A question for Connecticut locals

[tomcat]

It has been decades since I have seen a game in Storrs., and this year (before I get to old to travel or care) I decided to do something about it. So my wife and I will be flying to CT to watch the Creighton game next month. It occurred to me that I should be able to find my way around the campus, but don't know anything about the local eating establishments. If we're driving to the game from BDL, are there any places in the Storrs area that would be worth going to for dinner. Nothing fancy, just good food and service that'll get us out in plenty of time to get to the game. I'd love to hear thoughts from fellow BYers. Thank you.

 

[Amston Joe]

We don't eat in Storrs, though there are probably good places. Might be a bit out of your way, but we like the Artisanal Burger Co in Manchester. Also in Manchester is the chain restaurant Maggie McFly's, who has a large and very diverse menu. There is also Reins Deli in Vernon, which is popular, just off of 84 close to the UConn exit. Good luck.

 

[1971Husky]

Google search "Mansfield CT restaurants" should give you a pretty good list. I recommend Chuck's Steak House/Margaritaville on Rt 32 in Mansfield, just 1 mile southeast of Rt 195.

 

[Sifaka]

It has been decades since I have seen a game in Storrs., and this year (before I get to old to travel or care) I decided to do something about it. So my wife and I will be flying to CT to watch the Creighton game next month. It occurred to me that I should be able to find my way around the campus, but don't know anything about the local eating establishments. If we're driving to the game from BDL, are there any places in the Storrs area that would be worth going to for dinner. Nothing fancy, just good food and service that'll get us out in plenty of time to get to the game. I'd love to hear thoughts from fellow BYers. Thank you.

Errr…ummmm. Isn't the Creighton game in Nebraska this year?

Oh! You must mean the rematch! Sorry.☺️

 

[Monte]

Wednesday, February 11: at STORRS

 

[Monte]

Willington Pizza House, on Route 32....about 20minutes from Storrs.

 

[Zanzman]

Willington Pizza House, on Route 22....about 20minutes from Storrs.

Route 32

 

[broooce]

If you're coming in from out of town for a UConn experience then I suggest that you include a nice dinner (or lunch) at Geno's restaurant, Cafe Aura. Italian cuisine in nearby Manchester. I've been there with my daughter and it was very good - food and service were top-notch.

Cafe Aura

www.cafeaura.com

 

[Woof 101]

It occurred to me that I should be able to find my way around the campus, but don't know anything about the local eating establishments.

Hello @tomcat , nothing to be critical here but do more research. You can put 12 people at a table and serve them the same thing and get 12 different answers. lots of good food in the area. As for coming in to BDL and driving most likely a rental car and not a uber I would recommend a bit of study of a campus map. While you think you should be able to find your way around campus, you will be in for a surprise. Come early.
The campus, buildings and roads are way beyond anything they were a few decades ago. Multiple parking areas / garages along with roads including rotaries not seen years ago. Where EO Smith High used to be on the out skirts of the UConn campus it is now surrounded by it. Just FYI, enjoy the visit and welcome back to CT for a day or more.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Obviously not a Connecticut native - but our friends out here are longtime UConn fans originally from Brooklyn, later various areas in Connecticut before moving out to Arizona for retirement.

They constantly tout Rein's Deli whenever folks bring up UConn / UConn games (they now have season tickets for Arizona, and follow UConn on TV). When we were following Rutgers we went to many a game in Storrs and also can vouch for Reins.

 

[Dogdude]

Obviously not a Connecticut native - but our friends out here are longtime UConn fans originally from Brooklyn, later various areas in Connecticut before moving out to Arizona for retirement.

They constantly tout Rein's Deli whenever folks bring up UConn / UConn games (they now have season tickets for Arizona, and follow UConn on TV). When we were following Rutgers we went to many a game in Storrs and also can vouch for Reins.

I was about to add Reins to the list. Beat me to it.

 

[HuskyNan]

Willington Pizza House, on Route 32....about 20minutes from Storrs.

This!

 

[Skeets]

If you are pressed for time and not looking for something fancier than bar food there's Johnathan's which is practically on the UConn campus.

 

[Geew1992]

It has been decades since I have seen a game in Storrs., and this year (before I get to old to travel or care) I decided to do something about it. So my wife and I will be flying to CT to watch the Creighton game next month. It occurred to me that I should be able to find my way around the campus, but don't know anything about the local eating establishments. If we're driving to the game from BDL, are there any places in the Storrs area that would be worth going to for dinner. Nothing fancy, just good food and service that'll get us out in plenty of time to get to the game. I'd love to hear thoughts from fellow BYers. Thank you.

Bobby Vs is right next to the airport. Great food and atmosphere

 

[broooce]

I was about to add Reins to the list. Beat me to it.

Rein's is right off I-84 in Vernon, about halfway between Hartford and the UConn campus, easy off/on. It's probably one of the best kosher delis in Connecticut and if you're not planning to drive into lower Manhattan to go to Katz's Deli for the best sandwiches then Rein's can adequately scratch your pastrami/corned beef/brisket/matzo ball soup itches. They have table service in a casual dining room area, and of course, take-out if you want to eat it at your hotel. Yum!

 

[broooce]

Now that our governor and even Dave Portnoy himself have touted Connecticut as the Pizza Capital of the United States the state tourism bureau has introduced the "Pizza Capital Trail" campaign for visitors. Here's the link to the ctvisit site:

Connecticut Pizza Trail

Connecticut is the Pizza Capital of the U.S. It's just a fact. According to the Pizza King himself, Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, “Connecticut is the best pizza state in the country.”

ctvisit.com

Here's link to Pizza trail map: https://ctvisit.com/sites/default/files/documents/2025-09/COT-0625-PizzaTrail-Map-to trim.pdf

If you like good pizza then I'd certainly suggest a stop at one of our nationally renowned pizzerias in addition to the previously recommended Willington Pizza House! From Basketball Capital to Pizza Capital!!

 

[ctfjr]

Whenever we drive up to Storrs for a game we have usually managed to stop at Rein's deli, right off 84. Casual comfy food.
Just plan on allowing extra time if there is a line

 

[luvgiraf]

This!

OMG, I'm surprised this is still here! It was my Friday night 'go to' for dinner with my 3 kids back in the 1980s/1990s, then we'd go rent VHS movies to watch over the weekend!

 

[luvgiraf]

Google search "Mansfield CT restaurants" should give you a pretty good list. I recommend Chuck's Steak House/Margaritaville on Rt 32 in Mansfield, just 1 mile southeast of Rt 195.

I thought this had burned down (like the Shaboo Inn) back in the day. Oh well, I don't trust my memory anymore so maybe it didn't, or they rebuilt it. I DO remember being at the bar one evening and my car rolled out of the parking lot (why I use my parking break EVERY TIME to this very day!), luckily it just hit a fence and didn't go into Rt. 32! Thanks for all the memories!

 

[sledog]

Google search "Mansfield CT restaurants" should give you a pretty good list. I recommend Chuck's Steak House/Margaritaville on Rt 32 in Mansfield, just 1 mile southeast of Rt 195.

Wow. I thought Chucks went under. They used to be fantastic in NL and Mystic in the '60-70s, but then disappeared. From what I read, not so hot now?

 

[tomcat]

I cannot believe some of these places are still thrre after all these years
Chucks ans Willingtpn Pizza specifically.. It's like this the The Land That Time Forgot.
I remember being in Willingron Pizza before a game and we ran into Mel Thomas's parents. Really nice people . It helped that my wifecabd is were both Mel fans. Great times.
8
Anyway, thank you, everyone, for ideas.