Shady Glen - A Local Culinary Treasure in Manchester, CT

People still talk to each other here. I appreciate places like this because they are a treasure compared to America Land. Where everything is the same and corporatized. I hate coleslaw. I did not hate this coleslaw.

Went here for the first time today. Food and service were excellent. Really great experience all around, and takes you back in time. Will be back!

We have been talking about eating at Shady Glen for many years. Even though we grew up in the area it was our first time here. Just a heads up, this is a cash only place but they do have an ATM on site. When you walk in, you are immediately teleported back to 1950. It’s a quaint, retro diner, a little dated but very clean. We got the cheeseburger with the fried cheese and the cheesefurter, which is a hot dog with fried cheese. The fried cheese was definitely something you need to experience to understand. We loved it and we have never had anything like it. Also, I am kind of a Cole slaw snob and I actually loved the Cole slaw here, very good!! The overall quality of the food was excellent, definitely what you would expect from a retro 1950’s diner, the waitress was very attentive and sweet and we finished the meal off with some ice cream, which was also very good. We will definitely be going back soon, it’s a great overall experience!!

I’ve been here a few times and my wife is a local growing up eating here. Food is good and it’s a cool old school experience. However the seating situation is annoying. You’re expected to kind of pick a side of the restaurant and hover around where you want to sit and just wait and take the next table as the patrons self manage the queue. I think this needs to be abolished and if they want to maintain any kind of old school management of the queue get a deli number machine and let people get numbers and just call them as tables clear out. The cheese burgers and ice cream are what you come for. It’s worth waiting but know what you’re in for.

I have gone to Shady Glen from time to time. The food is fantastic, but it is often hard to find seating. I wish they had more seats inside and expanded. I love the old-fashioned feel and style, but they could expand and make more room. I have come here at times and left because there's a huge line for seating and no one really directs the line. They only take cash. Price-wise, it is not too expensive. The waiters and waitresses are great, but sometimes the service is a bit on the slower side. Keep in mind they only take cash, and it's mostly fried food. They could add a few more healthier options, I suppose. The milkshakes are great. It's my style for a restaurant, but nothing fancy, which I personally like.

The Atmosphere, the service and the food here is awesome. Lovely.. Would come back again. Banana split Sundae is the BEST here yummy

Such a great place! Stopped for late lunch on the drive from NYC to Boston, so pleased I did. Great service, perfect cheeseburger, and the ice cream place is now firmly on my map for when I’m next in the area.

Visiting my home state of Connecticut led me to stop in at Shady Glen’s for a bite to eat before going up to Storrs to watch the Women’s Basketball Champions take on Villanova. Emma was a gem. Her hospitality was warm and she made me feel like it hadn’t been 20 years since I last visited. For anyone who hasn’t stopped in a while, you won’t be disappointed.