The New England state of Connecticut in the United States offers 322 miles of jagged coastline including coves, harbors and bays, 82 of which are protected by public or private conservation ownership. Among the many things to do in Connecticut include hot air balloon rides, historic site and park visits and winery/brewery tours. Numerous barbecue restaurants pepper the state, many of which are independently owned and pride themselves on serving fresh, quality barbecue, and have won "Best of" awards in local and national newspapers and barbecue competitions.
Wood's Pit BBQ and Mexican Restaurant in Bantam, Connecticut stresses that they are not a fast food establishment and their freshly-prepared barbecue takes time to cook. Privately owned for 21 years it is the only restaurant in Litchfield County that serves authentic pit barbecue. Takeout is offered and the full menu is available from open (11:30 a.m.) until close (9 or 10 p.m.) six days a week as they are closed on Mondays. Happy hour prices are offered from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and features reduced prices on assorted appetizers, drinks and sandwiches. Menu includes barbecue wings and crab cake appetizers, barbecue platters such as pork ribs, beef ribs, pulled pork and sliced beef brisket, Mexican platters such as tacos and burritos and seafood including Cajun blackened catfish and tortilla crusted tilapia. Sandwiches include grilled sausage and veggie burger. A kids' menu is offered featuring fish sticks, mac n cheese and cheeseburger among other selections.
Wood's Pit BBQ and Mexican Restaurant
123 Bantam Lake Rd, Rt. 209
Bantam, Connecticut 06750
860-567-9869
woodspitbbq.com
Wilson's Barbecue is Fairfield, Connecticut's answer to Southern-style barbecue. The menu "reads like an eating tour of the South" according to the restaurant's website and catering packages are available. Menu items include rib platters such as Memphis baby back ribs available in full and half slab, barbecue platters including Texas-style link sausage and Eastern Carolina pulled pork, barbecue sandwiches such as Texas brisket sandwiches and pulled chicken sandwich, salad plates like the classic iceberg wedge served with smoked bacon and bleu cheese dressing and chili and southern-style stew. Side items include mac and cheese, baked beans, Idaho fries, cole slaw and mashed sweet potatoes. Sign up with the restaurant's birthday club via the restaurant website for discounts. Wilson's Barbecue is open four days a week (Thursday through Sunday) from 11:30 a.m. "til closing." They do not offer takeout. Wilson's owner/proprietor is on the Board of Directors for the National BBQ Association and his Eastern Carolina vinegar sauce has won the "Award of Excellence" at the NBBQ Annual Convention.
Wilson's Barbecue
1851 Post Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06824
203-319-7427
wilsons-bbq.com
Hen House Bar-B-Q is a 21-year-old establishment and the "only five-star barbecue" restaurant in Connecticut according to the restaurant website. They offer takeout and catering for events like birthdays, anniversaries, retirement and other special functions. Hen House is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dinners include chicken sandwich, chicken nuggets, fried chicken dinners like chicken wings, barbecued chicken and ribs, and seafood dinners including shrimp, flounder sandwich and stuffed clams. Philly steak sandwiches, burgers, turkey burgers, tuna melts and breaded and fried vegetables like mushroom and broccoli and cheese are also available.
Hen House Bar-B-Q
192 Main St.
Southington, CT 06489
860-276-0798
henhousebbq.com
Black-Eyed Sally's is an independent barbecue and blues establishment that serves award-winning barbecue and cajun dishes. Awards include The Hartford Advocate's "Best of Hartford" and "Three Stars" from the Hartford Courant & Connecticut Magazine. National acts that have played Black-Eyed Sally's stage include J. Geils, Ronnie Earl, Lucky Peterson, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Dave Matthews, Allman Brothers band members and American Idol contestants. Menu includes Louisiana gumbo, pan-fried crab cake and fried Maryland oysters appetizers and spice rub top sirloin and crispy cornmeal catfish entrees. Barbecue dishes include pork ribs and chicken and Memphis-style pork ribs full rack. Additional menu items include cajun burgers, grilled cheese burger, pan blackened salmon salad and crispy buttermilk chicken salad. Black-Eyed Sally's also offers catering services.
Black-Eyed Sally's
350 Asylum St
Hartford, CT 06103
860-278-7427
blackeyedsallys.com
Pig Out BBQ started in 1988 as a private catering service that specialized in south and southwestern barbecue cuisine. It now has two full-service restaurant locations although catering services are still available. Menu items include chili cheese fries and boneless chicken strip appetizers, blackened sea scallops, hickory smoked pork loin and rib dinner entrees, pulled pork, barbecue jerk and cajun chicken sandwiches, burgers, steak and cheese wraps, taco salad and veggie rice salad among others. Mexican dishes are available including an overstuffed shrimp burrito and quesadilla and enchilada options. Kids' menu features grilled cheese, hot dog, mini pulled pork sandwich and mini burgers.
Pig Out BBQ
16 Eden Avenue
Southington, CT 06489
860-621-2227
thepigoutbbq.com
