Mystic,CT
 

We - myself, husband, 8year old son -11 year old daughter and my 77 year old dad - will be in mystic this weekend for columbus day.we are looking for family type restaurants -not fast food.any suggestions?
Seafood maybe??

Thanks
melissa

Melissa, if you type Mystic AND restaurants in the text search above you'll find several previous threads with answers to this question. I haven't been recently enough to give advice.

Another poster here hleesa lives in the area so you might also look for posts from her on the area. Have a good time!

Hi Melissa- I live in the area, too, and would ask what type of food you're interested in, and how much $ you're willing to spend (for entree). Will you have a car?

we will have a car . we are staying at the holiday inn. we like just about any type of food. I guess one noight seafood . between $15-20 a person

thanke
melissa

Usually when we go to Mystic for seafood we are going for a pretty good meal, and it might be out of your price-range. I always rave about Go Fish, but meals are around $20. I'm not sure if the outdoor seafood stands are still open then. If they are, you might want to go to Abbott's in Noank. I can't tell you how to get there, but your hotel could. I also like Schooners in New London. It's on the river (overlooks the river), is around a 20 minute drive from Mystic. I think the prices may be in your range.

Thanks for the suggestions
Melissa

Hi again Melissa (and hi to hleesa- we should talk some day!)- I did some looking and this is the last weekend that Abbott's in Noank is open for business during the "season" - 12-7 all weekend, and for directions call 860.536.7719, or visit www.abbotts-lobster.com. You can get a lobster pulled from the water that morning, or there's clams, shrimp, and other goodies on the menu (it's BYOB - I'd recommend you stop and pick up some local Cottrell brew). If the kids are more into fried seafood, visit their sister restaurant Costello's next door. Both have beautiful views of Noank harbor, which is slightly west of Mystic...
Another option if you're in downtown Mystic is to walk down Water street away from Mystic Pizza (underwhelming pizza and an obvious tourist trap) and visit Margarita's for OK Mexican food or better still The Captain Daniel Packer Inn and dine in the cozy downstairs bar. A good place for a very filling lunch or early dinner, but their mashed potatoes ain't what they used to be. I would second Go Fish, but the last time I was there their service was quite spotty.
Also, if you're doing the Mystic Seaport, this weekend is ChowderFest, where they'll have lots of different kinds of chowder for sale along with other goodies, but keep in mind this is on top of the price of admission.
Finally, if you wander out of Mystic, I would recommend the Submarine Museum in Groton, where you can tour the first nuclear submarine Nautilus (bonus: it's free) and then head up Route 12 about 6 miles to Route 2 West, cross the bridge, and you're right at Mohegan Sun Casino. Big Bubba's BBQ in the casino is a decent place and a surprisingly OK value, and the kids might enjoy seeing the spectacle and poking into the shops.
My other faves in your range: Singapore's Grill in New London, Tony D's for Italian in New London, Peking Tokyo in Mystic, A Taste of India in Mystic, and and in the past few years the Seaman's Inne at the Seaport has really turned their menu around. I don't know too many locals that go there, but I had my rehearsal dinner there not too long ago (beautiful views of the river) and the seared tuna was superb... Have fun!

Tony D's is great - but very expensive. We had a bill for 3 the other week that topped $100 (granted I had a glass of wine and dessert..and an appetizer). I don't recommend Margerita's for anything beyond Nachos and margaritas. Definitely go to the submarine tour in Groton. I lived in the area 27 years before I ever went and now recommend it to everyone!

I agree about Maragarita's great place for MArgaritas especially outside on the patio. The Daniel Packer Inn is greta but as I remember well above your price range. Some of the little places on Main street offer good seafood at resaoanble prices and if I remember correctly there is a great Ice Cream place right by the bridge. We haven't driven up to Mystic this year so mind is a bit fuzzy. YOU WILL LOVE it

I think the place is Drawbridge Ice-Cream - save room for dessert there!