When you’re looking for a really great burger, sometimes it pays off to go old school. In Connecticut, you’ll want to head to the 1940s diner that still has that classic retro vibe. Shady Glen has if not the best cheeseburgers than definitely the most unique cheeseburgers in the state. With its crispy cheese wings, this scrumptious burger is something to talk about.

Located in Manchester, the original Shady Glen Dairy Store on East Middle Turnpike is full of retro charm. This 1940s restaurant seems almost frozen in time.
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The vintage booths are a throwback to its early years. You can also choose a spot at the counter for a front row seat to the cooks busily working the sizzling griddle.
TripAdvisor/Steve P
Servers still wear old-school paper hats, bow ties, and aprons as they greet diners with a friendly smile. The diner is legendary for its homemade ice cream and quirky cheeseburgers.
TripAdvisor/tonystewart14
The cheeseburger called the Bernice Original begins like most burgers. Well-seasoned patties are cooked to sheer perfection.
Google Images/Sean Tingle

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But when the cheese is added, the magic begins. The generous slice of American cheese is placed on top of the burger and the edges fall down onto the griddle. These edges are cooked into crispy cheese wings!
Google Images/timothy brooks
The crispy cheese wings are a topping all on their own adding a surprisingly delicious crunch to the patty.
Google Images/Len Hahn
The best part? The cheese on top of the burger stays gooey and melted! There is nothing quite like a Bernice Original anywhere else in the world.
Google Images/Michael Nixt
Finish off your visit with some homemade ice cream. Your sweet tooth will thank you afterward. A visit to Shady Glen is like entering a delicious decade from the past.
Google Images/Allen Kwok
Address: 840 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT 06040

Have you ever dined at Shady Glen? What did you think about their one-of-a-kind cheeseburgers? If you like dining the old-fashioned day, check out these other fabulous retro diners in the Nutmeg State.

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