Guido’s Car Hop Drive-In Restaurant
Posted June 22, 2010
By Emily
Guido’s Car Hop, Connecticut’s only roller skating car hop restaurant. Right in the lovely land of Manchester.
What a ridiculous looking place. The outdoor eating area is made up of sea foam green picnic tables enclosed by neon pink fencing. Inside, the eatery is adorned with all sorts of kitschy accessories, wall hangings, and even the stray pinball machine. Waitresses roll by in roller skates and teeny tiny mini-skirt/bodysuits, a detail some will appreciate more than others. A bit sexist, methinks. Anyway, at Guido’s, you have lots of options for what to order and where to eat it: inside, outside at a picnic table…or in your car. Just wait for a waitress to skate on over to you.
I can’t do much to comment on the food menu aside from describing it. I opted for ice cream. However, the lunch/dinner menu includes plenty of grilled dishes, grinders, fried seafood, hot dogs, and burgers- with sides like fried dough, mozzerella sticks, fried mushrooms and spicy curly fries. Artery busting in a “hits the spot” kinda way. Quite a few breakfast offerings as well.
After browsing through the Nifty Fifties sundae list, I chose the Turtle Sundae ($4.95), which gives 3 scoops of ice cream (my choices: choc peanut butter, cookies & cream & choc) with caramel, hot fudge, and walnuts topped with whipped cream and a cherry. Delish– Like a giant, messy, melty Snickers bar.
Turtle Sundae
Also, if you’re brave (and/or a bottomless pit, and/or came with a few friends), spring for the Grease Lightening Sundae, which gives you 5 scoops of ice cream plus 3 toppings with whipped cream and a cherry for $6.95
I don’t know how I ultimately feel about Guido’s. The atmosphere is kind of fun…but it freaks me out a little bit. Plastic flamingos and waitresses on wheels may have something to do with that.
242 Broad Street
Manchester, CT
860-432-5999
Website: http://www.guidoscarhop.com/
I last visited Guido’s when it was up in (I think) Enfield. There were rollergirls and kitsch, but not quite as neon as what it looks like now. At the time, I loved the rollerskating girls, but now that I’m old enough to be their mothers, um, I’m not so sure.
I remember having something that was key lime awesome there.
Yes, it was in Enfield until 2005, I believe. It was a lot of fun, great artery-busting food as you described. The milkshakes were delicious and they had great breakfast. The food’s worth a try for sure.
I’m definitely planning to go back to try the food. I love fried food and breakfast more than is normal (and healthy).