A Change of Eatery

Photo by Nick Caito

For all his love of cheese and burgers, until recently Nick Caito had never been to Shady Glen. It took me months to get over my disbelief, and when I finally did, I made it my goal to be there when he experienced the greasy satisfaction of this beloved Manchester landmark.

If you’ve never been, Shady Glen dairy store is a wonderland of burgers and homemade ice cream with the atmosphere of a strange 50′s diner. Whenever a friend makes their first visit to Manchester, I like to include Shady Glen as a stop in my tour of the town for a cruel & delicious initiation.

It’s not a fancy place by any stretch of the imagination. You select your meal from menus posted on the walls (on the walls that aren’t adorned with kitschy gnome murals). I’d normally categorize the burgers as “no frills” because they don’t offer a wide array of toppings and add-ons that other surrounding burger joints do– only the optional lettuce/tomato and quad condiment platter of ketchup, mustard, onions & relish. But these burgers do indeed have an edible golden frill.

Photo by Nick Caito

Photo by Nick Caito

Shady Glen’s signature fried cheese forms a deliciously ugly halo around burgers that otherwise lean towards the thin and plain end of the spectrum. Four slices of cheese are placed on top of the burger, their edges left to cook on the grill. This odd, cheesy wreath is what keeps many of us coming back.

To be honest, on one of my last visits, I simply ordered a plate of fried cheese and a decaf coffee. I’m not necessarily proud of it, but this is who I am sometimes. Shady Glen, for me, is about the cheese.

If you’ve never been- get yourself to Shady Glen…& tell me all about it.

840 Middle Turnpike E
Central Manchester, CT 06042
(860) 649-4245