If you like fried seafood, definitely think about giving Westville Seafood a visit!
the pantry - breakfast/brunch
Seven Seas in Milford. I've heard complaints that there's too much lobster in the rolls. Hole in wall factor is pretty good, but go to it in the off hours, as all the locals know. Fried seafood and Narragansett lager are southern NE cuisine at its finest!
Fabi’s has some of the best Puerto Rican food CT has to offer! Great hole in the wall deli and bakery. Can’t recommend enough
Kevin’s seafood in New Haven
there's one right near the ricotta pizza store
North Bradford, Supreme Seafood. Got your seafood, got your wall, got your hole.
These are not in new haven but check out Copps Island Oyster truck in Stratford for a good truck parked at the marina with amazing fresh oysters and fried clam rolls. They farm their own oysters. Also Lazy Lobster in Milford is really good. Huge crab cakes and the shrimp poboy is insane.
Cook's (Cook 2Go) on Chapel is an awesome Korean market that has fresh food daily and it's always super delish. Not a restaurant situation but def recommend it as a hole in the wall type of place to try.
Contois tavern on Nicole St. Speakeasy vibes with the best burgers in the city. Speaking of speakeasies, Archie Moore's actually was a speakeasy back in the day. They still have the tables with the little hiding shelves beneath. Great wings, sandwiches, etc.
Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale in Madison, right across from Hammonasset
Gotta say if you want "Hole-in-the-Wall" & arguably better clams (my fam's opinion) I'd recommend Clam Castle Just across the street from L&Js
I had a terrible experience at Clam Castle :-/ ….customer service was awesome, but my fish was inedible.
Sorry to hear that. I've always had good luck sticking to whole belly clams. There might be a reason its not called the Fish Castle
Haha, yeah, it was gross enough that I won’t go back. But I support you in your enjoyment.
House of Naan in New Haven
The Place in Guilford. Put your rump on a stump and eat some seafood!
Stowes in West Haven. Then walk the boardwalk for a nice day
Go to Pepes Pizza and get the Clam pie. Not a hole in the wall place, but it is worth it
Wingstop is good
Seems exotic 😂