New Haven/lunch
 

Will be doing walking tour of Yale on Sunday before Labor Day, beginning our road trip up the New England Coast. Someone suggested a picnic at East Rock Park. Anyone know that area?
Any other suggestions for nice place to have lunch? Don't need gourmet, just fun place and decent food.
Thanks

I've lived in the area for 6 years and have been meaning to get to Louie's Lunch, which is said to be the restaurant that started the hamburger.

There's also the renowned Pepe's Pizza, purported by some to be the best pizza around.

There's a veggie place (but with normal food) called Claire's Corner Copia on Chapel St. that has been in business since 1975.

Also New Haven is famous for pizza. Go to Pepe's on Wooster St. for the original; they open at 2PM on Sunday but you can see if they have longer summer hours.

If you're into Buffalo Wings the best in Ct are at Archie Moore's on Willow St.

Finally, anywhere on Broadway (where the Yalies hang out) should be great.

East Rock is an interesting idea for a picnic. In all the times I've been to NH, I've never been up there. The view should be good.

Good suggestions above. The burgers at Louis' Lunch are tasty, but note that condiments are limited (no ketchup!), and there are no fries, only chips. Also, the atmosphere is Spartan - the place is basically a shack.

A slight step up in elegance, to the level of greasy spoon, is the Yankee Doodle, where the burgers come on buttered buns and the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon.

For good diner fare in a central location, try Yorkside Pizza. The meatball grinder is excellent.

There are also good Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian places with all-you-can-eat buffets. (At least there were when I lived there five years ago. If any of that appeals to you, I can try to find out if the places I liked are still there.)

Pepe's or Sally's. One of them is usually open for lunch. A destination pizza place for all lovers of good pizza in the tri-state area.

Hi- I would not recommend a picnic on East Rock as it is not in the Yale vicinity. Chapel St is very near the Freshman dorms on the "old campus" . Claire's is a good choice as is Rainbow Gardens and Atticus book store - all of these are on chapel st with a couple of blocks of each other. Lots of boutiques and near the British Art museum and Yale Art Gallery. hope this helps.

Pepe's or Sally's of course!

Pepe's ans Sally's are not open for lunch on Sunday. Louis's is great, but has totally irregular hours, can't tell you if they will be open or not. Rainbow and Atticus are good suggestions (Rainbow is very flowery and girly, great food though). Personally, I find Claire's bland and not worth the money, unless you need to go Kosher.

For slightly more upscale, Scoozi has a very nice brunch.

What is the name of that Bookstore that serves lunch with delicious breads and salads?--the best black bean soup ever!

That's Atticus. The black bean is amazing!

(Also, for anyone looking for meals in the New Haven area and wants to try New Haven pizza without going to Wooster Street - a bit of a hike from the Yale campus - I'd recommend BAR very highly. However, it is not open on Sunday afternoons, so does not help Bethie.)

Atticus!! Thank GOD--that would have been bugging me all night!

BTW, the black bean soup recipe in the orginal Moosewood cookbook is very similar to what they serve at the Atticus! It has oranges and lots of veggies in it!

Definitely go to Claire's for lunch - fresh, healthy food. (If that is not "normal" to you, there is a McDonalds down the street. Sorry for the flame, but what exactly is "normal" food?)

Sunday lunch is hard since so many of the best places are closed!
Incidentally, many current New Haveners really prefer Modern Pizza over Sallie's or Pepe's (and New Haveners are rabid about pizza)-- but it doesn't open till 3pm on sunday. (874 State Street)

I also find Claire's a little bland sometimes and somewhat overpriced. meh.

Been to Louie's-- and it is fun to say you've been there (kinda like Pepe's)-- but everyone better want burgers and thats it. And is it open on sunday?... not sure... no one knows...

There are a few close fun funky ethic places open then which are very affordable:
Bangkok Gardens (Thai)-- close, 172 York St,& some great lunch specials (~$7 for soup, spring roll, and main dish!), nice atmosphere

York St Noodle (166 York St # 1) and Ivy Noodle (316 Elm St) serve up asian noodle dishes (York has nicer atmosphere, but may not be open sunday. Ivy-- either you love it or hate it-- it is really a hard-core Asian-style noodle house-- reccommend the curry noodle soup, Tom Yam noodle soup or the "wide noodle" dishes).

In the other direction (just south of the Green) there are a bunch of new places popped up on Temple St:
Temple Grill (American)- more upscale, popular but expensive (?). (152 Temple st)

Kudeta- popular new asian fusion & sushi-- trendy atmosphere, but great $8-$15 lunch meal prices! (11am-3pm Sun) (27 Temple St.)

Sahara (middle eastern)- (170 Temple st)- very affordable casual and convenient (i think it is open for lunch... definately dinner..)

And for your basic Pub fare there is Playwright (144 Temple st) which happens to have a great chicken sandwich.

good luck!