Breakfast is the best meal of the day, no matter what time it is. Luckily for Conn students, there are a number of restaurants that serve so-called “breakfast foods,” (a.k.a. the only foods) around the clock. Muddy Waters Café, Bean & Leaf, and Washington Street Coffee House are among the closest restaurants to campus with some of the best breakfast food. If you’re looking less for a coffee shop and more for a diner, you can check out Norm’s, Groton Townhouse, and Mystic Diner. But what else does the shoreline have to offer?
This semester, a small group of friends and I decided that we would go out for brunch every Sunday as a last-ditch effort to explore the region that we have called home for the past four years. After trying out a number of places in New London, Waterford, Groton, and Mystic, I think we’ve found our favorite – When Pigs Fly off of Route 1 in Waterford. When Pigs Fly is the second restaurant opened by Sarina and Gwen McGugan. The restaurant’s name refers to their reaction when asked if they would open another restaurant, though it seems that the second time is the charm in this case! It might be the self-serve coffee, or the super friendly staff, or the awesome breakfast specials, but the small restaurant decked out in cute flying pig paraphernalia won our hearts.
For slightly more than the price you might pay at a diner, the staff at When Pigs Fly serves up hefty portions of breakfast favorites and fun, new spins on classic dishes. A number of their dishes feature the ever-popular avocado, including their Breakfast Quesadilla (a mixture of scrambled eggs, veggies, and bacon in a crispy tortilla shell). Their pancakes are completely customizable – fresh cranberries and blueberries take the plate-sized dish from great to OMG.
The Weekly Specials board always makes ordering the hardest decision ever. The variety of French toast, omelet, pancake, and “healthy” selections are always interesting and sound incredible – think peach bread French toast, s’mores waffles, and peach pecan pancakes…yum! If you haven’t yet made it to this incredible restaurant, the pigs are flying – go now!
Other notable mentions:
Somewhere In Time, located in Mystic, is the first restaurant opened by the McGugans. It has the same menu as its sister restaurant, but its distance from campus and slightly poorer quality of service makes When Pigs Fly our top choice.
The Yolk Café on Montauk Avenue is a tiny little place with big character. Doreen Brett, the owner, is extremely outgoing and genuinely cares about serving her customers with excellent food and a good time. The major downside: it’s definitely hard to get a table. Get there early, and be prepared to wait.
Kitchen Little on Mason’s Island in Mystic is always delicious, though it’s new(-ish) location does not hold the same charm as it did on the main drag near the Seaport. The servers are really friendly, and the food arrives quickly and deliciously.
Sweetie’s Bakery and Café is located on Bank Street, and is well-known for their delicious, gourmet desserts. Our little brunch group hasn’t checked out Sweetie’s yet, but we have heard some raving reviews about their homemade sausage and bread!
