1. Drescher’S
City: Waterbury, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 573-1743
Address: 25 Leavenworth St.
Description: Waterbury’s most venerable restaurant has been in operation since 1868 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, you’ll immediately feel like you’ve stepped back in time, with the wood-paneled walls, black-and-white photographs of old Waterbury, and ancient paintings. The highlight are the German dishes like sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel, goulash, and stuffed pork chops. But you can also find American dishes here, with crab-stuffed mushrooms and veal with peppers. The taproom itself is a treasure, one of the most comfortable and distinguished in the state. The martinis are excellent, especially if you like Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate.
City: Waterbury, CT
Category: Restaurants
Address: 540 Plank Rd.
3. Top O’ The Mornin’
City: Waterbury, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 754-3338
Address: 2740 S. Main St.
Description: If you’re looking for something other than donuts for breakfast, the Irish flag awning at Top o’ the Mornin’ will lead you to a great alternative. Their homemade corned beef hash is amazing; get that and the hash browns with onions and cheese. If that doesn’t appeal, how about the filet mignon Benedict? For lunch, try the grilled Reuben (again, that corned beef is delicious) or one of their 100 percent Angus beef burgers. This is simple American food done right, with attention to flavor (not to calories). This is not “fast food” but they do serve you fast, and remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
4. Diorio
City: Waterbury, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 754-5111
Address: 231 Bank St.
Description: In the 1920s legendary Waterbury businessman Rocco Diorio opened this classic restaurant, and after a brief period of disuse in the 1980s, it was opened again after being restored to its original condition. The marble bar is original, as are the large mahogany booths, tile floors, etched back-bar mirrors, and tin ceiling. Serving modern Italian cuisine, Diorio’s has all the customary Italian dishes, along with some great unsung ones like gemelli with sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and a mascarpone cream sauce. The veal Diorio is excellent, and the steaks and raw bar are consistently well done. Check out the old buzzers on the wall that used to call the waiters. And don’t forget to try one of their signature martinis.
5. Frankie’S
City: Waterbury, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (203) 753-2426
Address: 700 Watertown Ave.
Description: Established in 1937 by the Caiazzo brothers, Frank and Paul, this Waterbury institution still draws huge crowds today with its amusing but truthful motto, “Come in and eat or we’ll both starve.” The restaurant seemingly pulls people off Route 8 with the smell of sizzling meat and onions. A sign proclaims The secret of happiness is a good dog, and customers eagerly rest elbows on the old marble counters, peering inside. Though Frankie’s might be the “hot dog king,” it has a huge menu with standards like burgers and lobster rolls, as well as more unusual items like tasty fried cauliflower and rich cheddar cheese cubes. There is a pavilion at the north end of the parking lot, but this is really an old-fashioned drive-in; eat in your car and love it.