Over twenty thousand miles of highways and main streets crisscross the state of Connecticut, inviting hungry travelers and locals into the more than one hundred diners that dot the roadways. Among these eateries are some of the most prized American classic diners manufactured by such legendary builders as DeRaffele, O'Mahony, Tierney and Kullman. Author Garrison Leykam hosts a road trip to Connecticut's diners, celebrating local recipes and diner lingo--order up a #81, frog sticks or a Noah's boy with Murphy carrying a wreath--as well as stories that make each diner unique. Tony's Diner in Seymour still keeps pictures of the 1955 flood to always remember the tragedy the diner overcame. Stories like these--of tragedy, triumph, sanctuary, comfort and community--fill the pages in this celebration of classic and historic diners of the Nutmeg State.

From hot dogs to haute cuisine, Connecticut boasts an impressive array of tempting delicacies for every taste and budget. Hot, buttered lobster rolls, steamed cheeseburgers, and coal-fired New Haven-style pizza are just a few of the delights that await adventurous foodies in the Nutmeg State. With Unique Eats and Eateries of Connecticut as your guide, you’ll find a new place to try on every page and get the stories behind the food too. Bask in the warmth of the Connecticut shore at Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, where three generations of the Mears family have slow-steamed and served lobsters on sunny picnic tables along the waterfront. Find out how O’Rourke’s Diner in Middletown was supported by its community and the Wesleyan students who love it after a devastating fire threatened to put them out of business in 2006. Get a taste of Yale life at the high-ceilinged Union League Café, where Chef JeanPierre Vuillermet wows diners with his ever-changing French brasserie menu. And if you love reading and eating, be sure to learn about the free book with your meal at Traveler Restaurant. Local writer Mike Urban takes you on a tour around this culinary wonderland to explore eats and eateries that are both familiar and exotic. Come along on this fascinating tour of Connecticut’s most unique, unusual, and enjoyable food spots where there’s a delightful culinary revelation around every corner.

The Best Restaurants, Markets & Local Culinary Offerings The ultimate guides to the food scene in their respective states or regions, these books provide the inside scoop on the best places to find, enjoy, and celebrate local culinary offerings. Engagingly written by local authorities, they are a one-stop for residents and visitors alike to find producers and purveyors of tasty local specialties, as well as a rich array of other, indispensable food-related information including: • Favorite restaurants and landmark eateries • Farmers markets and farm stands • Specialty food shops, markets and products • Food festivals and culinary events • Places to pick your own produce • Recipes from top local chefs • The best cafes, taverns, wineries, and brewpubs

From a beloved New England eatery, “recipes for some of the best diner breakfasts anywhere” plus “invaluable words of wisdom, advice, [and] local history” (Michael Stern, author of Road Food). Since 1941, O’Rourke’s Diner has been a beloved eatery and a second home to generations of Middletown families, Wesleyan students, and diners from all over the Connecticut River Valley. Capturing the magic of the diner itself—classic, hip, eclectic, and full of positive energy—Breakfast at O’Rourke’s is a trove of hearty gourmet recipes from one of Connecticut’s most beloved diners. The book features menus for twenty-three complete O’Rourke’s breakfasts and over eighty recipes, including Irish Soda Bread, Eggs Galway, Bread Pudding French Toast with Caramel Sauce, Firecracker Omelet, Breakfast Cheesecake, Pumpkin Brie Quiche, and Red Flannel Hash. Each main dish is paired with a side, baked good, and sauce—so that cooks at home can recreate their favorite O’Rourke’s brunch. Lavishly illustrated with over fifty photos from food photographer Tom Hopkins, it also includes many vegetarian options. This is a must-have cookbook for diner aficionados and food lovers everywhere.