The First Seasonal Restaurants of 2025 Have Arrived in Connecticut

The first seasonal restaurants of the 2025 season have just started to open up around here, it's been a long winter in Connecticut, are you ready for fried clams?

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Here's a surefire way to shake off the cold: Two hot dogs, fried clams, steak fries, and an order of fried mushrooms. You'll forget the 17-degree morning we had two days ago. This is Connecticut, the land of wild swings in temperature, and roadside restaurants that can only open when it doesn't drop too far below freezing.

Denmo's on Main Street South in Southbury has opened up today, Friday March 7 for the 2025 season. Their famous "Split & Charred" hot dogs, delicious whole belly clams, and great original sandwiches are on the grill waiting for you. Go, now.

Most of the seasonal restaurants around here close down between Labor Day and Halloween, but some tough it out until the first flurry. My favorite Frankie's on Watertown Avenue in Waterbury is one of the hearty ones. The Watertown Ave Frankie's has not announced their 2025 opening date as of yet, but I'm watching. I'm also keeping an eye on West Shore Seafood in Morris, they also have not announced their 2025 reveal date.

But Zach and Lou's Barbeque on Winsted Road in Torrington is open for 2025, with brisket, pulled pork, St. Lou ribs, pulled chicken, smoked kielbasa, and smoked sausage on the 3/7/25 menu. The big potato you see in the photo above was in front of the place and my Chihuahua was impressed.

No word yet on the 2025 opening date for Gooseboro Drive-In yet too.