What I’m eating: Summoning springtime splendor at local favoritesDate: 4/4/2023 As part of my dining and entertainment coverage, I will be expanding my scope to various local offerings. This week, I am excited to debut What I’m Eating. Think of these articles as my discount version of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” because no one could ever compete with the magnetic screen presence of Guy Fieri. With this column, I will travel throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut to highlight an assortment of eateries. I would also love to hear from readers about some of your beloved food staples, so don’t be afraid to send me some suggestions via email for other places to visit!
Every What I’m Eating column will have some running theme tying everything together. As I write this outside under the radiant sun, I can’t help but conjure warm feelings of springtime. The arrival of spring is one of the most satisfying points of the year for New Englanders. Gone are the cumbersome piles of snow and bristling cold weather. In their place, we all get to escape our homes and be reacquainted with the warm weather.
This week, I am spotlighting two local establishments that always help me welcome the spring season.
The Summer House, 552 College Hwy., Southwick
Nestled in the heart of Southwick, The Summer House elevates classic American comfort foods to a new level of mouth-watering fulfillment. I make trips year-round to this local favorite, but something about the lovely weather makes the journey all the more welcoming.
Visitors can dine on a plethora of dishes, from hamburgers and hot dogs to a versatile assortment of wraps, sandwiches and appetizers. These items are prepared with far more gusto than your average home-cooked meal. My personal favorite is their burgers. The juicy patty and generous helping of toppings arrive sandwiched between two slices of toasty grilled bread. This unique grilled cheese/burger combination is a brilliant marriage of comfort food sensibilities that always leaves me wanting another bite.
I usually bask in my meal with crispy french fries or the expertly prepared onion rings. Many onion rings are too floury in their battered exterior or too abrasive with their onion-forward taste. Here, the onion rings arrive coated with an airy layer of breading that accentuates the distinct onion taste. You can never go wrong with a restaurant that serves dinosaur chicken nuggets, along with other appetizers, like mozzarella sticks, mac and cheese bites and fried clam strips.
Visitors can enjoy their meal inside the cozy comfort of the restaurant’s interior or in their scenic outdoor dining space. I always favor eating outside on a beautiful day. Every outdoor visit, I am welcomed by a deep sense of nostalgia seeing the old-school train playground that I used to run around as a kid – it remains well intact even after all these years.
For anyone looking to kickstart their spring with some American classics, The Summer House is an ideal destination. Make sure to save room for dessert, as their ice cream is just as satisfying as the food.
For more information, visit: https://summerhouserestaurant.net/
Dairy Cream, 359 Ella Grasso Tpke., Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Nothing beats getting over mounds of snow quite like indulging in sumptuous scoops of ice cream. I know spring officially starts on March 20, but I consider the season started whenever Dairy Cream re-opens for the year.
Readers have probably driven by Dairy Cream dozens of times on their way to the airport. The quaint stand packs a powerful flavor punch, providing pretty much any ice cream order one could dream up. They offer dozens of ice cream flavors, their special flavor of the day and an endless list of one-in-a-kind ice cream creations. Some of the unique fan-favorite flavors include orange dole whip, blue raspberry and maple walnut. Dairy Cream also concocts sizable sundaes that will satisfy any ice cream fan’s cravings.
Personally, I’m kind of vanilla when it comes to ice cream (pun somewhat intended). My go-to is always a medium twist soft serve on a cone with chocolate sprinkles. I could recite the order better than I remember most phone numbers or important dates in my life. Dairy Cream offers unbelievable value with every serving, as the medium ice cream still stands tall like an ice cream mountain of sorts.
Dairy Cream provides a friendly atmosphere for patrons to hang out while they cool down on their frozen treats. It’s always great to bring a pet along for the ride, with their pup cup always giving my dogs a chance to enjoy the ice cream fun alongside me. For anyone looking for a scenic ice cream stop, you can never go wrong with Dairy Cream.
For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dairy-Cream-at-Bradley-International/100062949019499/
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