Connecticut recommendations???

[bbq.tom]

Hey y'all,

I'm heading to CT this weekend to judge the SAMs Club contest and will have a little free time on Sunday morning/afternoon.

Is there ANY "must see / must do" things that are within an hour or two from Hartford that will occupy some time that you recommend???

Doesn't have to be BBQ related, as it might be a stretch to talk my wife into more BBQ after she judges on Saturday (ME, that's another story - I'm always willing to try some good Q!).

Just looking for something to see/do.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!!!

 

[Gore]

Since I see your wife is going to be in Maine, you will be passing by one of my favorite all-time places in Sturbridge: B.T.'s Smokehouse. I ran into it by accident several years back and have since been about half a dozen times. The pitmaster is CIA trained, so they have some skill with food.

Two items I STRONGLY recommend:
1. Best Brisket Reuben sandwich I've ever had. My wife loves Reuben and I politely sample a bite. I'm not generally a fan. This one she raved about, and I would personally drive an extra 50 miles for lunch for a bite of this.
2. The hamburger. I make great burgers and am usually disappointed in them at restaurants, although I like to try them as they are one area where the chef can be creative. One late night some 3-4 years ago, driving through Massachusetts we called and placed a to-go order and my wife wanted a hamburger. I asked what choices we had to put on it. The lady said, "Oh, we don't put anything on it." No cheese, no ketchup, no special sauce, no nothing, just a hamburger patty on a bun. It took them a while to cook it because it was the only thing that wasn't ready when we pulled in. It was the absolute best hamburger I have ever eaten in my life. If your wife is sick of BBQ, order her a burger. :thumb:

http://btsmokehouse.com/#_=_

Whenever we've been, they've had a few special items that aren't on the regular menu.

All their other food is great too, but those two things