Bloggers Speak Out About Dining Experience on Route 44

Readers commenting on CHOWHOUND, a food media website, are voicing the effects they've noticed of the economic recession on dining options on Route 44 in Avon, Canton and Simsbury.

"First Wasab's sushi closed in Weatogue (Simsbury), CT, then Margarita's Mexican in Canton, then the 99 on Route 44 in Avon, then Boston Market nearby and now Dakota has closed as of the end of May 2011," commenter ntuitive1, of West Hartford, wrote on CHOWHOUND July 16. "There are fewer places than ever left to eat on Route 44 thanks to the recession."

Colony Grill, a pizza-only restaurant already based in and , is into the former Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub and On the Border restaurant space in Nod Brook Mail, as approved at the .

The commenter posted a call on both CHOWHOUND and Patch for more dining options along Route 44. 

"Just what we need on Rt.44 - Another pizza-only restaurant - NOT. Without 99 and Dakota there's no steak left in a reasonable price range but there's plenty of pizza already," the commenter, registered as on Patch, wrote July 16 in response to a Patch story about . "Why doesn't someone open up a true diner on Rt. 44? I'd bet it would clean up as there's nothing like that in the area. You know, breakfast, lunch and dinner and typical diner fare in a reasonable price range. I don't get this area of CT. NY state and Fairfield County have their share of good diners."

Another CHOWHOUND blogger named Tinkerbelldee commented on the food website in support of Colony Grill opening in Avon.

"Colony Pizza is great and I would welcome it up here. There may be a lot of pizza options but few are very good," Tinkerbelldee wrote on CHOWHOUND.

Another CHOWHOUND commenter, JenJeninCT, of Milford, said she liked the pizza at Colony Grill's other locations, though criticizing some of the topping options, like the mushrooms and meatballs, as well as the absence of salads from the menu. 

There have been many business changes lately in the food world on Route 44. Accubranch, LLC is applying to put a bank in where Boston Market was on Route 44. Fresh Market will replace a former restaurant and Party City in the Nod Brook Mall plaza. The Avon Old Farms Inn was previously foreclosed upon and has since reopened as . on Route 44 closed at the end of May and remains vacant.

CHOWHOUND commenter, Meesch70, of Avon, supports smaller, locally owned businesses over chains.

"Agreed, I would rather spend my money in local restaurants than patronize the chains on 44," the Meesch70 wrote on CHOWHOUND. "Ferme, Husk, Feng, LIttle City Pizza, Flaggstead, to name a few favorites."

Despite the closure of many restaurants on Route 44, CHOWHOUND commenter Tinkerbelledee said there are still desirable places to eat along the state highway.

"There are still so many great options in the area; while I feel for the folks that were employed at these places, I am not surprised by any of them," Tinkerbelldee wrote on CHOWHOUND. "Supporting local restaurant owners and chefs is easy enough to do in this area, great for the economy, and darn tasty!"